Bow Sights 101 - Compound Bow Sights

IQ Compound Bow Sight

The IQ Bow sight company is based in Superior, Wisconsin. With a dedicated team, they have built a reputation for increasing archer accuracy and consistency by at least twenty yards, and base part of their guarantee on this claim. IQ’s archery lineup all come with Retina Lock Technology as a standard part of the package, while also offering some different options for various needs.

The IQ Micro bow sight comes in a 3, 5, or 7 pin setup. These fiber optic, stack tight pins are .019 inches in diameter. Windage and elevation are easily adjusted with the bow sight’s micro adjustment knobs. The IQ bow sight has a built-in sight level and is also compatible with the Sight Light which is sold separately. Second axis adjustments are also available with tool-free locking knobs. The overall weight is 7.4 ounces.

The IQ Pro Hunter bow sight has two fixed pins and one move-able pin, all of which are .019 inches in diameter and fully captured. Two sight tapes are also present, offering visibility both from the shooter’s perspective as well as from the side. Micro adjustments can be made for both windage and elevation. A zero stop is also included for the move-able pin. This IQ bow sight is compatible with both the Sight Light and Pro One Lens. It weighs 9.5 ounces without these accessories.

The IQ Pro XT comes in either a 5 pin or 7 pin setup. These fiber optic, stack tight pins are .019 inches in diameter. This archery sight is mounted to a six-inch extension bar. Windage, elevation, and second axis adjustments are all easily made with micro adjustment knobs. A sight level is also built into this sight. The locking knobs are tool free. The Pro XT is also compatible with the Sight Light but weighs 10.1 ounces without it.

The IQ Pro One bow sight has a fully captured single, movable pin that also has an adjustable zero stop for added consistency. Two sight tapes are present, visible both from the shooter’s perspective as well as the side. Micro adjustments can be made for both windage and elevation. This sight is compatible with both the Sight Light and the Pro One Lens.

The Ultra Lite comes in both a 3 and 5 pin setup. These stack tight pins are .019 inches in diameter. A built-in sight level makes for accurate and easy adjustments. The fiber polymer construction and silent coat finish make this sight the lightest offered by IQ, at only 5.6 ounces. The Ultra Lite is compatible with the Sight Light.

The IQ Sight Light is not a bow sight but could be an important accessory for the avid archer on many models of IQ bow sights. It is an adjustable rheostat light that helps reduce pin glare at both dawn and dusk. It only comes in purple and fits sizes; 1/4-28, 3/8-32, 3/8-36, and 7/16-20. It works on both left and right-handed sights, which is good since all of IQ’s sights are offered in both these options.

The IQ Pro One Lens is also not a sight, but another useful accessory. It is a 2x magnification lens that fits on the IQ Pro One and Pro Hunter. It is constructed out of an optical grade polymer that is both abrasion and scratch resistant.

IQ bow sights have helped bow hunters and competition shooters all around the globe. The quality of the archery products they provide and the results you get are well worth their weight in gold when it comes to crunch time.

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: The Tree Stand Hunter’s Best Friend

Pendulum site by TruGlo

Watch this video on YouTube

What is a Pendulum Bow Sight?

Archery is one of the oldest forms of trajectory ranged weapons, next to slings and spears. Unlike its companions, archery has continued to evolve over the years and has become a mix of technology, science and precision gear that bears little resemblance to its ancestors.

A major area of growth in archery is in the sights that we use to place our arrows on target. This article focuses on a particular sight designed to be used from a tree stand, The Pendulum bow sight. The Pendulum bow sight is designed to compensate for shooting in environments that involve major changes in elevation.

How Does it Work?

Examples of this would be hunting from a tree stand or shooting up from the bottom of a ravine. The puzzle of elevated shots lies in the science of gravity and angles. A shot with flat trajectory flies parallel to the earth, and thus, receives a consistent pull from gravitational forces along its entire trajectory.

An elevated shot however, receives much less influence from gravity when shooting down. Additionally, there is a much higher influence from gravity when shooting up. Changes in elevation also affect the actual distance the arrow flies to hit a target. The reasoning is that we are now dealing with horizontal distance, as well as vertical distance.

Hitting a target with altered gravitation pull and distance has required much skill and guess work in the past. Pendulum bow sights compensate for both by the nature of their design and allow elevated shots to be placed, on target, with ease.

No Need for Guessing the Shot Angle

Pendulum Bow sights accomplish their niche application by self-adjusting a single, swiveling pendulum, with the assistance of gravity itself. Thus, if you raise the bow on the vertical plane, the sight automatically adjusts, increasing the range of the contact point, compensating for the increase in gravity. When the bow is lowered on the vertical plane, the sight adjusts to decrease the distance to avoid overshot, due to lower gravitational interference.

Most archers agree, that within 35 yards, a pendulum bow sight will bulls-eye your target, with no guess work. Due to advancements in archery, most bows shoot relatively flat at 30-40 yards. This has eliminated one of the puzzles that pendulum bow sights were created to solve.

Most compound bow sights are, as a result, capable of making accurate shots from elevated positions. The pendulum sight, however, still tackles the elusive elevated distance challenge that others sights neglect. While pendulum sights are less popular than they were back in the 90’s, they are still sought out by archers who intend on making accurate, elevated shots.

Pendulum sights, when used on level terrain, are inferior to other compound bow sights that are created for this environment. Pendulum sights can offer a flat trajectory sight by disabling the swiveling mechanism, if you ever find yourself with the need to do so. Most archers prefer to mount the type of sight that aligns with the terrain on which they hunt.

Final Word

According to polls on public forums, the most popular pendulum compound bow sights are manufactured by Keller and TruGlo. Some archers preferring Keller’s sights for their robust build, choice materials and sleek finish. Others, however, prefer TruGlo for the quality of the sights themselves and the benefits that the fiber optics offer in low light situations.

The pendulum sight is a valuable asset for archers who are dealing with major changes in elevation. While this sight may not be the best option in every scenario, it offers superior accuracy in a niche market and should be considered, when the environment matches the need.

For more information on shooting a bow from a tree stand, you can check this article out here.

Sure-Loc Compound Bow Sights

Sure-loc archery sights 2020

Watch this video on YouTube

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 Range Rover Pro ATA Show 2015

Watch this video on YouTube

The Truglo Bow Sight Advantage

Truglo bow sights have been a heavy competitor when it comes to highly visible archery sights in low light conditions. Truglo focuses to enhance the overall ambient lighting during poor visibility due to lack of light. Ensuring 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. Especially 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, which 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.

TRUGLO Carbon XS 4 Pin Camo bow sight

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.

Truglo Range Rover Bow Sight

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 Carbon Hybrid Micro Bow Sight

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.

Truglo Pendulum Bow Sight

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

The Birth of PSE

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.

PSE Gemini Bow Sight

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.

PSE Amp Series Bow Sights

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.

PSE X-Force Bow Sight

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 compound bow 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 archery 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.

PSE X-Force Drive Max Bow Sight

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. With the X-Force speed dial, Windage adjustments can be made tool-less 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.