Field Evaluation - Altus Brands 'CrossFire' Bow Sling By Keith Dunlap - Field Evaluator
Jan 22, 2009 - 7:05:43 AM
Field Evaluation: "CrossFire™ Extreme Bow Sling" from Pro Ears
an Altus Brands, LLC company
Pro Ears has led the world in electronic hearing protection/amplification products since its inception, continually raising the bar in technology. Their Pro Ears lead the industry in performance so when I was asked to evaluate another product from this company, now an Altus Brands company, I was eager to get my hands on it to put it to the test.
CrossFire - Two models that will do what no other sling will.
The product evaluated for this review is the CrossFire Bow Sling. The CrossFire sling comes in two models, one for bow, one for long guns (rifles, muzzleloaders, shotguns and also crossbows). The long gun model also comes with quick-detachable sling swivels for easy mounting.
Simple to install.
The narrow ballistic nylon web provides more flexibility than a more traditional leather sling. The CrossFire sling is most appropriate for lighter weight weapons as it does not come with a shoulder pad. The absence of a shoulder pad however is to allow the user a greater degree of adjustability for multiple hands-free positions and a method to spread the weight as opposed to one single weight bearing position. I will explain these in more detail later in the evaluation. Let's have a look at the CrossFire Bow Sling…
CrossFire, hooked and ready.
Initial Inspection:
Upon initial inspection out of the package, I found no visible defects in material or workmanship. Setting up the CrossFire Bow Sling was easy, and no tools were required. Simply attach both ends of the Bow Sling to the riser of the bow and you are ready to use the sling in the multiple positions it provides. The various bow carrying positions are listed below (position advantages are in red).
1. Conventional position over one shoulder - Standard.
2. Conventional position over one shoulder (split strap) - Distributes weight more evenly over the shoulder.
3. Opposite shoulder - Standard but the sling can be removed from the bow without finding a place to put the sling.
4. Opposite should (split strap) - Distributes weight more evenly over the shoulder. The sling can be removed from the bow without finding a place to put the sling.
5. Diagonal across the back - Standard but you can stalk or crawl and remove sling from bow without finding a place to put the sling.
Easy Two Shoulder Front carry.
6. Two shoulder position (side carry) - Distributes weight on two shoulders. The sling can be removed from the bow without finding a place to put the sling. A great position for stalking and chasing game.
7. Two shoulder position (back carry) - Distributes weight on two shoulders. The sling can be removed from the bow without finding a place to put the sling. A great position for stalking and chasing game. Allows you to belly crawl. This position protects the strings and slights when going through thick brush or timber.
Two Shoulder Back Diagonal Position makes it light and easy to carry in the field.
8. Ready to shoot position conventional one shoulder and over draw shoulder no torque on bow. (Quickshot) - This position is great for stalking short distances because you can just pull up and shoot. Can be used in shooting 3Ds.
For longer
9. Backpack - Great for hiking to your location or carrying your bow long distances.
10. Quick release leave on body (Carrying position on body without bow) - The sling can stay on your body short term or can be adjusted for long term carries while staying out of the way to shoot.
With this carry position you can walk or climb with the bow at your side, hands free and then go right into a shooting position.
Testing:
I have to be honest, when I first received the Bow Sling, I was wondering how it worked and how I would put it to practical use with my bow. At first glance it looks complicated but they have included an instructional video in the package that you should definitely watch. The video does a good job of explaining the various carrying positions you can use with the Bow Sling and there are quite a few.
Once I understood the positions and how to make them work with my bow, I was impressed with the ease of use and changing to each carrying position. I found the straps to be comfortable, especially when using the split strap carrying positions. The most useful carrying positions for me are the backpack and two shoulder side carry. These positions are most applicable to my bow hunting style in PA and Illinois. The backpack is used for getting to and from my stand and I found it to be the most comfortable carrying method for longer distances. The two shoulder side carry can be used while tracking an animal for a potential follow up shot. Another very useful carry would be the ready to shoot (Quickshot), if you might have to draw and shoot quickly while hunting in a spot and stalk situation. There are many carrying methods but I found these to be the most useful for my needs.
The only drawback, if you could call it a drawback is that it took me some time to learn and understand how to change to the various carrying positions that the Bow Sling offers. Not a deal-breaker but worth noting for my evaluation. Once I had it figured out, I found the sling to be very useful and a good value for the price. The advantage I found was these positions were comfortable regardless of how far you had to carry your bow but they still left your hands free to carry other items. I know I seldom go to or from my stand with out having to carry something out. You might not use all the positions but there are quite a few that you will and it's always nice to have something that actually provides you with more, rather than less, than you expect. The CrossFire is really great if you have to track a wounded animal, or for spot and stalk hunting, for longer treks to your stand or when you have to carry a few things.
Figure 3 Crossfire Bow Sling attaches in two places directly to the riser
Specifications as Tested:
Available as a bow or rifle sling
Main body material: nylon
Finish/Camo Pattern: black
Retail Price: $19.95 (free shipping from Altus Brands website)
Warranty: 5 year limited against defects in materials and workmanship
Conclusion:
At the end of my evaluation, I concluded that the CrossFire Bow Sling is a product worth the price. For about the same price as most slings, it provides much greater flexibility with multiple bow carrying positions and hands-free applications for spot and stalk hunting or back country situations. As impressive as the CrossFire Bow Sling I would also like to try the CrossFire Extreme Rifle Sling.
Pros: Eliminates fatigue or the inconvenience of having to carrying your bow on stalks or long hikes; provides hands-free for other tasks while hunting. Cons: Required some patience at first but an instructional video (included) was helpful to understand the various positions available.
For more go to: CrossFire
To watch the Crossfire Video: Video
