Mechanical Broadhead Review
G5 Havoc Review
A superb-flying 2-inch mechanical undermined by a troubling record of deployment failures.
How it scored
Scored on our fixed 5-part system — built from the consensus of field reports, video tests and hunter feedback. Each axis is an independent 0–10 score. How we score ↗
What we liked
- Outstanding field-point-like flight
- Sharp .030-inch Swiss Lutz blades
- Over-the-top Posi-Lock needs no rubber bands
- Big 2-inch cut when it deploys correctly
Where it falls short
- Documented cluster of blades failing to open and lost deer
- Premature opening reported just from carrying the arrow
- Elastomeric retainer can rip through on bottom-out
- Failures occur even at adequate energy, suggesting a design flaw
Flight & accuracy
Flight is the Havoc's one undisputed virtue. Shooters repeatedly describe it as indistinguishable from a target point, and the slim Posi-Lock closed profile flies flat and forgiving out to extended ranges. If accuracy were the only metric, it would score near the top.
The over-the-top Posi-Lock retention keeps the blades streamlined without rubber bands, contributing to that clean flight. Unfortunately, the same retention system sits at the center of the head's reliability problems.
Penetration
When the Havoc deploys correctly, the 2-inch cut penetrates about as you would expect from a wide rear-style mechanical, which is to say adequately on broadside deer but energy-hungry. The XP variant's narrower 1.5-inch cut penetrates more reliably.
The bigger penetration story is the failures: when blades do not open, the arrow behaves like a blunt or passes with no cutting at all, and hunters have reported deer hit and not recovered as a result. A head that may not cut is a penetration liability no matter its potential.
Durability & edge retention
The .030-inch Swiss Lutz blades are genuinely sharp and the steel ferrule is solid, so on the occasions the head performs as designed, edge quality is good. That is not where the Havoc's durability reputation suffers.
The elastomeric retainer is the weak link. Reports describe it ripping through when the blades bottom out, which both compromises retention and contributes to inconsistent deployment. The mechanical reliability of the retention system, not the steel, is what drags the durability rating down.
Blood trail
A correctly deployed Havoc cuts a wide 2-inch wound that bleeds well, so on a clean kill the blood trail is fine. The problem is consistency: the trail is only as good as the deployment, and the deployment is the issue.
When blades fail to open or open prematurely and shed energy before impact, the wound is far smaller than advertised and trails go cold. The variance is the disqualifier here, not the best-case result.
Value & who it's for
At around $37 a three-pack the Havoc is priced like a mainstream mechanical, but the value calculus collapses under its failure record. Multiple threads document blades that would not open and lost deer, premature opening just from carrying the nocked arrow, and failures even at roughly 340 fps and about 100 ft-lbs, which is well above any underpowering threshold and points to a design issue rather than a setup problem.
It is hard to recommend the Havoc to anyone when more reliable 2-inch mechanicals exist at the same price. Hunters who love its flight should look at heads that fly nearly as well without the deployment risk.
Specifications
| Brand | G5 |
|---|---|
| Type | Mechanical |
| Cutting diameter | 2.0" |
| Blades | 2 deploying (.030" Swiss Lutz) |
| Grain options | 100gr |
| Blade / steel | 100% steel (Swiss Lutz blades) |
| Ferrule | Machined steel |
| Pack | 3-pack |
| Approx. price | ~$37 / 3-pack |
| Best for | Whitetail |
Specs and pricing are approximate and change frequently — confirm with the retailer before buying.
FAQ
Does the G5 Havoc have deployment problems?
Yes. There is a meaningful cluster of reports of blades failing to open, lost deer, and premature opening just from carrying the arrow. These failures occur even at adequate energy, suggesting a design issue rather than underpowering.
How well does the G5 Havoc fly?
Exceptionally well. Its best trait is flight that's described as indistinguishable from a target point, thanks to the slim over-the-top Posi-Lock closed profile.
Is the G5 Havoc affected by low kinetic energy?
Failures have been reported even at around 340 fps and roughly 100 ft-lbs, far above the underpowering range, which points to a design flaw in the retention system rather than a lack of energy.
Sources
Sentiment for this review was aggregated from independent tests, hunting forums and retailer reviews, including:
