The Pros & Cons of Compound Bow Sights

Archery hunters who use a compound bow have the choice to hunt with sights or with a bare bow where they use their own sight and instinct to shoot. Bow sights come in a variety of price ranges and styles designed for specific applications. Archers should practice with and without sights to gauge which is best for their ability.

  1. Consistency

    • Archers who practice often and sight in their compound bow can use sights to shoot accurately and consistently. Compound bow sights are accurate as long as the sight is fixed and the shooting motion is free of unwanted movement. Setting sights for a distance range takes the guessing out of where to aim, allowing the archer to concentrate on a smooth consistent release. Utilizing multiple pins allows archers to shoot accurately at different distances by moving to another pin instead of calculating how much drop or rise the arrow will have at the new distance.

    Adjustment

    • Compound bow sights are accurate only if they are carefully adjusted and maintained. The vibrations from vehicle transport, bumping into objects and firing arrows can loosen and move the pins, causing the bow to lose accuracy. Every time an archer changes something on the setup, whether it is the arrows, broad head, string, stabilizer or release technique, he must adjust the sight.

    Cost

    • Compound bow sites can be a costly investment, depending on the model you choose. Models range from around $10 up to a few hundred dollars for fiber optic or laser sighting systems. The only drawback to a high-quality sight system is the high price tag that many consumers cannot afford. Budget conscience archers can choose to shoot natural, greatly reducing the cost of their hunting setup.

    Quickness

    • Using sights on a compound bow sometimes inhibits quick shots because of the need to line up the sight, especially in low light conditions. Archery sights often have a small window where the pins are located, making it difficult to quickly line up on an animal's vitals. Instinctive shooters who do not rely on sights to aid in their aim tend to target and shoot quicker.

    Visibility

    • Lighted or laser compound bow sights offer archers an advantage at dusk when they would normally have difficulty aiming. Laser sights project a dot onto the animal, allowing for easy low visibility aiming. Lighted sights offer more visibility than standard sights in low light conditions.