I think the string is slipping over the bolt and thats causing something close to a dry fire and thats causing the string to come off the cam. I sold mine after the 3 time of it doing this
I literally bought an Excalibur recurve crossbow because of exactly what happened to you here. I spent a year doing research on crossbows before deciding that I wanted a recurve. Then after a bunch of research, my conclusion was that Excalibur made one of the best. I had heard many stories of crossbow hunters or even bowhunters going out on a hunting trip and then having a cam damaged, string break, or the string jumping the cam, and their whole weekend is ruined. With the recurve, I can put a new string on it in less than 60 seconds in the field. With a recurve I also don't have to worry about possibly dropping my crossbow out of a deer stand up in the tree and it getting damaged. They are built like a tank.
@Steven Hold on now. You do realize that you can’t lump in all compound crossbows with the R500? The R500 does have a bit of a reputation for issues just like this. I know you have your theories and Excalibur makes a great bow, but in many cases other compound crossbows can experience problems because some operators don’t read the instructions, don’t follow proper maintenance, and don’t inspect their equipment as they should. In all the years I’ve owned compound crossbows and used them, not a single issue at all. I’ve taken plenty of deer and shot many arrows as well. To suggest that the cams or updated technology is a weakness is not true.
@@douglasborgaro6801hi, looking at buying one of these. Only because of price. Anyway, what do you think caused string to jump ? Worn bearings in cam ? Causing cams not to run true ?
@Brad I think quality control is not what it used to be. I constantly see malfunctions and failed parts on Ravin chat sites, particularly with the R500. Some owners of R500’s are warning new prospective buyers to beware. In the beginning, I was laser focused on buying an R500. Upon some research, I saw that Nocks were breaking routinely and then I’m hearing about limbs and cams failing. The cocking mechanism is sometimes suspect and on top of that, customer service wasn’t always so hot. I am a proud owner of an early model R10. I’ve had great success with it and never a problem. Not to say that Ravin doesn’t make some great bows. They do, but 500 fps is a special deal. All the problems scared me off. I settled with TenPoint 505 and have been very happy. In truth, it’s a better bow by far.
Too expensive and too noisy, lets face it, if your hunting then their are way more cost effective, lighter and more importantly quieter alternatives, if you had tally at an hourly rate (hypothetically) your bag count would be way down cos of that noise, id still like one but it would have to be less than half that price, and it would be for fun target practice.
Is really interesting to see what works and what doesn't for sure. From seeing other vids on YT, most arrows will go straight thru soft body armor and even sandbags, fired over distance. So definitely am curious to see the effects on a IIIA Vest, as it will have to have steel or ceramic plates to stop bladed weapons.
a broadhead would of gone through donut operator did a video on bow vs armor and I dont know the draw weight of the bow he used but the broadhead when through the 3a and 4 inch's into the target
Looks like you tested it with range tips rather than a broadhead or a tip designed to penetrate body armour. And it looks like I’m going to need a bow press as my next “investment”.
Would love to see a small diameter fixed broadhead or razor tip style field point against that vest now! 🤔 I was stacking arrows with a cheap mid 300's fps crossbow at 60 yards the other day thinking wow this is definitely cheating compared to my relatively easy to be proficient with compound bow! 😂 I can only imagine 500 fps! That's above pneumatic "airbow" capabilities which are not considered legal archery equipment for many archery only hunting regulations... It's definitely gonna be interesting to see where crossbow capabilities and more hunting regulations intersect as the technology progresses and becomes more affordable. Great video Ray 👍
That's really really loud, unless they quiet that down for the money 3200 is a lot of cash to have it spook everything in the woods as soon as you get there. Thanks for the honest review
This is dangerous misinformation. Even much weaker crossbows using bodkin or broadhead bolts will go through 3A Body Armor and penetrate deeply. I have seen over half a dozen different demonstrations with different crossbows and vests.
Your conclusion about penetration is erroneous. Conventional, soft kevlar 3A ballistic armour isn't rated against sharp, pointed objects such as knives, shanks or arrows. There are separate ratings for those, and a different fabric weave is required for "stab" resistance. There are plenty of videos showing arrows and crossbow bolts piercing soft body armour, even from relatively low powered bows. But not using field tips. So you're safe as long as nobody shoots you with a broadhead or bodkin tip.
