X-Factor Outdoors Noise Suppression and Vibration Dampening Systems

A few of the Southern Bowhunting staff have recently become members of the X-Factor Outdoors Prostaff. As such, we were supplied with X-Factor products designed for noise suppression and vibration dampening on our bows. When I received the X-Factor Systems, I was very pleased with the look and quality of each piece of the system. Though, I was pleased with what I saw and felt, before installing the products on my bow, I decided to do some testing and comparisons of the X-Factor System with the competitors products that were previously on my bow. When I completed the testing on my bow, I then took out my sons bow (a Fred Beaar Vapor 300), and tested the X-Factor system on a second bow. I was sent five of the X-Factor Outdoors Systems for our staff and randomly chose three of the systems for weight comparisons. 

Todd and Kristi Williams at X-Factor Outdoors have developed a system consisting of the String Factor (silencers), Limb Factor (limb vibration dampener), Stabilizers, Stabilizer Quick Connects (see pic below), and the Weight Factor (weights that can be added to your stabilizer). The String Factor, Limb Factor, and Stabilizer are made of a special A-Tech Rubber compound they have developed. The members of the SBH staff have chose not to use the Weight Factor products at this time. The X-Factor Outdoors products are the only products, of their kind, on the market that comes with a guarantee……the String Factor silencers come with a lifetime guarantee. These products are advertised as a product that will revolutionize the industry. Read on to see the results of the testing I have done with these products.

Currently, I am hunting with a Matthew’s Ultra Light that I purchased in 1996 and is now 14 years old. At the time I purchased the bow, it was the top of the line and came with all of the latest technology. Over the last 13 or 14 years, technology in the many fields of the archery industry has continually improved, including noise suppression and vibration dampening. As you have probably figured out, my bow, lacking the latest innovations found in the industry today, is loud compared to the super fast, deadly quiet bows of today. Even with the latest versions of the competitors noise suppression and dampening systems, my bow sounded like a small caliber rifle cracking off a round in comparison to todays bows.

I started the testing by comparing the weights of each of the components (see table below). I used my personal scale for the weight comparison, the same scale I use to weigh my broadheads, shafts, inserts, etc. when building my arrows. As mentioned above, I selected three of the X-Factor Systems for this test. I weighed twelve of the X-Factor String Factor silencers and six of the competitors string silencers. I was impressed with the quality control of the String Factor, as all twelve units that I weighed were 13 grains each. They were not within a range of 12 to 14 grains, but each of the twelve weighed exactly the same……all were 13 grains. Compare that with the competitions six string silencers, each weighing between 28 to 30 grains each. I weighed the competitors silencers a second and a third time trying to tighten up the range between each piece……..the quality control just wasn’t there. I tried to stretch the String Factors to a point that they would tear or rip and could not get any of them to show any sign of damage or fatigue. The second string silencer by a competitior that I stretched, began to tear making it unusable. The String Factors come with a liftetime guarantee, but after testing, it’s doubtful that any guarantee will be needed.

I then moved on to the limb vibration dampening components. I weighed six of the X-Factor Outdoors Limb Factor dampeners. Of the six that were weighed, five came in a 240 grains and the sixth was 239 grains. Again, I was impressed with the quality control of the X-Factor products. The limb dampening products by the competitor for my bow weighed in at 253 grains each and on my sons split limb bow, the limb dampeners weighed in at 505grains each. The Limb Factor Dampeners wrap the outside (not stuck or glued on) of the bows upper and lower limbs and can be moved up/down the limbs until you find that sweet spot that provides the best results for your equipment.

Next to be weighed were the Stabilizers. The XFactor Outdoors Stabilizer (model F6) was six inches long, while the competitions stabilizers on my and my sons bow were 4.5 inches long. I weighed three of the X-Factor F6 stabilizers, all weighing in at 5.7 ounces each, compared to 3.58 ounces (my bow) and 6.6 ounces (sons bow) for the competitors stabilizers previously used on our bows. As part of the F6 stabilizer, I also checked three of the X-Factor Quick Connect Knuckles, each weighing in at 467 grains each. The quick connect knuckles allow quick and easy removal of your stabilizer so that your bow will fit into your case, while leaving your bow sling and/or other accessories attached and ready to go.

*Weights reflected grains unless otherwise stated.

*Both of the competition stabilizers were 4.5 inches long versus the XFactor Stabilizer at 6 inches.

*Previously did not have a quick-connect knuckle on either bow.

After rigging my old Matthew’s with the X-Factor System, it was time to shoot and see if these products could live up to it’s claims. All I will say is, I again was impressed. I did adjust the Limb Factor dampeners several times finding the best results when I placed them further out on my limbs (ie: closer to the cam/wheels). My bow is now quieter than it has ever been. Another positive for this system is the String Factors, coming in at nearly half the weight of my previous string silencers, it appears that I have gained a few feet per second in arrow speed. I do not have a chronograph to measure/verify the increased speed, but it is evident as my arrows were grouping tighter and about an inch and a half high at twenty yards during testing. Some of this improvement may have been due to the noticeably reduced hand shock as well. This system definitely lived up to it’s claims on my bow, so I then moved the system to my sons bow for a second round of testing and found the results to be very similar. The Bear Vapor was much quieter and again, grouping slightly high at twenty yards. After moving the system back to my bow, I have now got in a full hunting season using these products and continue to be impressed. Though I have not had a mature animal within range that I wanted to harvest, I’m confident that these products will minimize any chance of him jumping my string when it’s time to close the deal. In my opinion, the X-Factor Outdoors systems will revolutionize the industry as advertised.

This is the message that Field Staffer Cory “Deathwind” Ferguson sent to me after installing the X-Factor System on his bow…………………

“Hey bud, I just wanted you to know that I received my Xfactor package today, it looks sweet on my bow and the bow is deadly silent. Every bowhunter should be shooting this system. Cant beat the lifetime guarantee on their string silencers.”

Visit the X-Factor Outdoors website and check out their products. I’m confident that you will not be disappointed. Be sure to tell them that the staff at Southern Bowhunting sent you and begin your “Hunt with the Factor”.