Today we’ll be reviewing the TenPoint Havoc RS440. TenPoint recently announced their 2021 crossbow lineup with the TenPoint Vapor RS470 XERO being their flagship model. Its most unique feature is the optional XERO scope with a built-in range finder scope.
Another factor that we think is very important, is the fact that TenPoint isn’t speed rating their crossbows with three different arrow weights. This was very confusing for customers and that’s why some people weren’t as happy with their TenPoint (or Wicked Ridge) crossbow.
We got very lucky and managed to get our hands on the Havoc RS440 crossbow so we could do an in-depth review of this brand new crossbow from TenPoint!
Table of Contents
TenPoint Havoc RS440 Crossbow Specs
[amazon table=”6632″]
Assembly
As with most crossbows from TenPoint, the Havoc RS440 comes almost fully assembled. You’ll only need to mount the scope, string stop system and quiver.
Even for people new to crossbow shooting, the Havoc RS440 should be pretty easy to assemble. TenPoint includes an owner’s/instruction manual with the crossbow and you can even find instructional videos on TenPoint’s website.
First Impressions
After releasing their flagship crossbow, the Vapor RS470 XERO, TenPoint introduced another crossbow with the XERO range finding scope; the TenPoint Havoc RS440. Because of the high price of the Garmin XERO scope, TenPoint also released this model with an EVO-X Marksman Elite scope. This would save you about $1100.
Another unique feature for the Havoc RS440 is its size. This new crossbow is ~5 inches smaller than its predecessors at only . Before TenPoint’s 2021 lineup, they didn’t offer a crossbow that was smaller than 31.5 inches.
As we already mentioned in the intro, TenPoint doesn’t speed-test their crossbows with three different types of arrows and weights. They only mention the speed of the crossbow with the included arrows.
Because of the shortened size of the Havoc RS440, this crossbow will only take 16-inch bolts. Included with this package are six 16-inch Evo-X CenterPunch premium carbon arrows with 100-grain practice points.
Design and Durability
The TenPoint Havoc RS440 comes with a Reverse-Draw design and combined with the RX7-cams and an elongated power stroke, this crossbow can shoot arrows at 440 feet per second! This is basically the same design that powers the Vapor RS470.
This crossbow is also very compact at just 26.5 inches in length, 12.3 inches in width uncocked and 7.5 inches cocked.
Because of all of these high quality features and durability, the Havoc RS440 is quite a heavy crossbow. Even without accessories it already weighs 7.5 pounds. After adding the XERO scope, the crossbow can easily weigh 10 pounds.
TenPoint is one of the few crossbow manufacturers that also include a SIX-Arrow Tech Quiver with their crossbows. Most crossbows come with a 3-arrow quiver.
Optics
TenPoint released the Havoc RS440 with 2 different scopes; the Garmin XERO scope and the EVO-X Marksman Elite scope.
Garmin XERO Scope
TenPoint partnered with Garmin to create the first crossbow that came with a built-in range finding scope and the XERO scope is also an option for the Havoc RS440 crossbow. We’ve already reviewed the XERO scope on the Vapor RS470. It’s currently the most high-tech scope available for a crossbow, but also very expensive.
The Garmin XERO X1i crossbow scope is designed for crossbows with a maximum of 650 feet per second and has a range of 250 yards (or 500 yards for reflective targets).
Calibrating the Garmin XERO X1i
Make sure you’ve mounted the scope correctly and placed the silent range button in a place that you can easily reach with your finger. After that, it’s time to turn the XERO scope on for the first time and you’ll need to complete the initial setup.
The initial setup will guide you through the process of making sure that the scope is dead-center at a 20-yard distance.
After installing the first aiming point, you can add more aiming points for different distances yourself or let the scope automatically calibrate aiming points for you by entering the speed of the crossbow. You can always edit, add, delete, or re-calibrate aiming points after this initial setup. The Garmin XERO X1i scope can store a total of 10 custom bolt profiles.
Click here to go to the performance test.
EVO-X Marksman Elite Scope
If you don’t need high-tech features and/or a much cheaper option, you can also opt for the EVO-X Marksman Elite scope. This is a brand new crossbow and an upgrade from the previous EVO-X Marksman scope. It might not be as high-tech as the XERO scope, but it still has amazing features for a “normal” scope.
The EVO-X Marksman Elite is a variable speed scope designed for crossbows with speeds of up to 500 feet per second and has a range of 100-yards. Including the reticle, this scope features a total of 9 aiming points from 20-100 yards with 10-yard increments.
