Wicked Ridge Raider CLS Crossbow Review
About
a year and a half ago I reviewed the the Wicked RIdge Invader Crossbow
and really liked what the bow delivered from a value perspective however
I yearned for one of the newer CLS (compact limb designs) for a bit
more maneuverability. Now the value leading Wicked RIdge brand by Ten
Point Technologies has a new addition to the lineup, the Raider CLS
Crossbow with both blistering speed and a compact design.
ABOUT WICKED RIDGE CROSSBOWS
Wicked
Ridge is owned by Ten Point Archery. To say Ten Point Archery is the
un-disputed industry crossbow innovator is a safe statement considering
they hold more crossbow patents than anyone else on the planet. Ten
Point has been on the forefront of advancing crossbow technology for
decades and are one of the reasons crossbows are so prevalent in hunting
today and the reasons we have many of the well known features we now
take for granted. 
As
we know, every year there is newer and better technologies introduced,
however typically these features are only released on the very expensive
models. Ten Point decided to take some of their historically best most
durable technologies and wrapped them up into high value high
durability field crossbows as their Wicked Ridge brand. These rugged
crossbows can take a huge amount of abuse and are priced right at a
ready to shoot $500 price point. Currently Wicked Ridge produces two
models the Wicked Ridge Invader and the Wicked Ridge Warrior. The
Warrior is based on the same design as the Invader but has a lighter bow
pull and drops a few of the accessories for a less expensive option. 
WHY A CROSSBOW
As
I noted in my previous Wicked Ridge article, bows however require skill
and constant training for effective and reliable use. To increase
accuracy back before gun powder was invented, the crossbow provided
increased range, accuracy and power even for the less than optimally
trained. With today's technology integrated into crossbows those same
benefits are certainly still the case plus we now get some extras.
Ten
Point crossbow includes integrated cocking mechanisms which make
cocking even the most powerful crossbows easy. Accuracy is also greatly
enhanced over the bow with most crossbows featuring low powered scope
optics. Powerful precision archery has never been more reliable, safer
and more accurate. All these reasons are why I felt the need to add a
crossbow to my inventory of survival tools. My original Invader is still
a great bow, however the Raider CLS maintains all the great features of
the Invader plus adds a compact bow design which reduces overall width
by approximately 30% all while increasing energy and bolt velocity.
FINISH, FIT, FEEL, FEATURES, FUNCTIONING & ACCURACY
FIT & FINISH
The
Wicked Ridge line of crossbows are meant to be beat on, but the fit on
the Wicked Ridge Raider CLS is perfect, nothing is loose and everything
is well designed to fit together without any gaps, rattles or wobbles.
The finish on my crossbow was an Mossy Oak Break Up Infinity camo that
is a very versatile pattern and unfortunately as on my original Invader,
the internal packaging was insufficient which caused a minor scratch on
the finish before it came out of the box. Not a huge deal, but it
seems to be a systemic packaging issue on both the bow I have. Generally
I am pretty harsh on my tools, so this was a cosmetic issue I would
never consider returning a crossbow over.
The
Wicked Ridge Invader crossbow comes partially assembled and only
required slipping on the assembled bow via one hex bolt, the cocking
stirrup via two set screws, and attaching the quiver mount. Once
assembled the Wicked Ridge Invader is tight and rock solid and built to
take a beating on any hunting trip.
FEEL
At
6lb, 10oz. the Raider CLS is not what I would term as feathery and is
about the weight of your standard AR15. Most of the weight is up at the
bow end which does provide a very stable off-hand shooting situation.
The front forend provides a very stable grip while providing a guard to
prevent your fingers getting caught by the bow string... the most
common injury in archery. Overall with a stock length of 37-1/4 inches
and a width of 25-7/8 inches, the Wicked Ridge Invader crossbow handles
well and pointed naturally despite the obvious size of it being a
crossbow.
FEATURES
With
the exception of the bow, the entire Wicked RIdge line up has roughly
the same features and from what I can tell my Invader and Raider CLS are
identical excluding bow changes. The biggest feature changes are moving
from a more standard sized bow and limb to Ten Point’s CLS (Compact
Limb System) which actually delivers higher velocities, but in a
narrower 20.75" limb profile. This profile allows you to get in out, up,
through, and around barriers much easier.
