Ravin Crossbow Review: R29X with Garmin Xero and R18 with provided 3 dot sight
Crossbows have been around since before “The Art of War." The idea of delivering a projectile without pulling back the string in the traditional way was far too tempting for man not to figure out. Since then, the rough wooden stock and primitive materials have come a long, LONG way.
Enter "Bowhunting World's" Reader's Choice for Best Crossbow the last 4 years running, Ravin. Based out of Superior, Wisconsin, the folks at Ravin have taken the ancient fighting crossbow and given it a space-age kick in the pants. Starting out in an abandoned shopping mall passing blue-haired grandmas doing their morning walks on forklifts and testing prototypes in an old movie theater, they have truly turned the crossbow world on its head.
My interest in crossbows peaked when I was at deer camp discussing ways to extend the season by doing more archery hunting. The name “Ravin” was mentioned more than once. I was never intrigued by crossbows because of their sheer weight and awkwardness. They weren’t something I wanted to carry around in the woods while trying to be quiet or climbing mountains. Don’t even get me started on cocking one. I just never saw the… draw *rimshot*. After listening to the fellas in camp preach on how great these new Ravins were, I decided to set my suspicions aside and see if I could get my hands on one.
After reaching out to Ravin for a sample, I was pleasantly surprised when I received not one but two of their models to try out: the R29X with the XK7 camo and Garmin Xero sight and the R18 with the Verticoil Cam System. Just opening the boxes, I knew my view on crossbow tech was about to be totally wrecked! Incredibly eager to get them to the range, I loaded up and headed for our farm to put them through the paces.
R18 with 3 Dot Red Dot Sight
https://snp.link/50bb9272 at Scheels
When I pulled the R18 out of the box, I immediately felt like Hawkeye from the Avengers movies. It is super compact, sleek, and ready for aliens… or whitetail, whichever you encounter first. Adam Ganske from Ravin said it was on paper the most efficient crossbow they have in their stable. That’s an impressive feat considering how many extremely original tricks they brought to the table when they opened in 2016. Ravin’s processes and Quality Control are above and beyond what the crossbow world has seen. Each piece and part is held to a ridiculously high standard; from the procurement of materials all the way to the finished Ferrari of crossbows. New designs must pass stringent, grueling tests before they are ready for release. One test pulls the 3 lb trigger over 5,000 times!
The R18 includes a standard 3-dot red-dot sight. Pro tip: There's a little plastic inside the battery compartment for the sight. You must remove it before the sight will work. This little detail cost me about 15 minutes and a new battery.
Once mounted, the zero process with the dot was quick. Start at 10 yards and adjust by turning the screws. Ravin even provides a wrench for mounting and screwdrivers to adjust windage and elevation. There’s even a lock screw to keep your zero from jarring loose. The three dots are supposed to be zeroed at 20, 30, and 40 yards, respectively. The rest are done after you get the zero set to 20 yards, but it doesn't hurt to verify. Better now than when that monster buck is walking away this fall. It’s about as simple as it gets with a red dot, so there's no excuse. Another critical point to remember is that the sight doesn't turn itself off automatically, so hold the "Down" button for 3-4 seconds before putting it away.
Cocking a crossbow was a big red flag for me, and the R18 presented its own challenges. Ravin uses a thumb button in the stock to release the Trac-Trigger system. Once held down, you slide the “Trac-Trigger” system down the rail to the string until you hear an audible “click.” This system can grab the precise center of the string every time the bow is drawn, which allows for straight-line nock travel and is pivotal to accurate shots. The vertical limbs were a bit hard to work through with my gorilla hands, but I could get it on the string without much trouble. Once you hook the string, the provided hand crank “Versa-Draw” System returns the string to the firing position. You then nock the arrow by sliding it into the system until you hear another audible “click.” After a quick flip of the safety, the R18 is ready to do work. This model provides an impressive 85 lb. ft of kinetic energy, slinging arrows downrange at 330 ft per second! Once zeroed, I hit the 10-ring repeatedly out to 40 yards without much effort and even “Robin Hooded” one arrow into another while checking zero at 20 yards. Adam Ganske with Ravin said this was on paper, the most efficient crossbow they have in the stable. Even though it shoots at a slower speed than some of their other models, it is able to shoot accurately side-by-side.
R29X with Garmin Xero GPS Sight
https://snp.link/33824f0b at Scheels
https://snp.link/38b39e4e Garmin Xero at Scheels
The R29X is visually closer to looking like a traditional crossbow than the R18 with its camouflage and horizontal limbs. That’s pretty much where “traditional” ends. This model allows the Garmin Xero X1i Scope (which works on every model they make other than the R18 with the vertical limbs) to be used. There was another scope in the box with the R29X, but after reading about the Xero X1i on their website, I had to try one. I’m so very glad I did.
Zeroing the R29X was a breeze with the X1i scope. The digital readout was clear and easy to read and gave step-by-step instructions on how to get the best zero possible. Once mounted, this scope can range the target and adjust the reticle accordingly, regardless of distance, with the touch of one large button. I could go from 20-40-60-80 yds and each time I moved, all I had to do was re-range with the big button, and the scope did the rest. The visual feedback from the scope was terrific. If you tilted the bow or moved off target just a bit, there are cues inside the reticle to let you know what you need to do to fix it. Indeed, it's a game-changing crossbow sight.
Loading the arrows was very similar to the R18. Still, with the more common horizontal limbs, there was nothing to get in the way of your hands while cocking the crossbow. Once you hear the "click" from the Trac-Trigger grabbing the string, use the provided crank to bring it to the rear, load your arrow, range your target, flip off the safety, and SEND IT! I never expected to be able to hit a bullseye at 80 yards with a crossbow, much less on the first shot! The 3 lb. trigger was crisp with no creep; better than some of my rifles! I moved in 20-yard increments to 80 and nailed the target each time on the first shot! Without question, the R29X itself proved to be my favorite of the two. Not only is it more powerful, but it seemed easier to use, load, etc. The whole process seemed much more manageable.
PROS for R18
-The R18 was the lighter of the two at 6lbs.
-Visually, this thing looks ridiculously cool.
-The vertical limbs on the R18 keep the profile very slim.
-Great for saddle hunting!
-Incredible accuracy.
CONS for R18
-Cocking the R18 is a bit more difficult because of the vertical limbs and stubborn release button.
-Arrow speed is 330 fps, shortening the range of the R18 over other models, but not by much.
-I can't use the Garmin Xero X1i.
PROS for R29X
-Easier to cock and load.
-Allows use of the Garmin Xero X1i sight.
-450 fps speed with 400-grain arrows.
-Silent Cocking System.
-Ambidextrous Controls.
CONS for R29X
-Slightly more expensive than the R18.
In closing, Ravin really has a firm grasp on the market and shows no signs of slowing down. A solid American company that is making premium quality crossbows right here on US soil (no longer in an old mall). The people there live and breathe hunting and are producing highly efficient and innovative new products all the time. There is even a model that cocks itself electronically! If you are considering crossbow hunting, whether for medical reasons or fun, check out Ravin Crossbows! ~ Nick
https://snp.link/33824f0b: R29X at Scheels
https://snp.link/50bb9272: R18 at Scheels
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