It’s easy enough to tweak a bow design over time — an improved cable guard here, a slightly different grip there — but consistently introducing truly new technology that offers significant advantages is not so easy. Bowtech’s new Revolt Series retains a number of recently developed and innovative Bowtech design features, but what’s truly new are the Deadlock Cams. Tested last year on Bowtech’s Reckoning target bow, they’re now at the heart of the Revolt and the Revolt X. This binary system is remarkably smooth-drawing while generating high speeds, but what’s more remarkable is it allows the shooter to tune the bow with an Allen key, and to do it more precisely than is possible by twisting cables or moving the rest. No press needed.

Each cam can be moved to the right or the left by unlocking a set screw and turning an Allen key, providing perfect alignment of the cams with the rest, string and arrow to shoot bullet holes through paper. Complementing the cam system are the Deadlock limb pockets, an exceptionally stable limb pocket design. The Deadlock flexible cable guard is similar to last year’s, but includes a tab (for lack of a better word) at the back of the rollers to prevent the cables from slipping off or being knocked off by a limb or other object.

Back from last year is the Clutch Performance grip with a slim, comfortable and minimalist design. The Clutch comes standard while the flatter Clutch Control grip can be purchased separately, and both grips are available in four colors. Also retained is the Flip Disc system, which offers shooters the option of a Comfort setting or a slightly faster (and presumably slightly less comfortable) setting. Either setting provides 90 percent letoff. Also retained from previous models are two Orbit vibration dampeners, which can be stacked or moved to various positions to serve as counterweights to a quiver, sight or other accessories. Alternate sight mounting positions are back as well, along with multiple threaded openings at the top and bottom of the riser for mounting stabilizers, vibration dampeners, weights or other accessories.

Though I’ve opted to test the Revolt X, it should be pointed out that the Revolt boasts all but identical technology, but the Revolt is only 30 inches axle-to-axle, marginally lighter, offers a full 7.25 inches of brace height and is a little slower at an advertised 335 fps compared to the 340 fps of the Revolt X.

On a purely subjective note, the Revolt bows strike me as among the better-looking bows Bowtech has produced in recent years. The test bow is black with crisp and sharply contrasting logos in white and red. Fit and finish are both durable and flawless.

Shooting the Bowtech Revolt X

Set up proceeded without difficulty. Draw weight out of the box was slightly under 70 pounds, and this was adjusted to an even 70 pounds. Limb bolts were snug but turned smoothly. Draw length was set at 30-inches, which is the length at which I test speed using a Hooter Shooter. For subjective evaluations I adjusted it down to 28.5 inches, an easy process requiring three bolts to be loosened, then retightened after sliding the modules to the desired position, as well as moving the cable stops to corresponding positions. I opted to test the bow on the Comfort setting, which is how it arrived. I also adjusted the Deadlock cams to tune the bow.

At 4.5 pounds, the Revolt X cannot fairly be called a light bow. It is well-balanced though, in part because of the Orbit vibration dampeners, which come installed near the bottom of the riser. I found the grip, as I commented on earlier models, to be comfortable. The draw cycle on Comfort setting is smooth by any standard, but particularly for a bow of this speed. I did experiment with the Performance setting. The feel is similar, but by comparison stacks a little late in the draw. Shooters will have their own preferences; I like speed, but found the Comfort setting so comfortable I do not think I would make the change to gain a few more feet per second.

The valley at full draw is fairly deep which, together with 90 percent letoff, makes this bow extremely comfortable to hold for extended periods of time. Cable stops make for a solid back wall, but not so rigid that shooters such as myself who prefer to draw through the shot cannot do so. The Revolt X is quiet, and pops forward slightly in a loose grip with no noticeable vibration. Bottom line: The Revolt X is a remarkably smooth and fast hunting bow that most shooters will find easy to tune without resorting to a press or driving to their local pro shop. It’s the kind of bow a lot of hunters will fall in love with easily.

How We Test

• Each bow is carefully inspected out of the box for fit and finish and for any visible defects in workmanship. Axle-to-axle length, brace height, mass weight and draw length are measured and compared with stated specs. Minor discrepancies in draw length are corrected or noted.
• A QAD UltraRest is installed, and each bow is equipped with a TruGlo sight, a TruGlo stabilizer, a G5.25-inch Metapeep and a D-loop. Test arrows are Carbon Express Maxima Red arrows at weights of 385 and 440 grains, fletched with Bohning Blazer vanes and fitted with QAD Tune-A-Nocks. Peak draw weight is established, and draw force curves, along with letoff, are determined using an Easton Bow Force Mapping System.
• Using a Spot-Hogg Hooter Shooter bow-shooting machine and a ProChrono chronograph, arrow speed and kinetic energy are measured at point of launch and at 20 yards.
• Sound is measured with an NM102 Sound Level Meter with mic positioned 3 feet in front of the bow and 18 inches under the arrow flight path.
• All bows are pressed on a Buckeye Archery Solutions Bow-A-Constrictor press.