If you’re the type of archer who never shoots beyond 30 yards, a single pin sight is the ultimate choice. This bow sight clarifies the sight picture, helping you avoid mistakes during the thrill of aiming at game. And, it results in better accuracy overall.
Hunting for the best single pin bow sights on the market? We’ve got you covered. In the following guide, we’ve reviewed the best single pin sights and provided an in-depth guide. Read on to learn more.
Reviews of the Best Single Pin Bow Sights
1. APEX GEAR Covert 1-Pin Sight
If you’re looking for the best single pin bow sights, the Apex Gear Covert is a solid choice.
There are several things you’ll love about this sight for compound bows, one of which is its affordability. Though it’s not the cheapest, its mid-range price is a reasonable offering. And, you’re guaranteed of getting excellent value for your money.
Another thing you’ll notice about the Apex Gear Covert is the wide range of adjustments you can make. For one, it offers gravity line adjustments. This makes it possible to align your pin movements with gravity.
This single pin bow sight also offers windage and elevation adjustments that are micro-adjustable. Being able to adjust these aspects helps you achieve unmatched shooting precision.
The Versa pin technology is yet another feature that makes the Apex Gear Covert the best single pin bow sight. This is meant to help you select your preferred pin color, depending on the light conditions you encounter.
You’ll be able to choose from red, yellow, and green in just a few seconds. You’ll also have the freedom to switch from .010” to .019” pin based on your preferences.
Lastly, you'll notice that the sight tape is rear-facing. It's positioned in this way for easy accessibility.
If you're in search for a high-performance vertical pin, the Trophy Ridge Pursuit Vertical Bow Sight fits the bill. And, it comes at half the price of similar sights in its class, making it among the most affordable sights.
There’s a lot to love about this single pin bow sight, beginning with its lightweight profile. It comprises an aluminum construction that provides durability without adding too much to its weight. Thanks to this, it weighs a measly 1.9 lbs.
And the good news is that this doesn’t compromise its performance. The bow sight still holds up well to bows with a poundage of up to 340 pounds.
The Trophy Ridge Pursuit also includes a few Delrin bushings. These are designed to create a smooth and ultra-quiet movement by eliminating metal-to-metal contact.
Available in either a left- or right-handed orientation, this bow sight is equipped with a .019” medium fiber optic pin. And, it includes several other features that enhance illumination.
The glowing indicator pin includes a rheostat light. This lets you adjust the light focus; hence aim more accurately in low light conditions. Important to note though is that it lacks night vision capability.
Furthermore, the Trophy Ridge Vertical pin sight allows for windage and elevation adjustments. This helps to boost your precision when you’re aiming. It also comes with multiple attachments that include a wrist strap, differently-colored rings, and a mounting bar.
Do you have a little more wiggle room in your budget? If you do, you’ll love the performance of the high-end Trophy Ridge React One Pro model. The single pin bow sight comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect for this price.
One of its most impressive features entails the tool-less micro-adjustments, collectively referred to as the React Technology. This makes it possible to calibrate the first and second pins, and then the pin bow sight automatically calibrates the remaining three pins.
Once you set the first pin to 20 yards and the second to 30 yards, it automatically sets the rest to 40, 50, and 60 yards.
Another feature that’s typically found on expensive pin sights like this one is the third-axis adjustment. This significantly boosts your long-range precision by ensuring that it’s adjusted correctly.
The manufacturer set out to meet the needs of all kinds of archers with their Trophy Ridge React One Pro. This explains why it’s available in a left- or right-handed version.
Archers also get to choose from two pin sizes: .010” and .019”. As you’ll learn later in this guide, the .019” unit transmits more light, making it the best option for low-light settings.
Spot Hogg is a prominent brand in the archery industry. So, it’s not surprising that one of their inventions has made it to our list. The Fast Eddie XL Single Pin is particularly revered for its sturdy build that results from the use of aluminum.
One of its key highlights entails its hardened rail design (HRD). This prevents the bow sight from buzzing as you shoot so it doesn’t compromise your accuracy. This HRD tech also guarantees that vibrations from the bow don’t interfere with the sight settings.
The MRT system is another thing that sets the Fast Eddie pin bow sight from the crowd. The multiple ring technology simply means that the sight has three different housing rings to pick from.
Why so many rings? Well, Spot Hogg accounts for the fact that your pupil enlarges in low light to accommodate more light. This has an impact on just how big the sight housing looks via your peep sight. The MRT system ensures that you always have an extra reference point to offset these differences.
The Spot Hogg Fast Eddie sight also includes a large yardage knob for seamless adjustments. There’s even a yardage wheel lock to ensure that it stays in place.
