This crossbow was going to replace a 2014 Bowtech Solutions LS model crossbow (shown below) which has issues with the Delrin bearings, but is still shootable and have harvested two (2) deer with this crossbow so far this hunting season.

Another reason for choosing this crossbow (TenPoint Titan De-Cock ACUdraw crank), I needed a simple means to cock and de-cock the crossbow and not having to shoot a bolt in order to de-cock the crossbow.  The Titan M1 crossbow platform had very good reviews and hoping the same for this model TenPoint crossbow Titan De-Cock ACUdraw crank, however "the jury is still out" as will be manifested in this short story!

On 10-28-2022, I placed a TenPoint (SDS) String Damping System on the stock to help prevent excessive noise and vibration.  I also installed a pair of BowJax limb vibration dampeners on the limbs prior to shooting and sighting the scope in.

ACUDRAW LOCKING UP RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE

I noticed right off that the ACUdraw crank system was giving trouble by locking up (binding) before I got the U shaped string claw attached to the crossbow string and it was difficult to get the claw to release after the crossbow was cocked.  I shot maybe a dozen (12) crossbow bolts within a few days and finally the ACUdraw mechanism locked up and I could not release the U-Shaped claw from the crossbow string with the crossbow cocked without a lot of trouble and effort.  Finally, the ACUdraw crank retraction power spring broke.  Also, the two stage trigger pull became a single stage trigger pull and you were pulling against the wall all the time and the trigger pull poundage to me was excessive.  However, I am use to a very light trigger pull on all my firearms and the Bowtech crossbow I have been using has a light trigger pull, maybe 3.5 pounds and less than 2 lbs. on my CZ 452 American .22 caliber rifle.

Also, the cams were not in time, but didn't seem to affect the accuracy.

TENPOINT CUSTOMER SERVICE LACKING

I contacted TenPoint via the contact form on their website and they later advised that I take the crossbow to one of their authorized service center dealers after I had already made the trip three (3) days earlier.  I had earlier tried to contact them via email, but did not get a response.  Also, I tried their 330-628-9245 land line and got no where with their convoluted automated telephone service and never did get to speak to a live person; e.g. customer service.  I was placed on hold for an extremely long time and finally gave up!

It might be easier to locate someone in the Federal Witness Protection Program than contact a customer service representative at TenPoint Crossbow Technologies in my humble opinion!

COPY AND PASTE FROM TENPOINT LIVE CHAT

William Porter
Fri, 11/11/22 7:32 am

Even your own repair facilities do not have a diagram of the mechanism.

I went to one of your repair shops and they charged me 40 bucks for a main spring that should be under warranty.  I shot the Titan about 12 times and the spring failed.

Also, you folks do not answer emails either.

Your service sucks.

Here is what I did to a 1000 dollar top of the line PSE bow,  circa 1994

Description: https://portercalls.com/images/PSEMach6WarrantyRepair2.jpg

NOTE:  See my Murphy's Law short story which details why the above bow ended up in 13 pieces and deposited in the landfill in 2008.

Looks like your Titan might be a candidate.

Have a blessed day.

later,

Bill Porter

Below is a conversation with TenPoint after I received my bow back from their authorized service center dealer in China Grove, NC

Michelle
Thu, 11/10/22 9:16 pm

If you mean schematics, no. That is proprietary information.  If you need yours repaired, please go to a service center as recommended in our previous chat.

William M Porter
Thu, 11/10/22 12:45 pm

Zip Code: 28170
Message: Do you have a diagram for the Titan De-Cock ACUdraw crank?

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

NOTE:  I did an internet search at the US Patent Office on 11-12-2022 and found U. S. Patent 11,428,499 B2 pertaining to the de-cock trigger group which was patented this year (08-30-2022) assignee Hunter's Specialty Manufacturing, Inc, D/B/A TenPoint Crossbow Technologies.  So much for proprietary information per TenPoint Michelle!

YOUTUBE VIDEO by BRYAN ZABITSKI - SERVICE & REPAIR MANAGER TenPoint

HOW TO REPLACE THE ACUdraw POWER SPRING TenPoint CROSSBOWS  The video is fairly generic to other models of the ACUdraw as to how the retention power spring operates and the replacement of said spring.

TENPOINT AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER DEALERS

As eluded to earlier, I contacted one of TenPoint's authorized service center dealers in China Grove, NC and drove there on November 7, 2022 which was a 60 mile drive one way and it took about 1.5 hours to make the trip.  The repairman, can't remember his name (maybe the owner) took the ACUdraw mechanism apart and stated that he had never worked on that particular model and did not have a spring for it, whereas he would fill out a warranty repair and order one from TenPoint.

