single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

thats pretty much it. i dont like having a ton of pins but want more range than just 3. i'm selling everything i have right now as a package and starting over fresh this winter.

does anyone have any opinions one way or the other on these 2 types of sights? i've never used an adjustable before but am interested in trying one out.

thanks in advance.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

I've gone full circle on a lot of this stuff over the last 3 decades. Fixed pin, adjustable, and even pendelums. What I'm going to explain is based on actual shooting experience on the practice range at spots and 3D targets. Multi pins are OK if you need longer ranges out west and don't have time to adjust a sight. But I live in Pa. where most shots are 30 yards or less. I use a single pin slider (HHA OL-5000)now and for several reasons.
Bows today have eveolved into some decently speedy critters. Speeds in hunting bows are commonly around 260fps or more. With the slider set at 25 yards I have shot at various yardages to check POI. At about 18 yards it hits a high point of about 1 1/2" high. The low point of about 3" is at 32 yards. This allows me to shoot anything inside 30 yards with no holding low or high, just the middle of the vitals. No guessing yardage or thinking about which pin to use. Just pick the one in front of you, aim, and shoot. The only thing to think about is whether the deer is within 30 yards. With one pin the sight picture is nice and clean so you see more of your animal.
It has the versatility of being able to be adjusted for target or 3D shooting, or practicing at longer distances, again, without picking the wrong pin.
I've used several pendelum sights over the last couple years and find they are not all that fullproof. Most shot almost exactly as explained for my slider. Low shots were common at the longer distances. And moving parts just turn me off. Plus, I'm just not into plastic on a sight after a few mishaps.
These results were obtained with a bow shooting 264fps at the time---a couple years ago.

So, this being my results I've come to several conclusions, all explained above. The other thing I would explain is that I will not scrimp on accessories on a bow. The sight I have cost $100. But it's cheaper in the long run than some of the plastic junk floating around that costs just about as much and will rattle itself apart, or break when I drop my bow out of a treestand.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

I still prefer a 3 pin fixed sight though I can see how the simplicity of a single pin adjustable attracts many folks.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

I can see where you'd recommend a single pin slider, and know your yardages, but if you're gonna do that why not just go for a single fixed pin. What I would do is buy a multiple pin sight. AND YES I HAVE USED A MOVABLE SLIDER, and I hated it. You're not gonna move your sight when you have deer walking around you, it's just not gonna happen.

If I were you I'd take a good hard look at a Vital Bow Gear 3 pin or 5 pin sight. I love the verticle pins, and It works fantastic for me. It's by far the best sight i've used and I couldn't be more happy. Plus the pins are the brightest pins on the market, no doubt about it. The fiver optics are enclosed in thick plastic that won't break, trust me i've field tested this sucker hard. And the fiber optics are downright incredible. I have no complaints it's the best sights i've ever used. I'd give it a try.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

die hard,

You are correct. I am not going to adjust the sight in the presence of any deer. I have it preset for 25 yards and leave it. Set at this setting my bow shoots about 1 1/2" high at 20 yards and 3" low at about 32 yards. This means I don't have to predetermine distances or anything else. All I have to determine is whether a deer is within 30 yards and if so just aim at the middle of the vitals and make the best shot I can. An inch high or 3" low gives the same results.
About the only time I change it is if I'm in thicker cover where 25 yards might be a long shot. In this case I set it for 20 yards. Again, if you think I'm worrying about that last inch of accuracy---well, it ain't gonna happen.

This sight also has the versatility of being used for practice at yardages exceeding 60 yards or 3D shooting where I DO have time to adjust it more precisely. I shoot my bows year round. Hunting is the off-season for me.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

I think that is a realistic setting for most of today's setups. I know of many folks who actually take a multiple pin sight and just turn into into a single pin sight at there bows are shooting flat enough to be able to basically shoot one pin out to about 30-32 yards.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

I agree 100% with BGFisher, I swithched this spring to the HHA ol- 5500. A little expensive 119.99 from cabelas. But I feel it was money well spent. I also sight in at 25 yards dead on, and no worries. Want to talk about brightness, the pin is fueled by five foot of fiber optic. Also it comes with an adjustable rheostat to cover up the fiber optic when your in the sun to tone down the brightness, so you don't have the star burst effect. I love it. previousely I used fixed pins also. But this new sight great.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

I tried the HHA single pin but ended up going back to the multi pin sight. I just didn't feel comfortable with a single pin. It was great for target or practice but in the woods I just didn't have confidence in it. After a year of trying I switched back to a multi pin.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

