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Bow Sight Selection Guide
BOW SIGHTS: Introduction
 A
bow sight is a device that's mounted on the riser of your bow that helps
you to aim your arrow. Much like the bead at the end of a shotgun
barrel, the bow sight simply helps tell you where your projectile is
pointed. Though it is possible to shoot your bow without a sight (known
as "instinctive shooting"), doing so is exceedingly difficult -
especially at longer ranges. As such, virtually all modern compound
bows are outfitted with some kind of sight. Used in conjunction with a
peep-sight or kisser-button and a quality
arrow rest, even novice archers can be surprisingly
accurate. |
BOW SIGHTS: Basic to Extreme
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Some bow sights are quite simple,
like the one on the left. This is an example of a
straightforward fiber-optic 3-pin composite (plastic) sight,
with a Lexan pin guard, and twin pin tracks. Each pin can be
positioned up or down in it's track for elevation adjustments,
and each pin can be screwed in and out of the mounting bracket
for windage adjustments. This type of sight is very functional,
isn't too difficult to adjust, and would be sufficient for most
hunting and recreational applications. This type of sight costs
under $20 and easily installs with just two allen head screws. |
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But as you might expect, sights
come in a variety of styles and levels of sophistication. The
second sight shown here is quite different - a rather complex
sight with many added features. This machined aluminum and
composite sight offers gang-adjustments (all pins can be moved
at once) for windage and elevation, as well as adjustments for
each individual pin. This sight also incorporates more
fiber-optics, vertical pin technology, a subliminal aiming ring,
an anti-vibration device, camouflage finish, graduated scales,
"no-tools" cam adjusters, pin lights, drilled and tapped quiver
mount, and 3rd axis (torque) adjustments. In short, this type
of sight is "loaded" with some premium features. Of course,
these premium features don't come cheap. This sight sells for
about $100. And there are plenty of models even more advanced
than this one. High-end competition sights can cost as much as
$200 or more. |
How Much Should I Spend?
For a basic hunting
rig, it surely isn't necessary to get the most deluxe sight on
the market. But for rugged field use, you might not want the
most basic plastic model either. A solid machined aluminum
sight, with good fiber optics and easy adjustability is all that
most bowhunters need in the field. In fact, most hunters select
the popular "mid-grade" sights that offer some of the premium
features - without going overboard. A $30-60 investment will
buy you a fine-quality hunting sight. Of course, if you plan to
participate in some 3D competitions, or if your style of hunting
requires a more specialized sight design, you might want to
consider a more deluxe model. The choice is up to you. To help
you make a better-informed choice, we've broken down the major
sight types, features, and popular options here in our Sight
Selection Guide. We hope you find the information useful. |
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MAJOR
SIGHT TYPES |
Fixed-Pin Sights
 A
fixed-pin sight is the most common type of sight, and the popular choice
of hunters. A fixed-pin sight usually has 3 to 5 individual pins, which
can each be set for a particular known distance. The top pin is for the
closest distance, the lower pins are for longer distances. Once set, the
pins are tightened and remain “fixed” in position during use. Setting up
and adjusting a fixed-pin sight is pretty simple, but it does require
some trial and error testing. And for those shooters who take their
time, and set each pin just right, the fixed-pin sight yields excellent
results - as they’re very reliable and easy-to-use in the field.
Most hunters set their fixed-pins for easy-to-remember distances,
usually in 5 or 10 yard increments. Once the pins are set, shooting
known distances is a snap. If your target is 30 yards away, you simply
sight the bow by placing your pre-set 30-yard pin on the intended target
- then shoot. The sight does all the compensation for the change in the
arrow‘s trajectory. But the tricky part comes when shooting unknown
distances, as you must be able estimate the actual distance to the
target, and choose the best pin for that distance. Mastering the skill
of yardage estimation isn’t so easy, especially when shooting from an
elevated position, over uneven ground, or through dense foliage. But
it’s a skill every bowhunter needs.
