We finally got our hands on one of Hoyt’s hottest bows of all time, the Hoyt Alpha X 33. This bow got a complete overhaul for 2024, and the results were quite impressive.Â
The Alpha X aluminum series of bows delivered two options this year, the shorter Alpha X 30 and the longer axle to axle length, Alpha X 33.Â
For this review, we’re looking specifically at the Alpha X 33. It’s truly one of the finest bows ever released from the Hoyt team. Â
Check it out in the video below.Â
Specs on the Alpha X 33
Axle to Axle – 33 5/16″
Speed – 334 FPS
Draw Lengths – 26-27″ / 27.25-29″ / 29.25-31″
Draw Weights – 40-50# / 50-60# / 55-65# / 60-70# / 70-80#
Brace Height – 6 3/8″
Weight 4.75 LBS
Price – $1449
HBX Xact Cam
The all-new HBX Xact cam delivers Hoyt’s smoothest drawing bow yet. It’s a sophisticated cam design built for smooth operation and customization like nothing we’ve seen yet from Hoyt.Â
The cam was designed with 3 draw length mod options in their 3, 2, 1 Mod system. As you see in the specs above, draw lengths are available in 26-27″, 27.25-29″ and 29.25-31″. And this new cam allows for 1/4″ draw length adjustments to allow for peak performance at all draw lengths.Â
The cam also allows you to tweak the back wall feel with X-hard and Hard Wall settings depending on what you prefer in the back wall feel.Â
Keeping with the custom feel, you’ll also find the ability to adjust settings between 75%, 80% and 85% let-off options in this cam.Â
And finally, a slick little “kickstand” was built into the top and bottom cam on this bow to protect your cam and string from excessive wear and abuse in the field. It’s basically a little button or nub that serves as a first point of contact when you’re using bipods on your bow, or letting the bow down from the treestand. It’s a simple, yet genius, addition to the new cam on this bow. Â
Wider & Shorter Limbs
You’ll find the limbs on this bow are wider and shorter than what we’ve seen in previous Hoyt models. Why the change?Â
The wider limbs are designed to be more stable. You’ll experience greater stability at full draw for a cleaner shot.Â
The end result of shorter limbs is more efficiency with every shot.Â
They are both fairly subtle changes that you may not notice initially, but the benefits are paying off big with better performance overall.Â
Redesigned Riser
The Alpha X 33 delivers a new riser design from the Hoyt team for 2024. Never satisfied with, “good enough,” the team is on an endless quest to better their bows. This year, you’ll notice significant improvements, particularly with the riser redesign
From top to bottom the engineers slimmed and trimmed the riser and achieved up to an 18% reduction in vibration and 25% reduction in sound. It’s a difference you can truly hear and feel. Â
The new design also features an integrated drop cord slot. It’s placed in the perfect location on the riser to keep your cord protected.Â
The cut-out shaved weight, but also keeps your drop-away rest cable out of the way to help prevent getting snagged or hung up when you’re on the hunt.Â
VitalPoint Grip
I really like the new grip on this bow. It’s called the VitalPoint Grip, and it’s super comfortable in the hand. It features VersaFlex, a rubber textured design that stays put in your hand. No slipping or sliding.Â
The VersaFlex material goes a step a further by providing comfort in the hand, regardless of the weather conditions. No more ice-cold bow grips in the hand when a buck is closing in on your stand.Â
The grip is optimized to give you the perfect angle for consistency in hand placement for a more repeatable shot and greater accuracy.Â
Integrated Accesories
The Alpha X 33 features a military grade picatinny rail mount out front for a bow sight attachment. You can still mount your sight on the side of the bow if you prefer that option, or want to stick with a sight you’ve used in the past. But the picatinny rail mount out front allows you to bring everything front and center for a more balanced shooting option.Â
A number of bow sight manufacturers are designing Hoyt edition bow sights to fit this particular need. I used the HHA Hoyt Edition RYZ sight on this bow, and it was a super easy setup. Mounting was quick and simple.Â
Like a lot of other bows we’re seeing these days, the Alpha X 33 features the IMS mounting design on the riser for a solid attachment of your arrow rest. This rock solid dovetail design is foolproof, mounts easy, and takes out all the guess work of getting your tuned up and dialed in for the shot.
I set the bow up with the QAD MX2 arrow rest and it worked flawlessly. Setup was smooth and simple. The IMS design has quickly become the new standard by which all arrow rest should be mounted to the bow.Â
Performance on the Range
A little time on the range and I quickly realized Hoyt had easily topped all other bows in their lineup from the past when it comes to performance. This bow is without a doubt smoother drawing, better balanced, and free from the hand shock found in previous bow models we’ve seen before it.Â
Even at 70 pounds, I found the bow to draw smooth and simple, feeling like a bow at less draw weight. It’s nice and balanced in the hand at full draw, and as mentioned before, the hand shock at release is slim to none.Â
Even better, the bow delivered some impressive speeds on the range.Â
The Alpha X 33 test bow we had on the range had a 28″ draw length and 70# draw weight. I shot my 415 grain Easton Axis hunting arrows and consistently got a speed of 311 feet per second through the Garmin chrono.Â
The bow truly delivers on all things a bowhunter could possibly want in a hunting bow. It’s built tough, draws easy, stays balanced in the hand, stays dead in the hand at the shot, and has all the zip in speed you could want. Even better, new for this year, the bow is now being offered in the highly popular Mossy Oak Bottomland camo pattern.Â
The bow wears a price tag of $1449. Check it out at your local Hoyt dealer, or online at www.hoyt.com.Â
