Category: Bow Sights 101
Find out which compound bow sights will best suit your needs. Get all the info you need right here.
Axion Compound Bow Sights
Founded in Alpharetta, Georgia in 2008, Axion Archery has quickly grown into a worldwide company recognized not only for its compound bow sights, but its line of stabilizers, rests, and quivers, all while maintaining reasonably priced, top-quality products.
While Axion doesn’t offer an extremely large selection of compound bow sights, the selections available should suit the needs of nearly any archer whether they are an avid hunter, a competition shooter or just an average shooter on the range.
The Axion Vue is a five-pin sight with a selection of either .09 or .19 pin thickness. Construction of this Axion bow sight is solid, CNC machined aluminum, weighing seven and a half ounces. It can also be mounted either left or right-handed. The two-inch pin housing also includes a Glo Ring for easy target recognition and blue rheostat light.
Adjustments for windage and elevation are laser etched. Mounting holes are staggered for added adjustability. A red sight level is also included. Finish options for this archery sight include black, Lost Camo, Lost XD, Realtree Xtra, and Highlander. The Axion Vue Micro Adjust is an advanced version of the Vue. All features remain the same, but the Micro Adjust offers tool free micro adjustments.
The GLX and GLX Micro are the next set of Axion bow sights. Once again, the only difference is that the Micro offers tool free micro adjustments. The following features are standard on both sights. Five easy change pins are encased in a two-inch housing with Glo Ring and can be either .09 or .19 in diameter.
The sight can be mounted both left and right-handed and is of a solid CNC machined aluminum weighing in at around ten ounces. Windage and elevation adjustment markers are laser etched. The mounting holes are staggered, giving the shooter added adjustability. Both Axion bow sights also include a Mathews Harmonic Stabilizer. Color options are a bit more limited, coming in black, Lost Camo, and Lost XD.
The Axion Soul Hunter comes in a three and five pin arrangement with a .19 thickness. It is considered the lightest of the Axion bow sight family, weighing only six ounces. Construction is CNC machined T6061 aluminum. A sight level is included as well as an adjustable blue rheostat light. It can be mounted ambidextrously. Windage and elevation adjustments are easy, and markers are laser etched. The precision aligned pins are encased in a two-inch housing with Glo Ring for easy target acquisition. The Soul Hunter comes in a variety of finishes, including black, Lost Camo, Lost XD, Muddy Girl, Realtree Xtra, and pink.
The Axion Shift is the company’s only adjustable single pin sight. It weighs seven and a half ounces. Pin options are .09 and .19 diameter. The sight also accepts most 1 5/8 inch lenses. Mounting is ambidextrous. Most one piece quivers can also be mounted directly to the sight. Four different pin orientations are available. An adjustable blue rheostat sight light is also included, along with a level.
Printed sight tapes also come with the sight. End of travel stops are also included for low light conditions. This archery sight also offers third axis adjustments. The sight ring offers a few interchangeable color options, namely blue, green, red, purple, and pink. Color options for this Axion bow sight include: black, Lost Camo, Lost XD, and Realtree Xtra.
Cobra Compound Bow Sights
Cobra Bow Sights are improving their accuracy and functionality more these days than ever before. As archery is becoming more popular, the industries have found many ways of improving their products. What you may not have realized, however, is just how many people are actually making the sport into more than a hobby and want more precise sights.
The Cobra archery company has been creating quality compound bow sights since 1974 and continues to improve the accuracy and durability of their products. Every model available was carefully thought out and perfected over time, to see that their ideas not only provided accuracy but also smart and simple functionality.
For that reason, Cobra Bow Sights are a highly preferred choice among archers. Quick Strike is the first sight model up on the list and has been a favorite among Cobra fans. It was designed specifically to make fast and extremely accurate adjustments for when time is not an option, such as in the field.
Equipped with a DOA Dial, made exclusively for this model, this feature helps you adjust target distance quick and accurately. This bow sight is built using a hooded sight housing in a 6061-T6 aluminum assembly as that makes it lighter to move. Next time that deer you’ve been chasing decides to spook, you’ll be able to make a quick adjustment if you’re given a second chance!