So, I did a video a few years back where we took 75lb compound bows and shot them at 15 yards into a 2a vest. We used Muzzy trocar broad heads and a few other brands into them. None of them penetrated the vest. We then had multiple large guys stabbing the vests with tanto, single edge, and double edged knives as well as ice picks. No one was able to get through the vest. 🤷♂️
Tenpoint has always been a good go to, I've heard of issues with the Raven with cam timing strings jumping before. Even with a proper press it's a little sketchy pushing on the limbs never enjoyed restringing crossbows.
I’m actually not surprised to see this happen with the R500. Every time I go to Ravin chat groups I regularly see people reporting problems with them. Broken limbs, busted or derailed strings, broken cocking mechanisms and so on.
The disadvantage of R500E is that after each launch, you need to manually press & hold switch, move to the start position, change another switch, press & hold again switch for the string is pulled to full.
I would take it back and get a full refund. If you really want one, get a complete replacement for that unit. I wouldn't put up with that mess very long.
Damn it. You got what you deserved with the failure. Hahaha. Because from the last video I watched, I just ordered a CZ 457 Pro Varmint. I can’t catch up after watching your content. Hahaha. And for the record, I was just kidding on the deserving the failure of the crossbow. Pretty awesome looking bolt thrower. Happy new year and stay safe.
Seriously I saw Robinhood split an arrow. And for over $3000 bucks I’m supposed to get excited by a two inch grouping. All my childhood beliefs have been decimated. 😁
Scopes designed for spring piston air rifles can handle negative recoil. Spring piston air rifles are known as scope killers due to their double recoil as there is the positive recoil of the spring launching the piston forward as well as the negative recoil of the piston slamming into the end of the chamber. All of this occurs in a fraction of a second. Many high end scopes designed for high powered rifles have been killed by spring piston air rifles. Anyway, scopes designed for those types of air rifles shouldn't have any problem dealing with the negative recoil of crossbows.
Hey,enjoyed the video just wish you could pronounce the Ravin name properly. Also like others viewing I think any fixed blade broadhead “will “ penetrate the vest! In fact I believe my R26 with a 100gr Montec would slice right through the vest. Shooting at a military grade 650 kinetic energy “Big Shot” target cannot stop my Ravin R26 bolts with “White Water Archery “ field tips. Forget about any crossbow with more energy like my R29’s and my new addition the R500E- just isn’t going to happen. I am also shooting at 37yrds!!
Hey Ray! I do think it's going to penetrate the vest. I remember a demo for when I was a kid taking a hunter safety course. A compound bow, from back in the day, had greater penetration than a 30-06. Well see. On wh the video. Well there you go, I was wrong.
@@bryanduchane2371Bodkin Tips are usually even better than practice heads, since Bodkin tips are actually made from hardened steel, compared to practice heads. You can even pierce some thinner metal plates with those Bodkin tips, especially with a High poundage Compound Crossbow, whereas you can't with Broadheads or practice tips.
Either that, or you can just use tips that aren't designed for target practice and are instead designed to penetrate. I've seen MANY examples of people using much less powerful xbows with broad heads or bodkins and they penetrate 3A body armor deeply. I have never seen anybody get a bolt through a level 4 armor plate, but they certainly will go through 3A kevlar vests if you use the right tips.
Thanks fer sharing, interesting content, my first crossbow was in the mid or later 70's,....76-77, w/a wooden stock, my Father had bought it used from a guy for $30.00,.... point down, put your foot in it & heave to pullback.....lol,....back then nothing could stop the bolts from 35 yds., so the 8 it came with disappeared or were destroyed in about 3 outings which took place over about a week - the end of the crossbow crap for us.....lol,....I can't remember the make,....maybe "whamo" or something goofy like that?.....lol
I would take it back and get a full refund. If you really want one, get a complete replacement for that unit. I wouldn't put up with that mess very long.
I work at a gun & archery shop, and we routinely get these in all the time that need to be put on a press, or sent back completely for warranty. I mean, ultimately, they're still a premier crossbow -- all crossbows are prone to issues. Plus, it sounded wicked down range in the video.
