Best Bow Sights of 2024, Tested and Reviewed | Outdoor Life

Oct 19, 2024

By P.J. Reilly

Updated on Oct 3, 2024 10:02 AM EDT

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Bow sights today are more advanced and feature laden than at any other time in history. I remember in the early 1990s when the big advancement was the change from metal pins with painted balls on the tips to pins that had colored plastic cylinders at the ends. Those were game changers back in the day.

Today’s bowhunters can choose sights with fixed or movable pins, sights with digital sight tapes, sights with built-in rangefinders and electronic readout screens, and on and on. The options are nearly limitless.

What hasn’t changed, however, is the fact that a good sight won’t make up for lack of shooting skill or a lousy bow tune. A bow sight is a tool that functions best in the hands of a skilled worker. The better you become at archery, the better a good sight can help you move closer to perfection.

But not everyone is at the same point on that road to perfection, and so different people have different needs and capabilities. Not everyone needs the most expensive, most advanced bow sight. And that’s where the market has responded. Wherever you are in your archery journey, there’s a best bow sight for you.

Photo by P.J. Reilly

Key Features

Pros

Cons

Photo by P.J. Reilly

The HHA Tetra Max Ryz X3 seems to be the sight that can appease everyone. With three pins, a bowhunter can set them for 20, 30 and 40 yards, for when fast aiming is required. But then with the scope connected to an adjustment wheel, and individual sight indicators for each pin, then each individual pin can be used as a single-pin sight at any distance. And the pins are stacked horizontally instead of vertically, which makes each pin nice to aim with. When the pins are stacked vertically, it can be difficult to aim with the lowest pin because the post above it covers the target.

Photo by P.J. Reilly

The Tetra Max Ryz X3 includes two sight wheels that are easily interchanged. So one wheel can carry the setup sight tape. No more scraping off one sticker to paste down another in its place. Once you use the setup wheel to determine which tape you need, affix the calibrated tape to the second wheel and simply swap wheels. And the wheels can be turned to any position, so how you mount the sticker sight tape is irrelevant. Simply turn the wheel to match your indicators and lock it down.

HHA sights use incredible fiber, so they always glow in low light. The movable rheostat cover allows you to dull the pins in very bright light by covering some of the fiber, if you start to see a starburst around the pins.

Photo by P.J. Reilly

The Tetra Max Ryz X3 employs a feature HHA initiated a couple years ago that solved the problem of having to re-level your scope if you have to adjust its vertical set position. The scope block is mounted to a channel, so you can move the scope up and down to get it in the starting position you want. The scope is mounted to that block via two screws separate from the channel screws. So once you set the scope screws after leveling the scope, you can then loosen the channel screws to move the scope vertically, if needed, and the scope remains level.

Dozens of sight tape stickers are provided with each sight, covering a vast range of arrow speeds. Odds are, there’s a tape in the pack that will work for your rig.

Photo by P.J. Reilly

Key Features

Pros

Cons

The UV Slider by Ultraview is a combination fixed pin/slider sight for compound bows. The sight comes with a scope that has three horizontal pins, plus a bonus, vertical pin in the bottom of the housing. Two of the horizontal pins can be moved, while the third – the middle pin – is unmovable because it’s set in the exact middle of the housing.

Photo by P.J. Reilly

So you could set up the pins for 20, 30, 40 yards, and then whatever distance the bonus pin ends up at, since it can’t be moved. That would give you aiming references without using the slider feature. But then you have the slider feature, which includes indicators for each of the three horizontal pins, meaning you can shoot this sight as a single-pin sight. And the slider feature is powered by one of the best elevation wheels in the industry. It’s smooth to turn, sized perfectly, precise in its movements and features a locking lever positioned right where your index finger lands when you go to turn the wheel.

Photo by P.J. Reilly

The Slider comes with a full light kit, which isn’t unusual, except the lights that normally come with sights are cheap. This one is not. It’s high quality, and can be adjusted to light the pins or the level or both. If you’re hunting a state that doesn’t allow lights (Colorado), you can pull the light kit and replace it with a normal scope ring that also is included with the sight.

