Excalibur Hybrid X testing and shooting

Excalibur HybridX – Tradition aside: Excalibur HybridX opens a new chapter and hits the ground running!

After our last editorial test of the top-of-the-line Excalibur REVX reflex model, we received the revolutionary HybridX model from www.kuse.cz. As the name suggests, it is a hybrid combination of reflex and compound technology.

Connoisseurs will remember that between 2002 and 2005, Excalibur produced a compound crossbow together with Bear. It was sold as the Canadian Excalibur Paradox or the American Bear Buckmaster Maxpoint. The crossbow had split limbs, an arrow speed of around 340 fps, and to this day has a reputation for being a very reliable and accurate crossbow. In our region, Ivan Sýkora successfully shot with it, winning the European Championships in Sopron, Hungary. It was also used by Jirka Mařík and the legendary Zdeněk Karbusický.

Later, after Excalibur merged with Bowtech, a minor modification was made to the Excalibur body, where a notch was milled for auxiliary cables, enabling connection to the Stryker compound bow. This led to the creation of the Stryker Offspring and later the Stryker Katana 360 and Katana 385.

Keeping up with compound crossbows is very difficult for reflex technology. With increasing demands for speed, hunters want smaller, more compact, and lighter crossbows. Together, this creates incredible pressure on reflex technology, which, given current knowledge, technology, and materials, is approaching its limits.
Years ago, when the revolutionary double-shot Excalibur TwinStrike was introduced, there were many predictions about another revolutionary Excalibur with hybrid technology, such as that used in Oneida bows.

Excalibur, always a very traditional manufacturer of reflex crossbows, is currently one of the most daring and progressive crossbow manufacturers.
And every once in a while, it introduces something that no one else in history has done before. This is very appealing and makes the market more diverse, increases competition, and accelerates further development.

With HybridX, Excalibur has once again gone its own way. It is not a pure reflex bow, nor is it a pure compound bow. As the name suggests, it is a hybrid combination of these two technologies. It is a combination of reflex arms placed in reverse and pulleys placed on the body of the crossbow. It is a unique solution offering several interesting advantages, which we will explore in the test. Excalibur HybridX – Tradition aside: Excalibur HybridX opens a new chapter and immediately at full power!

After our last editorial test of the top-of-the-line Excalibur REVX reflex model, we received the revolutionary HybridX model from www.kuse.cz. As the name suggests, it is a hybrid combination of reflex and compound technology.

As is customary with Excalibur, the concept is very well thought out in detail and works with a high degree of component unification. The stock, trigger mechanism, integrated cocking mechanism, rail profile, and shoulders are based on existing types (such as REVX), but have been modified and reassembled.
It's a bit like the work of Dr. Frankenstein, who assembled various parts, stitched them together, and created a monster. A very powerful monster that commands respect and is a little scary.

HybridX uses a modified rail with the same profile as REVX, with two grooves at the top parallel to the guide rail for the arrow. These guide the sliding catch on its way to the bowstring and back to the firing position. The inner edge of the groove is quite sharp, but that doesn't matter, as it is below the level of the string, which only slides along the edges of the rail. A lattice structure holding the reverse-oriented reflex arms of the HO Extreme Recurve is added to the rail in the middle, and a second such structure is then in the front part – the head – carrying the pulleys. Both are composed of profiles of different cross-sections, together forming a very strong whole – the frame. The workmanship – the joints and surface finish – is again perfect.

There are several advantages to this unconventional placement of the pulleys on the head.

The crossbow has a narrower design, the pulleys are safely protected from damage, the crossbow is better balanced, the arms without pulleys have less inertia, are faster, and are more efficient. The disadvantages include higher noise levels. Arms with pulleys settle down sooner and are therefore quieter. Arms without pulleys experience greater vibration and noise transmission. The reverse placement of the arms allows for very compact dimensions, both in length and width. In addition, with a short chassis, the crossbow can make full use of almost the entire length of the rail, thus achieving a long string pull. Therefore, the crossbow is very compact yet powerful. It also provides better weight distribution, with the weight concentrated around the trigger. This makes the crossbow feel much lighter and less heavy at the front when aiming.

Thanks to the front screw mounting, it is much more subtle, shorter, and lighter than previous versions. This head no longer uses Air Brakes arm dampers like older models, only rubber string stop dampers. This makes it simpler, smaller, and lighter.