Sighting in the EVO-X Marksman Elite
TenPoint already pre-sighted the EVO-X Marksman Elite scope before they ship the crossbows out, but during transport the scope can lose some of its accuracy. It’s best to take every crossbow out to the range for some target shooting before you’ll take it with you on a hunt.
First make sure the scope is properly sighted in at 20-yard distances and then move it to a 50-yard distance. After having it properly sighted in at 50 yards, the other aiming points should be calibrated as well.
Click here to go to the performance test.
Noise Reducing Features
TenPoint equipped the Havoc RS440 with an integrated string stop system. As this crossbow is a high-powered crossbow, without the integrated string stop system the Havoc RS440 would generate a lot of noise upon pulling the trigger.
Cocking
A high quality TenPoint crossbow isn’t complete without their latest ACU crank cocking device. The TenPoint Havoc RS440 is equipped with the ACUslide cocking and de-cocking system.
TenPoint hasn’t upgraded their ACU crank cocking devices this year, but the ACUslide is already a complete and the best (in our opinion) crank cocking device on the market. TenPoint offered the ACUslide with their 2020 lineup; the Viper S400, Vengent S440 and Vapor RS470.
The ACUslide crank cocking device reduces the force required to cock this crossbow to only 12 pounds! Not only is cocking the Havoc RS440 with an ACUslide effortless, it’s also completely silent and has the ability the safely decock the crossbow too.
Performance
Taking a crossbow out to the range for some target shooting is definitely the most fun part of reviewing a crossbow. Because TenPoint offers two different scopes for the Havoc RS440, we’ll have two different performance tests.
TenPoint installed their S1 trigger on the Havoc RS440. This is a 2-stage trigger that breaks at ~3.5 pounds. It’s a very smooth trigger and still one of the best on the market today.
Included with the TenPoint Havoc RS440 are six 16-inch Evo-X CenterPunch premium carbon arrows with 100-grain practice points. Fortunately, TenPoint now only speed-rates their crossbows with 1 type of arrow.
We’ll put the EVO-X Marksman Elite scope up for the test first. It’s easier to mount and we don’t have to mount the custom elevated cheek piece. For comparison purposes we decided to use a target at 100 yards for both the EVO-X Marksman Eite and the XERO scope. After the initial test shots, we managed to get a grouping of 2.5 inches at 100yards.
After the initial setup of the XERO scope, we put a target at the same 100-yard distance and shot a dozen arrows as practice. Because of the technology, it can take some time to get used to the XERO scope. After the test shots, we managed to get even tighter groups of <2 inches. We’re still amazed at the quality and accuracy of this scope.
Please note that the TenPoint Havoc RS440 can easily weigh 10 pounds with the XERO scope mounted. It’s quite a heavy but extremely fast, accurate and durable crossbow.
[amazon box=”B08TB48RQG”]
Recommended Accessories
Arrows & Broadheads
As with all crossbows from TenPoint, you’ll have to use the Alpha-Nocks from TenPoint. Failure to use Alpha-Nocks will void your warranty! It’s highly recommended to just use the EVO-X CenterPunch 16-inch carbon arrows from TenPoint. They’re very accurate, straight and each package is weight-grain matched within 1-grain per arrow.
Just as with the Vapor RS470 XERO, we recommend using TenPoint’s EVO-X CenterPunch broadheads or the RAGE Crossbow X broadheads. You can also take a look at our list of the 16 Best Broadheads To Buy In 2021.
[amazon table=”5074″]
Storage and Transportation
Because of the shorter size of the TenPoint Havoc RS440, the older TenPoint crossbow cases don’t fit. TenPoint released the HALO Bowpack for their new crossbows and it’s also the first ever crossbow packpack on the market.
“Designed for optimal protection and ease of transport, the water-resistant bowpack features a padded exterior shell constructed from Brushed Tricot, and a padded interior with two hook and loop straps to secure the crossbow during travel. The rigid frame features robust back support, as well as a pocketed waist strap and sternum strap for ultimate carrying comfort.”
[amazon box=”B08RH1G8Q7″]
TenPoint Havoc RS440 Crossbow Review
Summary
The TenPoint Havoc RS440 is the most compact and powerful crossbow on the market today. This crossbow is very accurate at long distances and the ACUslide ensures a safe and silent cocking process.
What we like
- Compact
- Powerful
- Accurate
- Safe and Silent Cocking and De-cocking
- Comfortable to hold
- Made in the USA
What we don’t like
- XERO Not available with Graphite-Grey Camo