Photo by Scott Einsmann

The UV cartridge system is where the Slider’s versatility really shines. Inside the scope is a plastic cartridge containing the pins and the level. You can loosen two screws to remove that cartridge and replace it with any of the others Ultraview makes. There’s one that allows you to place a lens with no pin for target shooting; there’s one with a single up pin; there’s one with a double-stack vertical pin; and on and on. You choose what you want with the UV slider.

Photo by P.J. Reilly

Key Features

Pros

Cons

The E-Tac ELS4 sight light is an aftermarket light kit that will connect to most sights on the market, especially higher-end sights. It’s powered by a rechargeable battery that has been tested by tournament pros, and has been determined to have the longest battery life on the market. Under normal use, the battery will last for months after a single charge. Lights that use watch batteries are notorious for having short lifespans and for dying at the wrong time. That won’t happen with the E-Tac.

A cord runs from the power pack to the sight to provide light. The kit includes several adapters, and so there’s likely one that will fit your sight, assuming your sight is built to receive a light. You can attach the power pack to your bow or to the sight bar. Hardware for multiple mounting solutions is provided with each light.

There are 15 levels of brightness, so you can have a little bit of light or a lot of light, depending on your need. And you can change the brightness by a simple touch of a button.

One of the coolest features of the E-Tac is the auto shut off and auto turn on. If you forget to turn off your light, it will automatically turn off after an amount of time that you can set. Then, it will automatically turn back on as soon as it senses the motion of you picking up your bow. So you can turn it on, hang it in the tree and not ever worry about it.

The E-Tac is widely used in tournament archery, and has earned a solid reputation there. But it’s also a great choice for bowhunters who need lights, because of the longevity of the battery, its durability and its adjustability. If you’ve been frustrated by the normal lights sold for bowhunting sights, you need to try the E-Tac.

Key Features

Pros

Cons

The Garmin Xero A1i Pro is a bow sight that also functions as a rangefinder. It can be set to that when you press a button attached to the front of the bow grip to range a target, the distance will appear in a display, and an illuminated dot will appear on a screen in the scope housing at the exact spot where it would need to be to aim dead-on at that target. Or it can be set with a series of fixed aiming references set at 10-yard intervals and pressing the rangefinding button simply displays the distance to the target.

The Pro is the newest version of the Xero A1i, and includes micro-adjust capabilities for elevation, windage, and the pitch and yaw of the scope. The pitch and yaw ensure the display screen in the scope is perfectly flat to the user’s eye. That’s key for accurate rangefinding.

Setup for the Xero A1i Pro does take several steps, but you’re guided through those steps by on-screen directions. Follow those directions, and setup is not difficult.

The customization this sight affords is unparalleled. Besides choosing between single-pin or multi-pin aiming, you can choose the pin colors, set up an on-screen digital level if you want, and set the sight to account for normal or extended-range shooting, among other options. You can even set the sight to adjust for different arrow profiles.

You can read the full Garmin Xero A1i Pro review here.

Key Features

Pros

Cons

The Black Gold Pro Dual Trac Dovetail Sight is a solid, but lightweight sight at just 9.4 ounces, making it a solid choice for bowhunters looking to minimize bow weight, but who still want a sight with all the bells and whistles. At its core, this is an adjustable, single-pin sight. You set up a sight tape, range your target and move your sight pin to the desired distance.

However, Black Gold has added a second pin under the main pin, and that second pin is individually adjustable. On many sights that offer a second pin like this, it’s fixed, and you have to figure out the distance it’s set for as you move your main pin. On this sight, you set your main pin, and then you can adjust the second pin up or down to a distance that suits you. Two sight-tape indicators are adjustable so you can set them to match each pin. And those pins are bladed for strength, yet super skinny to the shooter’s eye to minimize how much the pins cover your target.

The dovetail bar allows you to slide the scope closer to or farther from the riser so you can get your sight picture the way you want. Also, the dovetail is sized to work with any bow (currently only newer Mathews bows) featuring the Bridge-Lock sight mounting system.

