TenPoint already released an amazing new crossbow for the 2021 hunting season! We managed to get our hands on a TenPoint Vapor RS470 XERO. It’s the first crossbow that leaves the factory with a rangefinder scope!
We’re really excited to review the latest and greatest technology that a TenPoint crossbow has to offer. We’ve never tested a scope with a rangefinder already built-in, so this is a first for us as well! As this crossbow is basically the Vapor RS470 with a new high-tech rangefinding scope, this review will mainly focus on the Garmin XERO X1i scope.
Included with the TenPoint Vapor RS470 XERO Hunting Package: Garmin XERO X1i Rangefinder Scope, ACUslide, 6-Arrow Tech Quiver, 6 lighted EVO-X CenterPunch premium carbon arrows with 100-grain practice points, 6 EVO-X CenterPunch premium carbon arrows with 100-grain practice points, 3 EVO-X CenterPunch broadheads, Narrow Soft Crossbow Case, TenPoint’s Neoprene sling and an owner’s manual.
Table of Contents
TenPoint Vapor RS470 XERO Specs
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What we like:
- One of the fastest crossbows available
- Insanely accurate
- Compact design
- XERO rangefinding scope
- Custom elevated cheek piece for perfect eye alignment with the XERO scope
- Durable
- ACUslide easy, safe, and silent crank cocking device
- Made in the USA
What we don’t like:
- Can only use TenPoint arrows
- Speed-rated with 3 different arrows, need to buy the Pro Lite carbon arrows to reach the maximum speed of 470 FPS
- Quite heavy at over 10 pounds
Assembly
TenPoint ships the Vapor RS470 XERO mostly assembled. You’ll only need to mount the scope, string stop system, and quiver.
The XERO scope also comes with a silent range button. Mount the button in the best location for your grip so one finger can silently activate the laser range finder to give you the distance and exact aim point you need for the shot.
First Impressions
That XERO scope just keeps stealing the show! It’s an amazing piece of tech for a crossbow. Besides the top of the range scope, TenPoint also added an elevated custom cheekpiece. Obviously, the scope is much bigger and sits higher than the EVO-X Marksman Scope.
TenPoint also improved the attaching and detaching process of the 6-arrow tech quiver by designing a new dovetail mount for the quiver for the Vapor RS470 XERO. The quiver itself is exactly the same as its predecessor.
Besides those 3 changes, TenPoint didn’t touch anything else while upgrading its predecessor. Exactly the same power, limbs, size, etc. are on the TenPoint Vapor RS470 XERO.
Design and Durability
The new TenPoint Vapor RS470 XERO has the exact same length and width as its predecessor. This crossbow also comes in at a total of 31 inches in length. While uncocked, it measures a total of 12 inches and when cocked only 6.5 inches wide axle-to-axle.
It was already quite a heavy crossbow, but by mounting the Garmin XERO scope to the stock, you’ll add another 2 pounds of weight to the crossbow. That makes this a 10-pound heavy crossbow! It’s still a perfectly balanced crossbow though.
Another thing that TenPoint didn’t change are the RX-7 cams that power the Dual Flex limbs. Paired with the Sling-Shot technology, this results in speeds up to 470 feet per second!
TenPoint’s Micro-Trac Barrel reduces string-to-rail contact which results in higher down-range accuracy and longer string life.
TenPoint installed their S1 Trigger onto the Vapor RS470 XERO. This 2-stage trigger offers a crisp, zero-creep 3.5-pound pull. This trigger is also equipped with the trigger lock-latch.
“Stainless steel latch locks the trigger at full-draw, relieving the tension from the ACUslide unit and guaranteeing that your trigger box is in the same location on each shot, leading to a 48% down-range accuracy.”
Scope
The TenPoint Vapor RS470 XERO’s most amazing feature: the Garmin XERO X1i Rangefinding Scope! This scope offers a 3.5x magnification. There are other rangefinder scopes for crossbows on the market, but none of them can compare to the Garmin XERO.
After setting up the Vapor RS470 XERO, the scope will show multiple aiming points. By pressing the silent range button, the XERO scope will automatically range game at a distance of up to 250 yards and then only shows a single aiming point.
Features like “Steady Aim” and “Point Level” will show you how you’ve positioned the crossbow during the shot. After the shot, “Roll at Shot” and “Impulse Duration” will give you feedback on the shots you’ve taken.
If you’ve got a Garmin GPS that’s compatible with the XERO rangefinder scope, you can also use the “Laser Locate waypoint projection feature.” This shows you exactly where your target was located when you took the shot.