If you’re keen, you’ll also notice the double pin scope design of this bow sight. What this means is that it’s incorporated two fiber optic aiming points into a single pin.
Lastly, installing and detaching this single pin sight on your bow will be a cinch. This is made possible by the 6” dovetail bar mount that’s included in the package.
The CBE Tactic Hybrid is arguably the best single pin bow sight for target shooting. CBE has a solid reputation for making premium-quality archery equipment and this bow sight is no exception.
It weighs just slightly under one pound, making it among the lightest bow sights in our review. More importantly, it has an ambidextrous design that makes it useful to both right- and left-handed archers.
Piecing this pin bow sight together is a piece of cake. This is largely thanks to the smart mount multi-positioning mounting holes. The bow sight also boasts some laser marks that facilitate an easy setup, especially when it comes to windage and elevation adjustments.
Single Pin vs Multi-Pin Bow Sights
The difference between single and multiple pin sights is fairly straightforward. In fact, it’s all in the name. Here’s a detailed look at each one:
Single Pin Sights
Also known as an adjustable pin, this one contains just a single pin that can either be a vertical or horizontal pin. The bow sight also contains a bubble level in the housing, but that’s about it.
Single pin sights don’t have any clutter. This aspect helps to get rid of the confusion on what you should focus on when aiming.
Furthermore, this sight operates with the aid of a track slider. This is what enables you to configure the pin to specific yardage; thus, eliminating the guesswork out of every shot.
Pros
A single pin sight is particularly recommended for bow hunting. Both beginner and veteran hunters find these bow sights easier to use.
Having fewer obstacles in the way of the target allows you to hone in on your target faster. It also improves your shooting accuracy. This is because this single pin bow sight lets you set your yardage accurately, resulting in a precise shot each time.
Cons
Though beneficial, a single pin bow sight has several drawbacks too. For one, it’s not the ideal tool to use for targets on the move. By the time you adjust the sight for new yardage, your prized game will be miles away.
There’s also the risk that the animal could be facing your direction. If this is the case, any slight movements can spook the game and cost you.
Multi Pin Sights
Also called a fixed pin, this multi-pin sight contains anything between 3 and 9 pins in its setup. These pins are configured to represent different yardages in increments of 10 yards. For instance, the pins may represent 20, 30, 40 yards, or more.
The fact that each pin represents an exact distance eliminates the need to make adjustments on the fly when you’re in the field. However, making the correct adjustments calls for more mental computations and focus.
Pros
One of the greatest benefits of a multi-pin sight is that it provides automatic adjustments. Instead of letting down your bow to readjust for a new shot, you simply use a different pin that’s preset for different yardage.
Cons
The biggest drawback of a multi-pin bow sight is the fact that it depends on pin gapping. If you’re new to archery, pin gapping refers to aiming below or above the pin so as to hit a target that’s in between your preset distances.
Let’s say you’re aiming at a buck that is 45 yards out. You’d have to aim halfway between 40 and 50-yard pins. The challenge with this is that you have to make those split-second computations while also training your eye to focus on a specific spot.
Which is superior?
Now that you know the differences between single and multiple pins, you’re probably wondering which is better. The truth is, there's no one superior or wrong pin. Picking between the two depends on your preference and hunting style.
If you prefer to hunt from an elevated position or the cover of some dense forest, a single pin sight will suffice. In this case, you’ll have basic knowledge of how far your target is. This means you can dial in the settings quickly and be ready to fire instantly.
However, if you’re a stalk bowhunter, then a multiple pin sight will serve you better. This particular bow sight includes several pins that are already set to different yardages. This then eliminates the need to make adjustments on the fly which can cost you your target.
Pendulum Bow Sights
Single and multi-pin sights aren’t the only varieties available. We also have pendulum sights like the Truglo Pendulum sight.
Such a bow sight is designed to make up for shooting in settings that entail massive changes in elevation. This explains why it’s used primarily by hunters who shoot from tree stands.
With models like the Truglo Pendulum sight, you won’t have to calculate the target’s angle, arc, or drop of the arrow. This is because the sight automatically compensates for long-range shooting; up to 35 yards.
Check out the 7 Best Bow Sights for Hunting and Target Shooting here.
How to Choose the Right Single Pin Bow Sight
Purpose
The first aspect you should account for is the application(s) that you use your bow for. This way, you can determine whether to go for a single pin in the first place.
For instance, if you prefer long-range shooting where you aim at targets that are 100 yards out, multi-pin sights are a better choice. However, if you prefer close-range shooting, then single pin hunting bow sights work just fine.
