Prime RVX 36 (2024): what to know

The RVX 36 takes Prime's parallel limb geometry into target compound territory — 36 inches ATA is where the conversation shifts from hunting crossover to genuine competition platform, and Prime designed the RVX 36 to compete in that space while remaining legal and practical for hunting divisions at 3D events.

What's notable

The RVX 36 uses the same parallel limb system and the same proprietary cam design as the RVX 32, applied to a 36-inch ATA frame. That additional 4 inches of axle-to-axle length reduces string angle at full draw further, which in practice means less string torque contributes to the shot — a meaningful factor for archers who have identified lateral arrow flight inconsistency as a limiting factor in their scores at longer distances. The parallel limb geometry compounds the benefit: a 36-inch parallel-limb bow has less dynamic riser rocking than a 36-inch conventionally-angled limb bow, because the limb tips are moving in a direction that contributes less rotational energy to the riser at the shot.

Brace height on the RVX 36 is 6.5 inches, identical to the 32. IBO speed drops to approximately 332 fps — 3 fps below the 32 — which is the expected geometry trade for additional ATA. At the distances where the RVX 36 is primarily shot (20 yards for indoor, 50 and 70 meters for outdoor World Archery formats, 20 to 70 yards for 3D), that speed difference is completely irrelevant. The bow weighs approximately 4.8 pounds bare, appropriate for a target platform that will be supported by a stabilizer system adding several more pounds at the front and sides.

The draw cycle character on the RVX 36 mirrors the 32's smooth profile but with a slightly longer valley due to the extended cam geometry. For target archers who shoot with a back-tension or hinge release, the extended valley time is a genuine advantage: it allows more execution window without the bow penalizing timing variations that would fire an index-finger release shooter off target.

Who it's for

The RVX 36 is for compound target archers competing at NFAA indoor nationals, ASA Pro-Am events, or USA Archery outdoor events where 36-inch platforms are standard equipment. It suits shooters who've competed on shorter bows and reached the ceiling of what forgiveness a 32 or 34-inch bow can provide at distances where tiny form deviations produce measurable scoring differences. The jump from a 29-inch hunting bow to a 36-inch target bow is significant and immediately noticeable in how much more planted the hold feels on the card.

Hunters who primarily use their bow for 3D competition and occasionally bowhunt can make the RVX 36 work in the field, but the 36-inch ATA is genuinely limiting in blind setups and dense timber. For those shooters, the RVX 32 is the more honest choice — don't sacrifice months of 3D season for a platform you'll fight in the treestand.

Archers who compete in NFAA field rounds — a mix of known and unknown distance shooting over varied terrain — will find the RVX 36's stability at longer distances, combined with Prime's smooth draw cycle, an effective combination for the focus and execution that field rounds demand.

The first-look video

Lancaster Archery Supply's RVX series breakdown covers both models, with the 36 featured specifically in the stability testing and target distance shooting sequences. The comparison of how both lengths handle a full stabilizer rod setup is particularly useful for archers deciding between the two platform sizes.

Where it sits in the lineup

At approximately $1,149, the RVX 36 is the longer and slightly less expensive alternative to Prime's flagship Logic CT3 target compound. It competes with the Mathews TITLE 36 and the Hoyt Prevail 37 in the premium compound target bracket — similar performance priorities, but the RVX 36's parallel limb geometry is its structural differentiator.

For a compound target shooter choosing between the RVX 36 and the Logic CT3, the deciding factor is typically cam choice and how much the shooter values the CT3's additional target-specific refinements. The RVX 36 brings the parallel limb geometry to a platform that can still be pressed into field use; the CT3 is the dedicated competition option with no pretense of hunting application. RVX 36 pricing in the used market tends to be strong relative to other 36-inch platforms at the same age — Prime's parallel limb system has a following that holds resale values up, which is worth considering when evaluating total cost of ownership.

Source

• Manufacturer details: search for RVX 36 on the Prime Archery website.
• LAS review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH2RWz8D2_U

Tagged: Compound Bows · Prime Archery · 2024