Editors' review
The Hoyt Invicta series is available in a 37 or 40-inch model, with two different cam options. The Invicta 40 DCX version measures at 40.5-inches axle-to-axle, and weighs a pretty lightweight amount at 4.9-pounds. The Invicta was designed to be the longest riser target bow Hoyt has ever created, and the stability on target backs up the claim that longer risers tend to feel a bit more sturdy. The DCX cam is a bit quicker than the pro staff favorite SVX cam system, with an almost perfect combination of smooth drawing, firm feeling back wall, and performance rating of an ATA measured arrow speed up to 316 feet per second. The color options are amazing, and the brand new modular grip system is one of the best ideas in all of target archery. The Invicta 40 DCX has a new riser, new limbs and pockets, new grip, and new cams, and all that comes with a massive price tag. The Invicta 40 DCX comes with a shocking price tag of $1899, which is absolutely an insane amount of money. The only person able to say if the price is justified is the one laying down the coin, but this price point is borderline ridiculous even considering all the newly designed components. This bow is for serious target archers, and it works amazingly well for those indoor five spot shooters. However, there is a great deal of competition in 2020 for other really amazing target rigs as well, and the price will undoubtedly force shooters to look elsewhere.
Finish
Hoyt target bows have always looked amazing, and the Invicta lineup are not exceptions to that high standard. These finishes just pop in person, and truly look amazing, regardless of the color. Target shooters are becoming more and more interested in blinging out their rigs, and the Invicta has a great deal of wow factor in terms of the popping colors perfectly applied to the riser. Shooters can pick Championship Red, Orange Torch, Jet Black, Silver Ice, Electric Teal, Gold Medal, Rally Green, Cobalt Blue, Slate, or Perfect Pink, which will all be in a Satin finish. Regardless of which color shooters choose, the limbs will all come in the standard black color. There is not a bad looking option in the bunch, and to have some many choices to pick from is a really awesome option. Kudos again to Hoyt for delivering so many outstanding options for shooters to choose from.
Riser
The Invicta 40 was designed with the longest, most stable riser platform Hoyt has ever created for a target bow. This is done by engineering a 2.5-inch increase in the riser length, which will surely be felt in how steady the bow feels holding on target. There is also a lower center of mass created in the new riser design, to not just add weight, but place it where it is most comfortable for shooters. The overall weight is pretty awesome too, coming in just under the 5-pound mark, weighing in at an advertised weight of 4.9-pounds. The riser design centers around forgiveness as well with a 40.5-inch axle-to-axle measurement and a 7 ⅝-inch brace height. Everything about the Invicta 40 was created to be an amazing indoor or 3D bow, and it aligns very well to that idea. Hoyt also has a moving cable guard system, which can be fine tuned to align with the arrow and vanes shooters end up going with. The cable guard can be adjusted for 0, 3, 6, or 9 degree off-sets and will allow shooters to fine tune any set up they decide to run with while also giving the best arrow clearance. The riser features do not end there either, but the rest of the technology is fairly standard issue items in the target world regardless of brand. The StealthShot string stop system keeps the string from oscillating a bunch after the arrow is released, and works really well although not a brand new concept of design. Shooters also have great options for mounting front and rear facing bars in the best location for their personal preferences.
Grip
The all-new Hoyt modular grip system is a patent-pending creation worth a great deal of praise. Hoyt's grip area on the riser was also redesigned to provide a flatter grip angle. All of this is done to create a more universal grip pressure in the shooter's hand. The bow sits perfectly in the shooter's hand, and places the grip in the optimal shooting position. The best part about the new grip design is that it comes with six different inserts to change the angle of the grip from 0 degrees, 4 degrees, or 8 degrees. Each grip angle also gets a different thickness, which will allow shooters to fine tune their draw length by ⅛-inch increments. If that was not enough, all six grip options are available with the purchase of the bow with no additional cost. This modular system should be integrated in all of archery. It is an awesome design, great idea, and a fantastic way to let shooters completely fine tune the most personal area of the bow. Kudos to Hoyt on this amazing design and integration of a wonderful idea.
