Archery is a pursuit where mere inches differentiate between success and lack. Because of this, the purchase of a quality bow sight is a sound investment for any archer to make.
It never ceases to amaze me how mere inches can separate success from a lackluster shot. Recognizing the crucial role accuracy plays in this sport; I made a decision that proved to be a game-changer for my archery journey.
Investing in a high-quality bow sight was undoubtedly one of my best decisions as an archer. The right bow sight enhances my shooting experience and boosts my confidence on the range or in competitions.
Throughout my exploration, I have encountered various types of sights, each with unique specs and advantages.
Contents (Jump to Topic)
At a Glance: Here are my Top Picks
- The best-fixed pin bow sight: Dead Ringer Tack Driver DT
- The best single-pin bow sight: Trophy Ridge Pursuit
- The best pendulum bow sight: TRUGLO Pendulum Sight
Different Types Of Bow Sights
Bow sights come in several forms and varieties, all of which come with their own distinct advantages and disadvantages.
The three most prevalent types of bow sights on today’s market are fixed pin, single pin, and pendulum varieties. In most cases, an individual’s choice in bow sight comes down to a matter of personal preference.
Fixed Pin Bow Sight
Fixed pin sights are, without a doubt, the most commonly used of all sight varieties. These sights typically feature pins numbering between three and five in quantity, each specifically adjusted to coordinate with the distance at which the pin is intended to be used.
An archer spends time at the range adjusting these sight pins to their preferred distances of use, with the most common intervals being 20, 30, and 40 yards.
The major advantage of a fixed pin bow sight is that no adjustments need to be made in the field. Simply choosing the pin that applies to the distance you are shooting will set your sight as needed.
read.. what do the pins on a sight mean?
However, this comes with a disadvantage because if you gauge your shot distance incorrectly, a missed shot is almost assured. (Read about the top-notch archery rangefinder here)
Dead Ringer Tack Driver DT
If you are seeking a fixed pin sight rich in features but not breaking the bank, don´t look any further than the Dead Ringer Tack Driver DT.
The Tack Driver DT features five .019” sight pins for precision accuracy, toolless windage and elevation adjustments for on-the-fly fine-tuning, and a glowing aperture for precise sight alignment in low-light conditions.
This offering by Dead Ringer also features a dovetail-style bracket, allowing for a near-infinite level of adjustment in sight to riser clearance to customize your shooting experience further.
One would expect a sight as rich in features as the Dead Ringer Tack Driver DT to come with a hefty price tag. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
read my Hands-On Review of the Tack Driver DT
The Tack Driver DT is marketed at a price point that is just a fraction of the cost of other similar market offerings, making it truly affordable on a wide range of budgets.
The Tack Driver DT will undoubtedly yield the most bang for your buck when purchasing a fixed pin bow sight.
Single Pin Bow Sight
Single-pin bow sights utilize a dial or a similarly designed device to adjust a singular pin for shot opportunities of virtually any distance that could be imagined.
As the adjustment dial is turned, the sight’s pin is manipulated to rectify your point of aim for the given circumstance.
Various distance increments are marked on the bracketed section of a single pin sight, allowing you to quickly and easily set your distance as needed.
One significant advantage of a single pin sight is eliminating any chance of selecting an incorrect yardage pin, as would be possible with a standard fixed pin sight.
However, you must always stay vigilant when judging yardage and making the proper adjustments as they become necessary.
If you forget to dial your sight into the appropriate distance in the heat of the moment, the results will be less than favorable. For more information, watch this video on single-pin vs. multi-pin bow sights.
Trophy Ridge Pursuit
The Trophy Ridge Pursuit is an excellent option for anyone that has decided to give up the guesswork of which pin to choose, as is typical with a fixed pin sight.
The Pursuit features a full range of adjustability, allowing you to make the most of every shot opportunity, and is constructed from industrial-grade aluminum, making it a lightweight yet durable sight for even the most demanding of hunters.
This sight by Trophy Ridge utilizes a .019” pin to elevate archer accuracy to the utmost level. Additionally, the Pursuit is engineered to adjust quickly and effortlessly, completely in the absence of noise.
This minimizes the chance of spooking game and allows an archer to make the most of each hunt.
Pendulum Bow Sight
Pendulum bow sights work on a pivoting axis to compensate for shot trajectory discrepancies when shooting at a steep downward angle.
As the angle of your bow changes, so does that of the sight window. When shooting at a steep downward angle, such as shots taken when hunting from a treestand, an arrow’s point of impact tends to be slightly higher than the point on which your sight pin is fixed.
This is alleviated as the self-adjustment of a pendulum sight automatically adjusts to offset any variations in yardage. Treestand hunters, in particular, find the use of a pendulum sight to be a highly effective means of improving their accuracy and increasing efficiency at the moment of truth.
The downside to a pendulum sight is that accuracy diminishes quickly at distances over 30 yards.
Additionally, pendulum sights, while suitable for the accuracy needed to place an arrow in the vitals of a game animal, are not known for the same pinpoint levels of accuracy of their fixed-pin or single-pin counterparts.
TRUGLO Pendulum Sight
If you primarily hunt from an elevated location such as a treestand, the TRUGLO Pendulum Sight will help eliminate any accuracy woes you might have.
With a full range of adjustments from 0-35 yards, the TRUGLO Pendulum sight is highly versatile and will make aiming at game a breeze. This sight is constructed from lightweight CNC-machined aluminum, leading to unmatched durability.
The TRUGLO Pendulum Sight also has bonus features that take this product to the next level. This sight comes equipped with extra-long, protected fiber optics for optimal durability and pre-printed yardage tapes for next-level convenience.
One of this sight’s absolute best features is its quick-locking pendulum. This allows users to fix the pendulum in place for stationary use, making this sight viable for ground-level hunting.
Remember to read our article about the best ground blind hunting chairs.
Seeing The Bigger Picture
Just like when choosing a bow itself, the decision of what bow sight to purchase is based almost solely upon personal preference and an individual’s specific needs.
While fixed-pin sights have been the standard for several decades, single pin and pendulum sights have revolutionized the market recently, especially for those that hunt primarily from a treestand.
No matter which of these three varieties of sight that you choose, with ample practice, you will be grouping arrows with laser-like precision in no time.
