Brand-new designed for 2020 coming from TenPoint, the Viper S400 crossbow comes with a large amount of innovative technology. The TenPoint Viper S400 comes equipped with a 2-stage zero creep S1 trigger, Micro-Trac barrel, RangeMaster Pro Scope and Tec-X stock. Like most TenPoint crossbows, the Viper S400 also comes with the ACUSlide cocking and decocking system.
TenPoint is an American brand that’s been selling crossbows for over 27 years. They’re producing high quality, super-fast and accurate crossbows. All of TenPoint’s engineering and manufacturing is done in Mogadore, Ohio. TenPoint released three new crossbows for 2020. We really loved the Vapor RS470 and already wrote a review about it.
The Viper S400 is looking to be an incredibly good bow to have for 2020 and beyond. Let us dive in just a little deeper and unpack a few of the new technology which makes this bow extremely amazing!
Table of Contents
TenPoint Viper S400 Crossbow Features
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Size and Weight
TenPoint says it’s their shortest forward-draw crossbow ever. The TenPoint Viper S400 comes in at 32 inches in length, 11 inches wide when uncocked and 7.2 inches wide when cocked.
The TenPoint Viper S400 is slightly shorter than the TenPoint Turbo M1 that measures 32.5 inches in length. The TenPoint Turbo M1 is also a very good forward-draw crossbow from TenPoint, but around $600 cheaper than the Viper S400. But the TenPoint Viper S400 only has a power stroke of 11 inches!
The Viper S400 weighs 7.5 pounds without accessories. It’s not a very lightweight crossbow, but it’s not heavy either. This crossbow feels really well balanced, is easy to handle and easy to maneuver with in tight spaces.
Speed and Arrows
TenPoint says the Viper S400 can shoot arrows at up to 400 feet per second. When looking closer at all the features, you’ll notice TenPoint supplies three Evo-X CenterPunch premium carbon arrows. These arrows come in at 445 grains and the Viper S400 will only manage to shoot the arrows at 370 feet per second.
In order to actually achieve the 400 feet per second, you’ll have to order Pro Lite Carbon Arrows from TenPoint. These arrows only weigh 370 grains. That’s 75 grains less than the Evo-X CenterPunch arrows.
You can buy the arrows separately on Amazon.
I recommend to stick with the Evo-X CenterPunch arrows. They’re heavier so they travel a bit slower but have more kinetic energy. The Evo-X CenterPunch arrows roughly have 135 FP KE and the Pro Lite Carbon arrows 132 FP KE.
Using a heavier arrow also results in a quieter shot and the arrow will absorb more of the force the crossbow generates, reducing the wear on the limbs and strings.
We were able to hit 372 feet per second with the Evo-X CenterPunch arrows and exactly 400 feet per second with the Pro Lite Carbon arrows.
Scope
TenPoint equipped the Viper S400 with a top-of-the-range scope. This scope is designed and produced by TenPoint themselves. This scope has been released by TenPoint 5 years ago and it’s a very good scope!
The RangeMaster Pro scope is very easy to sight in for 20 to 60-yard shots. The RangeMaster Pro offers extremely clear optics, variable magnification from 1.5X to 5X and contrast lines, red or green dots and adjustments can be easily made in the field. It’s the perfect scope for the Viper S400!
Assembling and Disassembling
The Viper S400 comes mostly assembled. You’ll only have to install the scope and you’re ready to cock and shoot the crossbow!
You don’t have to disassemble the Viper S400 to store it. It’s a very compact bow and you can just hang it on a crossbow stand or put it in a crossbow case.
Unfortunately, TenPoint doesn’t supply a case with it, but you can buy one on Amazon or from TenPoint. At the time of writing this article, both cases are cheaper on Amazon than on the TenPoint website. You can either buy the soft case or the hard case.
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Cocking
The new totally integrated cocking mechanism right from TenPoint is really leading-edge technological know-how inside the crossbow industry. For the first time ever you’re able to safely and silently cock and decock your crossbow and release the handle anytime you want without breaking anything.
That ACUslide inside the Viper S400 contains a new integrated brake mechanism, which helps the crank from unwinding when releasing the handle. It also prevents the bow from dry-firing during either the cocking or decocking procedure, further contributing to the safety features.
The ACUslide is placed inside of an innovative stock layout from TenPoint, a new Tec-X Stock. That stock is definitely smaller sized and reduces the entire weight of the crossbow by more than half a pound.
Shooting and Trigger
New with the TenPoint Viper S400 comes a S1 Trigger. This trigger from TenPoint is a 2-stage trigger with no creep and a crisp pull. TenPoint says this should improve your accuracy by 48%!
Their Trigger Lock Latch is definitely an imaginative design that minimizes the tension from the string coupled with the ACUslide and allows the trigger box rest for your new latch. This means your bow is your trigger box will probably be in the identical position every single time, that leads to 48% raised downrange accuracy and reliability.
One of the Viper S400 features is a renovated Micro-Trac Barrel. This kind of barrel includes integrated rollers that reduces string-to-rail contact. TenPoint claims a single string can last up to 1300 shots.
Additionally, it has two separate grooves over the top of the barrel. The inner group of rails that the arrow rests on are slightly recessed into the barrel itself, which in turn decreases string-to-rail contact by 50 percent. Not only does this eliminates friction which could decrease accuracy it also significantly boosts the string life, which is a great concern on these types of swift high-powered crossbows.
The TenPoint S400 is dead-silent when cocking. It also shoots pretty quiet for such a powerful crossbow. Beware of shooting target arrows into the same spot, you’ll surely break a lot of your arrows! The Viper S400 is insanely accurate!
After shooting the TenPoint Viper S400 about 200 times, we couldn’t notice any wear or damage on the strings.
Package Contents
- RangeMaster Pro Scope
- ACUslide Handle
- 6-Arrow Tech Quiver
- Three Evo-X CenterPunch premium carbon arrows
Extra Features
- RangeMaster Pro Scope
- ACUSlide safe Cocking and De-cocking system
- Micro-Trac Barrel
- S1 Trigger
- Tec-X Stock
Pros and Cons
Verdict
Final Rating of the TenPoint Viper S400
Summary
The TenPoint Viper S400 is extraordinary. This crossbow is compact, powerful, and extremely accurate. We’re sure the TenPoint Viper S400 will become a favorite crossbow for many hunters. It’s built to last!
Pros
- 400 FPS
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Very safe
- Effortless Cocking
Cons
- TenPoint speed-rates their crossbows with different arrow weights
The Viper S400 is also a very safe crossbow to use. You’re able to safely cock and decock your crossbow with the ACUSlide. You’ll also have less problems with string wear.
If the Viper S400 doesn’t fit your budget, we recommend taking a look at the TenPoint Turbo M1. The Turbo M1 is around $600 cheaper than the Viper S400.