If you set your pins for 20, 30, & 40 yards (common setup), there’s no
guarantee your game animal will be courteous enough to stand precisely
at one of your preset distances. So in addition to accurately estimating
yardages, a fixed-pin shooter must learn to compensate as necessary for
intermediate distances for which no pin is set. If your target is 25
yards away, your 20 yard pin will shoot a bit too high - your 30 yard
pin too low. So most fixed-pin shooters must learn to split the
difference and hold somewhere between the pins, known as “gap-shooting”.
 Of
course, some shooters don’t like to “gap-shoot”, and prefer to simply
add more pins. More pins in a sight means you can set the pins for
smaller yardage increments within your bowhunting range. For example, if
you have six pins set for 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, & 40 yards, chances are
you’ll have a pin that’s set for the distance you need - at least in
most hunting situations. However, there is a downside to this strategy.
First, you’ll have to remember the distances all those pins are set for
- which might not be so easy when you’re tired, cold, hungry, and
staring down at a trophy buck. But more importantly, excessive pins in
your sight means that more of your target is obscured behind the pins,
which can make shot placement more difficult, especially for fast bows
with tight pin-gaps.
At the other extreme, some shooters actually prefer a simple single-pin
strategy for hunting. If for example, a single pin is set for 25 yards,
you can learn to “hold high” for distances beyond 25 yards, and to “hold
low” for distances inside of 25 yards. With a little practice, this
method too can be quite effective - especially when shooting a fast bow.
It takes some experimentation to learn the right amount of compensation,
but if you learn that your 25 yard pin lands 6” low when shooting at 35
yards, you can compensate by simply holding the pin 6” high on the
target. If the pin lands 3” high at 15 yards, you can compensate by
holding the pin 3” low, and so on. Again, this method takes some
practice and good estimating skills. So it isn’t for everyone either.
Fortunately, most fixed-pin sights allow the easy removal or addition of
pins. So if you want to try your luck with the single pin technique, the
standard 3-pin “gap-shooters” setup, or even if you want a whole gaggle
of pins, a fixed-pin sight will give you some options. Whether you
choose a simple $20 model or a fancy $100 model loaded with extras, the
fixed-pin sight is an excellent choice for both hunting and recreational
archery. We recommend this type of sight for most applications.
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Moveable-Pin Sights
 A
moveable pin sight is a little different. Rather than have multiple
preset pins, a moveable pin sight usually has a single pin, which is
adjusted before each shot. The moveable pin sight has a system of
brackets, levers, or worm gears that smoothly slide the entire sight
housing up and down, so the pin can be adjusted for any distance in just
a few seconds. At the rear of the sight bracket, a small adjustable
pointer indicates the yardage along a graduated scale or a series of
handmade marks on white tape. Each mark represents a known yardage. So
if you come upon a target which is 30 yards away, you simply move the
pointer to the 30 yard mark and shoot. Unlike the fixed-pin sight with
individual pins set for specific distances, the moveable pin sight can
be adjusted to any distance just by moving the pointer. The user can
have as many references (yardage marks) as he or she wishes. In fact,
providing you had enough patience and a sharp enough pencil, you could
make a mark for every yard.
Realistically, most moveable pin shooters make their yardage marks in
typical 5 or 10 yard increments, then use some system of compensation
for intermediate yardages - much like a fixed-pin shooter. A typical
moveable pin sight might be setup with marks for every 5 yards. So if
your target is 27 yards away, you must adjust your pointer so that it is
between the 25 and 30 yard marks. This system is actually quite
accurate, as it allows yardages to be carefully adjusted on a scale,
before the bow is ever drawn back. As such, moveable pin shooters often
have an advantage over fixed-pin shooters. In fact, the IBO and ASA
have separate competition classes for shooters using fixed-pin vs.
moveable pin sights.
