If you are in the market for a high precision bow, the chances are that you are either a hunter or are in love with archery.
Ravin has been a household name in archery for more than twenty years now.
Here is a detailed review of the Ravin R26 that packs both power and precision in a small package.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price → |
Ravin R26 Compact
PROS
CONS
Ravin R26 Specs
Draw Weight: 250 lbs
Arrow speed: 400 FPS
Weight: 6.5 lbs
Length: 26"
Width Axle to Axle: 5.75" Cocked
Width Axle to Axle: 9.25" Un-cocked
Power-Stroke: 9.5"
Draw Style: Versa-Draw crank
Trigger Pull Weight: 2.9 lbs
Type: Compound
Pros
The R26 is an engineering marvel. Ravin has gone to great lengths to pack the power of a full-sized rifle into a compound crossbow. Some of the features that give it an edge over the competition include:
Compact Design
The R26 from Raven is the most compact crossbow out there. The cocked length at 5.75" is the shortest on the market right now for a crossbow of this caliber. This allows freedom of movement even through tight spots. Moreover, it can make hunting from behind a blind look easy.
The compact and thought-out design makes it maneuverable while ensuring that the limbs do not extend out long. Long extended limbs can expose a crossbow to damage and may also damage the blind in the process. While the Ravin R26 has a compact design, most high-power crossbows are not very wieldy, and none of them have such a small design.
Trac-Trigger Firing System
The Trac-Trigger Firing System is a patented system developed and perfected by Ravin. The trigger slides forward and rests precisely in the middle of the string with every draw. This allows for straight-line nock travel while providing a superior down range accuracy owing to a balanced draw.
Bows can become inaccurate if the firing mechanism does not strike at the same place every time. The Trac-Trigger Firing System takes care of that effectively.
Helicoil Technology
The HeliCoil technology coils the cables away from the top and the bottom of the cams in helical loops. This allows for super efficiency and increased accuracy. The technology rotates the cams to 340 degrees, enabling the R26 to have a small footprint of just six inches when fully drawn.
The same allows the string and arrow to launch in the air, almost eliminating the element of friction. Less friction translates to increased speed and downrange accuracy like none other. The design helps deliver a rifle-like experience.
The HeliCoil technology is exclusive to Ravin and reduces wear and tear while restricting the friction component on the bow and arrow.
Versa-Draw Cocking System
HeliCoil technology makes the versa-draw cocking system possible. It is a super-compact cocking system that allows you to cock and uncock your Ravin crossbow. Just place the magnetic cocking handle forwards to cock and backward to uncock. The backward rotation shifts the force in the drawstring to the cocking handle. The thumb release can be used at any time to control the cocking and the uncocking cycle effectively.
This technology is unique to Ravin, and there are not many devices out there that can uncock without firing. The whole design is a marvel of engineering. It gives the crossbow an added advantage while contributing to its overall accuracy.
Cons
While the Ravin R26 has a great design, it can be irritating and annoying for some. The annoyance is perhaps further aggravated by the high price. A few shortcomings of the Ravin R26 include:
High Price
Ravin R26 carries a hefty price tag when compared to other offerings on the market. Most of the high price is attributable to the extensive research that goes into the product. HeliCoil, Versa-Draw, and Trac-Trigger are all possible because of research programs.
Despite that, it might be a bit too expensive for a crossbow. The price difference is starker when compared against similar offerings from other manufacturers.
Short Size
The Ravin R26 is small and portable. But that portability is only appreciated as long as it does not get in the way of usability. Short-statured people would immediately fall in love with it as it just feels natural. Moreover, the way it fits the hands and is super portable would help them in their hunting adventures.
On the other hand, tall people would find such compactness revolting. Tall people have issues with the compact design, and while they commend the quality and features, they consider it too short for their liking. The main problem that arises in a compact design is the ease of cocking. Taller people find it harder to cock as compared to short people.
Added to that, the short distance of moving parts from the eye can make it a risky thing.
Best Uses For the Ravin R26
The R26’s design makes it a wonderful companion that can be easily carried around in the trunk. Here are some ways that can utilize the full potential of the R26:
Archery Range Practice
The R26 is a versatile compact crossbow for anywhere and everywhere. Such advanced technologies, packed into a sleek and stylish compact design, make it ultra-portable and allow easy maneuverability. These make it a great choice for the archery range.
The R26 is bound to turn heads. The fast cocking and safe uncocking, the easy zeroing-in process, and the easy operation will make everyone at the archery range fall in love with the handy crossbow.
Ravin R26 Compact
Game Hunting
The small spread, when cocked and uncocked, means that it is safe to use from behind a blind without worrying about damaging the crossbow or the blind. This particular design feature makes it all the more attractive for hunters and archery lovers.