Limbs
Upon first glance, the split limbs and pockets seem to be the same thing Hoyt has offered forever, and although that is somewhat true, the refresh in design makes it a better functioning system. The Zero Tolerance pockets secures the all new, high-performance limb system to the riser creating the best performance for the entire draw weight range. The limbs were created to give the Invicta the award of being the lowest vibration and quietest target bow Hoyt has ever produced, The previous models were not necessarily terrible in this department, but for Hoyt to make the claim this rig is the best ever in those two categories is really saying something special. The split limbs are also offered in five different limb configurations for a draw weight range of 30-70-pounds. The maximum weights are offered in 40, 50, 55, 60, and 70-pounds. They also come standard with a factory installed dampener to help in giving the bow the most dead in hand feel of any Hoyt ever.
Eccentric System
The DCX cam system is brand new for 2020, and gives shooters a higher performance cam system with the option to pick a 65% or 75% option. The back wall is rock solid right off the rack, but there is a rubber stop that can be removed, which will soften up the back wall fro shooters who like a bit more play on the back end. The speed rating is an ATA measured 316 feet per second, which is a bit misleading when comparing to previous year models, which use the IBO standard of arrow speed measurements. Although the DCX cams are the faster offering, it is important to remember the 40.5-inch axle-to-axle measurement, in addition to the 7 ⅝-inch brace height are massive specifications built for the highest accuracy and most forgiveness possible. So upon first glance, the 316 feet per second rating does not seem all that impressive. However, when combined with the rest of the Invicta 40 specifications, the 316 feet per second rating makes for a dream target bow.
Draw Cycle/Shootability
The Invicta 40 is a large bow, and shooters interested in this kind of target rig will know what they are getting themselves into. For newer shooters of target archery, the overall size may be intimidating right out of the box. This 40.5-inch target bow feels awesome after the initial size shock. The DCX cams offer a bit more performance than some previous Hoyt cams, which some shooters will greatly appreciate. There is a really firm back wall with the DCX cams, which is becoming more and more popular in the target world, but shooters wanting a softer feel can make an adjustment to get that with the DCX cams as well. Shooters will also need to decide if they want a 65% or 75% let-off, which will tweak the valley and holding weight a bit too. This is a really nice option for shooters to get everything set exactly where they want it. After the shot, the bow feels amazing, and really justifies Hoyt's claim of the Invicta being more shock and noise free than any other target model they have produced. Perhaps the largest downside of the Invicta is the inability for shooters to try this model out before buying it. Most shops are not going to stock this bow, and those wanting to give it a test shot will have to attend a larger shoot where the bow may be available for a trial. This model is pricey, and shops will be hesitant in stocking them since the color and draw cycle options are going to be pretty specific on what each shooter wants.
Usage Scenarios
The Invicta 40 is a designed target model, perhaps best suited for indoor spot leagues. Everything about this bow is designed for accuracy and shootability, and those pounding the same spot over and over will have an amazing platform to fine tune and shoot exceptionally well. The Invicta 40 DCX version will more than likely make the transition to the 3D world as well, especially those shooting in the known yardage classes, where fast arrow speeds are less of a necessity. No matter the type of archery, the Invicta 40 is a competitive target bow designed for the most serious shooters in the sport.
Summary
Hoyt has really hit a homeroom for shooters wanting a 40-inch axle-to-axle target bow. Everything about this, and the redesigned components was done to create the best, most accurate shooting platform possible. However, the price is borderline offensive with a bare bow price of $1899. To be fair, many shooters owning this bow will be pro or shop sponsored, so perhaps that price will only rarely be spent. However, for shooters committed to the Hoyt brand, the price tag really is too much even though shooters will still pay the sticker price. Target archery is shrinking in numbers, and the cost of admission is getting ridiculous. There are cheaper models, and many shooters will execute their consumer right to purchase a bow that allows them to not have to sleep on the couch. Everything about the bow and its design is amazing, but the price tag will keep many potential shooters from even considering the Invicta 40 DCX as a viable option for their target bow in 2020.
