I used the Viper 400 for three years, bought another as a backup. I had over 800 shots on Viper #1, string/cable length for me was more than excellent. Viper #2 had over 350 shots and still looked new. I took 16 deer with those two Vipers. Both crossbows shot 472 grain arrows at 366 fps. A friend begged me for one of those Vipers, so I sold it to him and bought a TX 440. He wanted the 2nd as his backup, so I sold it to him also. I now have the TX 440 and KI X1. I really have come to prefer the shorter crossbows.

 

Honestly for $300 you’re getting a speed dial scope and more speed. If the $300 doesn’t break the bank I don’t think it’s a bad idea. If $300 is a big deal then the Venom X is plenty of hunting tool. To me, the speed dial scope probably stops me from spending $160-$200 on a Crossfire. So that really makes it a $100-$140 increase for the speed. Seems reasonable to me but also not absolutely necessary.

 

So the Viper S415 and the Venom X should be similar in reliability/dependability? No difference in maintenance (string or cable replacement, etc.)?

 

Maybe. They aren’t far off on speed from each other but I’d expect the Viper to be somewhat harder on strings/cables. But with reasonable maintenance and a normal practice/hunting routine I’d expect time to be what caused me to swap strings/cables for both over wearing them out. There has been a lot of time and knowledge working around 400-425fps bows that I wouldn’t expect one in that range to be a reliability liability at this point from a top manufacturer.

 

Try to shoulder them both if you haven't already. That should help you decide. See if Cab will let your shoot them both. I don't think you will be disappointed with either.

 

Huge difference is the venom has DFP trigger .
415 has the old style ADF.
If you ever mess up and dry fire it and you will
DFP no harm no foul ADF not so much.
For me venom x all day everyday.
The thing shoots lights out.

 

I’d expect the Viper to be somewhat harder on strings/cables.

Huge difference is the venom has DFP trigger . 415 has the old style ADF.

^^^ The points quoted above may be very important for you to consider^^^

It looks like the Viper 415 may only be a BP/Cabelas new model

I doubt the S415 is a BP/Cabela's only product. The Viper S415 is on the Tenpoint website:

Viper S415

The Viper S415 is a supercharged version of our best-selling Viper 400 and features a 100-yard scope and safe de-cocking with the ACUslide cocking and de-cocking system.

www.tenpointcrossbows.com

Here's the Venom X for comparison.

Venom X

The lightest and lowest-priced ACUslide crossbow. Weighing a super-light 6.9-pounds and measuring just 9.5” narrow and 33” short and speeds of 390 FPS.

www.tenpointcrossbows.com

I thought Tenpoint used to have a "Compare" function on their website, maybe I am thinking of some other manufacturer.
Anyway, try to shoulder both if you can.
The Venom X is a little lighter, which could add up if stalking prey for hours.

 

The Viper 415 is on at Bass and Cabela’s.
They will shoulder very similarly, as they share the same stock configuration.

 

I shouldered the Venom at BP last week, it felt fantastic, very natural, like shouldering all my big game rifles. I like what I've read about the DFP feature. I'll go back to BP late this week after the sale start and hopefully, they'll have the Viper in stock and I can check it out. Right now I am leaning towards the Venom given the cost savings which I could apply to purchasing the Huskemaw; I really like the single dot reticle it has compared to the "busy" reticles of most other scopes.

Yeah, it would be very helpful if TenPoint had the "compare" feature on their site for bows, like for instance what Best Buy has on their site. Maybe the TenPoint "IT guy"/webmaster could work on that next winter, after busy season is over!

 

Page 14-5 in the catalog on the website.

https://www.tenpointcrossbows.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024_1_25_TenPoint_Catalog_LoRes_Spreads.pdf

 

Thanks!

 

I work at Cabelas. I'm not in the archery department but I too am looking to the comparisons. Thought if I can get the upgraded crossbow for a little more, why not. I know enough to do my research and ask questions. What i was told by the archery guys is that they would prefer the Venom because the Venom has the old style cable that are like a regular bow vs the Viper that has the new style cable set that winds around more things that can cause problems. For what it's worth they aren't big on the R branded bows also.

 

Just to add to the discussion, the simpler cable system of the VX has some real value but the trade-off is some speed and width. Does that matter, to some it may depending on how and where they hunt. For some, not an issue so you have to weigh out your options.

As for the quad cable that "wind around things", they rarely are an issue and last a long time. I've had several of TPs "tech-bows" with the quad cables and frankly, they don't bother me a bit. I do my own maintenance and tuning and adjusting a quad is super simple and they are very easy to get to.

The difference that's advantage VX over the S415 is the S2 trigger on the VX with DFP (Dry Fire Prevention). I shoot a lot and at some point throughout the year I'll pull the trigger on a bow with no arrow. DFP is a plus!

 

I have a viper s400 as well I'd love to have a second one. I'd go with the venom if it was me. Simpler means more reliable. I'm sure you'll have better string and cable life. I change my viper string and cables every year. All day sits and the fact that I shoot it more than most people. I've had alot of the narrow xbows and I'm done with them. The viper is as narrow as I'm going from now on. Simply too much wear and tear on the string and cables and yes I lube the crap out of them. But realistically 200 shots is about all I care to put on a set before I'm changing them out. So not that I shoot that much in a single year but the all day sits are hard on them. I'm talking about the entire bow season plus practice etc.

 

not true - the Viper S415 has Dry Fire Inhibitor protection. while not the same as DFP. It exists

 

What's not true? I don't see/read anyone questioning if the S415 had a dry fire system.

The S415 has the traditional DFI which is a string catch. The xbows with DFP (515, 440, VenomX and Siege 425) are the next step up trigger technology. That system makes it not possible to pull the trigger and release the string into a catch system like a DFI bows have. It's a better mouse trap.

 

Thank you. Not doubting. Sorry if I misspoke. I ended up going venom x. Rather have the “better mouse trap” in my opinion w better safety option

 

I didn't take it that way Mgunther. I just didn't want to be confusing or unclear in what was being discussed.

Congrats on the VenomX..... Great choice!

 

I use the rage crossbow heads, orange in color, never lost a deer either and unlike the spitfire and a few others I can change and get replacement blades for mine, I'd never buy a one and done broadhead.

 

Everyone has their favorites for sure. I buy the 125gr Spitfires off-season for less than $6 each. I use the shot Spitfires for practice. They do make replacement blades, but I have found them to be a pain in the butt.
No wrong answer on broadheads, there are some great heads out there for sure. I always tell people go with what works best for you and your bow. Gotta have that confidence your broadhead will do the job.