You see a lot of hunters sporting one of the Excalibur crossbow models these days, especially in hunting magazines. Here’s why…

Take the Excalibur Equinox 2009 model which retails for about $800. The Equinox is designed and built with a reduced overall length, making it easier to cock and steadier to hold without sacrificing the amazing downrange performance that has made Excalibur famous.

Decorated with new “Realtree AP Ô” camouflage using the striking Kolorfusion process, this is a crossbow that will earn it’s place in your trophy room for decades to come. Each Equinox comes tapped to accept Excalibur’s scope and quiver mounts, has sling studs, and sports a fiber optic sight.

The Equinox crossbow is available with the “Lite Stuff” accessory package, including everything you need to get started with your new crossbow. The“Lite Stuff” package includes the famous Varizone multiplex crossbowscope plus mounting rings and base for multi-range accuracy, 4 Fireboltlightweight carbon arrows with points, a 4 arrow quiver and mounting bracket to safely and securely hold your arrows, and a rope cocking aid for easy, precise string alignment. This package retails for about $1000.

Let’s first give credit where credit is due… this review is thanks to Dave Conrad of BowHunting.net.

The Stryker crossbow is the brainchild from the people at Bowtech and incorporates many of the leading technologies found in their first class compound bows. The scuff resistant, beaded anodized aluminum finish in Advantage Max-4 camouflage lends to its sleek design. If camo isn’t your preferred color pattern the Stryker also is available in “Assault Black”.For a smooth and accurate draw the Stryker crossbow utilizes Binary Cams, which ensures synchronization of the cams throughout the entire power stroke. When combined with features such as Horizontal Force Technology that utilize increased limb angle the Stryker crossbow exceeds an arrow speed of 400 fps while creating amazing 155ft. lbs of kinetic energy. With those figures hunters should have no problem with any North American big game animal. At those levels of energy the Stryker crossbow uses WhisperTech Silence technology to not only cut down on noise but reduce vibration as well.

The Stryker utilizes a totally enclosed, integrated cocking mechanism. The advanced patent pending “Sprague” clutch is silent and easy to use. No more cocking by hand, just simply insert the cocking handle, depress the de-cocking lever and crank the handle. I’ll cover this in detail later in this report.

All Stryker crossbows come equipped with a military style Weaver rail on the underside of the main body rail. Options such as bipods, flashlights or even laser sights can be attached. The forearm stock can also be adjusted or removed or even replaced with a pistol grip along this extended rail. A second Weaver rail is utilized on top for the scope mount. Included in the Stryker package is a 1X30 power multiple red dot scope. The package also contains four 425 grain bolts, detachable carrying sling, hip quiver, hard travel case for storage, cocking handle storage pouch as well as an extra set of strings. I hope I didn’t forget anything.

First impressions of the machined 7075-T6 riser reminded me of something that comes directly from Star Wars. As mentioned earlier this increased angle of the multi-wrapped split limb is a key ingredient to the bolt speeds of 405 fps. This blows away any competitors 175-pound pull limb design.

The crossbow comes fully assembled except for the 1X30 scope. I was too excited to try the crossbow and admittedly took the first couple shots without the scope installed, hence the 10-yard shooting distance. After the first shot I made sure that I didn’t aim at a used portion of my foam target as the sizzling bolts tried their best to completely penetrate the tightly compressed foam.

Cocking of the Stryker is easy yet somewhat of a chore. You can get plenty of leverage as you place your foot through the foot handle, depress the de-cocking lever (thumb pawl) and begin cranking. It takes approximately 40 revolutions of the crank to get the string carrier to make contact with the string. Once the string carrier is engaged by simply closing it over the string you can release the de-cocking lever and begin cranking. It also takes the same number of turns in the opposite direction to fully cock the Stryker. While cranking there is no concern if you lose your grip. An internal safety mechanism prevents the crank from spinning wildly. Simply regain your grip and continue cranking. Now it is time to load the bolt. Place the bolt cock vane down so it is inside the rail track. If the bolt is not firmly under the retention spring and seated under the bolt sensor the crossbow cannot be fired. I tested this just to make sure and this safety device passed with flying colors no matter how much pressure I tried to release the safety and pull the trigger. If at the end of a hunt and you want to de-cock the Stryker, simply reverse the procedure by removing the bolt, depressing the thumb pawl and turning the crank.

Accuracy is phenomenal with this device. I see no reason why this legal hunting device can’t effectively be used to take game out to 40 yards. In fact the Stryker will enable my 7-year-old son to attempt to take his first deer this fall in Ohio. He is not quite up to pulling the required 40 pounds of pull in order for a bow to be legal. Accuracy is enhanced by the strategically placed Weaver scope mount and high stock position from the internal cocking device. It also makes for a comfortable cheek rest, which aids in scope alignment as well as contributing to accuracy.

To tell you the truth I had a lot of fun shooting the Stryker. The only downside I can see is the cranking to initially engage the string and the further cranking to totally cock the string. Doesn’t make much for second chance shots. What this does afford is accuracy. When manually cocking other brands you can easily offset the string. I have demonstrated this before and it can throw the arrow off and hinder accuracy. The string carrier assures you of a square and equal load on the string time after time.

The Stryker crossbow comes with an extra string that can be changed out even in the field if necessary. The internal cocking mechanism and provided changing harness make this task attainable in less than five minutes. Cost is in the $1500. + range new. Dave Conrad www.bowhunting.net