So is the the moveable pin sight better? In some ways yes. But as you
might expect, every rose has it's thorn. If you're shooting at unknown
distances, your success with a moveable pin sight will still depend on
good yardage estimation. And while the moveable pin sight is great for
general target shooting and competition, it isn't nearly as popular for
hunting. Many hunters don't like the idea of having to reach out and
adjust their sight before each shot. In a hunting situation, there may
not be enough time to adjust the sight, and the added step also provides
another opportunity for game to detect your movements. You'll also find
that the moving parts on a moveable pin sight often interfere with
standard quiver mounting. But with all that said, there are many
hunters who use the moveable pin sight very successfully - and many
target shooters swear by them.
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Pendulum Sights (aka, Treestand Sights)
 A
pendulum sight is still another approach. A pendulum sight is primarily
designed for treestand hunters, as it helps to compensate for elevation
on downhill shots. Treestand hunters have always struggled to
accurately judge yardage from an elevated position. To make matters
worse, an arrow that is fired downhill gets a little help from gravity
and tends to land too high - especially at steep downward angles. The
pendulum sight promises to alleviate these struggles. The pendulum, or
treestand sight, usually has a single pin which is mounted on a hinged
pendulum swing. As the bow is tipped forward (shooting downhill), the
sight pin swings out and up, automatically compensating for your
downward shot angle. The steeper your shot angle, the more the sight
compensates for you. It's a fantastic idea, and many treestand hunters
use the pendulum sight with great success. However, the pendulum sight
isn't for everyone or every situation either.
Most pendulum sight manufacturers make elaborate claims about the
accuracy of their sighting systems. Most pendulum sights are advertised
to be accurate from 0-30 yards (within a typical bowhunter's range). Of
course, the term "accurate" is used a little loosely here. Bowhunting
accuracy (just hitting within the vitals area of a game animal) and
absolute accuracy are different things. For a pendulum sight to be
absolutely accurate within a specific yardage range, the sight must be
calibrated for a exact arrow velocity and the shooter must be elevated
to a specific height. And even then - there are some variables for
which the pendulum sight cannot totally compensate. So your actual
accuracy with a pendulum sight will likely be more "relative" than
absolute. And it's worth noting that the pendulum sight is particularly
ineffective for longer range shots and/or when shooting from the
ground. In fact, some pendulum sights even have secondary fixed-pins
installed just to allow better accuracy at longer distances.
But let's give credit where it's due. When it comes to compensating for
downhill angles on short-range treestand shots, the pendulum sight
offers a respectable advantage over the standard pin sight and the "best
guess" method. If you're exclusively a treestand hunter, and most of
your shots are taken at relatively close-range, the pendulum sight may
be ideal for you. Just realize that no sighting system is totally
foolproof, in spite of any exaggerated advertising claims to the
contrary. Your best chance for making that critical shot will still
rely on good shooting technique and the application of some common
sense.
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3D Competition Sights (Target Sights)
 A
3D Competition Sight, often called a Target Sight, is a specialty sight
which is designed for use in competition. Due to the size, cost, and
complexity of these sights, they are rarely used for hunting - but they
are arguably the most accurate sights available. A 3D Competition Sight
is essentially a fancy Moveable Pin Sight with a sophisticated system of
windage and elevation click-adjustments. Target sights are larger too,
usually mounting 6-12" forward of the bow's riser via a quick-disconnect
dovetail system.
Target Sights usually have an 10/32" threaded receiver which will accept
a variety of aiming points (single pin, a scope-style sight, laser
sight, etc.) which are all sold separately. Once accessorized and
properly setup, this type of sight is amazingly accurate. But
obviously, this sight isn't for everyone either.
It's common for a serious competition shooter to have well over $400
invested in their Target Sighting system. A good quality Target Sight
can easily cost $200 or more. Then adding a quality scope and
magnifying lens can quickly tack another $100-200 to the cost of the
base unit. These advanced sighting systems are very well designed and
are manufactured to the most exacting tolerances. But their usefulness
is limited to applications where this type of precision is necessary.
