The Vantage AX is WNS’ top of the line 25 inch Aluminum Riser. CNC Machined with matte finish. WNS being Win and Win’s sub brand making up their entry to mid-level bows. The Vantage AX along with the Carbon constructed Vantage CX are right on the top of Win and Win’s intermediate line, right before you enter the Wiawis line of top of the line bows.
Being a Win and Win bow, you expect quality and the Vantage AX does not disappoint. Fit and finish is flawless. I could not find any machining errors nor any rough spots on the riser’s matte finish. This bow is definitely a looker. You see some similarities with it and other WNS bows like the Explore DX. Like a more mature, beautiful older sister to the Explore DX. I personally think it looks like a pretty, younger cousin of the Hoyt Epik and Xceed. On the shooting line, I wouldn’t be shocked if someone mistook it for a Hoyt. The curves and swept back cutouts scream Epik to me. But unlike Epik or even the Xceed, the Vantage AX has a very slim profile looking at it from the belly of the bow. As far as I could tell, it is as thin as the SF Forged plus and eventually the WNS Motive FX. This makes the sight window simply perfect. The thinness of the riser is even more amazing considering how stiff and hefty it feels.
The Vantage AX is ILF compatible meaning it can be paired with any set of ILF or Grand Prix limbs. The Limb alignment system is identical to that of Forged Plus/Motive which uses opposing set screws to line the limbs up. It comes with the standard top, mid and bottom stabilizer fittings as well as provisions for sights, clicker and 2 Berger holes for a rest and plunger. One striking aesthetic feature on the Vantage is the all back hardware. From the Limb bolts to the stabilizer mounts to the clicker plate extensions. They are all black. I wish my Xceed had all black hardware. Something so simple elevate the look of the bow by a few notches. The riser is so pretty that it would look incredible either in barebow or full Olympic freestyle.
The Vantage AX has the standard Win and Win grip with a kind of rubberized coating. It is mid height and has an average thickness even though the riser itself is very thin. Not my favorite but very comfortable and familiar. It is very similar if not exactly the same as the grip on the Forged Plus. The grip just begs to be customized.
Drawing back the bow, it feels solid and quite reassuring. It does not have that slight flex the Forged Plus has when using high poundage limbs. It feels lighter than Forged Plus and is slightly better balanced. The bow shoots very quietly. Vibrations felt good. Being an Aluminum riser, feedback was clear and you will know if you made a mistake.
Who exactly is this bow for? It is by no mean a cheap bow but it has not crossed into high end territory either. The Vantage is for archers who want a bow that can last them for at least 2 to 3 years without wanting an upgrade. It is at the top end of the mid-range bow category. Archers who want the ability to upgrade their limbs to top of the line models without spending too much on the riser would thoroughly be pleased by this bow. Is it the best bang for your buck intermediate riser? Probably not. It is however without a doubt one of the best-looking ones. It performs close to how a top of the line bow does minus the cost.
It the Vantage AX were a car, I would imagine it to be the Toyota Supra. Not yet a super car but if set up properly, has the potential to run with them and even beat some of them. This is one of those bows that if it is within your budget, you can’t go wrong at all.
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