The Cobra Smoke bow sight 5 pin accommodates more for shooting longer distances, which is the main reason the guard housing is 2.2″ in diameter. When you’re hunting in long distance areas, such as an open field that is free of obstruction other than the distance itself, you need accuracy and logistics which this is one of the best Cobra bow sights for that long range shot. It comes with all the principal features you would expect for a long-range sight in a lightweight design. If you are a long-distance shooter, you will certainly benefit from this compound bow sight.
If you thought the Smoke model was appealing, you’ll find the Cobra Smoke G2 useful as well. This archery sight adds a broad spectrum of vertical adjustment capabilities, thanks to the reversible mounting brackets and offset mounting holes. Given the bright fiber optics and optional rheostat light, you will be able to quickly attain sight back to your target. Need a Cobra bow sight that is versatile and functional? Then the Smoke G2 may be what you’re looking for.
The Cobra Venom G3 is made great for beginners or competent archers due to its fiber optics sizes and pin count options. As comes standard with other Cobra bow sight models, the elevation and wind notches make it easier to accurately scope out your target. For the times when you wished you had one, an optional rheostat light is available to help you bag that monster buck of a lifetime. All the available customizations really make the transition from being a novice to experienced archer easier and more affordable so that you don’t have to go out and buy an entirely new expensive sight.
These accurate compound bow sights have been in the industry for more than 40 years and have been able to provide excellent sights as archery has evolved. With Cobra bow sights, you get precision without slamming your wallet.
IQ Compound Bow Sight
Trophy Ridge Compound Bow Sights
Trophy Ridge bow sights are recognized for their quality as well as their broad selection of models in order to suit everyone’s budget and needs. Constructed from tough copolymer material, their archery sights deliver the versatility and durability you’d expect from aluminum.
Some great models that Trophy Ridge offers are the Alpha, Cypher, Volt, Peak, Clutch, Hit Man, Outlaw, Joker, Fire Wire, Matrix and the React.
Trophy Ridge bow sights incorporate a tough scope casing with highly visible fiber optic pins encompassed by an abundance of additional features which will guarantee the archer receives the best view of their target.. This is achieved with the help of a Rheostat Sight Light provided on some of their models which can be used in collaboration with a Glo ring that edges the sight casing allowing you to view your target in low light conditions.
If you are like me, then you prefer single pin bow sights over multiple pin sights. You want your archery sight to be user friendly, and that’s what you’ll get with the Trophy Ridge Pursuit. Its housing measures 1.75 inches and includes a couple of long screws for convenient and simple mounting. The Pursuit is light but nonetheless durable, which provide two critical factors to help keep your bow in-sync. Whenever you are shooting, balance is king as the Pursuit doesn’t require that you make any kind of compensation for added weight.
If you are familiar with Trophy Ridge bow sights, then you have probably heard of the React. The Trophy Ridge React 5 Pin Bow sight is a great multiple pin sight. With this model, two of the five adjustable pins does the majority of the work for you. Simply set the two pins at 20 and 40 yards and the rest falls directly into place.The React has long had a reputation of increasing the accuracy of the shooter, it even provides the confidence to sink a bullseye at 60 yards.
The Trophy Ridge Matrix bow sight is a fixed pin bow sight which can be found in both a three or five-pin model. The distinctive characteristic that sets this sight aside from other models is the Vertical Inline Pin Technology that provides the archer with a greater field of view.
The Trophy Ridge Punisher 5 is a 5 pin sight that includes a couple of additional aiming options over the Punisher 3. It ‘s an affordable archery sight which is designed to provide the accuracy and brightness of a much more pricey model.
Some individuals are more comfortable shooting with horizontal pins on their bow sights while some prefer more room within the scope that comes with vertical pins. Trophy Ridge bow sights include both vertical and horizontal pin sights as they also provide a variety of single pin all the way up to 8 pin sights for greater versatility.
The React One Sight contains a very bright fiber optic pin which provides the ability for fast targeting at 20 yards, there is a yardage sticker available for this sight which varies from 20 to 100 yards. The Trophy Ridge Driver Slider Sight 1-Pin features an ultra-bright fiber optic pin of .029, however, it doesn’t have the sight light. Adjusting this bow sight is straightforward thanks to its adjustable indicator.
