Scorpyd VTEC Extreme Review (In-Field) – Compound Crossbow

Model	Draw Weight	Stroke	Velocity	Suggested Arrow Length	Crossbow Length / Weight
Scorpyd VTEC Extreme Check price on Amazon.com	110, 135, 160, 175 lbs.	18.75"	370, 390, 420, 440 FPS Crossbow Academy: ballistics, sighting, tuning	20"	35.5" / 8 lbs. 7 ozs.

Scorpyd VTEC Extreme Crossbow Package Contents

The Scorpyd VTEC Extreme comes in multiple configurations, depending on the speed you are looking for and how much weight you feel like drawing for every shot. It is available in 4 basic package configurations as follows:

The Base Kit arrives with the crossbow, string stops, a scope rail, sling studs and a short sled cocker. For about two hundred dollars more, you can order the Base Kit with the Accudraw system (more on this later in the review), which replaces the short sled cocker with a crank system.

The next step up is the Scope Plus kit, which adds a lot over the basic package. This includes everything in the base kit, plus a Hawke 1.5-5 x 32mm illuminated reticle scope, a 4 arrow quiver, a Limbsaver sling, Bowjax limb dampeners and 6 Scorpyd SPEC Goldtip Laser III arrows.

The ultimate in convenience is the Scope Plus with the Accudraw system for the best VTEC Extreme setup.
Another unique feature of the Scorpyd VTEC Extreme is that each crossbow is available in one of four draw-weight configurations.

Depending on whether you are going to be target shooting in competitions where there are speed limits, you can opt for the weight that best matches your needs. The top is the 175 lb. draw; the next step is the 160 lb. draw; then down to the 135 lb. draw; and finally the 110 lb. draw. Don’t’ be prejudiced to the 110 versus the 175 lb. draw weights, the 110 will still propel a 400-grain arrow at 370 fps!

Kinetic Energy of the VTEC Extreme

Scorpyd has really outdone themselves with the Extreme series of crossbows. The VTEC Extreme was actually created with target shooters in mind, but those target shooters that also like to hunt! Given the amount of force it can take to draw heavier limbs, and also given that some shooting competitions only allow certain speeds, the VTEC Extreme is offered in four draw weights. Below we will talk about the energy created for each of the four draw weights available.

The lowest draw weight, at a modest 110 lbs., will still produce some very impressive numbers. The 110 lb. limbs are capable of propelling a 400+ grain projectile at an impressive 370 fps. This means you are launching an arrow with 121 ft. lbs. of force. Even this lowest draw weight is going to be putting arrows all the way through a deer!
The next draw weight, at 135 lbs., is going to enable you to push that same 400-grain arrow at 390 fps. This is going to mean a kinetic energy of about 133 ft. lbs. and is going to enable to you reach out a bit farther as well.
As you move to the 160 lb. draw weight, you are now going to be breaking the 400 fps barrier. In fact, you are going to be pushing 420 feet per second. This is really going to pack a punch, with the arrow leaving the crossbow with an impressive 158 ft. lbs. of force.

Because there are many of us that need that extra bit of speed, that extra bit of punch…Scorpyd offers the 175 lb. limbs. These are for that shooter who wants to shoot an arrow at Mach 0.4 (yes, that is actually the speed this is pushing!). At 440 fps this is truly one of the fastest crossbows we have ever tested. This speed means 173 ft. lbs. of force are leaving the crossbow when the trigger is pulled. Go ahead, let a couple of deer line up and you will still probably get a pass through!

Use our arrow ballistics calculator for more valuable information.

Ballistic Data For The Scorpyd VTEC Extreme

Your actual results will vary slightly depending on weather, and significantly with arrow weight change. See our Crossbow Ballistics Guides section for a complete understanding of how we conducted our tests and why this data matters.