Thanks Ray archery technology sure has changed since my days of shooting 3D competition , I would like to see the bow press required to work on that cross bow
Pretty tough to beat Hunter and Horton at their game but cool crossbow! I like the gimmicky type stuff for a lot of things until it comes to a bow, a compound bow is the way to go if you can draw it. I have an injury so that cocking device would be nice. If a bow doesn't shoot well enough so you have to shoot different targets so you don't damage your arrows get rid of it or have someone that's good with bows tune it. A bow should shoot well enough to knock arrows/bolts together especially carbon arrows.
I've seen much slower bows go through a vest no problem. This thing is ridiculously noisy to crank. Absolutely no good for hunting. Good for millionaire target shooters. Might also be considered illegal in Canada, given it is capable of shooting over 500 fps.
I would like to see that video and what vest was used from a well known vest manufacturer. We have shot level 2 and 3a and 3 with 70lbs compounds with broad heads like Muzzy’s to field points. Have not seen one get trough the first panel. And that was at 15 yards.
@@XRING I can't post links on UA-cam. I have these two among others. I don't know what type of body armor they are. I guess some very high end expensive vest could be better, I don't know. On UA-cam, type: *Bulletproof Vest vs Crossbow and Compound Bow* *CrossBow Vs Body Armor*
I would be curious if a hunting broad head would have penetrated the vest. I used to hunt with Phathead 100 grain broad heads on my tac-15 crossbow, so curious how the 125 grain phatheads would do. I shot an 8 pt buck facing me and the arrow went through the entire length of the deer. These arrows were moving at 400 fps in the tac-15.
Sounds like misses n a paintball match…I got initiated with a armson barreled tippman 25yrs ago in the funny bone@30 or 40yrds and felt like someone hit me with a ballpeen….absolutely kept me from wanting to get hit and 4 or 5 misses sounded just like those bolts comin in hot…awsome stuff ray…merry Christmas brother…
I see ravin hasn't fixed the issues of the cams jumping off. been a problem since the first generation. great content as usual ray
I think the string is slipping over the bolt and thats causing something close to a dry fire and thats causing the string to come off the cam. I sold mine after the 3 time of it doing this
I literally bought an Excalibur recurve crossbow because of exactly what happened to you here. I spent a year doing research on crossbows before deciding that I wanted a recurve. Then after a bunch of research, my conclusion was that Excalibur made one of the best. I had heard many stories of crossbow hunters or even bowhunters going out on a hunting trip and then having a cam damaged, string break, or the string jumping the cam, and their whole weekend is ruined. With the recurve, I can put a new string on it in less than 60 seconds in the field. With a recurve I also don't have to worry about possibly dropping my crossbow out of a deer stand up in the tree and it getting damaged. They are built like a tank.
@Steven
Hold on now. You do realize that you can’t lump in all compound crossbows with the R500? The R500 does have a bit of a reputation for issues just like this.
I know you have your theories and Excalibur makes a great bow, but in many cases other compound crossbows can experience problems because some operators don’t read the instructions, don’t follow proper maintenance, and don’t inspect their equipment as they should.
In all the years I’ve owned compound crossbows and used them, not a single issue at all. I’ve taken plenty of deer and shot many arrows as well.
To suggest that the cams or updated technology is a weakness is not true.
@@douglasborgaro6801hi, looking at buying one of these. Only because of price. Anyway, what do you think caused string to jump ? Worn bearings in cam ? Causing cams not to run true ?
@Brad
I think quality control is not what it used to be. I constantly see malfunctions and failed parts on Ravin chat sites, particularly with the R500.
Some owners of R500’s are warning new prospective buyers to beware.
In the beginning, I was laser focused on buying an R500.
Upon some research, I saw that Nocks were breaking routinely and then I’m hearing about limbs and cams failing. The cocking mechanism is sometimes suspect and on top of that, customer service wasn’t always so hot.
I am a proud owner of an early model R10.
I’ve had great success with it and never a problem. Not to say that Ravin doesn’t make some great bows. They do, but 500 fps is a special deal. All the problems scared me off.
I settled with TenPoint 505 and have been very happy. In truth, it’s a better bow by far.
Too expensive and too noisy, lets face it, if your hunting then their are way more cost effective, lighter and more importantly quieter alternatives, if you had tally at an hourly rate (hypothetically) your bag count would be way down cos of that noise, id still like one but it would have to be less than half that price, and it would be for fun target practice.
you been walking Walking dead lately?
Curious to see how a broadhead would do against the IIIA vest.