The Trophy Ridge Sharpshooter is a great and inexpensive option for beginner archers. It offers the dependability and features that is available with more expensive models but keeps the cost to a minimum. A great characteristic with this compound bow sight is the reversible mounting bracket. This allows the bow sight to be be used by right or left-handed people since it is interchangeable. The pin guard is already drilled and tapped so it is ready straight out of the box without any additional work.
Maybe you are looking to replace your old bow sight with a newer model or are just getting involved with archery, either way, Trophy Ridge bow sights are a great choice!
HHA Compound Bow Sights
The HHA bow sight company has 3 decades of expertise in the business, they have dominated single-pin technology for many years and are considered to be one of the very best single pin compound bow sights on the market today. For 11 consecutive years they’ve maintained the Readers’ Choice Award which speaks volumes.
Their archery sights are proudly made in the United States and HHA stands firmly by their products offering a 100% lifetime warranty along with a bold guarantee that they’ll repair or replace any one of their defective products within 48 hours.
The two main versions of the sights are the Optimizer Lite and Optimizer Lite Ultra series. The primary difference would be that the Ultra version utilizes a dial and gears to adjust the pin while the standard version relies on a simpler lever arm. Also, the Ultra lineup offers an integrated Harmonic Damper (Mathews) to alleviate any vibration.
The caliber of these bow sights are unparalleled in the industry. HHA bow sights are incredibly efficient at accurately helping archers to aim between 20 and 60 yards which enhances the positive results of any archer as the increments between the 20- and 60-yard range are automatically dialed in.
For any beginner hunter these are the best bow sights you’ll benefit from working with, accredited to their simple versatility and is top ranked because of that reason. With just one pin it has the ability to outperform the best 7 pin bow sight. It contains all the basic features you would want out of a single-pin archery sight including micro windage and elevation knobs, an easily adjustable yardage dial, manufactured from top notch aluminum and five feet of fiber optics.
They come with various highly accurate tapes which can be applied and after you’ve dialed it in at 20 yards and 60 yards, you’ll be able to extend out to 80 yards. All HHA sights include everything required to set the sights up on almost any bow.
The mounting bracket provides a combination of holes to mount the housing with which ensures the right height for each individual’s bow configuration. The housing brackets are durable and locked in place with two screws which allows no room for play. Each main mounting bracket has a set of two standard holes to mount the sight on the bow, allowing the archer to position the sight closer or further away from the bow.
The HHA OL-5519 Optimizer Lite Sight is ideal for those that are wanting to take longer range shots with superior accuracy. To make precision better yet, you are going to truly appreciate the bow sight’s frontal magnification lens, this makes viewing so much clearer. The HHA OL-5519 Optimizer Lite is constructed from A.R.M.O.R technology. This means that the whole construction on this scope is manufactured from indestructible aluminum.
Make no mistake, the durability of this scope didn’t compromise its weight as it remains extremely lightweight. HHA Optimizer sights are widely accessible from most retailers and range in price from $80 to $240 based on the model and features. So, if you are wanting to acquire a top-notch product from a company that has long exceeded most compound bow sights in the archery industry, invest in an HHA bow sight.
Pendulum Bow Sights
Sure-Loc Compound Bow Sights
Sure-Loc Bow sights are a top notch superb beyond belief product. Sure-Loc is based in Superior, Wisconsin and delivers high quality and dependable products to its customers worldwide. The focus of the company is high end, built to last archery sights. The company offers two categories of sights to fit various consumer needs, a target class Sure-Loc bow sight and a hunting class.
Within the target class, Sure-Loc offers eleven options, most of which are similar in price and are all backed by the company’s warranty and overall positive reputation.
The first set of Sure-Loc bow sights in the target class is the Sure-Loc ONE bow sight. This includes both Sure-Loc ONE 400 and 550 models. Both offer easy 2nd and 3rd axis adjustment. Elevation and windage adjustments can be made at a .002″ per click rate. The full capture mounting block has a quick disconnect for ease of positioning.