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Fixed-Plate and Dovetail Mounts:
 Most
sights are the fixed-plate design, meaning that the sight bracket is
attached directly to the bow. A fixed-plate sight is generally mounted
on the bow with two allen screws and the entire bracket and sight remain
on the bow at all times. A dovetail mount is a little different. A
dovetail sight works by mounting a separate small retainer bracket to
the bow, which has a dovetail groove machined into it. The sight is
fitted onto a separate extension bracket which is machined to fit the
dovetail groove. To put the sight onto the bow, you slide the extension
bracket into the retainer bracket and tighten some type of retaining nut
(usually a large thumb screw). So the dovetail mounted sight comes on
and off the bow very easily. The fixed-plate sight does not.
As a general rule, hunters prefer the simplicity and reliability of the
fixed-plate design. And it stands to reason, as there's typically no
need to repeatedly take a sight on and off of a hunting bow. However,
3D and competition shooters often prefer the dovetail mount. A dovetail
mount will allow the use of multiple sights - presuming they all share
the same brackets. A serious competition shooter may use more than one
sight (different sized pins, different magnifications, a back-up sight,
etc.) and the dovetail mount makes changing the sights a snap. Also,
dovetail sights tend to be longer - positioning the pins further away
from the shooter for increased accuracy in competition. Of course, a
bow outfitted with an extra-long sight generally doesn't fit into a
standard bow case - so the sight must be removed after each use before
the bow can be put away. In that respect, a dovetail mount is a very
handy feature for long competition sights.
There isn't a right or wrong here. Certainly you could hunt with a long
competition-style sight. But again, most hunters stick to the simple
fixed-plates which present fewer things to go wrong. We should also
note that if you intend to use a dovetail sight for hunting, you'll may
have trouble installing a bow-mounted quiver. Most popular quivers
attach the bow at the sight bracket. And in many cases, a dovetail
mount thumb screw can interfere with the mounting of the quiver -
usually requiring a spacer kit to make it all fit together properly.
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MAJOR
SIGHT FEATURES |
Fiber Optics
 Fiber
optic technology is primarily designed to carry digital information over
long distances. But the hunting and shooting industry has found another
use for this remarkable product. At the core of a fiber optic cable is
a strand of optically pure glass or plastic. Surrounding the optical
glass is a special coating called the cladding, which reflects the light
back into the core. So when the translucent cable is exposed to
sunlight (or any other light source), light gets effectively "trapped"
in the core of the cable. At the end of the cable, where the core is
exposed, the light is able to escape. This creates a wonderful
phenomenon that makes the tip of the cable appear to light-up - as if
powered by a battery. And the longer the fiber-optic cable, the more
light it can gather and the brighter the tip becomes.
In the hunting and shooting industries, these fiber optics cables have
been put to use - not for data transmission - but as a sighting device.
The small bright tip of a fiber optic cable makes an excellent aiming
point on a bow or gun sight. Even in low light dusk & dawn conditions,
the tip of the fiber optic cable still stands out clearly - allowing the
shooter to aim and fire his weapon. Most of today's hunting sights are
outfitted with some kind of fiber-optics pins.
 Most
fiber optic sight pins have between 1/2" and 2" of fiber optic cable,
usually situated behind the pin or wrapped around the base of sight
pin. And this seems to be enough to provide an adequate increase in pin
visibility. But a few manufacturers take the concept to the extreme -
designing sights to specifically incorporate huge amounts of fiber-optic
cable. The sight on the left uses 24" long fiber optic cable coils for
each pin. This produces a remarkably bright pin that practically glows
in the dark. But before you choose this type of sight, be warned that
you can have too much of a good thing. It may be possible for a pin to
be too bright. Ultra-bright pins can often create a halo or
starburst effect that can be very distracting - akin to looking into a
bright light. As such, we recommend you choose pins that have a
reasonable amount fiber optics.
 Sight
pins come in a variety of sizes; the most common are the .019", .029",
and .040" pins. The smallest pins are the micro-fine .019" pins,
available as an option on many of today's popular sights. These tiny
pins allow for very fine shot placement with minimal loss of sight
picture. However, tiny pins can be difficult to see in some conditions,
and they don't shine as brightly as the larger .029" and .040" pins.