Is really interesting to see what works and what doesn't for sure. From seeing other vids on YT, most arrows will go straight thru soft body armor and even sandbags, fired over distance. So definitely am curious to see the effects on a IIIA Vest, as it will have to have steel or ceramic plates to stop bladed weapons.
a broadhead would of gone through donut operator did a video on bow vs armor and I dont know the draw weight of the bow he used but the broadhead when through the 3a and 4 inch's into the target
It will pierce 3A deeply. I have seen several different demonstrations of this using less powerful crossbows.
3200 for a string that jumps the cam after 50 shots? the speed is impressive but this thing should be perfect in every way for that money
Am a fan of archery and crossbows regardless, so expanding your channel to include reviews of bow related products is a win in my books
Looks like you tested it with range tips rather than a broadhead or a tip designed to penetrate body armour.
And it looks like I’m going to need a bow press as my next “investment”.
Would love to see a small diameter fixed broadhead or razor tip style field point against that vest now! 🤔 I was stacking arrows with a cheap mid 300's fps crossbow at 60 yards the other day thinking wow this is definitely cheating compared to my relatively easy to be proficient with compound bow! 😂 I can only imagine 500 fps! That's above pneumatic "airbow" capabilities which are not considered legal archery equipment for many archery only hunting regulations... It's definitely gonna be interesting to see where crossbow capabilities and more hunting regulations intersect as the technology progresses and becomes more affordable. Great video Ray 👍
oh great
another bottomless pit for me to firehose money into
thanks a lot
Dang, I wanted to own one until it became a paperweight. Hope you get some feedback from the company for a follow up.
That's really really loud, unless they quiet that down for the money 3200 is a lot of cash to have it spook everything in the woods as soon as you get there. Thanks for the honest review
This is dangerous misinformation. Even much weaker crossbows using bodkin or broadhead bolts will go through 3A Body Armor and penetrate deeply. I have seen over half a dozen different demonstrations with different crossbows and vests.
Your conclusion about penetration is erroneous. Conventional, soft kevlar 3A ballistic armour isn't rated against sharp, pointed objects such as knives, shanks or arrows. There are separate ratings for those, and a different fabric weave is required for "stab" resistance. There are plenty of videos showing arrows and crossbow bolts piercing soft body armour, even from relatively low powered bows. But not using field tips. So you're safe as long as nobody shoots you with a broadhead or bodkin tip.
So, I did a video a few years back where we took 75lb compound bows and shot them at 15 yards into a 2a vest. We used Muzzy trocar broad heads and a few other brands into them. None of them penetrated the vest. We then had multiple large guys stabbing the vests with tanto, single edge, and double edged knives as well as ice picks. No one was able to get through the vest. 🤷♂️
Tenpoint has always been a good go to, I've heard of issues with the Raven with cam timing strings jumping before. Even with a proper press it's a little sketchy pushing on the limbs never enjoyed restringing crossbows.
I’m actually not surprised to see this happen with the R500. Every time I go to Ravin chat groups I regularly see people reporting problems with them. Broken limbs, busted or derailed strings, broken cocking mechanisms and so on.
Fantastic bit of kit but that motor noise is a deal breaker, especially as you can't disengaged it when hand cranking.
What a shame.
Excellent review.
Try again,with broadheads
Was that a field tip? All penetration I've seen so far have been broad heads.
Yeah, I have seen several different examples of broad heads fired out of lesser crossbows penetrating deeply through 3A body armor.
Oh wow that killed it for me the string jumping off. Thanks for that. Maybe I go for the ten point
Should have bought the Ten point 🤔 Happy New Year Ray🥳
The disadvantage of R500E is that after each launch, you need to manually press & hold switch, move to the start position, change another switch, press & hold again switch for the string is pulled to full.
Thanks Ray, always like paperweight reviews! Agree with you at about 9:30 on the video clock.😂
For that amount of money you’d expect to get more than 50 shots out of it.
I would take it back and get a full refund. If you really want one, get a complete replacement for that unit. I wouldn't put up with that mess very long.
Try a single bevle 200gr broadhead! Like the Crimson Tallon Cleavers!!!! They will go through!