Later that same day, the authorized service center dealer called and stated they found a spring for the crossbow and had it repaired and the bill was $ 100.00.  I drove to the repair center on the 10th and was waiting at their business which opened at 10:00 AM.

We tested the crossbow, cocked it and de-cocked it and it did lock up (bind) one time while retracting the claw from the crossbow string and then worked fine.  I asked the owner if he charged me for the retention power spring and stated it wasn't covered under the warranty.  I paid the 107 dollars which included tax and left him a 3 dollar tip.  I was charged 40 dollars for the spring, 60 dollars labor charge and 7 dollars tax.  I looked up the cost of the spring on line and it was a little less than 15 dollars!  I think I got "took to the cleaners" on that for sure.

I asked them about the two-stage trigger pull not working and they did not address that issue, but said "crossbows normally have a heavier trigger pull", of which I understand.

It makes me wonder if they placed the original retraction power spring back onto the spool hub since the end of the spring was broken at the hub. It would be easy to bend the end of the spring a few degrees, drill a hole in the end of it and reuse the retraction power spring.

I contacted Wyvern Creations via email and left them information about the trouble I was having with the crossbow and he said "I forwarded this up the ladder at TenPoint to make sure it does not get buried.  Hopefully someone will contact you."

I am very well pleased with the customer service from Wyvern Creations, but extremely displeased with TenPoint's apparent no customer service as far as I am concerned.  I have read numerous threads on the crossbow nation website aka (blog) and I am definitely not alone in my assessment of the quality of their customer service!

I ordered an Excalibur Tact-100 scope from Wyvern Creations to replace the TenPoint Pro-View 3 scope that came with this crossbow. 

NOTE: On 11-11-2022, I filled out the contact form on TenPoint's website and requested a RA number to send the crossbow back to the factory.  It is still locking up intermittently, even though I am following the instruction manual and pulling the claw out slowly as per the recommendation of Wyvern Creations and TenPoint.

So far, I have driven approximately 240 miles taking about 6 hours (two round trips total) to China Grove, NC and the crossbow is still not functioning properly 100 percent of the time and not to mention spending 107 dollars for said repairs and vehicle gas!

NOTE: On 11-12-2022, I placed the crossbow in a home made cocking and de-cocking station and test fired the crossbow several times to check the trigger pull poundage with a digital meter.  As fate would have it, the crossbow cocking mechanism did not lock or hang up while strapped down in the fixture, but worked as it should.

I used a Lyman digital trigger pull gauge to ascertain what the trigger pull was and the readings of the trigger pull was as follows: 7 lbs. 10 ozs., and 7 lbs. 7 ozs. for a average of 7 lbs. 8.5 ozs. which is a heavy trigger pull for me.  Also, the two stage trigger pull is not present, but you are simply "pulling against the wall" and there is a little creep detected in the trigger pull.  I don't know for sure if the trigger pull poundage reading I got was accurate since I could not pull the trigger rearward in a straight line pull due to the cocking mechanism in the way of the trigger pull gauge body.  I will probably experiment with another means to get a straight back trigger pull using the digital trigger pull poundage meter.

UPDATE:  On 11-14-2022, I used a looped string to attach to the trigger and got a straight line pull at the rear of the crossbow stock/butt plate to the Lyman digital trigger pull gauge and the reading was 5 lbs. 11 oz., however the two-stage trigger pull is only a single stage trigger pull.

SET UP USED TO CHECK THE TRIGGER PULL

Our only grand daughter Miss Lily Danielle Gonzales was visiting today and doesn't let her PAW PAW get to far away from her.  I definitely had to keep both eyes on her for safety reasons.

I am using a home made cocking and decocking station I made just for the Bowtech Stryker Solutions LS crossbow since I broke my right arm in April 2021 and needing some assistance to help cock the crossbow.  I am now able to cock the Stryker crossbow manually!  I modified the above home made cocking and decocking station to fit the TenPoint Titan crossbow also.

This contraption has a small "boat winch" with nylon web strap at the other end and modified a separate TenPoint sled to fit the Bowtech rails aka flight deck to draw the limbs to full draw and can also de-cock the crossbow.  I like to use the phrase, "Fred Flintstone technology with George Jetson results," grin if you must!  That phrase will tell you how old I am!

WAITING ON A RESPONSE AND RA NUMBER FROM TENPOINT

I will no doubt wait until after this hunting season to send the Titan crossbow back to TenPoint since my Bowtech Stryker Solutions LS crossbow is still operational and harvesting deer.  However, Murphy's Law never sleeps and as the original BSA (Boy Scouts of America) motto, "Be Prepared", I definitely need a back-up plan!