The minimal draw-weight because of the Versa-Draw cocking system means that it can be easily cocked in the open without trouble. Moreover, the small size means that you can move stealthily with the R26 ready to shoot at a moment's notice. You can position yourself close enough to the prey or behind a blind without alerting it, and the 400 feet per second arrow speed will take care of the rest. All in all, R26 won’t disappoint you in your hunting adventures.
Is the Ravin R26 Hard to Use?
No, on the contrary, the R26 is one of the simplest crossbows to operate out there. The difficulty level is under 14 but should only be handled by people over the age of 18. Moreover, local gun laws need to be consulted before getting one.
Components and Included Accessories
The Ravin R26 comes with many accessories in the package. These include:
Illuminated scope
3-arrow quivers
Draw handle
6-pack 400-grain match grade arrows (20 inches)
Field points
Accessories bracket
Illuminated Scope
The scope that ships with the package have nine aiming dots ranging between 20 and 100 yards. The lenses are multi-coated for a crystal-clear view from 1.5 up to 5x.
Arrow Quiver and Match-Grade Arrows
The Ravin R26 packs the most number of arrows that any crossbow has. It ships with six Ravin 400-Grain arrows. The material is 100% pure carbon. There are high-impact brass threaded inserts and two-inch offset vanes.
There is a detach-quiver present that has a unique mounting system. Added to that, these configurations offer vertical positioning and optimal balance. Furthermore, it is easy to install and remove.
Cocking System
The Versa-draw cocking system is a state-of-the-art system that makes the R26 easy to crank with the clutch system. Moreover, it adds the ability to uncock safely. The Versa-draw system strips down the 250lbs draw weight to just 12-pounds.
What Ages and Skill Levels is the Ravin R26 Suitable For?
The R26 from Ravin is a revolutionary piece of hardware that is very simple to operate but houses a massive amount of power. Great power needs greater responsibility, and hence it should only be accessible to people over the age of 18. Local weapon laws also need to be consulted before buying one. Moreover, the skill set required to operate Ravin is fairly simple and should be good for people of all ages.
What Makes the Ravin R26 Stand Out From the Competition?
The compact design and the plethora of advanced technologies built straight into the crossbow make it one of the best options out there. Added to that, none of the high-end bows out there have such a small footprint. Despite the small size, it packs great power and accuracy.
The R26 is perfect for shooting through a blind and moving while wielding, particularly because of its exceptional downrange accuracy. Some competitor models do not possess a safe uncocking mechanism that the R26 has thanks to Ravin's proprietary Versa-Draw Cocking System. The system also makes cocking super-fast, which is something the competition cannot boast about.
Ravin R26 vs. R29 - Comparison Overview
Both the R26 and R29 are worthy offerings from Ravin and are very similar to each other. The latter is the bigger of the two and holds a trick or two more up its sleeve. The main differences between the two are:
Speed
While both the R26 and R29 come out of the box with a 400+ FPS rating, the latter is a tad bit faster. It is rated for an extra 30 fps and hence has an increased kinetic energy rating of 164 ft-lbs. These higher numbers are attributable in part to the difference in size.
Size
The R29 has an increased overall length of 29" compared to the 26" on the R26, hence the names. The weight difference between the two is 0.25 lbs because of the added height. The R29 is overall bigger at 6" cocked vs. the 5.75" on the R26.
Specifications
The two offerings from Ravin are different on paper but don't look much different other than the size difference. The weight of the R29 is more because of the increased length. But the increased length also gives it a higher fps of 430. The Power Stroke increases from 9.5" on the R26 to 12.5" on the R29. The draw force remains the same at 12 lbs.
How to Shoot a Ravin R26 Crossbow
The Ravin R26 is one of the simplest to use crossbows on the market. All the technologies combine to make handling the system a breeze.
Here’s how to operate the Ravin R26:
Place the cocking handle into the recessed hole on either side of the stock.
Engage the slots on the cocking handle with the driveshaft pins by pressing it in, and a magnet will hold it in place.
While rotating the cocking handle forward, press the thumb release button to release any tension on the cocking strap and remove the handle.
Press down on the thumb release and slide the Trac-Trigger firing system forwards towards the bowstring. The bowstring clasp will automatically close around the bowstring and activate the safety system and the anti-dry fire system.
While grasping the grip, rotate the cocking handle forwards to draw the Trac-Trigger firing system towards the trigger. The spool ratchet will keep making a ticking sound as the handle turns.
Keep rotating the handle until the ticking sounds stop and the clutch slips. Now the bow is fully cocked, and the trigger is automatically engaged.
Insert a Ravin arrow into the channel with a white fin facing down. You will hear an audible click when the arrow rests in its place.
Move the safety pin to the fire position (red dot).
Fire the trigger.
Conclusion
The advanced technologies incorporated in the design of the Ravin R26 make it a perfect crossbow overall. Best suited to a short-medium statured hunter, the R26 offers accuracy, speed, portability, and efficiency all in a compact, strong build.