Large .040" pins offer a brighter and more distinct aiming point, but
they cover more of the target in the sight picture - which is especially
noticeable when taking shots at longer distances. Again, another
trade-off to consider. So as you might expect, bowhunters want the best
of both worlds, so the moderately fine .029" pins are the most popular
choice today.
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Bubble Levels
 Many
of today's mid to high grade sights now feature an integrated bubble
level. This feature helps you keep your bow perfectly upright when
shooting. Unlike recurve shooters, who'll often deliberately shoot with
a canted (tilted) bow, compound shooters typically want their bows to be
perfectly upright when fired. If you cant your bow to the right, your
shots will land a little right. If you cant your bow to the left, your
shots will land slightly left. In short, canting the bow degrades your
horizontal accuracy. And MANY shooters cant their bows without ever
realizing it. So the bubble level helps to add an element of
consistency into your shooting routine. The only downside is that
aligning the bubble level adds an extra step to your aiming process.
But with practice, using the bubble level eventually becomes
second-nature. And you'll be happy to know that they don't freeze in
cold weather....they're usually filled with
alcohol or
chloroform.
Bubble Levels for Left-Handers: Some sights are not made as RH
or LH specific models. Some sights are intended to be universal for
both RH and LH use. in this case, all sight functions generally remain
the same regardless of whether the sight is mounted as a RH or a LH
model. However, if this kind of sight comes with a bubble level, the
bubble level will appear at the top of the sight for left-hand users.
But not to worry, a straight bubble level will perform just as well at
the top of the sight aperture as it will at the bottom. But please note
that a few bubble levels are cambered (curved) and cannot be used
upside-down. If the sight you like does not come in a LH specific
model, make sure it does not use a cambered level.
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Gang Adjustments
 A
gang adjustment is a feature on a sight that allows you to move all the
pins simultaneously. Gang adjustments can be for elevation (height) or
for windage (right & left settings). The sight on the left features
both gang-elevation and gang-windage adjustments - meaning that all the
pins can be adjusted up or down or side to side together. By loosening
only one screw and sliding the dovetail bar up or down in the groove,
the entire sight housing and all the pins can be raised or lowered.
Similarly, a separate fastener allows the entire sight housing and all
the pins to be moved horizontally. Not only do these features make the
initial setup and sighting-in easier, but these features give the sight
greater range of possible settings.
We suggest you look for sights that incorporate these features. Sights
without gang adjustments are generally more difficult to adjust and
setup, as each pin has to be individually adjusted for both windage and
elevation. Fortunately, the majority of today's machined sights feature
the easy gang-adjustments. |
Micro Adjust Windage & Elevation
 Generally,
gang adjustments are made by loosening a screw and then sliding the
sight housing to a new position. But some sights are designed with a
micro-adjust feature which allows gang windage and elevation adjustments
to be made by turning an adjustment knob (usually attached to a simple
gear that drives the motion of the housing). So instead of sliding the
sight housing, you simply turn the knob or screw - and the sight housing
slowly creeps to it's new position. Micro Adjust sights are very
precise and easy to work with, but they are typically quite expensive.
If your budget permits, a micro adjust sight is certainly a nice piece
of equipment. But this is a luxury feature that isn't really essential
to a good hunting sight. |
Zero Pin Gap
(Near Zero That Is)
 As
compound bows have gotten faster and faster, the space between our pins
(pin gaps) seem to get tighter and tighter. For example, a bow that's
shooting 300+ fps may have 20 & 30 yard pins that are virtually right on
top of one another. To accommodate faster bows, many manufacturers are
designing sights so the pins can be spaced very close together. This is
usually accomplished by using multiple pin-tracks and/or angled pins
such that one pin can be literally set on the edge of another. Sights
designed with this feature are said to have "zero pin gap" capability.
