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BowTech Invasion CPX Bow Report

By Jace Bauserman

Survival and growth in the bow arena revolve around a manufacturer’s ability to trump its previous year’s models. Sounds easy enough. But in truth, it couldn’t be more difficult. The technology driving today’s top-end bows is nothing short of spectacular. Lineups of innovative, performance-packed rigs boasting accuracy, speed, stealth and durability are everywhere. And in addition to their performance values, most have aesthetics so pleasing they look like they belong in an art museum. Thus enters the tremendous difficulty. Without genuine innovation, even a top-notch bow company can be here today and gone tomorrow.

Since bursting on the scene eleven years ago, BowTech has awed us with its groundbreaking technology and willingness to push the dynamics of bow design to the limit. In 2010, BowTech hit a new pinnacle with the introduction of the Destroyer 340 and 350. These two showstoppers sent chills through the archery world and were no doubt BowTech’s most advanced bows to date. Some placed the two bows on an even higher pedestal, calling them the most advanced bows ever offered.

In my opinion, the 2010 Destroyers were two exciting introductions to the archery industry. They sported a racy appeal and were loaded with performance. The all-new, all high-tech risers were lightweight, strong and balanced. The OverDrive Binary Cam System gave the bows radar-shattering speed, while the FLX-Guard Cable Containment System greatly reduced cable torque. The bows were marvels.

Hunters can only be awed by equipment for so long before they ask, “This is great, but how can it be better next year?” BowTech’s answer: the new 2011 Invasion CPX. This flagship bow has quickly captured the attention of bow nuts from every corner of the globe.

Velvet on a Bow?

Being subjective and judgmental is part of being a serious archer. When I first grab a bow, one of two things happens. I either get a warm, fuzzy feeling or a jolt of nervous, negative anxiety. The 2011 BowTech Invasion CPX is a warm, fuzzy sort of bow. The soft feel of BowTech’s InVelvet covering is amazing. I’m pretty vain when it comes to my bows. I like them void of dings and scratches. Though soft, the InVelvet Covering is surprisingly durable and actually reduces those unwanted marks.

I also detest shooting with gloves on, but bitter whitetail weather often forces them onto my hands. The InVelvet Covering actually insulates hands from cold weather, allowing us bulky glove-haters to slip them off well before the shot. In addition, the soft blanket reduces noise, which is something all bowhunters can applaud.

Always Moving Forward

Each year BowTech hits a home run with its sleek, innovative riser design. In 2011, however, it hit a grand slam. The new Center Pivot Extreme Riser is simply phenomenal. The deflex design places the grip in front of the limb’s pivot point, reducing torque and riser twist. This genius design better harnesses the nasty, accuracy-robbing effects that many speed bows boast. The design works!

Field-testing the Invasion CPX was a blast. It’s flat-out fun to shoot a fast bow that delivers arrows with pinpoint accuracy. The CPX Riser lived up to its hype. Regardless of how far I moved from my target, the results were the same: arrows stacked on top of arrows. It was obvious that the deflex design gave this speed bow incredible accuracy. The riser is also easy on the eyes, and the feel provided by the InVelvet Coating is wonderful.

Scary-Fast

For me, toting a bow with high-speed capabilities is something of a necessity. Why? Simply put, speed curbs Mother Nature’s bad attitude and compensates for errant yardage estimates.

Most of my hunting is done out west where I often encounter windy conditions, so arrow drift is an area of serious concern. A fast bow rig stomps arrow trajectory flat, eliminating excessive wind drift. Speed also gets the arrows off the string and on their way to the intended target at a rapid rate. This provides an element of confidence when making “right-now” yardage estimates. I know that if my guess is off a few yards, the arrow will still hit home.