Accuracy
When buying a single pin sight, consider whether it will help you aim for longer distances. In particular, confirm whether it provides micro-adjustments for higher accuracy, along with a 2nd or 3rd axis adjustment.
Pin Size
Single pin sights come in numerous sizes. The most common ones are .010, .019, and .029 inches.
Generally, the bigger the pin’s diameter, the more light it transmits. This, in turn, allows you to see better. This means that if you’ll be shooting in poorly-lit areas, you may want to go for the biggest single pin size available.
That said, you’ll also want to consider the target coverage provided by a larger pin. Though it’s more visible in low-light settings, it’s also less accurate at longer ranges. This is because it covers up a bigger portion of the target, making it difficult to aim accurately.
Weight
Another factor that a lot of archers forget to account for is the weight of the single pin bow sight. But this shouldn’t be the case as this extra weight can throw your bow off balance.
The best single pin bow sight is one that’s of moderate weight. It’s not too heavy that it interferes with balance. But, it’s also not so light that it compromises durability.
Adjustments
If you have any experience using a rifle to shoot, then you have basic knowledge of windage and elevation adjustments. Well, a single pin sight isn’t any different. It also requires these kinds of adjustments to help improve your shooting precision.
The one thing you’ll want to check is whether a given bow requires extra hardware to perform adjustments. We recommend going for single pin bow sights that allow performing these changes on the fly without using any hardware.
This means that it should have easily accessible windage and elevation knobs. Some models like the HHA king pin Bow Sight include wheels for adjustments.
Durability
Another thing you’ll want to pay attention to is the durability of the material used to make the single pin sights. Keep in mind that you’ll be using this sight in very rugged conditions, especially if you like bowhunting.
If you’ll be using your bow to hunt, there’s a high likelihood that the sight may get bumped into a tree or rained on. So it should be made of premium-quality materials that can withstand these elements. Whenever possible, opt for single pin sights that have warranties.
Legality
There’s no denying that single pin bow sights improve an archer’s ability to aim and shoot accurately. But before you get one, you’ll want to read the laws and regulations that apply to these tools.
In some states, it’s illegal to use bow sights when you’re hunting. In others, using bow sights is allowed as long as you don’t add any lighting fixture to it. Since these policies vary from one region to another, acquaint yourself with those that apply to your region.
Extra Features
Some single pin sights come fitted with additional features that increase their efficiency. These extra elements include:
- Sight light - a fixture such as a led light or removable rheostat light is great for illuminating your pin. This is particularly helpful if you're shooting in low-light conditions. Just be sure that it's legal to use one before purchasing.
- Pin guard - this is meant to shield the pin against potential damage, which can happen when trying to center the pin within the peep sight.
- Mounting bracket - this makes it easier to install the sight on your bow.
- Built-in sight level - this component enables you to configure the first, second and third axis on your sight.
Tips on How to Sight Using a Single Pin Bow Sight
When using a single pin sight, the best place to start is the 10-yard mark. Now, there are two main adjustments that you can perform on this sight: windage and elevation.
Windage adjustment allows you to move the pin either right or left. Conversely, the elevation adjustment allows you to slide it further up or down.
Once you sight your pin for 10 yards, shoot a group. This simply entails shooting three arrows subsequently in good form, so they land on the same spot. You can then make the necessary adjustments until your arrows hit the desired spot.
If you go beyond the windage adjustment range, consider loosening a screw. This then allows you to slide the pin a little further to the right or left.
FAQs
What is a good single pin bow sight?
There is no one single pin sight that’s ideal for every archer. A sight that works for you might not work for another individual.
So the most important thing to focus on is the sight’s impact on your precision. Any sight that considerably improves your shooting precision is high quality.
Are single pin sights more accurate?
The accuracy of these bow sights is more of a subjective matter. But to a great extent, single pin sights offer better accuracy.
This tool allows you to configure the sight for a specific distance; thus, enhancing your precision. And the fact that you don’t have to focus on multiple pins results in a clearer sight picture; further, enhancing your shooting precision.
How do single pin bow sights work?
To understand how this tool works, you should first learn how it’s constructed. It contains a single fiber optic pin at the center of the sight housing.
If you’d like to adjust it for a given distance, you’ll need to move the sight body up or down. This then allows it to correspond with your preferred yardage.
Conclusion
Finding the best single pin bow sights is never easy given the plethora of options available. One that ticks most (if not all) of the boxes is the APEX GEAR Covert 1-Pin Sight.
Its housing is made of aluminum, resulting in a durable yet lightweight sight. Plus, it has provision for micro-adjust windage and elevation to help you achieve more accurate shots. You can also adjust the yardage single-handedly and switch to your preferred pin color.