With a little marketing magic, "zero pin gap" has become a buzz-phrase
in the industry. And as you might imagine, some sight manufacturers
interpret the word "zero" a little differently than others. We find
that better than half of the "zero pin gap" sights on the market can't
actually be set for absolutely zero pin gap - but they get close. Even
the 3-track sight pictured here cannot be set so that all three pins are
actually touching. But it's so close - we'll spot them the
ten-thousands of an inch.
The point is.....if you shoot a zippy bow, you may need to consider a
"zero pin gap" sight that will allow you to set your pins very close
together. Especially if you plan to set your pins within a tight
bowhunting range, say 10 -20 -30 yards, a zero pin gap sight will be a
must. If your bow isn't such a speed demon, a standard single-track pin
sight will work just fine.
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2nd & 3rd Axis Adjustments
Some sights feature 2nd and 3rd axis adjustments options. Admittedly,
these features probably aren't necessary for a general purpose hunting
rig. But for us hardcore enthusiasts and pathological tinkerers, these
advanced adjustments are handy innovations. 2nd & 3rd Axis adjustments
essentially ensure that your sight's bubble level is always telling you
the truth.
 The
2nd Axis adjustment essentially deals with "leveling the
level" on a sight. If a sight has a built-in level, and the sight is
machined perfectly square, and the bow's riser is similarly perfectly
square, the level should read a perfect zero-bubble when the bow is held
upright at 0º. It's an easy thing to check if you have a carpenter's
level. Just hold the carpenter's level along the side of the bow and
stand it upright. If both the sight level and the carpenter's level
come to zero-bubble at the same place, the sight's 2nd Axis is correct.
Naturally, you would think that all sights and bow risers are
machined to be square. So you should be able to just bolt your sight in
place and everything should line-up perfectly, right? Well...not
necessarily. A sight's bubble level is usually installed in the outer
pin guard, which is typically round or trapezoidal in shape. So getting
the bubble level mounted in just the right place can be tricky
business. It's not unusual to see a bubble level that's off a degree or
two. And the fussy archer can spend many hours trying to shim and
correct a 2nd Axis problem.
Fortunately, some sights come with an adjustment that allows you to
"set" the level with just the turn of an allen wrench. A sight with 2nd
Axis adjustments allows you to adjust the position of the entire sight
housing - relative to the bow's riser, so that your sight's level
correctly indicates when the bow is perfectly upright. This isn't a
complex feature to incorporate into a sight. Nonetheless, 2nd-Axis
adjustments are typically available only on the more expensive sight
models.
With all that said, obsessing over the issue of 2nd Axis is largely
unnecessary. The whole point of using a bubble level is to keep you
from canting (tilting/leaning) the bow when you shoot it. But most
people can't hold their bows up perfectly upright at 0º, even with a
bubble level. Everyone bobbles a little while aiming - so we're all
bound to be off a degree or two from shot to shot. The bubble level
just helps us to get it reasonably close. As such, fussing over a
perfect 2nd Axis setting is probably inconsequential to overall accuracy
for most bowhunters. But if you enjoy the technical hair-splitting, the
2nd Axis adjustment sight might be perfect for you!
 The
3rd Axis adjustment is a little different. A sight with
3rd-Axis adjustments can be adjusted so that the entire sight housing
can swivel inward (to a position less than square) or outward (to a
position beyond square). At first glance it would seem that setting the
sight for a perfect 90º would be best (center sight in photo). But that
isn't always the case. Most shooters hold their bow with some degree of
hand-torque (slightly twisting the bow's riser to the left or right).
The 3rd Axis adjustment helps to compensate for that. And since
everyone shoots a little differently, a proper 3rd Axis setting is
actually unique for each individual shooter. For some, dead square is
still correct. For others, it's not.
Getting your 3rd Axis right essentially means getting the plane of the
sight to be perpendicular to the path of your arrow. But due to
individual shooting form variations, 3rd Axis leveling cannot be done on
a vice or jig. It must be done at full draw. It's also worth noting
that some bow risers can flex considerably at full draw - also degrading
3rd Axis alignment. So again, a 3rd Axis adjustment is best made with
the bow at full draw. If you select a sight with 3rd Axis adjustments,
contact the manufacturer for the specific setup procedure for your 3rd
Axis settings.