I shoot a HHA on a slider. The only 2 negatives I've found are if you needed to adjust it fast for a deer walking away, OR if your hunting in a tree with ample cover. If you have multiple pins you can use the other pins to see if your arrow will clear a branch. IE if the hole in the brush is 10 yards away, you can use your 10 yard pin to aim with, and it will shoot through the hole and into the deer.If a deer was 30 yards away and there were ample limbs 10 yards away, you aim with your 30 pin on the deer, and check the limbs with your 10 to see if it'll clear. Long winded and probably doesnt make since, but it works. ;)

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

well there's my problem. i have my current bow maxxed out and its only throwing them around 242 fps. if i step up to something faster and can use 1 pin out to 32 yards or so, but have the extra range for 3D's and whatnot, i'd be satisfied.

thanks guys.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

bk,

Maybe you just need an excuse to get something new, but first tell us about your setup. Everything. Maybe you're getting 242fps for some very logical reasons. And it may not be just a slow bow.
Very often I can take a customer's bow and get 20-50fps more out of it than they are getting. Many people don't know how to tweak their setup for speed.

That being said, you're gonna do what you're gonna do, BUT till that time you could probably do pretty well with two pins to finish out the year. 15 and 25 yards might work well if you don't feel comfortable with more or you could go with a 20 and 30 yard pins.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

well i'll tell you what i know. itsa fred bear epic extreme from the first year they came out (2000 i think). i bought it used from someone i used to live with in MD just to get into bowhunting without the cost of new stuff. i took it to the shop and they set it up to fit me and never told me any of the measurements. the only things i can tell you that might help is that i have a WB rest and gold tip 5575 shafts. it shoots very accurately, just not all that fast and the last time i had it in they told me that the draw weight couldnt be increased any more.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

Not picking on you, but just trying to give a little education. Shops do not set up and take measurements on bows. They set them to certain accepted standards that work fairly ell with most bows. All bows then need to be TUNED to shoot the arrows you have. That is your job, and if you don't know how then ask and learn.

Measurements are your responsiblity also. The reason you take them is so you can tell if something changes, and in the event you eventually start doing your own work you'll understand why taking measurements is important.

I'll givce you some "sage" advice at this time, being as you haven't learned much about tweaking. Be satisfied with what you have. 242 fps isn't all that slow. It's not fast, but certtainly not slow. And if the bow draws smoothly, is quiet for hunting, and accurate for you then just shoot it. One of the best hunting bows I've had in over 30 years of bowhunting was a Golden Eagle Litespeed that shot 237fps at 61 lbs. But man was that bow ever quiet and forgiving.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

fair enough. what needs to be done to tune a bow for a set of arrows?

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

bk,

I could write a book on bow/arrow tuning, but it's already been done for me. Go to www.eastonarhery.com and download their Tuning Guide. And read it first before you go tinkering. It gives basic info on how to set up bows and then goes through several tuning procedures from basic to very fine tuning. It's fairly detailed at times, but you'll learn a lot about the proper terminology and what it means.

One thing to pay attention to, especially if you get to paper tuning. Read the last paragraph on page 7. Sometimes release shootes get opposite results from the norm. Not to get into detail I'll just say remember it.

Once a bow/arrow combo is well tuned you'd be amazed at how much better your groups can get, especially when you start getting more consistent shooting form. Once you learn some of this stuff then you can start working more on speed. I'm still ealrning little tricks even after shooting compounds for 32 years. It's fun.

A just for further info, when I started shooting compounds the average was 180-190fps and 200fps was extremely fast. Somewhere in the last 30 years we've gained 60-100fps on those figures.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

Well, it looks like bk has already made up his mind but I also agree with BG. I use a HHA OL-5000 which I have since turned into a OL-5019 with the smaller pin. I should have just ordered the OL-5019 in the first place and saved $55. This is by far the best site I have ever owned. It is the sturdiest and has the brightest pin. My Bowtech flings arrows out at 293 FPS so arrow trajectory isn't a concern of mine. It's set to 1" high at 20 and 2" low at 30 yards. I do use the slide at the range when shooting out to 60 yards but keep it at 20 when hunting. I just like not having to worry about which pin to use. Just aim and shoot.