The foot stirrup is standard size with a distinctive rubber coating, which is good for stability when drawing on all types of surfaces, quieter handling when drawing, and reduced wear on the stirrup itself.

As is customary with Excaliburs, the concept is very well thought out in detail and works with a high degree of component unification. The stock, trigger mechanism, integrated draw mechanism, rail profile, and arms are based on existing types (such as REVX), but have been modified and reassembled.
It's a bit like the work of Dr. Frankenstein, who assembled various parts, stitched them together, and created a monster. A very powerful monster that commands respect and is a little scary.

HybridX uses a modified rail with the same profile as REVX, with two grooves at the top parallel to the guide rail for the arrow. These guide the sliding catch on its way to the bowstring and back to the firing position.

The inner edge of the groove is quite sharp, but that doesn't matter, as it is below the level of the string, which only slides along the edges of the rail.

A lattice structure holding the reverse-oriented reflex arms of the HO Extreme Recurve is added to the rail in the middle, and a second such structure is then in the front part – the head – carrying the pulleys. Both are composed of profiles of different cross-sections, together forming a very strong whole – the frame. The workmanship – the joints and surface finish – is again perfect.

There are several advantages to this unconventional placement of the pulleys on the head.

The crossbow has a narrower construction, the pulleys are safely protected from damage, the crossbow is better balanced, the arms without pulleys have less inertia, are faster, and are more efficient.

The disadvantages include higher noise levels. Arms with pulleys settle down sooner and are therefore quieter. Arms without pulleys experience greater vibration and noise transmission.

The reverse mounting of the arms allows for very compact dimensions, both in length and width. In addition, with a short chassis, the crossbow can make full use of almost the entire length of the rail, thus achieving a long draw length. Therefore, the crossbow is very compact yet powerful. It also provides better weight distribution, with the weight concentrated around the trigger. This makes the crossbow feel much lighter and less heavy at the front when aiming.

The middle section not only carries the reverse-mounted reflex arms, but also functions as a reinforcement for the R.I.S. rail carrying the optics in its upper part. This is a great solution. The rails on the Excalibur have always been among the most solid and sturdy on the market. However, this solution takes strength a step further. You can therefore put any type of tilt mount or large optics on the rail without any problems with shaking, vibration, or even bending of the rail. In addition, this assembly strengthens and stabilizes the entire crossbow. In my opinion, this is a very successful solution.

The foot stirrup is small and serves primarily to support the crossbow when drawing or for hanging it during hunting. However, when drawing, I personally step on it with the tip of my foot for better stability and then draw using the crank mechanism.
The stirrup has a distinctive rubber coating, which is good for stability on all types of surfaces, quieter handling when cocking, and reduced wear on the stirrup itself. The manufacturer supplies rubber dampers for the stirrup, which you attach with zip ties.

The limbs are strong HO Extreme Recurve, as with the powerful Micro types with speeds of 380-400 fps, but their tips are divided into two parts (reminiscent of the hooves of a deer) for fitting two separate cable guides for each limb.
There is a second groove at the rear of the ends for mounting the Hybrid service stringer.

The upper cable leads to the upper part of the pulley, the lower cable to the lower part of the pulley. The same applies to the other side.

This distributes the load evenly, prevents the pulley from twisting on its axis, and evenly distributes the considerable force of the arms.

When the crossbow is drawn, the arms bend and pull back almost to the pulleys. The crossbow is therefore very narrow and compact when drawn. You will be surprised at how small it really is.

The string is short and runs only between closely spaced pulleys.

Here is a picture of a high-quality custom wrap by František Cerman.

Here is a size comparison with my Darton Toxin 150 RD Custom.

The bend of such strong limbs hints at the enormous energy stored in them.
Thanks to the relatively long draw length of 11.3" (REVX 10.4") and the enormous draw weight of 336 lb (already with the help of pulleys!), an arrow shot from this pocket monster achieves an impressive energy of over 230 joules.

The manufacturer supplies the above-mentioned footrest dampers and two Sims adhesive dampers for the inside of the limbs as standard. Despite thorough cleaning, degreasing, and gluing, the limb dampers failed after the first shot. During servicing halfway through the test, František Cerman and I fitted rubber arm dampers from the SDS (Sound Deading System) series, which we nicknamed "roosters" or "stars," to the arms. They hold perfectly and, compared to a bare, undamped crossbow, make the shot feel much more pleasant. Personally, I wouldn't be afraid to put two or even three such dampers on each arm. It doesn't take away too much energy, it significantly silences and calms the crossbow, and extends its life. It is also good to use heavier arrows. In our case, weighing 450.4 grains.