So why does a 3rd Axis adjustment matter? On level ground, it really
doesn't. But an improperly set 3rd Axis can cause your level to give an
inaccurate reading when shooting uphill or downhill. This can result in
you executing your shot with a significantly canted bow - and missing
your mark to the left or right. Again, this is an advanced feature for
which the benefits may not justify the added expense and setup time.
But if you're serious about getting most from a bubble-level sight, 3rd
Axis adjustment might be an important feature to consider when choosing
a new sight. |
 Machined
Aluminum or Plastic?
Most of today's quality hunting sights are made from machined aluminum
(aluminum alloys actually). Aluminum is an ideal material for this
application, as it is lightweight, it doesn't rust, and it is readily
available. With thoughtful engineering and the aid of CNC (Computer
Numeric Control) machining technology, sight manufacturers can create
very precise and intricate aluminum sight designs. Of course, CNC
machining isn't exactly cheap. You can expect to pay $50 or more for a
sight that has all machined aluminum parts.
That's why it is common to see sights that have some machined
parts and some plastic parts. Many of today's popular sights feature a
machined aluminum mounting bracket and frame, with a plastic pin guard.
And this isn't to suggest that plastic is bad. Some plastic parts are
actually quite durable. But good or bad, the buying public largely
regards plastic products as cheap or low-quality.
 As
such, archery manufacturers deliberately avoid using the word "plastic"
in their advertisements. Instead, they cleverly use code words like
composite, acrylic, poly, and lexan.
But in the end, they all mean the same thing....plastic. So if you wish
to avoid plastic parts on your new sight, watch for the code words.
And while we're on the subject of clever codes, don't get too excited by
ads that brag about using Aircraft Grade 6061-T6 Aluminum.
It's nothing special. 6061 is the most common and least expensive of
the heat treatable aluminum alloys. There are literally thousands of
products that incorporate 6061-T6.
With all that said, we recommend you choose a good-quality machined
sight with a minimum of plastic components. In the long run, it will be
well worth the extra money spent. |
Sight Lights & Radioactive Pins
 Some
sights are designed to use a secondary light source to illuminate the
pins - either via battery power or chemical light sticks. Some sights
come with this feature already incorporated into the sight, but most
manufacturers offer a sight light as an added accessory. The price of a
sight light varies from brand to brand, but most cost about $20 or so.
Optional sight lights frequently mount into a pre-drilled opening (like
in the photo at left) in the sight's outer housing. But it's done a
variety of ways - from one brand to the next. The sight light either
shines directly on the sight pins, or on the fiber-optic elements of the
pins, causing the pins to be visible even in total darkness. Of course,
with this type of light, the user must turn the light on and off as
needed - as they are typically powered by a small watch battery.
A few manufacturers take a more unique approach, infusing their sight
pins with small amounts of radioactive tritium or phosphorescent
powder. Tritium pins glow softly for up to 10 years without the need
for batteries. Phosphorescent pins aren't radioactive, but work much
like a "glow-in-the-dark" novelty item. The pins absorb ambient light
and then slowly remit the light after the light source is removed. So
theoretically, a phosphorescent pin will remain visible for a brief
period of time after dark.
All of these devices may indeed extend your hunting hours and pin
visibility during dawn and dusk conditions. But a lighted pin is not a
"night vision" system; it will not increase your visibility through the
peep sight or illuminate your target. So even though you may be able to
see your pins, you still may not be able to execute an ethical shot.
And in spite of how it may seem, lighted bow-sighting devices are not
intended to facilitate hunting big game in the dark - which is generally
illegal in every state. As such, we strongly recommend you NOT choose a
lighted sight with this purpose in-mind. Always follow your state's
rules and regulations regarding legal hunting hours, and never shoot
when your visibility is impaired by poor lighting conditions. |
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