TenPoint Vapor Review

October 14, 2014 By Jon E. Silks

Born at the turn of the century, TenPoint has worked its way into the elite group of industry leaders. Through the years, it has continued to push the envelope in terms of technology and precision with many patents secured and even more in the works. With the launch of Wicked Ridge in 2010 and the recent purchase of certain Horton assets, these are exciting and prosperous times for the TenPoint family.

TenPoint's Vapor is a premium crossbow showcasing many of the company's latest and greatest technologies and features. These include a Bullpup-style stock, a woven carbon-fiber rail, IsoTaper limbs, a PowerTouch trigger, HE2 cams and much more.

A Bull Market

The key to success in TenPoint's Vapor starts with its FSB stock — or otherwise known as Functionally Superior Bullpup system. Generally used to describe a firearm configuration that places the action behind the trigger, Bullpup technology makes it possible for TenPoint to shorten the Vapor.

The result is more maneuverability and less weight. Everything from the curvature of the pistol grip, with its optimally positioned comb and length-of-pull, to the cutouts and transitioning thickness is designed to bring stability, accuracy and comfort to the shooter.

Rubber Safety Wings and a patented safety button on the forearm grip, which requires the shooter to press the button in order to fire the Vapor, makes it very difficult for the shooter to accidentally get a finger or thumb above the flight deck. Hydro Decoration is used to finish the integrated stock in Realtree APG camouflage.

Connecting Flight

The flight deck of a crossbow is the plane along which the string travels when released. It can also be described as the top surface of the rail that connects the stock and trigger mechanism to the bow riser. TenPoint employs a 22.5-inch rail made of woven carbon fiber that is lightweight and creates a slick track for reduced friction and and string wear. The carbon fiber has a natural black finish that looks great.

On the stock end of the rail, a combination trigger action box and scope rail are attached. The PowerTouch trigger has an advertised pull weight of 3.5 pounds, but we tested it at an average of 2 pounds, 11 ounces over three shots. When you cock the Vapor, the string pushes the cocking mechanism back, drops the string catch and automatically sets the safety.

The Dry Fire Inhibitor (DFI) instantly moves back into place after the string passes and remains there until a bolt is loaded. When you turn the safety off, it moves the safety block out of the way, allowing the rocker to rotate, which releases the string catch and the bolt is on its way.

Getting Specific

In addition to the Bullpup stock that keeps the Vapor shorter, the Parallel Limb Technology (PLT) bow assembly also makes it narrow. In fact, at only 12.6 inches axle-to-axle in the cocked position, the Vapor is TenPoint's most compact rig to date. The IsoTaper Quad limbs, made with Gordon Glass material, reach a parallel position when cocked to naturally decrease shock, vibration and noise. Limbs are Hydro Decorated in Realtree APG.

TenPoint's Vapor is sold as a package. It includes the Range Master Pro Scope, instant-detach 3-bolt quiver and ambidextrous bracket, a six-pack of TenPoint Pro V22 carbon bolts, a soft case, Bowjax kit, String Damping System (SDS), owner DVD, window decal and your choice of either the ACUdraw or ACUdraw 50 cocking aids.

Impressions

TenPoint's Vapor is quality-built through and through. It is compact and maneuverable, with a stripped-down weight of under seven pounds. We easily packed bolts into a .625-inch spot at 35 yards, thanks in large part to the clarity and construction of the included scope. All systems functioned flawlessly, and the fit and finish were exactly as you would expect from TenPoint.

One of my favorite features on the Vapor is the forearm-based safety button — I wish all crossbows had it. The Vapor also lived up to advertised bolt velocities in testing.

Specifications

Manufacturer: TenPoint Crossbows, 800-548-6837

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Model: Vapor

Safety Features: DFI, Trigger Safety, Grip Safety, Foregrip Safety Wings

Weight (crossbow only): 6.8 pounds (advertised)

Draw Weight: 165 pounds (advertised)

Power Stroke: 15.5 inches

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Cam System: HE2 Hybrid Cam

Riser: Machined aluminum, PLT

Limbs: IsoTaper Quad Limb

String & Cable: Viper X 8190G

Grip: Pistol style, Verton material

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Finish: Hydro Decorated Realtree APG

Forearm: Injection molded Verton, double safety features

Overall Length: 37.375 inches

Advertised Speed: 360 fps

Suggested Retail Price: $1,999 (ACUdraw), $1,899 (ACUdraw 50)

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Comments: Quick, compact and quality built.