The display is very clear, it’s very easy to read all the data that’s shown on the display. It will also automatically adjust the brightness, so you’ll always have a clear view.
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 recalibrate aiming points after this initial setup. The Garmin XERO X1i scope can store a total of 10 custom bolt profiles.
Noise Reducing Features
A feature that’s a must on a high-powered crossbow is noise reduction. TenPoint includes an Integrated String Stop System with the Vapor RS470 XERO. This is one of the few things you’ll have to assemble yourself.
This string stop system reduces enough of the noise that the crossbow produces to not scare away any game in your area.
Cocking
Just like its predecessor, the XERO also has the ACUslide Cocking and De-Cocking System. It’s still the safest and easiest crank cocking device that also has a decocking feature.
By using the ACUslide cranking device, you’ll reduce the draw-weight by 95%. A 225-pound draw-weight turns into a 5-pound cocking effort!
Besides all those features, the ACUslide does all of that completely silent!
Performance
Because we wanted to fully utilize the potential the TenPoint Vapor RS470 XERO has to offer, we entered a total of 3 bolt profiles into the XERO scope. We tested it with the 3 recommended arrow options from TenPoint, the Pro Lite carbon arrows, Pro Elite carbon arrows, and the EVO-X CenterPunch arrows that are included with the “Hunting Package.”
The XERO definitely feels heavier than the Vapor RS470. It’s still a perfectly balanced crossbow.
At first, we decided to use a target at a 50-yard distance. Because this crossbow is so accurate and the scope offers 3.5x magnification with a crystal clear view, we broke some arrows with our first test shots. We switched to a target that’s distanced at 100 yards and managed to get groups of <1.5 inches.
Shooting each of the 3 different arrows 5 times over our chronograph gave us the following results:
| Arrow | Weight | Max FPS | Min FPS | Avg FPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Lite Carbon Arrow | 370-grains | 468 FPS | 465 FPS | 466.8 FPS |
| Pro Elite 400 Carbon Arrow | 400-grains | 460 FPS | 453 FPS | 457.2 FPS |
| Pro Elite 400 Carbon Arrow | 445-grains | 444 FPS | 438 FPS | 441.2 FPS |
Switching between the custom bolt profiles is easy to do and allows for using different arrows without constantly having to re-sight your scope.
Recommended Accessories
TenPoint offers the Vapor RS470 with a hunting package. Everything you’ll need to go out for a hunt is included, like six lighted and six non-lighted (a total of 12!) EVO-X CenterPunch premium carbon arrows with 100-grain practice points and three EVO-X CenterPunch broadheads.
TenPoint even includes their narrow soft crossbow case that “features two padded quick-release straps that can be used individually for “sling-style” carrying or together for “backpack style” carrying.”
Arrows & Broadheads
As using other arrows/nocks other than TenPoint’s Alpha Nocks will void your TenPoint Vapor RS470 XERO’s warranty, we can’t recommend any other arrows besides TenPoint’s arrows. Below is a list of the arrows that are recommended by TenPoint.
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TenPoint’s EVO-X CenterPunch broadheads are one of the best broadheads currently on the market. This 2-blade broadhead weighs a total of 100-grains and creates a massive cut of 1.875 inches. They’re a bit pricey though and TenPoint doesn’t offer any replacement blades for them.
The RAGE Crossbow X is one of our highest rated broadheads and they’re cheaper than the EVO-X CenterPunch Broadheads. These RAGE Crossbow X broadheads also have a 100-grain weight to them and have a 2-inch cutting diameter. Even better, RAGE offers replacement blades for these broadheads!
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Our Rating of the TenPoint Vapor RS470 XERO
Summary
With TenPoint teaming up with Garmin, TenPoint managed to release the Vapor RS470 XERO as the first crossbow with a scope that has a built-in rangefinder. It’s an absolute beast of a crossbow and incredibly accurate!
What’s in store for us next year? A crossbow that will shoot an animal, come home, and cook it exactly how we like it?
Did you see any accuracy differences between the 3 different arrow choices. Looking for the best arrow choice for this bow thanks Doug Love the 1.5 in group
We recommend to use the heavier 445-grains EVO-X CenterPunch arrows. You’ll put a lot less stress on the crossbow and it’ll have a longer life.
We didn’t notice any accuracy differences with the XERO scope. Using the Vapor RS470 with the Marksman Elite scope needs a bit more tuning before you get it as accurate as you want.
Do you enjoy your RS470 XERO so far?