July 2015 - ArrowTrade Magazine
Contents
1. by Jon Teater ission Archery continues to impress the archery M community with its latest crossbow design the MXB Sniper Lite Mission a Mathews company has demonstrated innovation since it entered the crossbow market a few years back Although Mission is well known for its vertical bow line and the value offered in it the Sniper Lite may demonstrate equal to greater value for the consumer in a horizontal package The Sniper Lite is expected to be a top selling model for Mission It is designed to be different from its predecessor models particularly when it comes to weight and several other facets that will be discussed throughout this article The latest offering from Mission is created around the ideal of tactical lightness The product s name is meant to reit erate its objective Both the aesthetics and performance key on the word Sniper The expectation for consumers is pre cise shooting and Mission believes this product will deliver Regarding the Sniper Lite s look the two tone stealth conceal ment intertwines black and grey color tones Additionally the skeleton barrel stock and frontal configuration boost the tac tical appeal The tactical look is enhanced by the lightweight design and denoted by the term Lite Other facets such as weight distribution and balance point contribute immensely to the Sniper Lite s appeal The Sniper Lite crossbow MSRP is 599 crossbow only The product is offered in four2. packages which are entitled the XB Basic XB Hunter XB Pro and XB Red Dot As would be expected the configurations of each package vary Each offers well designed options and the MSRPs range from 199 to 499 for the packages The product tested in this article utilized the XB Pro Package The XB Pro package consists of a Hawke XB 1 with a 1 5 5 x 32 SR etched reticle in a variable speed two color illuminated scope and match grade rings three Mission crossbow arrows half moon metal nock 22 inches long and a Mission MX 3 quiver in a Lost AT or black finish Introduction The Sniper Lite may be viewed by some as an improved version of the popular Dagger Both products have similar dimensions and weight per the previous ArrowTrade Dagger report excluding power stroke and overall length Nonetheless the products are quite dif ferent The Sniper Lite uti Contact Info MSRP String Material Riser Performance ata Glance 599 Crossbow ONLY Zebra Hybrid Aluminum It promotes an ultra smooth draw The SyncCam is a linked system that provides centering throughout as the arrow is released In addition the Smart Guide Cable Slide reduces torque The guide rides in a slanted or angular track providing relief on the cable and cam system as the crossbow is drawn and peak weight builds These features combined with a less aggressive draw curve promote durability and accuracy The Sniper Lite uti
3. te Sipe BEE j y a 2 i nat 7 i i wrt ll A ie u i ee a of 5 CEE a gt s ae Speed Information In The Field In the woods I set up targets at 30 to 40 yards from a ground blind that was set up for turkey hunting The Sniper Lite s precision shooting results from the performance testing are likely representative of what most average shooters will experience In the field the results were the same and in a few instances maybe better which I suspect was due to my ff a 1046 ww spore ea PU A fad a ww a gt y Projectile Precision Trigger Analysis heightened familiarity with the product I did not have an RSD System with me while in the blind but I certainly recommend one When you are shooting in tight spaces or out of a trees tand it is a vital feature and a worthy investment While shooting at the target I tend to displace my atten tion away from the point of aim for several moments and focus on the crossbow features The Sniper Lite s soft touch forearm and handle provide ample comfort and increase crossbow control The center of mass is just in front of the trigger the positioning is ideal for most shooters The bal ance point will change slightly with the addition of the quiver bracketing and arrows The additional weight is not signifi cant and did not affect my shooting The two other items that played into the field
4. test were the trigger and scope The trig ger is acceptable and I think most will enjoy its low weight and distinctive release point The Hawke XB 1 a 1 5 5 x 32 SR etched reticle scope absolutely stood out The package includes clear instructions for operation and maintenance This scope is very clear and with numerous mounting options the shooter can really customize the fit to his or her prefer ences Additionally the scope can be precisely calibrated for rE SRE mi 2 Reich a whole new market for your products with an ad in em eYeViii 110114 f Published monthly our glossy magazine combines hunting how to and equipment articles for both bowhunters and target shooters T a ae B ienoring for einunting season Contact us for affordable ad rates in both our print and online versions Reen Steenkamp editor africanarcher com 104 various speeds based on the speed selector mechanism The illuminated reticle from Hawke is a great option for those who hunt in shade in a blind or at dawn or dusk The etched reticle is designed for easy target acquisition and the ability to quickly and simply acquire targets is essential in the field I mentioned the RSD System as a great accessory For some due to their physical limitations it is a necessity but others may be just as satisfied with the standard rope cocking aid The Sniper Lite s draw force curve replicated what I con sider an ul
5. used in combination with the rope cocking aid to draw the crossbow This feature is unlike that of most other crossbow models which position the cocking rope behind the trigger housing The PCC Anchor instead cre ates a downward angle for the cocking rope limiting the abil ity of the cocking aid to become unhooked The PCC Anchor also acts as a connection component for the RSD Removable Silent Draw System The RSD is one of the most advanced components released on the market for drawing a crossbow yet it is designed to be simple to use The RSD is exclusive to Mission and is constructed to aid those who want an effortless and noiseless system while drawing a crossbow in the field or at the range The crossbow dimensions weights measured out of the box are shown in the chart above Next the crossbow went through a thorough inspection The review focused on the string cables eccentrics limb and limb pockets rail stock butt plate trigger housing trigger and trigger guard After a thorough review of the Sniper Lite I found several small blemishes in the finish I noted a minor nick on the scope rail and riser I would rate this product as above average in the workmanship section Thereafter I put the product through a 75 to 100 shot cycling to verify functionality Some minor testing was Dyiaateanselans S26 PRESS Patented PRO DRAW Patent Pending Time cams without i the bow ever leaving J ad ao ad Safest Bo
6. CED IN CANADA Use your tablet as a game caller Sh ox P 5 Tara rA ed ae The trigger pull measured just over 2 5 pounds Some may con sider that lighter than normal The range of most manufacturers is 3 to 6 pounds The profile of the Sniper trigger is unique The trigger stacked irregularly as the weight load was not linear but constant If the shooter let off the trigger prior to reaching the break point the trigger would not reposition itself meaning it would not return to its static position as most do This last aspect is distinctive As the trigger reaches the break point slight let off is achieved and a defined break point occurs The break point is definite and distinct and should be acceptable for many as long as they do not jerk the trigger The trigger was acceptable from a user standpoint and I experienced no malfunctions The precision results were acceptable The arrows utilized were made by Victory Archery incorporated aluminum half moon nocks and required a 1 35 inch fletching clearance The lighter of the two arrows seemed to fly more consistently and the scores demonstrated groups around 2 inches Groups at or below 2 inches seem to be an acceptable standard for my testing considering my shooting prowess This crossbow pro duced results around that standard n HE Ca a a Ca a Ar nell gt nd a eat er tap Ah LE vas gO E af ee
7. Mission presents several options for those looking to customize the Sniper Lite The various options provide adequate flexibility to build a crossbow package with price and user preferences in mind Those who are interested in shooting the Sniper Lite will likely key in on the weight draw force curve and sound and vibration output Comparatively few crossbows will compete in those areas As always please try and test fire this crossbow relying on objective results alone does not tell the full story of how a E d a 2 ee la an o 1 i A Inc U G A ai g i w 7 gt anae ahy gainii iia a sN M Wy p THE ONLY TRUE 360 ARCHERY B product feels and shoots A special thanks goes to Caldwell Shooting Supplies and BIGShot Targets Caldwell Shooting Supplies pro vides high definition tar gets and a sturdy shooting table that is unyielding during testing Caldwell is a solid company in the outdoor industry pro ducing top of the line shooting supplies BIGShot Targets pro vides Iron Man Targets utilized in the laboratory testing as well in the pre cision shooting test The targets are able to with stand shots at close and long distances including shots in tight groups cen tered on a single point I have been impressed and pleased with the quality of products produced by this target supplier T T Be Se paler A 4 PIA an i k rgi oe e SEN eat oe adh of ArrowTrade S
8. and prove the Mission design team understands what consumers prefer Mission is not introducing all these technologies just to be different The Sniper Lite is designed with purpose and its unique look and feel are meant to strike a chord with newbies and experienced crossbow users Here on aes Ae HS vigore i itri comm AL lg ie oe lh A ee ALIN E baud are the hot features that I suspect users will enjoy the easy to handle draw force curve RS Tread Hawke scope product weight and minimal sound and vibration output The Sniper Lite scored as exceptional above average and average in many categories The performance in some areas was superb and in other segments it was normal The product did well in the sound and vibration criteria and the overall crossbow is designed robustly One feature that could be improved upon is the rear part of the stock Increasing stock comfort while maintaining the same level of or perhaps increasing adjustability should increase the likability The trigger displayed no opposing pressure during the pulling sequence prior to reaching the break point Those who do a lot of shooting may prefer a trigger that provides resistance toward the static position while it depresses especially in a scenario in which the shooter has to pause or cease firing Overview Mission s MXB Sniper Lite demonstrates great function ality in a compact package Key technologies exist across the entire platform
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10. is not a speed bow It is likely one of the slowest crossbows I have tested but it still averages 20 feet per second fps per inch of power stroke Lower energy output does not always result in lower noise and vibration but in this design it does The Mission limb pockets are likely one of the fea tures that isolate the limbs where vibration predominately originates Other features are integrated in a way that possibly increases the vibration transmission loss in the crossbow which is a good thing The Sniper Lite design limits any loose parts or components that are susceptible to reacting nega tively to resonating vibration The Sniper Lite s efficiency numbers were where I had expected they would be based on the draw curve and energy Pe ATTN Neto gt FOR EVERY gt Manage all your tail cameras amp apply changes to your mySPYPOINT online account sound Measurements output The stored energy displayed a hill like shape that presented a steady rise subtle plateau and steady decline Such characteristics demonstrate a smooth draw as it is considered in the vertical bow world The recorded efficiency numbers were just under 75 percent The output numbers were near 300 fps Note that the minimal arrow weight utilized was 375 grains Therefore the use of a lower arrow weight may push the crossbow speed up 10 to 20 fps s a BUILT IN A BPS gt EXTRA RUGGED CAMO CASE sD CARD DESIGNED amp SERVI
