It has been a little over a year since Garmin introduced 2 auto ranging digital laser archery sights, which are the Xero A1 and A1i. The two main differences in the sights is that the A1i contains a few more bells and whistles than the A1, similar to a base package on a vehicle compared to fully loaded.
Both models provide an all-in-one design. Garmin broke down the barriers when they created the first of it’s kind, a bow-mounted digital laser rangefinder equipped with a targeting display system. These sights automatically measure distance to your target while providing an LED pin for the shot, these sights take the guesswork out of judging the distance. The beauty of the built-in rangefinder is that it instantly compensates for the precise angle distance to targets up to 100 yards and can go as far as 300 yards on reflective targets, whether you are at rest or full draw. The laser rangefinder will display the distance of your target with a pin calibrated to you and your bow.
The LED pins on the A1 and A1i automatically illuminate to conditions which allows you to see your target clearly, eliminating the impediment caused with physical pins. You can customize both the Garmin Xero A1 and A1i for single-pin and multi-pin configurations. You can choose either red or green colored pins on the A1i during the setup process.
There is a quiet single-button trigger that requires very little movement, whether you are at rest or full draw. By mounting the button in a convenient spot for your grip, you can quickly, silently and easily activate the laser rangefinder and provide the yardage as well as the right pin for the shot.
Both models are waterproof, rugged and lightweight as they only weigh 14.7 oz and can be fully submerged in water for up to 30 minutes without causing damage. The last thing you want on your mind is when you are in the field and it starts to pour down rain, is this expensive investment being ruined from water damage, so Garmin Xero is covered there too. These archery sights require 2 lithium AAA Batteries which will last up to one year before having to be replaced, batteries are not included.
One phenomenal component on the A1i is the The Laser Locate feature, this enables the use of a compatible Garmin GPS1 device to provide precise location of where your target was at when you took the shot. The data collected is then sent to your Garmin compatible device which directs you to where you connected with the target. The days of second guessing where the animal was at are over, but again, the Garmin devices have to be compatible.
For those archery enthusiast who like to fling different arrows in the field than they do at the range, this no big deal. With the Garmin Xero A1i, you can program different arrow profiles for target shooting and hunting, the sight automatically calibrates itself for each profile created, again, eliminating any guesswork for maximum accuracy. The profile information is stored in your A1i so you can easily go from a target configuration to bow hunting, eliminating the hassle of adjusting the sight every time you go out into the field.
The Garmin A1i Shot Dynamic feature provides information that can help hone overall shot performance. Data is collected for review to determine what may be causing some off shots, this then allows you to correct whatever you might be doing in order to make you more precise at connecting with your target.
So, my whole take on the Garmin Xero A1i and A1? Technology has evolved society at a rapid pace over the years, virtually everyone has a hand held computer strapped to their hip that they can control almost everything from, cars on the verge of driving themselves and the internet piped right into your living room television. Some might call a sight such as this as cheating and some state laws view it that way too, but the fact is that technology is going to keep progressing whether we like it or not, Garmin just simply tapped into the market before anyone else. More on range finder bow sights in this article.