Menu
To become really good at archery, you have to be open to change. When I started using bow sights, I went with one that had multiple pins because that’s what everyone else was using, too. However, sights have gone from 3, 5, or 7 pins to just a single pin, and that is for a good reason!
Single pin bow sights have many advantages for archers and hunters that want to improve their success in long-range shooting.
For many archers, it is that much easier to gain accuracy with a correctly installed and fine-tuned single pin sight, especially on the compound bows of the current era.
Many single pin bow sights are easy to adjust while in the field or at the range. For instance, sight the bow at 30 yards and then again at 50 yards, and then mark off the gaps with in-between distances.
A wheel lets you move the sight in small increments in between that 20-yard gap. It is very easy.
At first glance, a single pin is somewhat intimidating to an archer who’s never used one. But I highly recommend giving it a fair chance!
Heading to a pro shop and trying out a bow in stock with a sight attached is great for finding out how great these single pin sights are. Experience how simple it is to adjust the distance wheel, and you find that this simple act of “test driving” the accessory turns most archers into believers and buyers of a single pin sight.
The fact that it is so easy to use and boosts your accuracy is the biggest selling point. It takes only a few shots to dial in your distances. And once you become familiar with the ballistics of your bow, you will be able to tune the markers out to however far your bow can shoot.
One of my bows’ single pin sight is dialed from 20 to 40, but I have been able to get it to 60 when just practicing on the range.
Below I will discuss and review some of the best single pin sights:
This is a good value for the money; removable rheostat light equipped single pin sight. It is suitable for right-handed and left-handed shooters alike. It is made of fully protected wrapped fiber and has a smooth bracket, which makes it easy to single-handedly adjust it. There is an adjustable yardage stop, which helps you customize the max yardage setting easily.
The range of movement on this sight is huge. You can easily zero a compound bow, for instance, from close to far range. The click adjustment feels good, and the elevation adjustment knob is large and turns smoothly and with precision.
This is great for people who would like to shoot beyond 25 yards and be accurate. Users noted they tried it out at 30, 40, and 50 yards and hit bulls’ eyes each and every time.
If allowed in your area, you can add on a sight light for a few extra dollars, and you will be ready to have a great time hunting in a clean and easy-to-use way.
Pros
Cons
Are you a new archer or are you shopping for a youth that needs to learn how to use a sight? This is the way to go. This is a nice and lightweight option and it measures in at just 5 oz. It is perfect for youths to use, and the sight housing measures up at 1 ⅝ inch. The aluminum construction means it will last against all of your toughest adventures.
The tape is on the sight as per the manufacturer. You mark the yardage on the tape, so be sure that when using this, you do not make any permanent marks until you are sure of hitting the target at 20 yards dead on, then 40 yards, and then 60 yards. At that point, you can then write in the marks. (It’s worth it to do some practice runs if you buy this particular sight!)
This sight is really a great value if you are not sure if a single pin sight is right for you. The quality is there, but the price is not outlandish and it’s not a total piece of junk. Once again, great for beginners or youths.
Pros
Cons
This is a high-quality and high-performance vertical pin that allows for ultra-precise adjusting of the sight. The bushings are conducive to quiet and smooth moves with zero metal-on-metal contact. You can adjust the brightness to suit visibility conditions using the rheostat light. And, it’s so easy to stay accurate regardless of the light condition thanks to the glo indicators on the sight. The fiber optic pin is .019” and helps you maintain the ultimate in visibility thanks to its ultra-bright nature.
This particular bow sight is great for hunters, especially those who wear glasses, especially with a strong prescription. This allows you a single point to focus on as you take your aim. Users took note of the bright fiber optic point and the glowing outer ring positioned around the sight as being helpful.
It should also be noted that this does not come with pre-marked tape options, so you will have to mark those down yourself once you’ve confirmed the distances during practice shots.
Pros
Cons
We will close out our list with another great sight from HHA. This measures in at .8 lb and is made of strong aluminum to withstand all weather and conditions. The aluminum is machined by CNC, features an armor pin, and is black in color.
There is also a green sight ring and ARMOR sight pin technology. Sight diameter measures .019.
By following the instructions, you will be able to have this sighted in just 60 minutes or less. Just work your way back on distance in 10-yard increments.
It might even help to have your target lying down and not hanging up as the chances of missing or losing your arrows go down drastically. This tool definitely increases one’s confidence as you find yourself being as accurate at 60 yards as you are at 20.
It is a great way to cut down on the clutter of multi-pin sights, improve aim, and generally have a great time hunting or practicing.
Pros
Cons
You might be wondering at this point what sets a single pin apart from a multi-pin. Let’s talk about it briefly.
Let’s refresh you on single pin sights. Within the accessory’s housing, there is just a single pin for you to focus on- that’s it! There are no extra pins to focus on and it is quick to acquire your target. It’s good if you get flustered in the heat of the moment as it minimizes the amount of stuff you have to focus on.
Single pins operate on sliders. You simply dial that pin to the yardage you need. It benefits your accuracy greatly.
We are favorable of single pin sights, but they do have their drawbacks. For example, the movement factor. Adjusting your sight to take the shot makes you more noticeable to your target when you’re out hunting. This can affect you to the point where your target goes out of range completely.
Secondly, stuff happens fast when we are hunting. Suppose there is a target standing at 35 yards and your sight is adjusted to 35. Now suppose that target goes out to 50 yards. Now you have to know the precise holdover for 50 yards OR let down and retool the sight for 50. This is not good for a few reasons, the first being accuracy and the second being time. We know the situation changes fast when hunting and sometimes we are not fast enough.
In case you’re not hunting with your bow, I really can’t see a disadvantage of a single pin bow sight.
You will find these are more popular than the single pins when we talk about bowhunting and beginners especially like them. There is one pin for each measure of yardage. You can buy sights with three, five, or seven pins.
You can also add a slider to go even farther in terms of yardage. The pins are set in increments of 10, and this is the biggest “pro” for the use of multi-pin sights. You don’t have to mess around with a slider when hunting. So that target which was standing at 35 yards and is now at 50? Simply switch the pin you were using to aim.
It’s a huge time-saver and grants you those tiny advantages that can make all the difference, such as avoiding movements that get you noticed or failing to see a tag on a target.
That being said, it does have its “cons.” For example, many pins mean much more clutter. It becomes a distraction when you are already trying to see through the sight. Second, you might choose the wrong one in the excitement of things. It is a common story many bowhunters tell.
If you feel like you’d like to start out with a multiple pin sight, you can read more about the Trophy Ridge React 5 Pin Bow Sight here. It’s the one I used before switching to single pin sights.
Curious about what to look for when you shop? Here are a few things to take note of.
Thank you for taking the time to read over our guide about the best single pin bow sights. Whether it is your goal to have the best trophy this season or just to get better with these amazing add-ons, you are sure to enjoy the increased accuracy that comes with a single pin bow sight.
Raptor Compound Hunting Bow Kit Review
Where To Buy The Best Easton Arrows?
My Top 5 Of Best Recurve Bows For Beginners And Pros
Rinehart 18-1 The Best Archery Target For Broadhead Arrows
Introducing The Morrell Supreme Range Field Point Archery Bag Target
My SAS Pioneer Traditional Wood Longbow Review