Wow!!. That's insane velocity from a crossbow. I'll watch what ever content you put out Ray. Happy New Year from Michigan
Damn it. You got what you deserved with the failure. Hahaha. Because from the last video I watched, I just ordered a CZ 457 Pro Varmint. I can’t catch up after watching your content. Hahaha. And for the record, I was just kidding on the deserving the failure of the crossbow. Pretty awesome looking bolt thrower.
Happy new year and stay safe.
Seriously I saw Robinhood split an arrow. And for over $3000 bucks I’m supposed to get excited by a two inch grouping. All my childhood beliefs have been decimated. 😁
Safety location is not ergonomic or "safe". I'll stick to powder burners. Good review.
I'm so surprised cause in other tests, even with a much lower kinetic energy, crossbows can penerate IIIA vests easily
It got no problem if i keep crossbow cocked for a truly long time?
You pay so much money for a crossbow and one of the things that you expect from it is reliability. Is that so much to ask for?!
Tank goodness your average armed intruder is usually not wearing IIIA armor
Scopes designed for spring piston air rifles can handle negative recoil. Spring piston air rifles are known as scope killers due to their double recoil as there is the positive recoil of the spring launching the piston forward as well as the negative recoil of the piston slamming into the end of the chamber. All of this occurs in a fraction of a second. Many high end scopes designed for high powered rifles have been killed by spring piston air rifles. Anyway, scopes designed for those types of air rifles shouldn't have any problem dealing with the negative recoil of crossbows.
does anyone know if 8541 tactical is still making videos?
siloet56
Good video but I think your practice points will stop something blunt now we need to see a pointed text
Would be interesting to see this crossbow against medieval armor.
That crossbow looks like it’s a pain in the a$$ to load the arrow .. with that ugly cage
Please do not refer to that as a bow and arrow or archery equipment.. Fred Bear would be rolling over in his grave. that is a gun that shoots at bolt
Did Ravin fix it for you for free and apologize profusely?
Terminal energy is the money, not speed🫤 Great looking bow tho.
Love the sound of the bolt in flight!
Man what a rocket of a crossbow! Didn’t realize companies had broken the 500fps threshold. Too bad it destroyed itself! Thanks for the video !
He should have tried different tips from distances.
Try going through a vest with something other than a practice tip! Try a 3 sided broadhead!
I did. I used quite a few out of 70lbs compound. Nothing went through.
Pretty sure a carbide til will get through that vesT jusT fine
Is that a sound effect or a real bolt sound?
Bladed tips fail, narrow tip practice tips best
Just curious to see if Ravin has fixed it for you?
3grand and string jumps the cams?
Should have used broadheads
So.... I have a fishing idea with this😉
👍🏼
What are you fishing for?? Sperm Whales or Great Whites?
broadhead wil do it
Hey,enjoyed the video just wish you could pronounce the Ravin name properly. Also like others viewing I think any fixed blade broadhead “will “ penetrate the vest! In fact I believe my R26 with a 100gr Montec would slice right through the vest. Shooting at a military grade 650 kinetic energy “Big Shot” target cannot stop my Ravin R26 bolts with “White Water Archery “ field tips. Forget about any crossbow with more energy like my R29’s and my new addition the R500E- just isn’t going to happen. I am also shooting at 37yrds!!
Yes
Hey Ray! I do think it's going to penetrate the vest. I remember a demo for when I was a kid taking a hunter safety course. A compound bow, from back in the day, had greater penetration than a 30-06. Well see. On wh the video. Well there you go, I was wrong.
Will it go through with a different tip on the bolt. Practice head seems to penetrate really well in tough to penetrate items.
@@bryanduchane2371Bodkin Tips are usually even better than practice heads, since Bodkin tips are actually made from hardened steel, compared to practice heads. You can even pierce some thinner metal plates with those Bodkin tips, especially with a High poundage Compound Crossbow, whereas you can't with Broadheads or practice tips.
Aim 6 inches up, target eliminated vest or no. Be interested to see what a broad head did to vest. Looks like a target tip in video.
Either that, or you can just use tips that aren't designed for target practice and are instead designed to penetrate. I've seen MANY examples of people using much less powerful xbows with broad heads or bodkins and they penetrate 3A body armor deeply.
I have never seen anybody get a bolt through a level 4 armor plate, but they certainly will go through 3A kevlar vests if you use the right tips.