Windage and elevation adjustments used for setup are both micro-adjustable. The fiber for each pin is housed inside a clear plastic container located on top of the scope for maximum light-gathering, yet keeping the fiber safe from the elements. Included in the pack are 54 stick-on sight tapes. With that many offerings, there’s likely one in the pack that will match your bow and arrow setup.

Key Features

Pros

Cons

The Redline RL4 includes a lot of features bowhunters look for in a high-end sight, but it costs less than $75. It’s a four-pin sight with micro-adjust click dials for windage and elevation. And those adjustment dials can be locked and unlocked without using any tools. Hand-tighten knobs keep them secure.

The pins are made of thin wire, but keep debris out of the scope and you’ll be fine. Each pin has a good amount of fiber that’s all stored in a clear plastic case mounted to the top of the scope for optimum light gathering, while the fiber is also protected. In normal lighting situations, the pins glow nicely.

This sight can be adjusted to level it on the second and third axes, which is unusual for a sight in this price range. So bowhunters can rest assured that when the bubble is in the middle of the level, the sight truly is level.

Four sets of pre-drilled holes in the sight arm allow for attaching the sight to the bow, so the scope sits at different distances from the riser. This allows some customization in getting the sight picture through the peep the way you want it.

Key Features

Pros

Cons

The CBE CX-5 is built for the hunter concerned about overall bow weight, but who still wants a sight that has all the features of the most advanced sights. Weighing just 9 ounces, the CX-5 is a five-pin sight that has a foot of fiber for each pin, a built-in level, micro-adjust drive systems for windage and elevation, and is adjustable on the second and third axes.

The sight features a 3-inch dovetail bar with four locking positions for moving the sight in and out of the mounting block that’s attached to the bow. This allows the user to fine-tune the scope distance from the riser to get the best sight picture through the peep.

On top of the scope, there’s a clear plastic case that houses all the pin fiber. The clear plastic allows light to get to each fiber strand, so they can light up the pin ends, but it also protects the fiber from tree branches, brush, and other outside elements which could break the fiber. Included with the sight is a blue light that attaches to the fiber case, in case artificial light is needed in low-light conditions.

Despite weighing only 9 ounces, the CX-5 is built strong. The carbon bar that cuts weight in super stiff and will not bend. To get the bladed pins to bend, something catastrophic would have to happen. The usual stick running through the scope isn’t going to affect these pins. CBE cut weight from a high-end bow sight, without stripping features or sacrificing strength.

Key Features

Pros

Cons

The ARXOS sight by Dialed Archery is an eye-grabber. With its slanted vertical bar, the giant hole in it when viewed from the side and the cool matte colors, the ARXOS just doesn’t look like other compound bow sights.

The Dialed ARXOS is an adjustable, single-pin sight that offers a second, lower aiming reference on the sight post. So when you max out the sight’s distance, you can switch to the lower aiming point to gain yardage.

The 20-degree angle in the bar brings the scope closer to your eye as you lower it for longer distances. That move extends the sight’s range, as compared to a straight vertical bar. The horizontal distance between the lower and upper ends of the bar is not that great, and so many users are estimating they are getting about 5-10 more yards because of the angle. Just know that going in, as some hunters have thought they’d gain a lot more distance.

The Void Dial is the large wheel that’s turned to adjust the scope up and down. Dialed decided just to leave the inside of the wheel blank, which creates a unique look for this sight. They provide sight tapes, which stick to the sight tape ring. The ring features two adjustable indicator pins that can be individually set for each aiming reference. So when you adjust the scope, you’ll know exactly how far to shoot using the top pin and the lower pin.

The ARXOS sight, with its Cerakote finish, is built for backcountry hunting and Total Archery Challenge abuse. It’s sturdy and can take a beating.

Key Features

Pros

Cons

Customization is the name of the game in archery today, and so many bowhunters aren’t satisfied with the standard scopes that come on various bowhunting sights. The UV3XL is a scope that can be added to many adjustable sights on the market, including ones made by Spot Hogg, Axcel, and HHA. The scope features one or two aiming references, a level, and a built-in light for illuminating the aiming pin and level, or either one individually.

