What Is Difference Between Recurve & Compound Bow Sights?

Archery sights are designed to help you line up your bow with the target. By lining up the point on the sight with the target and a point on the string, the archer has more control over how he is holding the bow and where he places the arrow.

  1. Strength

    • The principle difference between recurve-bow sights and compound-bow sights is the strength of the construction. Compound bows unleash much greater force when fired and so cause more vibration. Compound-bow sights are built of stronger materials to compensate for this; most recurve-bow sights will not last long on a compound bow.

    Spirit Level

    • Canting is the tilting of the bow to one side when drawing and firing. Some recurve shooters do this deliberately to help with lining up the shot. However, compound bows fired in this fashion are prone to inaccuracy so many compound bow sights incorporate a spirit level to ensure the bow is held absolutely straight when fired.

    Pin Positioning

    • Because compound bows shoot much faster than recurves, the amount of elevation the arrow will lose over a given distance is lower. Consequentially, the distance between the pins is generally much closer. For some bows it is necessary to place the pin tips right on top of each other. Certain compound bow sights are specially designed to offer zero gap between the tips of the pins.

    Magnifying Sights

    • Compound bows are able to shoot over longer distances than recurve bows. This means that shooters may need a magnifying scope to see the target and place their shot accurately at longer distances. Recurve bows do not generally require this as they do not shoot far enough for magnification to be an issue.