Pendulum Sights
 

I've been contemplating switching from the standard bow sights to a pendulum sight, however I've heard mixed feelings on them. Was hoping someone could share their thoughts and or experiences on the pendulum sight so that I may make a decision to switch or stay with my current set up. I've been thinking of switching because I mostly hunt out of a tree stand, and was told that with the pendulum sight there is no need for judging distance up to 25 - 30 yards. On the other hand I have heard that they are worthless on the ground. Although I hunt 90% of the time in a tree stand I do not want to limit myself for those occasional times I hunt from the ground. Please help!

RE: Pendulum Sights
 

From a treestand to relatively level ground, they can't be beat in my opinion. Depending on the speed of your bow, you can aim dead on from 25-33 yards and be money.

From the ground, you basically have a single pin set up sighted in at 20 yards. For farther shots, use Kentucky windage. Mine hit's just a tad low out at 30 yards from level ground when holding dead on. I wouldn't shoot much further anyway...

I have the Savage Pendulum Max, and highly recommend it. Ruggedly well built and solid, absolutely silent operation, a great piece of equimpent.

I don't see how a treestand hunter can go wrong with a quality pendulum...

RE: Pendulum Sights
 

I've been a strong advocate of a single pin sighted for 25 yards for years. This has worked just as well as any pendelum I used. However I stuck on a new SME pendelum for this season ans can honestly say the JURY is still out. So far I haven't had any problems but I can also say that were I going on a guided hunt or someplace where I could not get another sight it would come off. I have a gut feeling anything with moving parts like this just may get tangles up in brush, dropped, banged or whatever and be totally useless until replaced. Like I said, I have it on now but I don' think it's gonna stay. In fact, next week I'm going on an out-of-state hunt and will be packing my pre-sighted single pin sight, just in case. You know what my other feeling is?? I don't like having any doubts like this.

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RE: Pendulum Sights
 

Thanks for the information! I think I'm going to try the savage as you recommended (after this season of course). Just hope it works as well for me as it has for you! So it actually works on the ground up to 30 yards? I don't shoot much past that now, so it sounds like I can not go wrong with it! Thanks again for your time!

RE: Pendulum Sights
 

How far you can aim dead on and still hit with a pendulum at ground level is TOTALLY dependent on the speed of your set up. Mine is flinging arrows over 300 fps, which is how I get buy with still hitting in the kill zone when shooting 30 yards with the 20 yard pin at ground level. A little time spent shooting various distances from the ground past 20 yards will tell you quickly if you have to aim higher for farther shots or not... Good Luck.

RE: Pendulum Sights
 

Rangeball, 300fps hunting arrow? man, what kind of bow are you shooting? Darn I need a new bow!

My bow's shooting 252 fps and the savage works great. I sight it in at 20 like they recommend, then step back to 30 and make sure the arrows just fall inline lower, not right or left low. My speed allows for a ~ 6" drop at 30 yards if shooting on the ground.

From the tree its within 1" of my target out to 30 yards (haven't tried past that).

RE: Pendulum Sights
 

Dave, Diamond hornet, absolutely lovely little hunting bow. Only 30.5" ata, 7.5" brace height, accurate, light, ultra quiet and smoking fast...

RE: Pendulum Sights
 

Rangeball, you forgot to tell us the main ingredient. What drawlength are you shooting? That's what affect speed the most, all other things being equal. I agree with the sight shooting well on the ground, and practcing to see where it hits beyond 30. With a speed of 258fps I have to hold about 4" high at 30. For me that still means mid-body hold for elevation--cut the heart right out.

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RE: Pendulum Sights
 

Rangeball, I can get a hornet from my local proshop for $440.00. Thats way under suggested retail. Is that a good deal? Do most bows go for under retail price? He has a undertaker,DOA,and a stinger in stock.
Is the stinger too short at 28.5"?

RE: Pendulum Sights
 

I shoot my Hornet at 28" draw with a 350 grain arrow. Only thing on my string is a TRU Speek Nok at two simms leeches.

Dave, That price is fantastic. I find that the price varies greatly depending on the dealer and what they are trying to accomplish. In my experience, smaller shops always have the lowest price. If you have the means and have shot and like the bow, I'd jump all over it. I have never shot the stinger, but it's only 2" shorter ata than the hornet (I believe) and has more brace height, so I suspect it will be plenty forgiving. I wouldn't hesitate to try one out if I had the opportunity, as I'm primarily a bowhunter, and that should be a killer hunting bow. I don't know what draw length you shoot or what nocking system you use (loop, brass or tie on nockset, fingers, etc) and at longer draw lengths string angle can become an issue with short ata bows. I suspect you'll find the grip on the hornet to be identical to the other Diamonds you've probably held.

They are truly quality well built bows that perform as advertised, backed up by phenomenal customer service. I sent my bow to them this year to have them install a new string and cable as well as put it back into factory time, I had my bow back from the day I mailed it in 4 days, for $25. I don't think you could go wrong. Good Luck.

RE: Pendulum Sights
 

Rangeball, thanks for the advice. Right now I'm leaning towards the hornet, although he does have a doa in stock. But it's 7" brace height is the same as the two bows I have now and am trying to get away from.
I shoot 29" draw with a string loop. And am not crazy about the 28.5" ata, but that is an opinion based on paper-not the result of shooting the bow. The stinger does have a lower ibo of 6 fps.

Anything would be a step up from my current mathews z-light and reflex extreme (extreme hand shock!!). But now I have to do a lot of soul searching as both of my current bows still put meat in the freezer and I have a baby on the way, wifes not gonna go back to work-yada yada yada.
She says to get it before we're watching our pennies. I like having a lot of pennies to watch.
Thanks for the advice, I need to take some aspirin!!

RE: Pendulum Sights
 

I've had very good success with the Predator 4 pendulam site. It takes some effort to set up. The thing I like about this site is that it has a doo dad on it to compensate for arrow speed. It is n ot an exact science to set one up. If you have a fast bow you start with the doo dad in a higher position....slower bow you move the doo dad down. The one thing you have to keep in mind when you are hunting is that you have to remember to place the pendulam mechanism in front of the stop when you get in a tree stand. If you do not you will have huge problems (ask me how I know!!!!)

The thing I like most about the pendulam is that you only have to concentrate on the shot and your mechanics... Mine is on from 2-28 yards. I drop about .25 inches for every yard past 28.

Spend the time in setting the site up. It will pay off.

RE: Pendulum Sights
 

go with the savage if you get one. they are hard to beat i think. keller not so hot.


enjoy

RE: Pendulum Sights
 

I have been using the sniper by Toxonics and can say it is a high quality product that functions as stated. It is well worth the money and worth checking out by anyone looking for this style of sight.