Changed my mind.  I have a friend that is providing a loaner (Barnett Whitetail Hunter II) as another back-up until I get the Titan crossbow back and shot a few crossbow bolts on 11-17-2022 and zeroed it in.  Initially, it was shooting 5 inches to the left and 2 inches low at 20 yards +-.

Web page published by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 11-12-2022 and updated on 11-17-2022.

RESPONSE FROM TENPOINT

Michelle
Sun, 11/13/22 3:48 pm

Please see below on getting an RA to send your bow in:

Click https://www.tenpointcrossbows.com/contact/ and we will email an RA number to you along with the information you need to send the bow in.  In the comments field please detail:
1. What you think is broken on your bow.
2. How it broke (if you know)
3. The best phone number to contact you & best times to call

William M Porter
Fri, 11/11/22 3:15 pm

Zip Code: 28170
Message: I had Grafton Archery, LLC in China Grove, NC replace a broken retraction spring, however the crossbow is still locking up.  I have read your manual numerous times and following said procedures.
Please send a RA.

I filled out the on line form on 11-14-2022 at approximately 9:45 AM and also advised them of the trigger problem being a single stage versus a two stage trigger pull and that Grafton Archery did not address this issue.

RECEIVED RETURN AUTHORIZATION NUMBER

On 11-14-2022 at about 5:26 PM, I received an authorization number 682885 from Nikki Ivey.  I packed the crossbow in the TenPoint original shipping box minus the SDS (string damping system) and the Bowjax limb dampers and went on line to UPS and arranged a pick-up of the package the following day.  The shipping and insurance coverage cost me $ 50.40; e.g., $ 18.35 for 1K insurance and $ 32.05 shipping.  This crossbow definitely is costing me some serious "saw bucks."  

UPS picked up the package on 11-15-2022 at 3:39 PM and it was delivered to TenPoint on 11-17-2022 at 12:26 PM.

Hopefully, TenPoint will find what the intermittent problem is with the ACUdraw crank and fix the D1 trigger mechanism.

LIVE CHAT LINK

I filled out a live chat form on 11-21-2022 at 8:45 AM and requested that the link to this short story be forwarded to their repair service manager: 14190609+XV5G8@tickets.livechatinc.com

CROSSBOW BACK FROM TENPOINT

I received the crossbow back from TenPoint this morning morning (12-02-2022); remounted the scope and got the crossbow onto the stock, installed the BowJax limb dampeners and the SDS.

When I met the FedEx delivery driver and took possession of the shipping box, I noticed a rattle coming from the shipping box and as I unpacked the crossbow assembly, observed that the scope was loose in the large box and not secured or protected.  The rear scope lens cover (plastic lens) was also broken in half.

I shot a few arrows aka bolts and the scope was still zeroed.  However, the u shaped string claw was still locking up intermittently (will not retract) without fumbling with the crank collar to get it to unlock and the trigger pull is still horrible.  If there is a two-stage trigger pull, I definitely cannot detect it, since there is no slack on the trigger, but "tight as two coats of paint."

It would "appear" that TenPoint changed the trigger group out since it now has a different SN label on it, however as stated above, it doesn't exhibit a two-stage trigger pull and the trigger pull poundage is excessive to me.  TenPoint did make a couple posts on the Crossbow Nation blog concerning my problems with this crossbow, but I am following the printed instructions to the letter!

TENPOINT CROSSBOW REPAIR SERVICE LACKING AS WELL

TenPoint Crossbow repair services did absolutely nothing to effect repairs on this crossbow as will come to light several paragraphs down!

MESSAGE FROM TENPOINT VIA CROSSBOW NATIONS

Make sure you are back winding enough to open the brake system up.

Make sure you are holding the button on the left side when you do the last backwind.  It sounds like you are just not getting the silver collar backed out enough.

FINALLY

In conclusion, I made a huge mistake purchasing this crossbow and guess I will have to live with it until I get totally disgruntled and then bring out the Milwaukee PortaBand saw and vent my disgust, anguish and dissatisfaction as I did years ago with a PSE Mach6 cam bow when I reached my threshold tolerance level. 

I would have been better off purchasing a 400 dollar Barnett Whitetail Hunter II crossbow as a back-up (of which I can easily cock using a rope cocking device) and use my home made cocking and de-cocking station if needed, since the Bowtech Stryker Solutions LS is still harvesting deer even with a couple broken Delrin saddle bearings that are slowing working their way from the riser concave limb pocket positioned underneath the saddle pivots.