Design, Safety, Comfort and Accuracy

Scorpyd has truly created an amazing crossbow with the VTEC Extreme. They actually hold the patent for reverse-draw technology, so we suppose it just makes sense that they have taken it to this new level. The VTEC Extreme offers a folding stock, and their patented Kempf-Tec trigger has an incredibly clean break with almost no creep. There is an anti-dry fire as well as an ambidextrous safety.
The VTEC Extreme also features a forged riser, laminated limbs and titanium fasteners. There are also dual string stops as well as a vented forward grip to cut down on weight and also allow the fingers of the forward hand to grasp around the front grip.

Given the speed of the VTEC Extreme, it is nice to see the flange on each side to ensure fingers and thumbs are kept out the way of that screaming string. This crossbow is both smooth, and insanely accurate. We have seen claims of a 1” group at 100 yards…we haven’t been able to test one at that range, but we think it would be realistic.

Hunting with the VTEC Extreme

The design of the VTEC Extreme is geared first to the serious target shooter, but that is not to say this isn’t an incredibly capable crossbow for hunting. At just under 16” axle to axle when cocked, the VTEC Extreme is still much narrower than a lot of the more traditional crossbows on the market. Given the amount of force available and the accuracy of the VTEC Extreme, you may find yourself being able to take an animal at a greater range than ever before.

We would suggest that before you decide you want to drastically increase your hunting range, you spend plenty of time practicing. Remember, just because a weapon is capable of making a long-range shot, doesn’t mean the shooter is.

How Quiet is the VTEC Extreme

The VTEC Extreme is a really quiet crossbow, especially when you consider the impressive power being unleashed when the trigger is pulled. The way the reverse draw limbs cut vibration and sound help a lot in this aspect as do the string stops. The available Bowjax limb dampeners also do a lot to further silence the VTEC Extreme.

Just remember, as you go up in the power, you are going to go up a bit on sound. If super stealth is what you are after, consider the lower weight limbs as the higher the draw weight, the louder your crossbow is going to be.

Cocking the Orion Extreme

The VTEC Extreme is not difficult to cock, even though you are pulling back a, 18.75” power stroke. The reverse limb design has a lot to do with this as the string is right above the foot stirrup when the crossbow is at rest, therefore you begin pulling at a lower point and don’t have to lift as high.

The short sled cocker reduces felt weight by the expected 50% so you shouldn’t have too much trouble. If you opt for one of the higher draw weight models, you might really want to consider the Accudraw system to make life a lot more enjoyable. This system installs into the skeleton stock and allows you to simply turn a crank to cock the crossbow.

Quality of the Optics

The VTEC Extreme, when ordered with the available Scope Plus package, comes with a Hawke illuminated reticle scope that is adjustable from 1.5 to 5 power. Having that variable power is great as you can zoom out for more light gathering in low-light conditions, and then zoom in to take advantage of the longer-range capabilities of this crossbow. You likely won’t need to replace this scope with something aftermarket unless you really get into some serious shooting competition.

See our detailed guide on how to sight-in your crossbow

What Arrows to use with the VTEC Extreme

The 20” Scorpyd SPEC Goldtip Laser III arrows that come with the Scope Plus package are very well suited for the VTEC Extreme. These have been tried and tested with other Scorpyd models and have been found to work very well with the VTEC Extreme.

Keep in mind that if you do go for an aftermarket arrow, you need to be in the 20” length, and need to be sure those arrows have the spine to stand up to 400+ fps speeds. We would strongly recommend you spend quite a bit of time with the included arrows as they are what the VTEC Extreme is tested with and are very capable of tight groups.

You can also learn more about crossbow arrows and take a look at our broadhead recommendations

Overall Thoughts

The Scorpyd VTEC Extreme truly represents a new level in crossbows in terms of speed and accuracy. The VTEC Extreme is very well made is a great crossbow for someone who is looking to enter serious shooting competitions, while also still being able to hunt with the same crossbow.

It is a bit pricey, so this is likely not a crossbow for the beginner, but if you can handle the hit to your bank account, you are not going to be disappointed. It is a truly well balance crossbow that generates speed and accuracy to allow for shots that would have been unheard of just a few short years before. Take a look at today's amazon.com price on this crossbow and check out our top 10 crossbows rankings for more.