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TenPoint Havoc RS440 XERO (2023): what to know

· Havoc RS440 XERO

Garmin's XERO rangefinder integration in a crossbow was a meaningful engineering achievement when TenPoint first introduced it, and the Havoc RS440 XERO brings that

// tenpoint
Havoc RS440 XERO

Garmin's XERO rangefinder integration in a crossbow was a meaningful engineering achievement when TenPoint first introduced it, and the Havoc RS440 XERO brings that system to one of TenPoint's fastest reverse-draw platforms. The combination of a 440-fps crossbow and a rangefinder scope that calculates the hold point automatically means a hunter can go from acquiring a target to releasing a bolt with less cognitive load than any traditional scope-plus-estimation workflow.

What's notable

The RS440 designation covers the raw performance number: 440 fps with standard 400-grain bolts. Reverse-draw geometry — with the cams positioned at the front of the rail rather than the rear — delivers that speed with a quieter, more balanced shot than a conventional forward-draw crossbow of similar power. The reversed string path reduces the rotational moment at the shot, which translates to less crossbow movement during the release and cleaner bolt flight. At 440 fps, a 400-grain bolt reaches a 40-yard target in approximately 0.27 seconds — fast enough to minimize the effect of a deer jumping the string at hunting distances.

The XERO scope is the defining feature. Garmin's system uses a laser rangefinder integrated into the scope body that measures distance to the target and then illuminates a single aiming dot positioned at the correct elevation for that range — no dial adjustment, no holdover estimation, no mental arithmetic. The scope is calibrated to the specific bolt and point weight combination the hunter is using, which requires an initial zero and calibration sequence but then operates automatically in the field. Effective range for the XERO system extends to 100 yards in field conditions with appropriate bolt weight and broadhead selection, though ethical hunting maximums for most shooters fall well within that.

TenPoint's EVO-X CenterPunch premium bolts are the recommended complement for the XERO system. They run 20 inches and are designed for tight diameter tolerance and consistent weight — both essential for the rangefinder's holdover calculations to remain accurate from bolt to bolt. A 5-grain weight variance across a bolt selection introduces enough trajectory inconsistency to make the XERO's precision calculations meaningless at longer distances.

The crossbow cocks and decocks with TenPoint's ACUslide system — a hand-crank mechanism that handles the 200-plus-pound draw weight without a separate cocking aid. Safe decocking without firing is a significant safety advantage that forward-draw crossbows with manual safety-only systems don't offer.

Who it's for

The Havoc RS440 XERO targets crossbow hunters who take shots at variable distances in changing terrain — western mule deer hunters, treestand whitetail hunters where shot distance can vary widely between opportunities, and hunters who are honest about the fact that estimating distance under adrenaline is a skill with a measurable error rate. The XERO removes that error source entirely.

At above $2,500 MSRP, it's not an entry-level platform. The buyer is an experienced hunter investing in a system that reduces one specific failure mode: misjudged distance. If you're competent at crossbow technique and want the last major range variable in a hunting shot removed from the equation, this is a direct engineering solution.

The first-look video

Lancaster Archery Supply's review covers the XERO scope calibration process, the reverse-draw geometry mechanics, and demonstrates the rangefinder-to-hold-point workflow in a practical shooting context.

Where it sits in the lineup

Within TenPoint's 2023 crossbow catalog, the Havoc RS440 XERO occupies the flagship position — the fastest reverse-draw platform they offer with the full Garmin scope integration. The Siege RS410 is the mid-tier reverse-draw alternative for buyers who want the geometry without the integrated rangefinder and the price that goes with it.

Alternatives from other manufacturers include Ravin's integrated XERO-equipped platforms and Garmin's standalone XERO X1i scope, which can be mounted on select other crossbow models. TenPoint and Garmin's collaboration on the integrated scope predates most competitors' rangefinder integrations, and the implementation in the Havoc remains among the cleanest available. Battery life is the one operational consideration for XERO users: the integrated system draws power continuously when active, so a fresh CR2 battery before each hunting day and a spare in the pack are essential field discipline rather than optional precautions. The Havoc RS440 XERO's total system weight — crossbow plus XERO scope plus cocking mechanism — runs above 7 pounds before bolts, which is relevant for hunters who carry it in a pack rather than a hand carry. A quality crossbow sling offsets the weight significantly.

Source

Tagged: Crossbows · TenPoint · 2023