It’s based around a 41mm scope housing, which is optimally sized for bowhunting in that it provides for a good field of view and light transmission to the shooter’s eye.

The scope has an aluminum body, which can then receive various cartridge inserts. The cartridges allow the shooter to choose between single or double-pin aiming references, a lens with a drilled center for a stick fiber, or a lens with a dot that glows when illuminated. All the cartridges feature baffling that reduces glare. The point being you pick how you want to aim.

The front of the scope comes with a light cartridge with 5 LEDs for illuminating your aiming reference and sight level. Two CR 2025 batteries power the light.

Essentially, the UV3XL provides the best sight picture possible for your bowhunting rig. Where typical hunting sights provide a better overall sight experience, the UV3XL focuses exclusively on sight picture issues.

Key Features

Pros

Cons

The Axcel Landslyde five-pin sight is the ultimate bowhunting sight. It offers the quick aiming of five-fixed-pins sight, and the adjustable precision of a sliding, single-pin sight. So if you’ve got your five pins set at 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 yards, you’ve got fixed aiming references if your target buck comes racing in to 20 yards, but then scoots out to 35 after you’ve come to full draw, but before you could shoot. Stay at full draw, and simply move to the gap between your 30- and 40-yard pins.

On the other hand, if you’ve got the time, you can dial your sight to the exact yardage that buck is standing at so you can paste a pin to the spot you want to hit. No gap shooting if you don’t want to gap shoot.

The micro-adjust system for moving each individual pin is ingenious and it takes minutes to sight in your bow. Each pin is held in place by a locking screw. Underneath the pin stack is a dial. You unlock one pin and turn the dial, and then only that pin moves up or down. You are able to make tiny adjustments with the dial, so you can get each pin in exactly the right place. Once a pin is set, tighten the locking screw, and it won’t budge.

When you get the Landslyde in your hands, it’s easy to understand why it’s fairly expensive. You can feel the quality. The pins are bladed, so they won’t bend. The fiber optic is incredibly bright in even the dimmest light. And if it happens to be super bright outside and your pin is starbursting, you can slide the rheostat to cover up some of the fiber, which dulls the pin and eliminates the starburst.

Every sight comes with a good selection of metal and coated paper sight tapes. Odds are, one will work for your setup. If you can get a metal tape to work, you don’t ever have to worry about it getting wet or tearing. With the dual indicators, you can set the top arrow to mark your top pin and the bottom to match your bottom pin. That way, you can use your top pin as a single pin sight from 0-60 yards, and your bottom pin for aiming at anything beyond 60 yards.

We’ve chosen the five-pin sight as the best, but Axcel offers the Landslyde in three-pin and single-pin configurations. You choose what you prefer. You can also choose between versions where the sight bar mounts directly to the riser, or which slides through a mounting block so you can easily adjust how close to or far from the riser the scope sits.

Pin Size

Bow sight pins come in a variety of sizes, but the three most common you’ll encounter are .010, .019, and .029 inches. The smaller the pin, the more precise you can be in aiming. That can be important, especially if you plan to shoot long range. A .029 pin is nice for aiming at a deer 15 yards away, but back up to 70, and that pin is likely to cover half the animal’s body.

However, the smaller the pin, the less light it is able to transmit. So if you’re a tree stand hunter under a heavy canopy, a .010 pin will go dark as prime time arrives in the evening substantially before a .029 pin. As you get older, those smaller pins go dark even sooner.

Think about your age, your eyesight and what you need and want to see while aiming when you choose the size of the pins in your sight.

Fiber Length and Exposure

When you look through a sight and see glowing red, orange, green and/or yellow dots at the sight pin heads, the glowing is thanks to fiber optic. The fiber optic used in bowsights is a thin strand of plastic. Anywhere that fiber is exposed to light, it is gathering light. Any light it gathers is transmitted to the end of the pin, which is what bowhunters use to aim.