Archery Accessory Box

ols, you'll realize that they are easy to misplace, which is why a storage system like the Archery Accessory Box from Plano Molding is a good idea. The Archery Accessory Box is designed with a see-through top, one lift-out tray, up to 16 adjustable compartments, and is compact enough to throw in your vehicle when you hit the road in the fall. Price: $20

Archers Allen Wrench Set

If you want to boil down tool needs to a granular level, the jumping-off point for all bow work involves a quality set of Allen wrenches. I emphasize the word quality because I've had sets completely explode on me the first time I've used them. I don't know why it's so hard to make a set of Allen wrenches that will last, but a lot of companies seem to have trouble with the task. Fortunately, Pine Ridge Archery has it figured out with their Archers Allen Wrench Set. This set has all of the wrenches you're likely to need, and it contains them with a bolt and nut assembly that doesn't allow them to flop all over the place like lesser-quality sets. I keep a set in my shop, my truck and my daypack, so I'm covered no matter where or when I hunt. Price: $10

Bowsmith

Another tool that has found its way into my shop is the Bowsmith from Real Avid. The Bowsmith contains needle-nose pliers, a string spreader, knife blade, fletching stripper, nock crimp, string loop setter, and a bevy of other tools (28 in total). This handy tool set is small enough to stow away in a pack as well, and it can be invaluable in bow camp when the nearest pro shop is far away. Price: $50

Allen Company Compact Bow Tuning Kit

I also used my Allen Company Compact Bow Tuning Kit. Since I had to redo my center serving, I also needed to tie on a new string loop, which necessitated the use of the contained bow square. Although I didn't use a nock set, the Compact Bow Tuning Kit comes with nock pliers and three nock sets. Price: $15

Digital Bow Scale

An often-overlooked tool that is simple and can be used by every bow owner is a bow scale. I like Cabela's Digital Bow Scale, which features a backlit LCD screen and automatic weight lock, and is accurate up to 110 pounds in case you plan to shoot deer hiding behind concrete walls. It amazes me how often I talk to bowhunters who simply guess at their draw weight after cranking their limbs in or out a few turns. It's much better to know exactly what your bow is set at, especially if you're getting close to either end of your bow's recommended weight spectrum. Price: $20

Pro Archery Pliers

If you're in the market for a pair of pliers that will last longer than any bow you're likely to buy and features a nock set crimper and remover, a D-loop stretcher and scary sharp side-cutters, look no further than the Pro Archery Pliers from Easton Technical Products. These needle-nose pliers are extremely durable and can make home bow fixes a breeze. Price: $22

Bohning Mini Server

Considering potential bow fixes, it would be wise to not ignore serving issues. Last fall I was sitting in a treestand in north-central Wisconsin, when I happened to glance down at my nocked arrow. The angle looked off, and upon closer inspection I realized that my center serving had slipped and my entire string loop had crept up my string, throwing my entire bow tune out of alignment. Back at the cabin, I busted out my Bohning Mini Server and re-served my string. The Mini Server is perfect for the home bow mechanic because it eliminates the need for a cable spreader and is extremely easy to use. However, that wasn't the only tool I used to get back to shooting. Price: $19

Economy Vise

After putting the above tools to good use at home or in deer camp, it's inevitable that you'll realize something is missing — a vise. The option to clamp your bow into a quality vise and work on it with both hands free is important, which is why I've started using an Economy Vise from Apple Archery. Plastic-coated jaws provide a secure grip on your bow's limb without causing any damage to the finish, while the Economy Vise allows for 360 degrees of left-to-right and front-to-back rotation. Just like using a lineman's belt to hang a treestand for the first time, when you use a vise like this to work on your bow, you'll wonder how you ever functioned without it. Price: $81