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Evaluations : Dave Conrad Last Updated: Apr 1, 2008 - 2:15:09 AM Email this article Printer friendly page   Field Evaluation - TenPoint Titan TL-7 By Dave Conrad Dec 23, 2007 - 10:55:41 AM Archery season in Ohio benefits from not only a long four plus month season but also from a variety of weapons of choice including stickbows, compounds and crossbows.  For as long as I can remember crossbows have been a major contributor to the harvest numbers of the long fall and winter season.  Within the last few years a company who is built on quality engineering and products has emerged as a leader in the crossbow market. TenPoint has been manufacturing crossbows since 1994 and in those thirteen years have established 8 patents with many others pending or in the process of being filed.  The great thing about this teenage company is that most of the innovative design ideas have come from direct customer input.  This certainly tells me that they listen closely to what the market is asking for and then go about ways of making it happen. For this fall I have the pleasure of introducing my 8 year old son into the sport of archery.  And while he is not quite strong enough to pull the required 40 pounds for a longbow the TenPoint Titan TL-7 will suite his needs just fine.  And with the Ohio season offering very liberal deer tags, up to seven in some areas, I hope to use the Titan TL-7 to help fill a tag or two myself. TenPoint offers two series of crossbows, the Tenpoint and SixPoint.  The Titan TL-7 falls into the Premium TenPoint series and mine arrived with the ACU draw, 3 line scope,  4 Arrow HX quiver and 6 aluminum bolts as well as a Steady Eddie mono-pod system. The Titan TL-7 comes unassembled in a compact box.  Upon inspection I found all required pieces and the instructions very thorough.  To assemble one setscrew mounted through the Limb assembly and into the ACUDraw ready FST stock. In no time I had the necessary tools put away and the Titan assembled and ready to shoot.  I was surprised that the scope came pre-assembled on the Titan as I thought I would have to go through the timely mounting process.   Easy to shoot, the TL-7 puts an arrow on target.  I found the Titan to be very accurate out of the box with the pre-mounted 3X Multi-Line Scope.  The fully coated optics of the scope made the target very clear and amazingly the crossbow was stacking X's right out of the box at 20 yards.  I even let my 6 year old daughter and 7 year old son practice at 10 yards and they as well were consistently putting arrows in a 3 inch circle.  I was astonished as my daughter had never shot any type of archery weapon before other than a 9 and 12 lb. pull kids compound bow. The Tenpoint TL-4 quad limb design utilizes OTT (Over the Top) technology, Power Limb-Tip Caps and CAM Stability Bushings which aid the transfer of energy and deadly accuracy on the 165 pound pull crossbow.  The limb pocket suspension system uses Dupont Zytel pads to lift and separate the limbs.  This suspension material isolates the limbs from the riser and then is secured with a machined aluminum outer limb pocket.  This combination increases stability as well as cutting noise and vibration by as much as 50 percent.  My test revealed that the essentric combination propelled a 420 grain bolt within 2 feet per second of the advertised 280 fps speed. The one piece molded Verton® FST stock, which is a very durable light polymer, was very comfortable, camouflaged in Advantage Timber HD and comes with an integrated Thumbhole stock.  I conclude this allows the crossbow to shoulder easily and makes for a consistent grip, especially on freestanding shots.  It makes everything line up every time thanks to the natural grip and straight alignment of my right hand and wrist. Also contributing to the accuracy of the Titan TL-7 is the ACRA-ANGLE barrel.  The design of the barrel allows the shooter to load the crossbow with the string resting against the barrel insuring constant pressure. To prepare the Titan TL-7 to shoot you must first disengage the safety which automatically engages when the crossbow is cocked.  The safety is located directly behind the barrel receiver of the Titan TL-7.  It is a straight push in design and doesn't make any audible clicks and the safety slides directly into the reciever with a simple push of the thumb or finger.  The crossbow is now ready to shoot. Speaking of the shot, it all begins with the trigger.  The Titan TL-7 is equipped with an innovative RollerTouch trigger.  This system features a double roller system which reduces and extends the life of this 5-pound trigger system.  The trigger finger rolls off the string latch sear producing a more consistent release rather than sliding inconsistent design. The Titan TL-7 trigger assembly also incorporates a patented DFI or Dry Fire Inhibitor system.  If no arrow is present on a fully cocked bow the DFI disables the trigger thereby eliminating damage to the crossbow or more importantly injury to the shooter. The crossbow weighs in at 7.4 pounds with no accessories and around two pounds more loaded with scope, quiver and arrows including the ACUdraw system.  However the Titan TL-7 was easy to hold on target thanks to the Steady Eddie mono-pod system.    It could be used from a sitting or kneeling position by resting the base on the ground or standing by securing the bottom into your waist or hip for offhand shots.  It can also be steadied in a treestand by resting on the platform. The Titan TL-7 package comes with the integrated ACUdraw system which as applied is built into the rear of the stock.  It is easy to operate and comes with a crank, but I found it easier just to cock the device with my hands thanks to the ACRA-ANGLE barrell design..  But for those who need the extra help it is very convenient to use.  The ACUdraw does insure a consistent anchor every shot which could be off center if incorrectly drawn by hand. TenPoint 4 arrow Instant Detach HX Quiver system keeps arrows within quick reach.  The quiver mounts parallel to the limbs using Bohning Lever Lock mounting system and conveniently becomes part of the bow.  If you prefer to remove the quiver while on stand, the system is very quiet and can be done easily with one hand. The crossbow as stated earlier delivered shot after shot consistently into the target at 20 yards.  Stacking arrows into the target became the norm for not only me but the entire family.  One of the great advantages of the Titan TL-7 is that with a few guided shooting lessons anyone of legal age can be enjoying the outdoors.   Hanging tough, the TenPoint Titan TL-7 is ready for the hunt.  TenPoint has really become a leader in innovation when it comes to crossbow technology.  This years improvements have made the Titan TL-7 easy to handle while improving accuracy.    The Titan TL-7 Crossbow Package with the 3 X Multi Line scope and ACUdraw system retails for 719.00.  For these features at this price make this model a true favorite and value leader. Value - 9.5 out of 10  At 719.00 for the Titan TL-7 package combines many of the features and accessories of other manufacturers top of the line crossbows costing several hundred dollars more. Design - 9.0 out of 10   TenPoint is a leader in this field and has taken technology to new heights.  The Titan TL-7 design feature a one piece thumbhole stock which ensure accuracy.  I found the 5 pound RollerTouch trigger to be very smooth and consistent which is a key ingrediant to shot after shot accuracy.  The limb, limb pocket and cam combination produces speeds with a 420 grain arrow of around 280 fps which is quick considering a power stroke of less than 12 inches. I applaud TenPoint for making a hunting rig capable of being handled by any hunter.    The TL-7 will give my son an early start on his hunting career and in his words, more time actually hunting with family and friends. For more go to: TenPoint Crossbows     Top of Page

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