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As part of the new generation of Wicked Ridge crossbows, the Invader 400 delivers impressive performance for an affordable price point. It can shoot arrows at 400 feet per second, which is 10% faster than past Wicked Ridge models, and you can notice the improvements immediately once you take it on the field.
It is built in America using only high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship. Another notable feature of this model is the addition of an ultra-lite stock that comes with a built-in cocking device that allows for accurate and effortless cocking.
At 15-inches wide and weighing just 6 pounds, this model is designed to be easy to handle and maneuver. It is a versatile crossbow that delivers great user comfort and safety, and this makes it a very popular choice among hunters of all skill levels.
Package Includes:
- Optics: TenPoint’s Lighted Pro-View Scope mounted on a machined aluminum 7/8-inch Fixed Dovetail Mount
- Cocking Device: ACUdraw or ACUdraw 50
- Quiver: 3-Arrow Instant Detach Quiver
- Arrows: Three Wicked Ridge XX75 aluminum arrows with practice points
SPECS
| Speed (Up To) | 400 fps |
| Kinetic Energy (Up to) | 132 FP KE |
| Length (w/o foot stirrup) | 35.5” |
| Width Axle-to-Axle (uncocked/cocked) | 19” / 15” |
| Power Stroke | 13.5” |
| Weight (w/out accessories) | 6 lbs. |
| Draw Weight | 175 lbs. |
Key Features
- It comes fitted with the new 11” WRX double-laminated limbs.
- The ACUdraw cocking device reduces the force required to cock the crossbow to only 5 pounds.
- The crossbow is pre-sighted at 20-yard out of the box and ready to use.
- The package includes all the essential accessories.
- It features an ultra-lite stock for ultimate handling and maneuverability.
- It is molded from dampening glass-filled polypropylene.
Pros
- It is an affordable product that delivers exceptional performance.
- It has a compact and lightweight design.
- It doesn’t require a lot of effort to set up and cock.
- At 400 fps, it is one of the fastest crossbows in this price range.
Cons
- With a length of 35.5”, this model can feel cumbersome for some shooters.
Build Quality – Durability
As is the case with most Wicked Ridge products, the Invader 400 is built with durability in mind, and it has a sturdy construction that is more than capable of handling heavy use in tough hunting conditions.
Don’t let its compact construction fool you for one second since this model is built to last. Moreover, since it weighs just 6 pounds, the crossbow is not as easily damaged in case of falls, or if it experiences an impact.
Design
The new and improved design of the Invader 400 includes a unique stock that’s engineered specifically to lighten the crossbow and make it easier to maneuver even by amateur shooters. The unit has a lightweight riser and machined aluminum limb pockets that are featured with the new 11” WRX double-laminated limbs.
Another feature of the design that adds not only function but also appeal is the camouflage finish that allows the crossbow to blend in easily with most natural backdrops. This makes the unit perfect for use in a ground blind position.
Speed and Performance
The crossbow is powered by 5S cams and the DynaFLIGHT 97 string and cables that can drive an arrow downrange to dizzying speeds of up to 400 feet per second. This, in turn, delivers kinetic energy of approximately 132 FP KE.
In real-life conditions, the performance and power of this model are more than enough to take out animals the size of a deer and even bigger than that with relative ease. The Invader 400 is also fitted with an ultra-crisp 3 ½-pound trigger.
Accuracy
The unit comes with a TenPoint scope that is pre-mounted and fixed on the machine aluminum frame. The scope has multiple aim points, and it helps enhance the accuracy of each shot. It doesn’t require that much fine-tuning to get it to hold zero, which is very important for maintaining consistency among shots.
The main downside with the included scope is that the illumination is not that good, which means that when using it early before sunrise or during the twilight hours, the accuracy of your shots will suffer.
Safety
As is the case with most Wicked Ridge crossbows, the stock of the Invader 400 is fitted with TenPoint’s Dry-Fire-Inhibitor. This feature makes it impossible to fire the crossbow accidentally when there’s no arrow in place.
Furthermore, the safety feature is activated automatically once you cock the bow, which means that to fire, you need to manually disengage the feature. To add to that, the safety wings are reinforced, and this helps protect your fingers so that they aren’t in the direction of the string when you fire the bow.
Noise and Vibration
To keep the cost of the unit as low as possible, the Invader 400 does not come fitted with a noise suppression system. Even so, the crossbow is relatively quiet, but there is a slightly audible click when you shoot an arrow. The sound can still startle nearby prey, so if you want to make the bow quieter, you should invest in a string stop set.
Vibration is present, but it is minimal, and if you want to make the unit even easier to control, you can purchase suppressors for the limb and frame to reduce vibration and improve accuracy.
Ease Of Use and Assembly
Once assembled, the bow weighs only 6 pounds, and this makes it very easy to handle even by shorter hunters. The compact construction allows this option to perform very well even in the tightest of shooting situations.
The assembly process is straightforward since all Wicked Ridge models are built to be easy to use and assemble even by inexperienced shooters. Most of the parts come fixed together, and the process shouldn’t take more than ten minutes for beginners.
Wicked Ridge Invader 400 Review Summary
The high performance, ergonomic construction, and affordable price point make this model very easy to recommend for hunters who are just starting and need a high-quality and versatile crossbow. Newbies will also appreciate the comfortable grip and the multiple safety features that the Invader 400 offers.
Thus, while some hardcore hunters may find this model a bit limited in the kind of game that they can hunt, for beginners and intermediate hunters, this unit is a steal.