The
Wicked Ridge Raider CLS crossbow is covered with the versatile Mossy
Oak Camo and drives the bolt over 330 feet/second with the included
aluminum bolts and field points. This is about a 10% improvement over
the Invader.
Cocking is easy with Wicked Ridge's integrated ststirrup and patented ACU-52
integrated, self-retracting rope cocking system that reduces draw weight
by 50%. The entire pulley, handle, rope assembly self-retracts into the
stock. This is a key feature especially for the less muscular shooters
both new and old. The Wicked RIdge Invader features the patented
Dry-Fire Inhibitor which prevents accidental firing when the a bolt is
not in place.
The
Ten Point patented innovations continue with the ACRA-Angle barrel,
tunable synthetic cable yolks, Alph-A Quad Limb System, CNC-machined
aluminum riser and wheels, patented PowerTouch trigger, and lightweight
semi-skeletal stock design.
Wicked Ridge premium kit includes three
aluminum bolts, field points, and 6-arrow instant detach quiver and
padded sling. As with my Invader, the Raider CLS includes a 3X
multi-dot (bolt-drop compensating) scope which was perfectly zero’ed
right from the box. All these features add up to a pull it out of the
package, bolt it together, and go hunting without having to worry about
whether it will all work.
FUNCTIONING
Crossbows
are not the most complex war machines on planet and as would be
expected, I had no issues what-so-ever. With my first Invader crossbow,
what struck me most was the precision of the Wicked Ridge Invader and
the Raider CLS matched that accuracy. This easy accuracy will really
instill confidence quickly from the novices to the professional hunters.
The
Acu-52 cocking system is AWESOME. This provided a very fast and easy
cocking option and assured perfect string alignment on every shot. Once
the string is cocked the safety auto-engages and the bolt can be placed
on the barrel. Peer through the sight and align based on the yardage
and appropriate drop alignment on the scope, push the safety forward,
and squeeze the trigger. Whether you are in a survival or hunting
situation getting the next bolt going down range could not be simpler or
easier. Take a look at my Invader video as the Raider has the same
functioning.
ACCURACY TESTING
If
you believe crossbows don’t deliver pin-point accuracy then you simply
have not shot the new breed of crossbows. Like my Invader the Wicked
Ridge Raider CLS is also a tack driving bolt stacking machine all the
way out to fifty yards and with some testing even at 75 yards 4” groups
were common. I would feel very comfortable taking shots on deer out to
75+ yards.
The
most impressive accuracy fact was that it was perfectly zero’ed right
out of the box and required no scope tweaking of the included bolt drop
compensating scope.
FINAL THOUGHTS
From
a survival perspective crossbows make perfect sense with simple
dependable and accurate operation and in the case of the Wicked Ridge
Raider CLS, outstanding value that can put food on the table. The Wicked
Ridge Raider CLS is perfect for the hunter and survivalist that wants
to just walk out of their sporting goods store with a crossbow and
literally head right for the field.
The
kit comes complete with everything needed. The extras I am added are a
good set of carbon fiber bolts and a set of broad-heads to make this a
ready to grab deer hunting crossbow. For the avid hunter the crossbow
hunting benefits you with a longer and additional hunting season. For
$700 out on the Street, this is a smart multi-purpose item to add to
your hunting and survival kit.
MANUFACTURES SPECS
330-fps velocity
101.6 foot/lbs energy
3X scope included
Power stroke: 13".
Draw weight: 180 lbs.
Length: 37-1/4".
Width 20.75"
Weight: 6 lbs. 10 oz.
Currently this product is now made in the USA as of 2012
MSRP $699.99
Street $599.99
Premium Package adds:
3X Multi-line (multi-yardage) scope
Quick Release Bolt quiver
3 Aluminum Arrows
Padded Sling
MSRP included Bow $819.99
Street $699.99
SOURCES
Wicked Ridge Crossbows
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