Hoyt Rampage XT Review

Editors' review

Without a doubt, the Rampage XT is one of the best Hoyt bows for money in 2011. While it's not marketed as a top-end bow, the Rampage XT is much cheaper and is built with exactly the same technologies as more expensive Hoyt rigs like Carbon Element, Carbon Matrix, CRX 32, or Maxxis 31. While the riser is built using a cheaper technology, it doesn't make a lot of difference in terms of shootability. With a terrific set of advanced technologies and very affordable price, this rig is extremely popular among smart shoppers who want to get the best value for money.

Riser

The Rampage XT is outfitted with a magnesium riser that is first cast and after that machined into shape. While this is a different process compared to being fully machined from aluminum, it's also much cheaper. However, many experts and shooters confirm that this cast riser doesn't affect shootability and the bow feels almost like it has a fully machined aluminum riser. Overall, the Rampage XT's riser is very strong and rigid, looks good, and establishes a great shooting platform delivering great performance and effectively absorbing hand shock and vibration.

Silent riser shelf

To isolate the arrow from touching the riser, Hoyt outfits the Rampage XT with their new silent riser shelf which is designed to eliminate unwanted noise. Hoyt engineers say this riser shelf is also very effective in reducing the noise coming from drop away rests.

Grip

The Rampage XT is equipped with a narrow one piece grip. The 180 Pro Fit grip is reported to be pretty comfortable. Many shooters agree that with this grip the bow is pretty difficult to torque which is always great news for all types of shooters.

Limbs

Hoyt outfits the Rampage XT with their new and high quality XTS Pro Arc limbs which are designed using the same 5-layer lamination technology used in 2010 (XTS Arc limbs). It's a well known fact, that the technology used by Hoyt to build these limbs is extremely advanced and reliable. Not only are these post-parallel limbs are very durable and reliable, but they are also extremely powerful. In addition, they are designed to effectively eliminate unwanted vibration after the shot. Although many shooters insist the new limbs and pockets were not changed much by the Hoyt design team, the XTS Pro Arc limbs are still very strong and durable, help to eliminate vibration, and constitute a great shooting platform capable of producing impressively smooth shots.

In-line roller guard

Hoyt equips the Rampage XT with the same In-Line Roller Cable Guard that was introduced in 2010. The idea behind this system is to improve accuracy, increase speeds, and make the bow quieter by minimizing torque and friction. To ensure the cable guard performs properly in all weather conditions, it's built with sealed bearings.

Eccentric system

The power for the Rampage XT is Hoyt's Fuel Cam & 1/2 performance system that is an enhanced modification of the last year's Cam & 1/2. Despite being similar, the two eccentric systems are not exactly the same. Compared to the older Cam & 1/2, the newer Fuel cam comes with a slightly enhanced draw stop peg that makes for a more solid back wall compared to the last year's cam.Another great improvement for the new eccentric system is a wider draw length range. While the last year's XTR Cam & 1/2 system comes with 2 modular-adjustable cams (XTR #2 and XTR #3), the Fuel Cam & 1/2 on the Rampage XT is designed to be equipped with one of the 3 cams covering draw lengths from 24.5 to 30 inches as shown in the below table. Each of the 3 cams can be tuned in half-inch increments with a set of interchangeable modules without the need to use a bow press. The Fuel cam produces a let-off of approximately 75 percent.Draw length ranges for Hoyt Rampage XT Fuel cams

Cam	Draw lengths
Fuel cam #1	24.5"-26"
Fuel cam #2	26"-28"
Fuel cam #3	28"-30"

Draw cycle / Shootability

Despite being marketed as a mid-level bow, the Hoyt Rampage XT comes very close to some high-end Hoyt rigs with similar specifications. First of all, the bow balances very well and is impressively quiet on the shot even though it is outfitted with the limbs built with a cheaper technology. Due to the enhanced cam design, the Rampage XT draws smoothly, has a good valley, and holds easily at full draw with a very solid back wall. In addition, an improved silencing package makes this bow very quiet on the shot as confirmed by tests carried out by many experts.

