Finally got the new Phoenix and got it assembled and some testing done.
I like to string without the stringer (foot in stirrup, grab limb, lean sideways). I can say the new riser design makes this a challenge, but I was able to do it without too much trouble. Definitely harder than with the old riser design, as you’re adding about 25# to the effort required to a tricky operation.
Cocking is harder than a Vixen (an expected fact), but much easier (for me with a short stature) than the Exocet.
Fit, finish, and appearance was right up to Excalibur’s high standards. A few minor flaws, but overall very good to excellent. Trigger pull was a little rough at first, but a few squirts of lube into the workings soon smoothed it up. It seems like almost all Excaliburs need the trigger workings cleaned; lubed by squirting a little spray type lube through all the openings that get to the internal parts. Probably dust & dirt from assembly needs cleaned out?
Accuracy was right on par with what I’ve come to expect from Excalibur – don’t shoot two arrows at the same target unless you pull the first one before shooting the second, or you’ll be buying more very soon!
I checked velocity with my 380 grain hunting arrows. Low was 294.1, high was 298.6, very consistent and very respectable! I’d guess the advertised 305 fps would be met or exceeded with the 350 grain minimum weight.
I would say this Excalibur should handle all hunting and 3-D shooting easily for me. For 3-D I would probably use the rope cocking aid, but for hunting I like to cock it by hand simply because there is one less item to carry & loose. I might add that cocking by hand does require a lot of practice to develop a method that prevents cocking off-center and destroying accuracy. I have developed a habit of guiding the string by pressing my thumbs against the rail and can get just as good of groups as with the rope aid.
I still like the Vixen’s ease of use, simplicity, and accuracy best of any of the Excaliburs I have owned, but I like the new camo finish which isn’t available on the Vixen, so it looks like the Phoenix is the best option.
A little harder to use as far as physical effort required, but the finish I prefer, and the same great performance with the bonus of a few fps velocity gained.
Plenty of speed and power for hunting, and still legal for 3-D.
Looks like I’ll be shooting this crossbow year-round!!!!!!:thumbs_up

Bought this crossbow last fall. Very satisfied, very easy with the cocking aid (had no problems even in the tree stand). Great accuracy, noise level is normal and at 6.3 pounds very light. Buying one now, I would probably go with the 200 lbs (was worried at the time about cocking it) but 175 lbs gets the job done right.