Best Compound Bow Sights

Buyer’s Guide

Now that you have seen what we consider to be the best compound bow sights on the market, you may be at a loss on how to choose the best bow sight for your needs. If you are an experienced archer, you will probably already know your preferences and what you require.

For beginner’s it can be easy to become duped by clever marketing, thinking you are getting a product perfect for your needs when the opposite is true. That’s why we have composed this handy buyer’s guide detailing everything you need to know before buying a compound bow sight.

We have structured this guide into short, manageable categories, detailing critical aspects of bow sights and their applications. By the time you have reached the end of this guide, you will be armed with enough knowledge to make the right purchase for your needs.

Types of bow sight

There are several bow sight types available; below, we have listed the most common archetypes that you are likely to encounter.

Vertical pin sights

Vertical pin sights are probably the most popular bow sights among archers, offering the benefits of a pin and reticle sight in one package. Nearly all top-level bowhunters opt to use vertical pin bow sights, and this trend continues through into target archery competitions.

Offering an uncluttered view of your target, vertical pin sights provide a similar field of view as a reticle sight.

Vertical sights demand a bit more attention during set up than other models but offer an improved level of durability and accuracy to compensate.

Multi-pin bow sights

Multi-pin sights provide the hunter with an added degree of difficulty or offer an additional challenge, depending on how you choose to look at it. When shooting multi-pins, quick judgments need to be made by the archer to determine distance before a shot is taken.

If you sight your target with the wrong pin, there is a high probability of missing the shot. Especially frustrating when confronted with the broadside of a large buck.

Multi-pin bow sights can also obstruct your view, depending on the number of pins the sight holds.

Pendulum sights

With many bowhunters now shooting downhill trajectories while at elevation, manufacturers have been working to solve problems associated with shooting from odd angles.

Pendulum sights are suspended on a rotating axis that keeps the sight level as you angle your bow on a vertical plane. Like all sights, pendulum sights take some time to set up and calibrate correctly.

Because of the extra technology featured in pendulum sights, they can end up costing exponentially more than some more traditional variants.

Reticle bow sights

Reticle sights are probably the most recent innovation in archery sights and have been growing more popular with time. If you hunt with a rifle also, reticle sights should provide you with a familiar feeling.

Reticle sights give a clear, unobstructed view of your target and remove the guesswork of pin-based sights, as they often require the archer to memorize how to line up the pin with the target.

There are some downsides however, reticle sights tend to be less durable than pin sights and can be slower to judge distance than multi-pin systems.

How to choose a bow sight

Choosing a bow sight can be difficult if you have never used one before, but the two most important deciding factors are where you hunt and how competent you are with your weapon.

In this section, we have listed several considerations to take into account before purchasing a new bow sight including hunting environment and features you might require.

Hunting environment

The type of bow sight you require is likely to be dictated by the environment you typically hunt in. Most sights will be suited to a handful of situations, but no sight is perfect for all situations.

If you tend to hunt in areas of dense foliage and woodlands, shot distance will average between 25-30 yards. Adjustable sights are typically wasted in such situations, especially if your hunting ground is densely crowded with vegetation.

If you regularly hunt in less dense, flat, open areas, then adjustable sights start to become a viable option. If you are regularly taking shots between 40-60 yards in open areas, you are likely to be afforded the time to use a more complex sight.

Although if you are taking shots over such a distance, you should make sure you are well-practiced enough to make an ethical kill each time.

Some bowhunters choose to utilize a hybrid setup for mixed environments where they may move between woodland and wider open spaces. Archer’s that do this set their bow up with both a fixed sight and an adjustable sight using specialized multi-sight mounting adapters.

This is out of the skill level for most bowhunters, and you must make sure you are competent enough to use such a system.

Number of pins

More pins don’t equate to better results, and the number of pins you need should be considered carefully before making any purchase. Too many pins are likely to clutter and obstruct your view, either blocking the target entirely or becoming a distraction.

Multi-pin bow sights typically use between three and seven pins, to establish the number of pins you require you will need to determine the ranges you shoot at, and how regularly adjustments will need to be made.

Pin Size

When it comes to pin size for bow sights, smaller is always better. Larger pins may not only obstruct part of your target but are inherently less accurate when tuning your setup.

Small pins have a smaller surface area by which to evaluate your shots when setting your sight, providing a higher degree of accuracy. Most sights come in .010, .019, or .029 diameters.

It is also important to ensure that the pins on your selected sight are robust enough to withstand the rigors of bowhunting.

Adjustable lighting

Modern bow sights are more commonly being seen with adjustable lighting, with even inexpensive sights utilizing fiber optics. Advanced bow sights may feature adjustable light outputs, allowing you to set your preference no matter the time, day or night.

Spirit bubble

There was a time when only the most advanced, top of the line bow sights came with a spirit level. Nowadays, spirit bubbles are featured on almost every sight on the market.

Spirit levels assist you in dialing in your sight and fine-tuning your setup; they are also helpful for monitoring your form when shooting. Today’s advanced sights will often feature multi-axis levels to enhance your precision further.

Adjustment

It seems as if every year there is a new feature on the market for bow sights, modern sights are regularly found with dials to adjust for elevation and windage.

Durability

Before buying a new bow sight for hunting, you will want to make sure that it can withstand whatever activities you plan on participating in. Bow sights with an aluminum or aluminum alloy chassis that is durable and lightweight are ideal for most situations.

Cheaper, budget-models, are likely to be constructed with a plastic chassis and are great for light use or target shooting, but lack the robustness required for intense bowhunting sessions.