Bow Sights 101
01-31-2012, 12:22 PM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 55
Bow Sights 101
I am new to archery and I was wondering if someone could help out with explaining A few things about sights in general. The real question is what makes a good sight a good sight? Why are some so much more than others, ya a lot of the big money ones have 5 pins. But I know that's not really it. How man pins does one really need for Turkey/deer hunting? Personal prefence?
Also drop away rests vs. whisker biscuits does it have to do with the sight? What's better?
Also drop away rests vs. whisker biscuits does it have to do with the sight? What's better?
01-31-2012, 12:59 PM
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Montana
Posts: 750
Most sights made today come with fiber optic pins. Higher end sights will use longer fiber optic material to create a brighter pin. Sight prices will vary with what materials are used and how much fine adjustments are built into the sight. Sights can have different axis adjustment points with higher dollar ones having 3 axis points. The number of pins you need will be determined by how far you want to shoot. I use 7 pins and practice out to 85 yards. Most people can get by with a basic 5 pin sight for around 50 to 70 dollars. Sight really doesn't correspond much with rest type. Whisker biscuit is a good arrow containment rest but I like the ripcord which is a drop away as well as arrow containment system. there are more good drop away rests on the market.
01-31-2012, 02:08 PM
#3
Spike
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 58
I shoot a 3 pin sight at 20 30 and 40 pin yardages with a whisker biscuit. All this was already on my bow when I got it and it works just fine for me because theres no way I would feel comfortable shooting a deer out past 40 yards. But thats just me.
02-07-2012, 05:33 PM
#4
Typical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Eastern Virginia
Posts: 661
My wife and myself use a TruGlo Carbon XS. We both swapped out our 3 pin sights for these. Well actually she got it and I liked it so much it was either get my own or steal hers.
This sight has 5 pins and the fiber optics are .19 size Which is a pretty standard size on most sights now. Some newer and more $$ sights use .10 which I personally think are to small. Then the cheaper and some older sights have larger pins .28 I believe. The larger pin sizes seemed to block too much of the target at 40 or 50 yards. My stocker worked but limited me in adjustments, I suck at guessing yardage so I got my pins set to cover the areas I hunt and enjoy shooting out to in the back yard. I practice out to 50yards and doing this makes the 20 and 30 yard shots seem like childsplay.
You can get them for $50 from basspro or cabelas
as for rests it depends on what your looking for. I want full containment and a dropaway. Looked at QAD's and Rip Cord and Apache. I went with the code red rip cord. Not the cheapest but did what I wanted. It does drop back down if you let down the bow. This didn't effect me any this past hunting season when I had to let back down. Just be smooth and you won't have any issues. Get them on sale right now for the black body for $69
This sight has 5 pins and the fiber optics are .19 size Which is a pretty standard size on most sights now. Some newer and more $$ sights use .10 which I personally think are to small. Then the cheaper and some older sights have larger pins .28 I believe. The larger pin sizes seemed to block too much of the target at 40 or 50 yards. My stocker worked but limited me in adjustments, I suck at guessing yardage so I got my pins set to cover the areas I hunt and enjoy shooting out to in the back yard. I practice out to 50yards and doing this makes the 20 and 30 yard shots seem like childsplay.
You can get them for $50 from basspro or cabelas
as for rests it depends on what your looking for. I want full containment and a dropaway. Looked at QAD's and Rip Cord and Apache. I went with the code red rip cord. Not the cheapest but did what I wanted. It does drop back down if you let down the bow. This didn't effect me any this past hunting season when I had to let back down. Just be smooth and you won't have any issues. Get them on sale right now for the black body for $69
Last edited by Krypt Keeper; 02-07-2012 at 05:36 PM.
02-08-2012, 05:10 AM
#6
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,746
I like to get a good value for my $ like most of us. My sight is also a TruGlo Trusight Xtreme 5 pin sight. Because of the design, this sight's pins would still be bright enough to use even after legal shooting light.
As for the rest, I chose the NAP Apache. The reason is it is strong, quiet, and very easy to set up. And because of its design, has more than enough arrow containment - at least for me.
There are a lot of sights and rests out there. Some better and some worse. My advice is to look at the different designs then find the one you like in your price range. Also compare similar sight designs with brand names. You may find that you're paying a couple $ more for a very similar sight (becaue they have to pay their celebs for advertising their product).
As for the rest, I chose the NAP Apache. The reason is it is strong, quiet, and very easy to set up. And because of its design, has more than enough arrow containment - at least for me.
There are a lot of sights and rests out there. Some better and some worse. My advice is to look at the different designs then find the one you like in your price range. Also compare similar sight designs with brand names. You may find that you're paying a couple $ more for a very similar sight (becaue they have to pay their celebs for advertising their product).
02-08-2012, 06:32 AM
#7
Typical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Eastern Virginia
Posts: 661