I definitely got off on the wrong foot with TenPoint since I sent them a link to this short story which documents this Titan de-cock ACUdraw crank saga.

Normally, I use better psychology for getting a problem fixed as follows:  1) Build them up, 2) Lower the boom and 3) Exit gracefully, however this time, it was just my nature (modus operandi) to vent my frustrations in print, knowing beforehand it was a big mistake! 

Web page updated  by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 11-15-2022, 11-17-2022, 11-21-2022 and 12-02-2022.

WYVERN CREATIONS, LLC.

David Wilkins, owner of Wyvern Creations, LLC offered to get my crossbow set-up after hearing all the troubles I had with it from the start.  David emailed me a FedEx shipping label and I got the crossbow back to him on 01-06-2023 and told him I wasn't in a hurry since deer hunting season was over and too cold here to practice with a crossbow.

David emailed me on 01-19-2023 with an update and quote David, "The strap was not only twisted but looped more on the left than the right so ya, it pulled un-evenly.  I also adjusted the brake…that design has a very aggressive brake so anything other than a slow pull will cause it to lock up and require that you re-loosen it.  We had a training seminar at the show and this came up."

David sent me an email on 01-23-2023 with an update and quote David, "Hi, OK, the crank works fine and the tune is all back where it should be, but the trigger has something going on with it.  Its too heavy and its not a two stage like it should be so I'm going to get TenPoint involved in that part as we can't do that work here….I'll keep you posted!"

NOTE:  As evidenced above, David Wilkins found exactly the problems I had described to TenPoint!

David Wilkins emailed me an update on 02-09-2023 and quote David, "OH…by the way, your bow is on its way back to you.  They replaced the trigger and did some shimming on the crank over and above what I did so you should be set."

David Wilkins sent me an email today and quote David, "Hi It even says on the receipt to ship it to you and it just showed up here….I'll get it out tomorrow for you."

RECEIVED THE CROSSBOW 02-17-2023

I received the crossbow today (02-17-2023) and gave it a test run.  The trigger was still heavy with a little creep, but I can certainly live with that.  I noticed the trigger group assembly had a different SN decal on it.

I am having difficulty getting the horseshoe sled to fully retract (decock mode) when the string has all the tension removed, however it could be my fault; e.g., operator error..........grin if you must!

It is a good ways off to our annual archery season and have plenty of time to get acclimated to the crossbow and a very special THANK YOU  to David Wilkins for his time and expense to get the crossbow repaired!

Web paged updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 01-26-2023, 02-09-2023, 02-13-2023 and 02-17-2023.

CHECKING TENPOINT TITAN DE-COCK ACUDRAW CROSSBOW

I got caught up on my yard and home projects for the time being and wanted to shoot the TenPoint Titan De-Cock ACUdraw crossbow to check the point of aim.  I recently replaced the scope that came with the crossbow with a TenPoint Rangemaster Pro Illuminated Scope and zeroed it in using my wood planer as a benchrest, of which wasn't the most stable shooting rest.

Today, I made a make shift rear holder just for the TenPoint Titan, whereas I had a wood home made front holder adapted to my portable shooting bench which has a Sinclair benchrest shooting rest attached to it.

I didn't want to take the portable shooting benchrest outside, but used it positioned inside my basement woodworking shop.  Even though this bench rest is portable, it is super heavy duty, heavy and designed and built for accuracy!  I removed the rear elevation adjustment knob which was to long for use with this crossbow and will make a much shorter one just for the crossbow.

The above crossbow has been back to the TenPoint factory twice and the trigger is very hard poundage wise.  It is advertised as a two-stage trigger pull, but I can't detect any two-stage trigger stage at all.

I later used the windage adjustment to bring the point of impact closer to the bulls eye.  I shouldn't have any trouble with deer at 20 yards.  The speed ring on this scope gets you in the ball park at 30 yards and beyond and it was close enough at 30 yards to harvest deer.

I will probably get me a rest more applicable to crossbows only, but what I currently have is working.

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 09-18-2023.

USING THE BOG FIELDPOD MAGNUM HUNTING REST

I ordered a Bog Fieldpod Magnum Hunting Rest a few days ago on Amazon and it was delivered on the afternoon of 09-22-2023 and gave it a field test.  Right off the bat, the front fork lock knob was froze up and would not turn at all.  I wanted to use the rest, therefore I elected not to send it back to Amazon for a replacement.  I put a couple Channel lock pliers on each end of the knob and recessed bolt and broke the knob off and still could not get it to budge.  I got my Milwaukee 4.5 inch angle head grinder out that had a thin width cut-off friction wheel on it and cut the bolt in half to remove both ends from the aluminum side tubes and the plastic insert between them.