Thanks fer sharing, interesting content, my first crossbow was in the mid or later 70's,....76-77, w/a wooden stock, my Father had bought it used from a guy for $30.00,.... point down, put your foot in it & heave to pullback.....lol,....back then nothing could stop the bolts from 35 yds., so the 8 it came with disappeared or were destroyed in about 3 outings which took place over about a week - the end of the crossbow crap for us.....lol,....I can't remember the make,....maybe "whamo" or something goofy like that?.....lol
That's why I stick with my record, I have seen friends of mine go out hunting and have their crossbow blow up on them
I would take it back and get a full refund. If you really want one, get a complete replacement for that unit. I wouldn't put up with that mess very long.
Thank you
Thanks for the footage Ray. Really enjoyed the video. Thank you.
You gotta try a few different broad heads to! Expandable and fixed blade. i enjoy the xbow videos to!
I’ve seen some pretty expensive bows break in the first couple hundred shots. Pain tho
I work at a gun & archery shop, and we routinely get these in all the time that need to be put on a press, or sent back completely for warranty. I mean, ultimately, they're still a premier crossbow -- all crossbows are prone to issues. Plus, it sounded wicked down range in the video.
I think I will stick with my Excalibur matrix 355, fully spec so ravin with all its gimmicks does not impress me
Thanks Ray archery technology sure has changed since my days of shooting 3D competition , I would like to see the bow press required to work on that cross bow
Pretty tough to beat Hunter and Horton at their game but cool crossbow! I like the gimmicky type stuff for a lot of things until it comes to a bow, a compound bow is the way to go if you can draw it. I have an injury so that cocking device would be nice. If a bow doesn't shoot well enough so you have to shoot different targets so you don't damage your arrows get rid of it or have someone that's good with bows tune it. A bow should shoot well enough to knock arrows/bolts together especially carbon arrows.
Ten Point > Ravin
Answering the questions I didn’t know I had! Great stuff as usual
I've seen much slower bows go through a vest no problem. This thing is ridiculously noisy to crank. Absolutely no good for hunting. Good for millionaire target shooters. Might also be considered illegal in Canada, given it is capable of shooting over 500 fps.
I would like to see that video and what vest was used from a well known vest manufacturer. We have shot level 2 and 3a and 3 with 70lbs compounds with broad heads like Muzzy’s to field points. Have not seen one get trough the first panel. And that was at 15 yards.
@@XRING I can't post links on UA-cam. I have these two among others. I don't know what type of body armor they are. I guess some very high end expensive vest could be better, I don't know.
On UA-cam, type:
*Bulletproof Vest vs Crossbow and Compound Bow*
*CrossBow Vs Body Armor*
@@XRING might also depend on arrow type, heavier bolts, and high penetration tips, like Bodkins or broadheads.
Wow crazy results, hilarious you put a tangent on it for a scope lol
Have a great new year Ray and family. Always looking forward to the content you bring
Sometimes you just got to have fun. Great video.
Good job guys. Got my first crossbow a couple of months ago and I love it.
Figured it’d at least poke through a little
nice to see it , greats from portugal
yeah go Tonto! Thanks for sharing ❤
Let me know if raven fixes it for you
mud test when? 😂
😂
Another amazing video
I think it's going to go through!
Hope to see a part two! Follow up.
I think it will go through
Always fun videos from you. Thanks a lot !
My pleasure!
I'll be dang!
Fun stuff!
Awesome
I would be curious if a hunting broad head would have penetrated the vest. I used to hunt with Phathead 100 grain broad heads on my tac-15 crossbow, so curious how the 125 grain phatheads would do. I shot an 8 pt buck facing me and the arrow went through the entire length of the deer. These arrows were moving at 400 fps in the tac-15.
I appreciate the fact that your videos are always honest.
Thank you 😊
Always Kubikari and thank you for watching the channel.
Sounds like misses n a paintball match…I got initiated with a armson barreled tippman 25yrs ago in the funny bone@30 or 40yrds and felt like someone hit me with a ballpeen….absolutely kept me from wanting to get hit and 4 or 5 misses sounded just like those bolts comin in hot…awsome stuff ray…merry Christmas brother…
So you not able to fix such a simple problem and give up lol. Do you ever be in real combat like Irak?
You can t fix such a simple problem. More pressure that you realize.
More shooting less talking.
Great video, very interesting! And I am a gun guy.