Due to its capability to meet the aforementioned speed needs, I look forward to taking the BowTech Invasion afield. The bow’s stylish, teardrop-shaped OverDrive Binary Cam System works like a team of Clydesdales. Not only do these furnaces produce astonishing speed, but they’re also perfectly synchronized. Tuning this speed bow, even with fixed-blade broadheads, was a breeze. I accredit this ease-of-tuning to the bow’s unique axle arrangement, which rotates as the cam rotates, letting out cable as the bow is drawn. The cam system also allows for the attachment of a tunable, split buss-cable system to either end of the cam axles for added limb-tip stability. This innovative cam system basically eliminates cam lean and oscillation after the shot. Draw length is also easily adjusted with a simple two-screw module change on each cam.

And of course the Invasion CPX is not just suited for the West. Whitetail fanatics are going to love the bow’s shorter axle-to-axle design. At just over 31 inches, the Invasion CPX is capable of making effective shots out of the tightest, most gnarled trees in the woods.

Lots of Energy

A fast bow must build an enormous amount of energy throughout the draw cycle. When the arrow is released, all that energy has to go somewhere. The limbs absorb the brunt of it, making them an especially critical part of the bow. The HardCore Limbs on the Invasion CPX live up to their name. These limbs are, to put it simply, hardcore.

This laminated limb system sports a stiff, lightweight carbon core. The design of this core allows energy to be stored not only near the limb’s surface but inside the limb as well. Distributing this energy reduces the amount of stress to the limbs and enhances durability. The advanced configuration also boosts limb responsiveness, thereby reducing shot vibration and noise. This hushed-tone shot was evident during my shooting sessions. At the shot, the Invasion CPX is dead quiet.

Heavy on Accuracy

We’ve already highlighted how accurate the Invasion CPX is, but I think this topic deserves a little more attention. After all, a bow can be fast but if it’s not accurate, hunters will quickly disregard it.

Torque, possibly more than any other factor, reduces accuracy. BowTech knows this and has gone to great lengths to eliminate it. In 2010, the company introduced the FLX-Guard Cable Containment System. It was a success. This revolutionary cable guard actually flexes inward as the bow is drawn. The effect is twofold. First, it eliminates the torque that would otherwise be transferred to the riser. Second, since riser torque is reduced, accuracy and simplicity of tuning become evident. It’s an amazing innovation that really highlights the CPX Riser and adds to the bow’s overall accuracy.

No String or Cable Issues

Many companies build great bows. Sadly, they often fall short in the area of strings and cables. Not BowTech. Its handcrafted, machine-grade Octane Strings and Cables aid in the Invasion’s overall performance.

I’m not sure how many hundreds of arrows I fired through the Invasion CPX, but I am sure the strings and cables never faltered. They didn’t stretch. The serving didn’t fray or loosen, and the peep alignment was perfect. Plus, these strings sport an eye-pleasing appeal that is awfully tough to ignore.

The Best for Last

All right, there are plenty of impressive features on the Invasion CPX, but the bow’s draw cycle sure makes a big difference for the shooter. The first time I pull a speed bow back I naturally cringe. I’m anticipating a rigorous draw cycle and an unpleasant letoff. The great thing about the Invasion CPX was that cringe quickly diminished. For a bow in this speed arena, the Invasion CPX is surprisingly smooth. Draw weight builds quickly but smoothly and is maintained well into the draw cycle. Transition into letoff is a bit abrupt, but nothing overly noticeable. Then, the draw stop pegs on the OverDrive Binary Cam System kick in, creating a firm, reassuring back wall. That smooth draw and firm wall give way to one of the most balanced shooting platforms I’ve ever had the pleasure of handling.

At the shot there is virtually no noise or vibration. Credit this to the Carbon Rod String Stop. It is well noted that carbon is one of the strongest vibration-reducing materials on Earth. The Invasion CPX exemplifies this. The Carbon Rod String Stop is in perfect alignment with the bow’s stabilizer, allowing for an effective transfer of vibration. Plain and simple, it works. I was very impressed with the “dead in the hand” feeling after every shot, and only the barest whisper could be heard above the release.

The BowTech Invasion CPX is a bow long on technology and performance. It’s no wonder these bows are being plucked from dealers’ shelves at an incredible rate. When you make a bow this accurate, quiet, fast, forgiving and smooth, you better be ready for an “Invasion” of happy customers.

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