All in all, Ravin R26 is a super portable crossbow that can make your excursions way more fun.
People Also Ask
Investing in a professional crossbow can be confusing, and Raven R26 is one of the best, if not the best one out there. Some more things to bear in mind about it are:
What Kind of Warranty Does the Ravin R26 Come With?
Ravin R26 is covered by the same kind of warranty as other latest Ravin products. If used per the provided instructions and manual, Ravin has you covered for five years against material defects, workmanship, trigger system, cocking mechanism, and limb assembly issues.
Where Are Ravin R26 Crossbows Made?
Ravin R26 crossbow is manufactured in the Ravin Facility in Superior, Wisconsin, USA. The whole business was taken over by Velocity Outdoor Inc. in 2018. The quality control has become stricter and better since then.
How Far Can the Ravin R26 Crossbow Shoot?
Ravin R26 can comfortably hit a bullseye within 100 yards. 100 yards is the accuracy limit, but a 40-yard or lesser distance is recommended to shoot wild game.
What Yardage Should the Ravin R26 Be Sighted in?
The scope on the Ravin R26 includes a nine-dot calibration that can calibrate the scope between 20 and 100 yards, and two rheostat-controlled illumination modes are also present. These modes are marked as red and green colored dots.
Is the Ravin R26 Worth the Money?
The compact design, advanced features, and dead accurate shooting mechanism make Ravin R26 a worthy buy. The crossbow has won several awards for the best crossbow overall and is a breeze to operate. It is still worth the money, even at a hefty price tag.
How to Sight In Ravin R26
However expensive a crossbow is, it is of no use if you don’t zero-in. Here’s how you can sight and zero-in your R26:
Adjust the eye relief
Adjust the speed dial to match the speed of the arrow.
Shoot at ten yards to confirm. If the target is off-center, then adjust the point of impact.
Shoot at the 20-yard mark. If the target is not in the center, then adjust the point of impact.
Place in Vice and Zero at 50 yards.
Recheck at the 20-yard mark. If the shot is on target, the crossbow is ready. If not, readjust the point of impact and check again.
Ravin R26
Is the R10 Ravin Crossbow Different Than the R26 Ravin?
Ravin R10 is heavier, longer, and allows for more accuracy when it comes to aiming. The R26, on the other hand, is more maneuverable and very small in size. The smaller size can make aiming a bit difficult. Other than that, R26 is best used from a blind, whereas R10 can cause issues because of its size.
People Also Ask
Investing in a professional crossbow can be confusing, and Raven R26 is one of the best, if not the best one out there. Some more things to bear in mind about it are:
What Kind of Warranty Does the Ravin R26 Come With?
Ravin R26 is covered by the same kind of warranty as other latest Ravin products. If used per the provided instructions and manual, Ravin has you covered for five years against material defects, workmanship, trigger system, cocking mechanism, and limb assembly issues.
Where Are Ravin R26 Crossbows Made?
Ravin R26 crossbow is manufactured in the Ravin Facility in Superior, Wisconsin, USA. The whole business was taken over by Velocity Outdoor Inc. in 2018. The quality control has become stricter and better since then.
How Far Can the Ravin R26 Crossbow Shoot?
Ravin R26 can comfortably hit a bullseye within 100 yards. 100 yards is the accuracy limit, but a 40-yard or lesser distance is recommended to shoot wild game.
What Yardage Should the Ravin R26 Be Sighted in?
The scope on the Ravin R26 includes a nine-dot calibration that can calibrate the scope between 20 and 100 yards, and two rheostat-controlled illumination modes are also present. These modes are marked as red and green colored dots.
Is the Ravin R26 Worth the Money?
The compact design, advanced features, and dead accurate shooting mechanism make Ravin R26 a worthy buy. The crossbow has won several awards for the best crossbow overall and is a breeze to operate. It is still worth the money, even at a hefty price tag.
How to Sight in Ravin R26
However expensive a crossbow is, it is of no use if you don’t zero-in. Here’s how you can sight and zero-in your R26:
- Adjust the eye relief
- Adjust the speed dial to match the speed of the arrow.
- Shoot at ten yards to confirm. If the target is off-center, then adjust the point of impact.
- Shoot at the 20-yard mark. If the target is not in the center, then adjust the point of impact.
- Place in Vice and Zero at 50 yards.
- Recheck at the 20-yard mark. If the shot is on target, the crossbow is ready. If not, readjust the point of impact and check again.
Is the R10 Ravin Crossbow Different Than the R26 Ravin?
Ravin R10 is heavier, longer, and allows for more accuracy when it comes to aiming. The R26, on the other hand, is more maneuverable and very small in size. The smaller size can make aiming a bit difficult. Other than that, R26 is best used from a blind, whereas R10 can cause issues because of its size.