Both also have a center pivot can’t adjustment and precise laser engraved scale. The dovetail extension is feather light and comes in either a six inch or nine-inch length. The guide rod is titanium. Both archery sights are light weight, weatherproof and have vibration dampening.
The difference between the two options is the frame width, which is offered in 400(4″) or 550(5.5″). The Phoenix QA Sure-Loc bow sight is available with a 4″ frame and 6″ extension. Windage offset on this model is reversible. It features an adjustable cant as well as windage, elevation, and 3rd axis adjustments. Also included are an elevation tensioning system, adjustable pointer, and titanium guide rods.
The ICON X series of Sure-Loc bow sights comes in both a 400 (4″) and 550 (5.5″) frame size with a 6″ or 9″ extension. Beyond that, both offer reliable elevation/windage micro adjustments (.002″ increments) as well as micro adjustments for both the cant and 3rd axis (1/10 of a degree). There is also a quick detach scope mount. Windage offset is reversible and the windage/elevation tension is adjustable. A 2nd axis scope leveling system is also included.
The Supreme series comes in both the 400 and 550 style with a 6″ or 9″ extension. The components are weatherproofed and feature an innovative No-Lock design as well as Sure-Loc’s patented tracking system. A cam-assist 3 axis leveling block and patented split-block design for easy scope mounting are also part of this pair. Micro adjustments are in precise .002″ increments.
The Challenger series comes with nearly the same specifications at a lower cost. It is a bit heavier and does not offer silver as a color option. The Quest X and Contender X 550 offer nearly the same specs as the Supreme series with one major difference. They are not designed for use with a scope and include an 8mm Beiter pin for sighting. The frames are 5.5″ with 9″ extension.
Sure-Loc also offers three classes of archery sights specifically for hunting: the Lethal Weapon Red, the Lethal Weapon Red with Retina Lock and the Lethal Weapon SLDR. The Lethal Weapon Red comes in a 3 pin and 5 pin configurations. Both offer 5 axis micro adjustability as well as gravity drop adjustments and 3rd axis adjustments. Windage offset is reversible and windage/elevation are adjustable.
The pins are also adjustable and are enclosed in stainless steel tubes. The sight also has a built in 8mm level and sight light. The mount is quiver compatible and threaded to accept a 42mm lens. The Retina Lock model also comes with these features, in a 5 and 7 pin configuration. It also includes Sure-Loc’s patented retina lock technology which provides instant feedback about things such as torque or change in anchor point.
The SLDR features many of the same specs as the original in a 3 and 5 pin setup. It sets itself apart from the original by offering adjustable slider offset and tension as well as a zero stop that offers repeatability. It also has 2 sight tapes with adjustable pointers.
Point blank, Sure-Loc bow sights are held in a class of some of the best archery products ever made and can provide that consistent accurate shot for generations to come.
Truglo Compound Bow Sights
Truglo bow sights have long been a heavy competitor when it comes to making highly visible archery sights in low light conditions. Truglo focuses to enhance the overall ambient lighting during poor visibility due to lack of light, to ensure that aiming and preparing for the perfect shot isn’t affected, in spite of the light intensity.
Fiber optics are cables which transmit light. When utilized as pins in bow sights, the cables harness ambient light and discharge it from the opening in the end. In return, this allows the small tips of fiber optic pins glow very bright, which makes them much easier to see in dim conditions.
Fiber-optic sights have grown to be extremely popular by hunters who understand that extra visibility is critical when it comes to early morning or late evening, as this is when game is most likely to be active.
Truglo claims that their bow sights are the brightest fiberoptic sights available today. Their sight pins are extremely bright and excel at daybreak, dusk as well as in any other low light conditions. Truglo has always had the reputation for providing highly visible archery sights and that has always been their top marketing tool, with that being said, they also are built to last as well as provide a variety of different models which gives the archer several options.
The TRUGLO Carbon XS 4 Pin Camo bow sight incorporates a small push-button light with Truglo’s extra-long fully protected fibers. Its large sight housing increases visibility as well as the ability to establish correct alignment, due to the level that is positioned at the bottom of the sight housing. Some sights also integrate LED lights to further improve the fiber-optics.