The arms, like the stock, are finished in a Mossy Oak DNA camouflage pattern, which is not only very attractive but also works perfectly on many surfaces – dry grass or leaves in a meadow, in the forest, on wood, and on stone surfaces.

It's just a shame that the otherwise beautiful camo is not also used in the screw recesses, where the supporting material of the stock shines through.

As already mentioned, the head is connected to a rail made of extruded aluminum with a rectangular cross-section, which has two grooves in the upper part parallel to the guide rail for the arrow. These guide the sliding catch on its way to the bowstring and back to the firing position. The catch is connected to the winding system by a flat textile strap, which releases and pulls the entire catch.

Based on years of experience, the system is trouble-free. The textile strap is lightweight, durable, and reliable.

There is a small service window on the front right side of the rail where you can mechanically release the string catch when the crossbow is discharged and then wind it back empty.

Like the head, the rail is finished in a very nice black, fine anodized coating. The workmanship is traditionally perfect. + 1The rail is connected to a one-piece stock. It has a modern look with angular details and intersecting surfaces, such as the lightweight skeleton rear part of the fore-end or the trigger cover frame.

The fore-end is dominated by massive wings that protect the fingers from getting caught in the bowstring. The lower part of the fore-end is widened for a better grip, with a rubberized surface and vertical grooves for a more secure grip. This is not only pleasant but also practical. It does not get cold in winter and does not slip in the rain.

The same rubber coating can be found on the pistol grip and cheek piece, albeit in a smooth finish.

The pistol grip has a good angle, finger recesses, and the distance between the trigger tab and the grip is ideal.

The cheek piece is not adjustable, but thanks to the lower height of the trigger guard and the mounting of the optics on it, the height is sufficient. It fits instinctively, its edge sitting precisely at face level between your upper and lower teeth, with a perfect view through the optics, instinctive, quick, and easy eye relief, and a comfortable position.

Like most Excaliburs, the crossbow fits perfectly in the hand of the vast majority of shooters the first time they try it. So, once again, the ergonomics are perfect.

The rear of the stock lacks the traditional groove for a cable cocking device. Cocking is done exclusively with a crank mechanism. Cocking by hand or with a cable is not an option.

On the one hand, this reduces the versatility of the crossbow and limits its use to the crank mechanism and dependence on it. On the other hand, it allows almost anyone to cock such a powerful weapon. Almost anyone in the family or community can cock the crossbow. And that's with all the advantages that such a powerful platform offers.

The crank itself is tucked away at the rear under the stock. To cock the crossbow, press the safety catch on it and pull it out from under the stock, press the safety catch again and insert it into the designated slot. Turn it counterclockwise to unwind the retaining strap. Press the bronze-colored safety catches to release it from the rear and continue turning until you reach the string. Here, push it onto the string. You can stop the draw at any point and the crank will remain secure thanks to the brake mechanism. You can also easily unload the crossbow.

By turning clockwise, you wind the safety catch and the string back to its rear, starting position.

It takes about 13 and 1/4 turns (REVX with a shorter draw length of 12 turns) for the safety catch to lock into place at the rear. At 6 and 7 turns, you will feel the resistance of the crank increasing. The catch will be indicated by a soft click. It is necessary to turn back three turns and slightly loosen the winding.

Then it is necessary to manually secure against firing. Here, the safety catch can be operated from both sides, suitable for both right-handed and left-handed users. The rear position is the safety catch, the front position is the release. Pull the handle, and you are ready to shoot.

It may seem complicated when written down, but in reality, it is a piece of cake after a few tries. As for speed, it is not a big deal either. When I pulled, it took me thirteen and a quarter turns to fully cock it in 6-7 seconds. I was able to reduce the entire process, from inserting the handle, sliding the catch to the string, clicking, drawing the crossbow, removing the handle, loading the arrow, and aiming, to about 20 seconds.

Only inserting the arrow takes a little practice. You must first push it through the pulley head assembly, then align it, return it, and load it into the rail groove. A soft click from the catch indicates that it is properly seated. This also functions as an anti-dry fire system to prevent accidental firing. If the arrow is not loaded or is not loaded properly, the crossbow will not fire. In combination with a mechanical safety catch, this is an effective and reliable safety feature. 

