Prime bows are like pillars in the wilderness built to withstand just about anything. RVX series bows feature risers slightly lighter than those featured on last year’s REVX, but with a 34% increase in stiffness.
I’ll be honest: Preparing for this bow report was a hassle. Testing began immediately after my wife, Becca, and I moved. While moving is nothing new to us, I was once again reminded how the upheaval of our belongings and the life we’ve known for the last few years can leave us out of sorts during the transition. But, I was able to dig up all of my gear to set up and test the bow.
Our new home — rich with potential and nestled on some acreage — needs some work, just like our past homes. Built in 1980 when building codes and inspections weren’t so stringent, the builder cut some corners, which resulted in uneven floors. We bought the home knowing this, and fortunately, we can correct the problems. Because the builder skimped on some support walls, we’ll over-build new ones to straighten everything out and inhibit the potential for future sagging.
That reminds me of Prime bows, which are like pillars. From Prime’s beginning, I’ve always felt that it over-builds its bows. No, they’re not clunky or needlessly heavy, but it doesn’t take an engineer to realize they’ll withstand bowhunting’s knocks and blows, just like our new support walls will withstand the weight of our home for decades to come.
Test Bow Specs
- Axle-to-Axle Length: 34 inches
- Brace Height: 6.25 inches
- Draw Length: 28 inches
- Draw Weight: 70.10 pounds
- Let-off: Up to 85%
- Bow-only Weight: 4.5 pounds
- Accessorized Total Weight: 6.2 pounds (including sight, rest and front stabilizer)
- Velocity: 269 fps (with 468-grain Easton 6.5mm Acu-Carbon 340 arrow); 272 (with 456-grain CX Maxima Triad 350 arrow); 276 (with 441-grain Victory VAP SS 350 arrow)
- Kinetic Energy: 75.12 foot-pounds (Easton); 74.84 foot-pounds (CX); 74.52 foot-pounds (Victory)
- Test-Bow Finish: Recon Gray
- MSRP: $1,299
- Contact: www.g5prime.com
A Chip Off the Old Block
If you’re familiar with last year’s REVX, then you’ve probably already noticed that the RVX has a similar name and appearance. And like the REVX, it comes in three different axle-to-axle lengths: 32, 34 and 36. I tested the 34-inch model. Anyway, for those of you who aren’t well acquainted with Prime or last year’s REVX, let’s run through the technologies that carried over to the new RVX.
Prime’s hallmark attribute is the Center Grip Riser. This placement yields an equal riser surface above and below the grip, which boosts balance and stability. The Center Grip Riser provides fast target acquisition and an aiming experience that Prime calls “Stability Built In,” and it’s more than a selling point; your customers will immediately feel the difference as I did when they test out the RVX.
The RVX’s riser also incorporates time-proven Swerve Technology. This strengthens the riser to reduce flexing and vibrations, plus it improves balance. Wide limbs and pockets also boost stability and help the RVX anchor solidly in windy conditions. The RVX’s riser is slightly lighter than the REVX’s riser, but it’s an unbelievable 34% stiffer. Talk about a pillar.
The CORE Cam is back. Just like last year, I’m shocked by how smoothly it pulls. Out of the box, the RVX felt like it was about 65 pounds, but my Last Chance bow scale measured 70.10 pounds. Letting down is smooth, too. The CORE Cam has a nice solid back wall and uses draw-specific modules to maximize efficiency.
A little more about the CORE Cam. It is designed to align the bowstring and cables, and perfectly balance the cam throughout the draw cycle to provide the truest tune possible. Speaking of tuning, Prime rigs the axles with Quik Tune spacers, which can be changed without pulling the axle, to adjust the cam to the left or right.
The Nano Grip, arguably one of the market’s leading grips, is a modular two-piece composite grip contoured for optimal comfort. Between it and the riser is NASA-developed Aerogel, which insulates the grip from the riser. Hunters will appreciate that during cold days afield.
Just a few more features that carried over from last year: The vibration dampener located at the bottom of the riser intercepts vibrations while adding a small amount of weight to a key point on the riser. The Integrated Quiver system is back and positions the quiver extremely close to the riser to optimize balance. The Flexis AR roller guard flexes inward during the draw cycle to reduce lateral cable torque and smooth out the already silky-smooth draw cycle. Finally, a rear stabilizer mount is optimally located for adding a weight or stabilizer down low.
The proven technologies that we’ve covered so far largely make the RVX the awesome bow that it is. But, what makes it different from the REVX other than the 34% increase in riser stiffness that I noted earlier? Well, Prime has rigged it with a QAD Integrate rest mount and a Picatinny sight rail. Bow manufacturers have jumped on this train one by one, and it’s because these mounting mediums are stronger and more dependable while eliminating accessory mounting brackets and improving the accessorized feel. I didn’t utilize these mounts due to the accessories I had on hand, but I suggest them because they are superior.
On the Range
Once I had the RVX set up, I headed out into the blustery March winds, snowflakes skipping off my face. I shot an arrow from 8 yards to see how close I was, then I made quick windage and elevation adjustments and stepped back to 20 yards. After two more shots, I made one final adjustment and started grouping well at 20 yards. I worked back and was eventually shooting beautiful groups out to 60 yards. Accuracy-wise, the RVX 34 is absolutely a natural.
Beyond that, “Stability Built In” lives up to its claim. It has a feel all its own. The draw cycle (mentioned earlier) is like a dream, and the bow has virtually no vibrations. With just a slight string twang, it doesn’t seem to be the quietest of the bows I’ve recently tested, but it is very quiet nonetheless. Even though it has a bowstring cushion, I’d probably install some bowstring silencers for hunting — the quieter the better, right? Overall, I have no complaints about how it feels and shoots.
As a bonus, Prime provides bowstrings for the life of the RVX (it must be registered) to the original owner, which is a huge selling point.
Final Thoughts
From the treestand to the mountains, the last thing anyone wants after investing money, stress, physical exertion, weeks of scouting and hundreds of miles on the truck is a bow failure. Prime’s RVX is a pillar that your customers can count on when the weight of hunting challenges is stacked up on every side. And when the shot opportunity of a lifetime presents itself, the RVX is designed to deliver a perfect arrow. It’s everything a bowhunter or 3-D competitor can ask for.
Additional Notes: The Prime RVX 34 was set up using a Last Chance Archery EZ Green Bow Press and EZ Green Bow Vise, and the draw weight was calculated using Last Chance Archery’s Digital Bow Scale. A Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph measured the arrow velocities. Other products used were Easton’s Nock and D-Loop Pliers and Pro Hex Fold-Up Allen Set. Arrows were weighed on Last Chance Archery’s Pro Grain Scale.
In-the-field photos by Becca and Darron McDougal
