5 replies to this topic

[NDPronghorn]

I'm a dedicated PSE advocate in terms of my vertical bows which have been outstanding in terms of reliability over the past several years. Since I've had a second operation for a torn rotator and the doctor is now saying it may be torn again it may be time to maintain my passion for shooting arrows horizontally vs. vertically. Key Question........ I've done a lot of research and narrowed my selection down to the TAC 15i as a number one choice. Since I enjoy shooting targets and 3D from 70-100 yards with my vertical I want to due the same from a practice standpoint with a crossbow. In all my research, plus contacting various TAC15i owners, many have expressed a concern about reliability and some are already on their 3rd set of limbs, plus have encountered other frequent mechanical failures. I felt this would be the forum to get further info on this. It's hard for me to believe that since PSE has had this bow out now for 4-5 years they wouldn't have rectified most of these problems. Since I will  initially have only one crossbow and also use it across several states for whitetail hunting in the fall I'm somewhat at a loss as to what to do. My second choice would either be a Scorpyd Ventilator, Darton Fireforce or Tenpoint CLS but wanted the PSE for it's tunability, long range accuracy and cocking/un-cocking device, even though I'd have to install a better trigger from everything I've read. Please give me some feedback on your experiences with reliability on the TAC 15i and thoughts if I don't have a back-up  what would be the best alternative choice based on the other 3 brands/models previously noted regarding the best second choice for longer range accuracy and reliability. Appreciate your input!

[Twanger]

My Tac15 was shipped to me in late December 2011 without the left axle in place in the upper unit that supports the drum that the cocking cord winds onto.
I have an eye for symmetry and thought it was odd to see something sticking out of the right side and not the left, but since I had not designed the bow, I wasn't going to second guess it. I should have.
After a few dozen shots the drum on which the cocking cord is wound up loosened up to the point that it was becoming very hard and 'grindy' to cock the bow.
I took it apart and one of the mechanical engineers that works for me helped diagnose the specific problem.
I sent PSE the upper unit that houses the crank mechanism.
To PSE's credit they turned it around very fast and I got back into the woods on the last weekend of deer season and killed two deer with it.

I have had no other problems, and probably have a couple of hundred shots through it now.
At 50 yards it is almost as accurate as my Encore 308. I don't dare shoot arrows at the same target!

Edited by Twanger, 05 March 2012 - 12:09 PM.

[pacrossbow_]

I thought PSE addressed the limb issue in late 2011? I may be mistaken though...

More on the PSE limbs (xbow755 talks about it in the last post)

http://www.crossbown...5564-tac-limbs/

[NDPronghorn]

TTT
Anyone else that can comment on the TAC15i reliability per the questions noted in my initial post would be appreciated. I assumed there would be a lot of TAC15i users on this forum. Thanks!

[warden]

I spoke to Johnathan Shepley about it at the ATA show as I had concerns about it as well. He feels that they've solved the issue of the limbs as well as the cocking device. Apparently the gear in the crank device tended to strip after a few shots. All should be good with them now. I had the opportunity to shoot it at the ATA show and about the only negative I have for the bow is that it's very long. I shoot a Barnett Ghost 400 which is a long crossbow and the Tac was a few inches longer yet.

Good Luck.

[coinflasher]

I just bought a TAC 15i (2012 model) and had the exact same problem as Twanger (missing axle). It cocked for a few shots then got harder ander until it quit. The TAC 15 is an awesome xbow but make sure you have all of the parts when you buy it.