This system is the same as the other Ceasefire systems on other Excalibur crossbows, for arrows with Rhino-type nocks. The difference is in the rear part of the nock, where there is now a groove. This is due to the very sharp angle of the string on the catch. Thanks to the groove, the string fits the nock better and does not jump or fly over or under the arrow. The nocks are marked as V-nock. Arrows with these nocks are marked V-Flight Pro and, except for the nock and color-coded fletching, are identical to the top-of-the-line Proflights for reflex Excaliburs. The green fletching is horizontal, and the white, different fletching is placed in the groove of the rail so that the cutout in the nock sits horizontally with the string.

A great solution is the illuminated nock for these crossbows, where the batteries, diode, and switch are perfectly placed in a precisely milled V-nock type nock. Beautiful work.

The arrow pressure is traditionally solved with a flat spring steel pressure plate. Here it is rubberized so that it does not rub the arrows, thus reducing wear and noise. Here it slides down together with the catch.

The trigger itself is very comfortable. Whether it's the position of your finger on the trigger, the shape, material, and workmanship of the trigger blade, which has vertical ribbing for a more secure grip, or the overall feel of the trigger. The trigger has a slight pre-tension under the spring. After overcoming the pre-tension, you will feel a point, it is perfect.

The HybridX comes factory-equipped with Excalibur OverWatch optics with a ten-point multi-axis allowing shooting at distances up to 100 meters (110 yards). Instead of magnification, the zoom setting is calibrated in fps from 300 to 475 fps. So if the HybridX has a velocity of around 412 fps with a 450-grain arrow, I set the scope ring to 410-415 fps. I will shoot the main crosshair at 20 meters (yards) and the other pins will sit at 30, 40, 50, and 100 meters (yards). At this speed, the magnification corresponds to approximately 4x. I must also praise the very nice duralumin mount and rings.

However, it is comfortable to shoot at small targets even at 50 meters. Only smaller targets at maximum distances are more difficult to see and more tiring for the eye. In addition, the small rings of the individual pins were very difficult to see and disappeared on the black center of the air rifle target. It was possible to use the optics' backlighting. But even then, the readability was not perfect. This time, I decided to shoot at air rifle targets at a distance of 25 meters and at larger red dots with a diameter of 60 mm on a rubber target cube at 50 meters. This made aiming easier, more accurate, and less tiring. It was just a matter of perfectly centering the ring in the optics on the red dot. Groups of three shots could be aimed within this dot (for example, three three-shot series – one at the bottom, two at the top left and right).

The lower magnification provides a large eye relief range, with a beautifully open field of view, making it very easy to find the correct eye position. Low magnification is an advantage for novice shooters, as the image is more stable, the brain is not overloaded with shaking, and shooting is calmer and more confident.

As with other Excalibur crossbows, the image is surprisingly clear across the entire field of view, without any errors, fogging, or edges. In addition, it has surprisingly good light transmission. I give this above-standard optics in the set a thumbs up.

Just check the tightness of the screws on the optics themselves from time to time.

During the test, I fired 100 shots from the HybridX.
The only problem I noticed after 50 shots was on the string wrap, which began to come apart due to its large angle on the string. František Cerman and I removed the string using the stringer supplied with the HybridX, which means you don't need a press to replace the string or cables.
Replacement is quick and easy. Again, a well-thought-out concept. 

František made a new center wrap, and we took the opportunity to remove the cables and insert arm dampers. The new wrap holds perfectly. This is another advantage of having a dealer who provides warranty and post-warranty service, supplies and installs accessories, modified parts, etc. In the future, I would like to equip the HabridX with custom-made strings and cables from František Cerman and two pairs of arm dampers. This modification will take the crossbow a good step forward. It will be quieter, smoother, and have a longer service life.

The author in a good mood while servicing the crossbow. The replacement is not demanding in terms of the necessary equipment, technology, or time.

 And the last plus of the REVX set is 4 high-quality Black Eagle Excalibur V-Flight Pro carbon arrows, 18" long, with a 150 grs tip (they have a total weight of 450.4 grs), an aluminum insert, 2.5" Blazer fletching in a green and white color combination (white fletching is the base) with an Excalibur V-nock aluminum tip.

So far, the best in terms of both quantity and quality of arrows supplied in the set.

Technical data provided by the manufacturer:

Dimension 29.75 x 18.63  (inches) (756 x 473 mm)

Length 29.75 (inches)  (756  mm) incl. clamp

Pictures: