The year 2019 was a golden year for crossbows. We have seen so many good crossbows from many different manufacturers. We had the best battle among the manufacturers in the top-end scene. So many companies tried to take the crown of the best crossbow.
Two of them were on the hunter’s bucket list for a long time. Still, even in 2021, both of them are super popular in the US and worldwide. You already know we are talking about none other than Tenpoint Nitro XRT vs Ravin R29. Two of the very best crossbows 2019 has seen from Ravin crossbows & Tenpoint crossbows. Which one should you get? And why? Let’s find that out-
Tenpoint Nitro XRT & Ravin R29: Outlooks
Tenpoint Nitro XRT vs Ravin R29: Specs Table
| Specs | Tenpoint Nitro XRT | Ravin R29 |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 470 FPS | 430 FPS |
| Kinetic Energy | 191 FP-KE | 164 FP-KE |
| Power Stroke | 16.5 Inches | 12.5 Inches |
| Draw Weight | 225 LBS | 12 LBS |
| Axle To Axle | 7/12.5 Inches | 6/10.5 Inches |
| Length | 29.5 Inches | 29 Inches |
| Weight | 7.4 LBS | 6.75 LBS |
Tenpoint Nitro XRT & Ravin R29: Key Differences
They are two of the best crossbows on the market. The biggest difference between the two is the cranking system. Both of them use cranking aid. Ravin uses a cranking device (unnamed), while Tenpoint uses one of the best cranking aid aka ACUdraw pro silent cranking aid.
Ravin R29 is lighter than Nitro XRT. Nitro XRT can generate up to 191 ft-lbs of kinetic energy with 470 FPS. While the Ravin R29 can only genera 164 ft-lbs of kinetic energy with 430 FPS.
Why You Should Take Tenpoint Nitro XRT
Tenpoint Nitro XRT is one of the best crossbows Tenpoint ever made. That’s right, even though other crossbows from Tenpoint are capable of reaching the 440 FPS mark, Tenpoint Nitro XRT is special. For a long time, the Ravin R series was the king of crossbows. In a sense, we can call the Nitro XRT the kingslayer. Has a nice ring to it.
The build quality of Tenpoint Nitro XRT is just incredible. It’s lightweight and one of the most compact crossbows on the market. You can easily take it to anywhere you like. The ACUdraw pro cranking aid is an excellent cranking device. Thanks to that, the crossbow can be loaded with little to no force. Making it ideal for short people.
Nitro XRT leaves the Ravin R29 in dust in terms of raw power. Nitro XRT is capable of generating 191 ft-lbs of kinetic energy. That’s one of the highest in the industry. The T5 trigger and the hard case included are just icing on the cake.
- Industry-leading speed (up to 470 FPS) generates 25% flatter arrow trajectory and unprecedented knock-down power (up to 191 FP KE)
- With less draw weight held at the trigger, a reverse-draw crossbow delivers a smoother shot with less vibration; Width from axle-to-axle: 12. 5" / 7" (uncorked/cocked)
- Effortlessly and silently draw the crossbow with only 9 pounds of force with the included Acura PRO and become a sniper in the woods with the included EVO-X Marksman Scope
- Center-mounted riser eliminates the “nose-heavy” feel of traditional crossbows; Dovetail bubble level ensures the crossbow is perfectly level for added accuracy and precise shooting at longer distances
- Custom fit creates perfect eye-alignment with the 3-position cheek piece and the ability to match your length-of-pull with the 2-position butt plate; The NEW T5 Trigger is auto-engaging and features a consistent, crisp break
Why You Should Take Ravin R29
Till Ravin 500E was announced, Ravin R29 was one of the most powerful crossbows Ravin ever created. A true successor of Ravin R20. Ravin had a reputation to live up to. They certainly did that. A lot of things were improved on the 29 over the 20. The power was increased by a lot. It is still well lower than Nitro XRT.
The biggest advantage of R29 over the Nitro XRT is the width. Ravin R29 is only 6.5″ cocked. That’s half of the width of Nitro XRT. If compactness is your main priority, then you know this is the best option for you.
The speed of the Ravin R29 is also quite good. Only 10 FPS behind the Nitro XRT. Still, 430 FPS isn’t something that you should take lightly. The cranking aid here is not ACUdraw pro. Yet it performs almost similar to ACUdraw pro. I like ACUdraw pro more. That’s just me.
- 430 FPS, COMPACT 6-INCH COCKED AXLE-TO-AXLE WITH HELICOIL TECHNOLOGY
- LIGHT WEIGHT 6.75-POUNDS - For maneuverability in the field
- BUILT-IN COCKING MECHANISM WITH DRAW HANDLE AND ANTI-DRY FIRE/AUTO SAFETY
- 100-YARD ILLUMINATED SCOPE, QUIVER AND ACCESSORIES BRACKET
- 6 RAVIN .003 ARROWS - With field tips (400-grain total weight)
Tenpoint Nitro XRT Problems
When a crossbow costs this much, you might be wondering how does it even have any problems. Theoretically, that shouldn’t be possible. But real life isn’t a theory after all. The main issue with the Nitro XRT is quality control. As crossbows are most of the time hand-assembled and tested on the factory before release, it’s kind of hard to mess it up. Somehow Tenpoint managed to mess it up. Very few of the crossbows have some assembly issues.
Like loosely tighten the bolt for example. Another nitpick about this crossbow for me is the speed. Tenpoint has crossbows that can fire up to 470 FPS. I don’t understand why they didn’t make the Nitro XRT hit that speed mark. It sure packs a punch.
Ravin R29 Crossbow Problems
The main problems with Ravin R29 are the lack of accessories. Ravin is a company that always slacked in terms of accessories. For some reason, they don’t like to provide many accessories with their crossbows.
A hard case for a crossbow of this price is crucial. But Ravin won’t provide you any. You need to buy that separately. The crossbow is a bit shorter than most other compound crossbows. That can be a problem for tall shooters.
Tenpoint Nitro XRT vs Ravin R29: Videos
Tenpoint Nitro XRT vs Ravin R29 Summary
Tenpoint Nitro XRT vs Ravin R29 isn’t something that you see every day. Two of the very best crossbows of the last decade. Yet they have their flaws. Nothing is perfect, but both of them are close to it. If you want more raw power, Nitro XRT is the blind choice.
If the lightweight and compact form factor is your main priority, then Ravin R29 is the best crossbow for you. Keep in mind, both of them are good and you can’t go wrong with any of them. Unlike Ravin R26 vs R29 where the clear winner was Ravin R29. Here determining the winner is a tough ask. In my eyes, both of them are winners. That’s why I recommend both of them.