Putting it together is no different from the other models-pretty straight forward. Took me all of about 15 minutes-most of that was getting the scope set where I wanted it. Speaking of the scope, so far I like it better than the shadow zone. Have not tried the illumination yet, though. I am not crazy about the aluminum rings supplied, however. They have the large knurled screw that is used to set the dovetail on the mount. The instructions say to use a coin to tighten them. Don't know about you , but I am not gonna trust my scope installation to using a coin to tighten something on. Found a large enough screwdriver to use so it should be fine-just looks too cheap to be using on an $1100 unit. The scope also comes with flip up clear caps which is a nice upgrade, in my opinion. Trouble is they seem to fit too loose to stay on when flipping them open with one finger. I have heard of people using a wrap of black electrical tape to tighten up-I will try this. I think I am gonna like this scope though-much smaller and lighter and personally I like to numbers next to the reticle dots. It is a reminder to me to make sure I am using the right one
.After getting everything together, I pulled her back for the first time. Wow-quite a bit of difference between this and the Equinox. Just about the time I start to feel even the slightest amount of strain, I am at the end of the pull. Those few inches less make all the difference in the world. I noticed the rope cocker has been shortened quite a bit-this indeed also helps. Something to be very cautious of-the safety still needs to be in the fire position to engage the firing hooks. If the safety is on, the anti dryfire will engage and it will appear to be cocked properly(especially for us not use to them). I suppose an arrow could be then be loaded and you would not know any difference until you pulled the trigger and nothing happened. Could see this happening very easily in a hunting situation when a million other things are going on. SOMETHING TO BE VERY AWARE OF.
Now for the part where I pull the trigger on the first shot. This is where I need more data to come to a more accurate conclusion. I only shot the 380 four times. Why only four times, do you ask. Well, because my bag target that is about 12 inches thick was having issues stopping this BEAST. Never had this issue before. The Equinox would bury them within an inch or two of the fletching, but this thing was hammering them in far enough where they were dissapearing. The blazer vanes were taking the abuse though. Another change I like is the blazers by the way. I put all four arrows in a 1 1/2" group at 15 yds-will sight it in when my new target arrives
I can say this-I am not sure I like the trigger pull so far. My first shot I actually stopped at mid pull, because I thought I still had the safety on. It wasn't. The next 3 shots seem to be a little crisper, but there is definitely a difference there. Like I said earlier, I need a few more shots to form a clearer opinion. Hopefully it will get better as it gets a few more shots on it and I become more used to it.Well, time to wrap it up. Overall, I think I am gonna be happy with the purchase. Loved my Equinox-may like this one even more. I think it is the nicest looking crossbow in the lineup so far. It cocks easier, and is definitely smaller. The only thing I need now is a new Munchmount-which will work, the posts just need to be a smaller diameter and longer to fit the new holes(Are you out there Munch?)
Hope this answers some questions-if you have any more, fire away!!