The TRUGLO Archer’s Choice Range Rover Pro Green Dot sight is a viable choice among the finest compound bow sights because of its simplicity as well as long range accuracy. It provides an excellent alternative to a single pin bow sight featuring its slider sight, micro knob windage, elevation adjustment as well as 11 brightness settings.
TruGlo’s Carbon Hybrid Micro 5 Light 19 XTR bow sight raises the bar when it comes to lightweight multi-pin sights. This sight is lightweight and manufactured from carbon composite and aluminum which creates less vibration. The ambidextrous design is ideal for either left or right-handed archers. The reversible bracket provides a greater vertical adjustment range. A distinctive metal pin for durability, long fibers for optimum brightness and an extra-long bracket which improves sight radius all make this a superior compound bow sight. The combination of carbon composites and aluminum deliver exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and unequalled strength.
One of the top sights among tree stand hunters is the TRUGLO Pendulum. Unbelievably quiet it is one of the most advanced archery sights on the market as it automatically compensates up to 35 yards from an elevated position, it can also be locked in place when shooting from the ground. Truglo bow sights are a great addition to any bow.
These sights are high quality and provide multiple models that suit everyone’s budget. So, if you are in the market for a new sight, checkout out what Truglo has to offer!
PSE Compound Bow Sights
PSE first opened its doors in 1970 in Mahomet, Illinois. Its founder, Pete Shepley sought to turn his passion for archery into a profession that he loved. His initial efforts focused on accessories, such as release aids, arrow vanes, and much more, including a line of quality PSE bow sights. For an economical option the PSE Gemini features three fiber optic pin sights,an injection molded pin guard, an angled pin track for pin alignment and a phosphorescence ring, offering both beginners as well as avid outdoorsmen the minimum needed at an affordable price. The PSE Amp 2G bow sight offers a bit more for the hunter at only a slight price increase. This PSE bow sight comes with five sight pins encased in a two inch housing for an increased field of view. It also comes with a bubble level and True Blue sight light for precision shooting. The plate mount is extendable up to four inches and can be mounted for both right and left handed shooters. The PSE Amp offers all of the features of the Amp 2G, but adds a Mossy Oak Breakup Infinity camo option as well. It also substitutes the True Blue sight light for the Blue Flame sight light. The PSE Amp Micro offers many options offered by the Amp 2G as well, but there are a few noticeable changes on the archery sight. It comes in satin black. Windage and elevation are micro adjustable. The plate mount is extendable from four inches to four and three/quarter inches. Moving on to the upper end of the price range, PSE starts with the PSE X-Force Hunter sight. This sight has a Black Maxx soft feel finish. The five lightening fire fiber optic tube pins are encased by a one inch, light weight, wire frame housing. The adjustable rheostat sight light and bubble level are also included with this option. The mount is extendable from two inches to three inches and can also be mounted for shooters who are either right or left handed. Finish options include black or PSE Skullworks 2 camo. The PSE X-Force sight has one full capture pin enclosed in a one and three/quarter inch housing for an enlarged field of view. All parts on this PSE bow sight are CNC machined to exact tolerances. This sight also includes the adjustable rheostat sight light and bubble level. The plate is extendable from four and a half inches to five and a half inches and is ambidextrous. This sight also sets itself apart by accepting optional lens kits for 2X, 3X, 4X, or 6X magnification. On the topmost end of PSE bow sights, the company offers the PSE X-Force Drive Max. This sight also comes with the soft coat finish. Four pins are enclosed in a one inch, light weight, wire frame housing. All parts are CNC machined to exact tolerances. A silent bushing system eliminates rattle. Second and third axis adjustments make for impressive long range accuracy. Windage adjustments can be made tool-less and the X-Force speed dial allows for quick distance adjustments. The site also includes a yardage indicator pin and elevation lock to aid in repeatable accuracy. As with the others on PSE’s upper end, the Purple Haze rheostat and bubble level are also included. This archery sight is also ambidextrous and is compatible with the optional lens kits as well as the Archer’s Advantage software. As you can see, PSE offers a sight that fits most shooters’ needs and financial situation.