I rounded up a length of 1/4 x 20 tpi threaded rod that I had on hand and cut it off to the length needed and used one of the curved plastic spacers on the rest and made another curved one using a 1/4 inch washer.  The curved portion keeps from flattening out the thin wall aluminum tubing and prevents the rod from turning.  I then used a couple 1/4 x 20 tpi lock nuts and guesstimated at the height of the front fork (forend) and tightened the lock nuts until the front fork stayed into position.

I filled out an online form requesting replacement parts.  After looking at the part that would not turn, it was evident that rust had frozen up the threaded ferrule that was molded into the plastic star shaped knob.  In the mean time, I ordered a pack of 1/4 x 20 tpi plastic knobs on EBay and can use the knobs for other applications for my woodworking projects.

As luck would have it, the next day I found a couple 1/4 x 20 tpi threaded knobs in my router table accessories and needed only one of them.

I cut off the excess 1/4 x 20 tpi threaded rod and the unit works fine.  I put some serious scratches into the tubing finish with the channel lock pliers, but I can live with that.

After getting the rest temporally fixed, I set the rest and tripod and measured off 20 and 30 yards with my surveyors tape.  I earlier stepped the 20 yards distance off and I was a good 2 or 3 yards off.  I guess my senior citizen stride is not as long as it use to be, grin if you must!

The tripod was definitely not level, but with the adjustment of the rest, it was not a problem.  The next time I use this rest, I will move the rest parallel bar slide rearward to where the crossbow weight is properly centered and not forward heavy. 

I zeroed the scope at 20 yards with only a minor change in windage and elevation and was in the small bull's eye.  I then moved the target back to 30 yards and shot one arrow and it was close enough for Government work as evidenced by the pix below:

The Yellow Jacket target butt is not perpendicular to the shooting position.

Thirty (30) yards looks far with the camera zoomed out.  The speed dial was set for 355 feet per second and close enough.  Most crossbow manufacturers have the speed of their crossbows over rated and then will test using light crossbow bolts, of which I do not use.  I haven't run this crossbow bolts shot through my Shooting Crony yet, but might do so in the future, but speed is not that important to me since I harvest deer at shorter ranges.

I will be using the Executioner Black Eagle crossbow bolts and they weight 442 grains with a 100 grain broadhead, maybe a few grains more since I am using lighted nocks. 

In conclusion, this is a good rest for the money and stable enough, however my custom made portable benchrest shooting rest with the Sinclair bench rest front rest is rock solid steady, but again it is very heavy even though portable. The BOG Fieldpod Magnum hunting rest weights less than 18 lbs. and is very portable, but will use it mainly to sight in my crossbows..

The TenPoint Titan Decock ACUdraw crossbow is performing pretty good at the moment.  I have not had any issues cocking the crossbow as far as the break system locking up, but when placing the claw on the string, it seems the coil spring is "tight as two coats of paint" but can live with that.  I haven't used the decock feature since I have been releasing crossbow bolts into the target.

I will give an update when I start using the decock feature during hunting season.

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 09-24-2023.

TITAN DE-COCK ACUDRAW CRANK UPDATE

The crossbow U-Shaped claw aka sled will not retract per the manufacturer's instruction manual.  Once the string tension is let off the string and the sled is relaxed on the string, it will not retract on its own.  I have to manually turn the turn the silver crank collar counterclockwise to make the strap to go back into the housing.  About half way or more, the spring will begin to pull the strap on its own which is not what it is supposed to do.

Per the manufacturer's instructions; when the string is let down (no tension) you hold the gear stop button down, remove the crank handle and continue to hold the gear stop button down and backwind (turn the crank collar counter-clockwise) until it stops.  Release the claw from the crossbow string and return it to the storage position, however it will not do so!  It appears the break release mechanism is not working properly.

I would like to harvest a few deer with this crossbow for the freezer before I make a YouTube video showing the TenPoint Titan Crossbow Versus my Milwaukee PortaBand Saw and I can guarantee the winner, even though I am the big looser also!

In conclusion, I made a huge mistake purchasing this crossbow!  

Web page updated by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 10-14-2023.

LEAVING ON A SPIRITUAL NOTE

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please take this moment to accept him by Faith into your Life, whereby Salvation will be attained.   

Ephesians 2:8 - 2:9 8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Open this link about faith in the King James Bible.

IN GOD WE TRUST - GOD BLESS AMERICA - "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE"   JOHN 3:16 KJV