Silencing system / Quietness and vibration

The rig comes with a very effective silencing package utilizing some proven technologies introduced in 2010. While the riser, limbs, and roller guard have not been changed much and still deliver very quiet shooting platform, there have been a number of changes made to make this bow even quieter in 2011:

• improved string stop is now made from a softer rubber material making it much more durable and helping to further reduce noise.
• new silent shelf effectively isolates the arrow from the riser and helps to eliminate noise from drop away rests
• offset stabilizer mount is designed to deliver perfect balance by attaching a stabilizer to the opposite side of the riser to offset the weight of mounted accessories.

All in all, shooters are extremely pleased about how quiet the Rampage XT is when equipped with a good stabilizer. They say it's nearly as good as the CRX 32 or Carbon Element which are much more expensive.

Hoyt Rampage XT vs. Hoyt Rampage

Bow	Hoyt Rampage XT	Hoyt Rampage
Version	2012	2012
Picture
Brace Height	7 "	7 "
AtA Length	32 "	34 "
Draw Length	24.5 " - 30 "	23 " - 30 "
Draw Weight	30 lbs - 80 lbs	30 lbs - 70 lbs
IBO Speed	323 fps	306 fps
Weight	4.0 lbs	4.2 lbs
Let-Off	75%	75%
Where to buy Best prices online	Not available now. Please check later.	$300 to $500 Compare prices
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The 2 major differences between the Rampage XT and the original Rampage are the limbs and cams. While the latter comes with the new ZRS 12 split limbs, the former is equipped with the XTS Pro Arc limbs (also new for 2011). When it comes to the performance systems, the original Rampage is powered by a very easy drawing but slow M4 cam system, whereas the XT is equipped with the new Fuel cam that is a bit stiffer but also notably faster. That is why despite belonging to the same series, the two bows feel quite different.

Admittedly, both rigs are great value for money. However, the Rampage XT is considered to be a better value for money than the original Rampage because it's equipped with the same technologies as top-end 2011 Hoyt bows. So, if you are on a very tight budget and don't mind shooting slower rigs, getting the original Hoyt Rampage might be a good idea. On the other hand if you are happy to pay a little bit more the Rampage XT will be a better value for money.

Hoyt Rampage XT vs Carbon Element vs CRX 32 vs Maxxis 31

The Rampage XT compares very well to more expensive high-end Hoyt rigs. While Hoyt Carbon Element, Hoyt CRX 32, and Hoyt Maxxis 31 have a little bit less vibration, the difference becomes negligible when the Rampage XT is equipped with a good stabilizer. Moreover, not only does the Rampage XT have exactly the same draw cycle and back wall, but it can also generate exactly the same speeds. That is why so many archers prefer this bow over its more expensive alternatives.

Bow	Hoyt Rampage XT	Hoyt CRX 32	Hoyt Carbon Element	Hoyt Maxxis 31
Version	2012	2012	2013 G3	2011 (XTR Cam)
Picture
Brace Height	7 "	7 "	6.75 "	7 "
AtA Length	32 "	32 "	31.5 "	31 "
Draw Length	24.5 " - 30 "	24.5 " - 30 "	24.5 " - 30 "	26 " - 30 "
Draw Weight	30 lbs - 80 lbs	40 lbs - 80 lbs	30 lbs - 80 lbs	40 lbs - 80 lbs
IBO Speed	323 fps	323 fps	332 fps	323 fps
Weight	4.0 lbs	3.95 lbs	3.6 lbs	3.9 lbs
Let-Off	75%	75%	75%	75%
Where to buy Best prices online	Not available now. Please check later.	$349.99 to $700 Compare prices	$375 to $1169.95 Compare prices	$350 to $800 Compare prices
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So, if you are not on a tight budget and want to get the best quality rig, consider getting one of the top-end Hoyt bows mentioned above. However, if you are after the best value for money, the Rampage XT is a fantastic choice.

Summary

To conclude, the Hoyt Rampage XT is a very well balanced bow with great shootability characteristics. While it's a mid-range priced bow, it is nearly as good as the top end Hoyt bows like CRX 32 or Carbon Element. Although a bare bow could be a bit quieter and could have less vibration, when outfitted with a stabilizer, the Rampage XT is nearly immaculate hunting bow. Experts firmly agree this perfectly balanced bow is very accurate, has a smooth draw cycle with a very solid back wall and generates impressive speeds without much noise or vibration. Absolutely the best value for money from the 2011 Hoyt line, the Rampage XT is an ideal choice for all hunters or recreational shooters looking for a very affordable and high quality rig with great shootability characteristics.