BK, 242 is plenty fast out of an accurate bow. My first bow shot 180's and I killed several deer with it. Was also pretty accurate out to 60 yards but it did have a heck of an arc to it.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

ive been shooting with a sightmaster adjustable sight (which i can and have changed yardage while a deer was in sight) and i have just 1 meprolite pin on the sight, and i have no problems. the last deer i took with this setup was at 36 yrds, and she went 60 yrds and died a double lung hit, i would never even think about a multi pinned sight again,, oh and this is with a pse nova with WB rest and shooting pse 400 arrows and muzzy 75 grain heads, the bow has been shot through 3 different chronos and every time it shoots at between 266 to 268 not bad for a pse nova, ive taken 9 deer with this setup and every single deer never made it to the 100 yrd mark after being hit,,,

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

Both sights have their advantages and disadvantages. With the movable sight the advantage goes to a single focal point. The negative is adjusting the sight to the correct yardage quickly or in low light. With a fixed pin sight you have more pins that are set on a specific yardage and by gapping two of the pins, an accurate split yardage reference. The negative, sighting on the wrong pin for the shot.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

Adjustable/Slider sight is just what I need, just like a hole in my head. More moving part/more things to go wrong. A multi-pin sight is the only logical way to go. Practice with your bows and picking a pin will be natural and accurate as sh$t. If we would just practice like we are suppose to we would become leathal with our equipment. Try a Trophy Ridge Micro Matrix .029. Well made and field proven.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

cravingame, you really need to take a look at the PLASTIC sight you are using and compare it to an HHA OL 5000. I think you'll find that your's has about three times as many potential problem spots---screws and loints that can come loose or just plain rattle apart, not to mention the plastic adjusters and plastic pins that I have seen break. I guarantee this can't happen with an OL-5000unless maybe you drive your truck over it, in which case the bow would get more damage than the sight. At any rate HHA would replace it, no questions asked.

I'm not dictationg that everyone, you included should shoot one, but if comparing one against another then you should actually study each before making rash statements.

Believe me, I have very tight criteria that I follow for picking sights, and plastic is not in the description.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

The pins are steel as well as the adjustments. maybe you should re-check your very tight criteria.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

OK, so I have been known to make a mistake, but TR makes so many sights it's really hard to keep up.There must be about 15different models the last time I put them on the pegs. Most are plastic though, and I have heard about the adjustments on them breaking. Usually customer service will be good, but I wouldn't know about HHA. If the product is good customer service is not needed.

This sounds like a trip to the store and find out which ones are which.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

Single pin is all you need for todays high speed bows, set it at 20 yards and if the deers under 30 shoot dead on. If the deers further out its not a rushed shot and you should have time to estimate or range the animal and adjust accordingly. I shoot a Custom Bow Equipment Micro Light II with a Shrewd scope. I use a 4X lens for 3D and remove the lens for hunting, expensive but worth it.
Best Wishes
BD

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

Like most of you, I have also just used one fiber optic pin set for 25 yards. After finally buying a new set-up along with site, quiver, etc. I am now using two pins, one for 10-20 yards, and one for 35. If you don't shoot 3-D a lot, judging distances can be tricky. I also picked up a Nikon laser rangfinder. After getting into a stand, I laser shoot many different objects around my stand to verify what the ranges are ahead of time. Now with just using two pins, I'm good for most shots within my comfort range.;)

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

I have used both fixed pins and a slider. Both have their advantages i.e. if you have a range finder then the slider works great from the stand. I range the trees around my stand so if I see a deer coming I know the distance to where they are based on the trees around me. Also stalking is nice, I took a nice deer last year at 42yards. Conditions were perfect, wind in my face and trees to hide behind on my approach. Their both ok I think its what you are comfortable with.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

This year i shot a single pin sighted in at 15yds. But next year i think that i am going to set 3 or so just to make it a little easier on me.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

Well maybe we can just trade then. I'm going from a 3-pin Trophy Ridge to a HHA single pin next season. I have killed two deer this season and the only thing two of the pins did was get in the way.

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

I have the TR sights on my pig hunting bow i have just 3 pins..... this works quite well for this set up...On my other bow i have TR single pin adjustable that also is a pendulum one quick twiston the knob i can move my sight from 20 - 50 yards with hardly any movement!! now i keep it at 20 most odf the time while i'm hunting from a tree stand sometimes it set for 30 yards depending how i'm set up... i rarely have to move it..while stalking yes it gets moved a lot!! Took a caribou in alaska this year moved the sight to 30 yards with a quick 1/8 turn and launched!!!

I think what i'm getting at is you set up to what is comfortable to you and your set up and what you have confidence in so it works for you !!

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

242 fps. isn't necessarily slow. I have seen people have serious problems with adjustable sights ondeer that are walking(wich they tend to do). There's enough to concentrate on when shooting a deer, much less adjusting your sight. Also joshkeller has an excellent point about brush checking with your other pins. Get a 3 pin and spread em out so you don't get confused, sight em in and shoot the deer with a simple, durable and bright sight. Good Luck

RE: single pin adjustable vs. multi pin
 

I shoot a mathews safari set at 94 #s. This is my 1st 1 pin bow. Man do I like it. I do not think I will ever go back to many pins but I do know I will keep my faster bow.