11. lizes an RS Tread The RS Tread is integrated into the aluminum riser This design feature is unique and places the foot hold location behind the riser The technology reduces the overall crossbow length as there is no need for a traditional stirrup Just in front of the RS Tread are the limb pockets The pocket system is unique in that it employs an ALRS Adjustable Limb Retention System The system allows limb tension adjustments which is unusual for crossbows The extra long limb bolts permit users to do their own maintenance without the need for a crossbow press The BIAS Bridged Integrated Accuracy Support Rail is designed to promote accuracy The system includes a bev eled rail and low friction surface such features are positive for shooting as they have minimal adverse impact on the propul sion cycle The Sniper Lite s barrel runs from the aluminum riser to the rear of the crossbow Its design is distinctive yet functional and promotes a ridged robust crossbow platform The PCC Positive Cocking Control Anchor is an orange Mission Archery Finish Cams Stock Black Tactical SyncCam Composite lizes the SyncCam This cam does not have the perim eter weight or the aggres sive radius of the WX cam Momentum 18 1 19 3 20 3 Arrow 425 Grains 475 Grains 525 Grains colored device that is positioned under the rail at the rear of the cross bow The grooved mounting device acts as an anchor point that is
12. tra smooth draw Because I did not use the RSD in the field I had to draw the crossbow with the standard rope cocking aid In my field testing scenario I was in tight cor ridors and had to repeat the drawing sequence many times this created a requirement for a product that was simple and easy to draw I did not struggle and I suspect most will not either I am pleased to see Mission focusing on characteristics that are more of a concern in the vertical bow market Another simple to use feature is the RS Tread The RS Tread fosters compact crossbow design and the tread scheme allows for ample contact Trying to reload a crossbow in a treestand or a blind can be difficult because of space constraints This fea ture minimizes those concerns and supports drawing of the crossbow while sitting down The last feature I wish to discuss is weight The Sniper Lite is advertised to have a bare crossbow weight under 6 pounds The measurements taken in this test were slightly higher but the crossbow is certainly lighter than most competitors prod ucts Mission like Mathews is focused on easy to use fea tures and facets that benefit archers in the field A lightweight product can make a difference and will ultimately make or break a shooter s success The Sniper Lite demonstrates some major advancements that users will enjoy and weight may be its top selling attribute Hot Features This article has listed numerous technologies that are innovative
13. vided by the power stroke to determine the speed per inch of power stroke Noise Output Sound measurements were recorded with three projectiles The measurements were averaged and the sound meter was set to take measurements with the Performance Information Force Draw Curve 125 0 STORED ENERGY 115 4 lb ft 1000 n V a LL Peak Force 156 2 Ibs Distance inches Same day shipping on 98 of all placed orders 70 of all Eee Most packages delivered in l 2 business days Best selection of archery products from a single source isp kinima ens ase Call Pie 5 iat 800 PAPEINC www Pabeslite c com A weighted filter which mimics the human ear Trigger Force The Trigger Force measurements were recorded in pounds and averaged An Imada Digital Force Gauge was used to determine the peak trigger force Precision Measurements This test provided an indica tion of how close groups were shot together when shot by hand from a bench rest or another supportive device Group size was Calculated using extreme spread Testing The Sniper Lite performed flawlessly in the laboratory testing The results were near what was expected per the advertised measurement The sound results were likely the lowest that have been recorded since 2009 and the felt vibra tion was minimal In fact I do not remember a crossbow with less vibration While keeping this in mind consider that the Sniper Lite
14. w Press on the market Patented Ears are designed to work on any limb placing the pressure at the proper place amp angle preventing ee i i Va Ere www specialtyarch com Scan Code For Video j i 7 100 performed but the focus was to detect any issues or concerns with the product before starting the actual performance testing The Sniper Lite performed well in this segment No major differences were noted from the start to the finish I thoroughly checked the strings and cables and noted no differences from the initial quality review Rail lubricant is a must for this crossbow The user manual recommends use of Mission Rail Lube at intervals of 15 to 20 shots The crossbow was next evaluated on the five criteria out lined below Dynamic Efficiency The dynamic efficiency portion of the test utilized a Revere Load Cell controlled by a winch device the load cell connected to the crossbow with a cocking aid The crossbow was mounted in a shooting platform that controlled any movement that might have been experienced as draw force curves were taken The stored energy obtained from the draw force curve was used in conjunction with the speed measurements to calculate dynamic efficiency Speed per Inch of Power Stroke Speed measurements were taken with three projectiles A Pact Chronograph XP and a Competition Electronics Pro Chrono IR were setin tan dem to record results The average speed measurement was di
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