The longer the fiber is, and the more that fiber is exposed to light, the more light it can gather. The shorter it is, the less light it will gather. So in low light – prime hunting time – a pin with lots of exposed fiber will be more visible that a pin with a shorter fiber, or fiber that has more length covered.

If most of your hunting is spot and stalk on the open prairie, fiber length is not a huge deal. But if you’re going to be hunting in the timber, having a sight with lots of fiber is critical.

Leveling

As bowhunters, we chase game over uneven terrain, whether we’re aiming down from a tree stand or shooting across the side of a mountain. If your sight isn’t level to the Earth, then you can have problems with arrows hitting left or right of where you want them.

So getting a sight that allows you to level it on the second and third axes ensures that when you check your sight to get the bubble in the scope level into the middle while aiming, you know the sight truly is level. Leveling on the second axis involves pivoting the scope head up and down while the base is pinned to the sight bar. Leveling on the third axis involves pivoting the scope head like it’s a swinging door moving toward or away from the sight bar.

Not all sights include these leveling features. That’s ok, so long as you understand what you’re sacrificing. When you aim down from a tree stand, for example, you will have no way of knowing if the sight’s third axis is level, and so your arrow might impact left or right of where you’re aiming if it’s not level.

If you want to be confident the sight is true when you take aim, choose one that allows you the level the second and third axes.

The answer really is up to you. With a fixed-pin sight, you always have an aiming reference for the entire range of your preset pins. If you’ve got five pins, you can have aiming references preset for 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 yards. If your target animal moves after you come to full draw, just pick another pin for aiming. But if your target isn’t exactly at one of those distance, then you have to know how to gap shoot – aim by holding a pin high or low. With a single pin, you can set the pin to the exact distance of any target. But if an animal moves closer or farther after you set your pin, you have to reset it, which could cause you to miss a shot opportunity. It’s up to you to decide which setup you prefer.

Bow sights vary widely in cost from under $50 to over $1,000. The more expensive sights are going to have more and better features and capabilities. Take the Garmin Xero A1i. That’s got more technology built into it than many home appliances. You can find good quality sights really at any price point from $50-$1,500. Figure out what you want the sight to do and then shop accordingly. If you want to spend no more than $100, you can find a good sight in that range. Just understand it won’t be as bulletproof or feature laden as a $600 sight.

A sight is fastened to a bow essentially in one of two ways. Either the sight arm is mounted by screws directly to the bow, or a block is mounted to the bow, and the sight arm slides in and out of that block.With a slide-in, slide-out sight, you can easily move the sight to adjust your sight picture through your peep. That is, you can adjust the sight so that when you look through the peep, the scope perfectly fills the peep. You get the scope ring to match the peep ring to know you are aligned.Also, slide-in, slide-out sights can easily be removed for transport in a case. Turn a knob, and the sight slides out.Direct-mount sights may or may not have multiple mounting positions to try to match the scope to your peep. If one doesn’t, then what you see through the peep is what you get. Your only option then is to change peep sizes.However, you never have to worry about a direct-mount sight sliding because the holding knob came loose. The screws hold it in place. Period. They also tend to be quieter due to the direct connection.

Choosing the right sight for your bow is a critical piece to the accuracy puzzle. It is the last thing you’re looking through before an arrow is released, and often is the difference between filling a tag and going home with a sad story. But a sight can’t make up for poor shooting form or a bad bow tune. Work on those before diving into a high-end sight. When you get your shot and your tuning right, then one of the best bow sights can be just what’s needed to make you the most accurate bowhunter possible.

Gear Writer

P.J. Reilly is one of Outdoor Life’s archery gear writers. When he’s not writing about the latest and greatest compound bows, he’s making videos about archery products, archery tournaments, and archery professionals for one of the biggest archery suppliers in the world – Lancaster Archery Supply. Somehow, he turned flinging arrows at boxes in the backyard into a full-time career. He lives in Wagontown, PA, with his superhero wife, brain-addled cat, and a backyard full of wild critters.

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