Hey! I had to go X bow from a vertical bow due to an injury, back before they were cool... so here's my .02 sense. ( I also, FWIW, just plopped down bug dinero for a Tenpoint Siege.. probably my favorite piece of killing equipment hands down).
- Is a silent cocking system (like AccuDraw) worth it in real-world scenarios, or are the ones that make noise (like Ravin's) still quiet enough to not matter? Absolutely yes and YES! IF you hunt in ladder stands. Personally, I wasn't a fan of the Ravin " click", which is one of the many reasons I went Tenpoint. The rotary draw system has a clutch, so it won't spin on you- but doesn't click like the Ravin. I let my brother use it a few weeks ago in another State. He was in a Muddy 2 man blind ( that matters for room) and shot a mature doe from about 30 yards out... managed to recock and drop an 8 PT 20 minutes later as he was about to get down.
- Are systems that enable decocking (like AccuSlide) worth it? (What do people who don't have these do to avoid having to fire a bolt for decocking purposes?) I used to carry a " decocking bolt" in my case ; which allows you to fire into the ground. One more reason why I love the Tenpoint/ Wicked Ridge decocking system.
- Are the scopes some RDX's come with crappy (like most scopes that are packaged with rifles), or are they worthwhile?
- The scope that came on my Trenpoint was pretty decent, actually! On my previous Xbows ( A Barnette and another one from Academy that was $400.00 for a whole starter kit- the name escapes me) were POS's
- What's with the dial on some xbow scopes that is used to set FPS?
- You set that dial ONCE- to match your IBO speed. essentially , in theory, it brings the different lines together or further apart to match the ballistic curve of a given arrow ( bolt ) weight. I've had mixed success.
- Internal parts are places gun makers tend to skimp on. RDX's don't have much of this, but they do have strings, stops, etc. Are any of these typically poor qualify to save cost and, thus, items I should look to replace right out of the gate? I got nuithin'
- What should I look for in RDX arms, as I've read of breakages with some and would like to avoid this! Absolutely you get what you pay for- but my own theory is that every manufacturer now is scrambling for parts, and using bolts, nuts, etc from unknown suppliers as they can get them.
My Grandfather told me once that when it comes to Women and Booze, get the cheapest you can handle.... but when it comes to hunting or fishing gear, get the best you can afford.
One thing you didn't mention was the trigger, and carry comfort. To me that was a HUGE factor in both choosing to go with a smaller reverse limb bow, and the one that I went with. The Ravin's just felt awkward to me personally. As an experienced rifle shooter, I'm kind of " princess in a pea" when it comes to triggers, and the Tenpoint broke very, very cleanly after taking up the slack ( they call it a 2 stage.. but stage 1 is zero resistance.) .
From a speed standpoint, I think any of them should only be used to take big game like whitetails out to about 50 yards max ; and even then only in open fields since the curve is so great.. and the difference between 405 and 435 at that range makes very little POI change when shooting the same weight arrow ( bolt.) . FYI- the muzzy HDX broadheads are the most devastating thing I've ever seen. 7 deer down with them total from various hunters ( none of whom were me this season- arghh!) .. and all were recovered within 35 yards with good shot placement.