Best Single Pin Bow Sight for Hunting

If you are a bowhunter or planning on getting into bow hunting, you need to have the right equipment. Of course, the bow itself is the most important part of the equation, but certainly not the only part. Almost as important as the bow is the sight, the thing you use to acquire a target and aim.

Without a good sight for hunting, the chances of hitting your prey are not great. Today we want to take a closer look at a specific type of sight, the single pin bow sight, and discuss what it can do for you. We will discuss buying factors, and we will review some of the best single pin bow sights for hunting.

Types of Bow Sights

Before we get into talking specifically about single pin bow sights, let’s take a quick look at all of the types of bow sights and what they can do for you.

Fixed Pin Bow Sights

Fixed pin arrow sights are very common and a fan favorite for many. These come with fixed pins, usually anywhere from 3 to 5 pins, sometimes more. In terms of what the pins do, the top pin would be for close-range shooting and the bottom pin for long-range shooting. Each pin represents a certain distance, which can usually be set by the user. It’s usually best to stick with even increments, such as 5 or 10-yard increments, just because it’s easy to remember.

Single and Movable Pin Sights

Single pin sights, as the name suggests, come with one pin, and there are movable options that allow you to adjust the position of the housing based on the distance of the shot. When adjusting these, be sure to mark the distance which each position represents. Single pin systems are quite easy to use and absolutely perfect for hunting.

Competition Sights

These are also known as target sights, and although some hunters will use them occasionally, they are very expensive and really made for competition target shooting. However, that said, these sights come loaded to the brim with features and are hands down the best in terms of target acquisition and accuracy.

Pendulum Sights

If you are hunting out of a tree stand or something similar, a pendulum sight is a good idea to look into. These help hunters who need to make adjustments based on elevation. Keep in mind that while pendulum sights are great for shooting from an elevated position, they are very difficult to master and virtually unusable when shooting from the ground.

How to Choose a Single Pin Bow Sight

When you go to buy a single pin bow sight, you don’t want to just go with the first one that you see. There is actually a lot of consideration that should go into choosing the right one for your hunting needs. If you keep all of the factors in mind which we are about to discuss, you should have no problem finding the right single pin bow sight for your needs.

Pin Size

One of the first considerations to keep in mind when selecting a single pin bow sight is the size of the pin itself, or in other words, the size of that dot in the middle of the sight. Now, the average size for these pins is 0.019 inches, which is a medium. There are both larger and smaller pins, and for the most part this is a matter of personal preference.

You want the pin to be large enough to see, but also small enough so that it does not completely obscure your view of the target. A medium pin size is recommended for most hunting needs. Some also say that a larger pin helps archers acquire a target more easily, but smaller pins assist with accurate targeting. It all depends on your skills.

Pin Color and Brightness

Another feature to consider is the color and brightness of the pin. In terms of color, this is once again more a matter of personal preference than anything else. People are different and you may have an easier time seeing one color over another.

That said, the color will make a difference when it comes to light conditions. Simply put, a bright and light-colored pin is best for the night and low light conditions, whereas darker and duller colored pins are best for daytime shooting and high light conditions.

You do also want to keep the brightness of the pin in mind. High-quality single pin bow sights will allow you to adjust the brightness, so you can use the same one no matter the lighting conditions.

That said, you need the pin to be bright enough to see, especially when it comes to hunting at night, early morning, and late in the evening. However, on the other hand, you also do not want a pin that is too bright, or else the bright light will wash out the target and mess with your vision.

Adjustability

Single pin sights will all come with dials so you can make the proper adjustments for elevation, but this is not the only thing to pay attention to. A micro-dial for windage adjustment is a bonus, something that will go a long way in helping to maintain accuracy.

A good single pin bow sight should also come with second and third axis adjustments, so you can adjust the position of the pin to compensate for elevation, windage, and distance. If you plan on shooting from elevated positions or making very long shots, getting a single pin bow sights with the ability to make these adjustments is strongly recommended.

Weight and Size

Both the weight and the size of the single pin bow sight are important to consider as well. In terms of the weight, if you get one which is relatively heavy, one thing you can be sure of is that it should be made with durable and high-quality materials.

However, that said, when it comes to usability, something with a lower weight is usually best. The reason for this is because the weight of the bow sight will affect your ability to balance the bow, which in turn can lead to issues with accuracy. Sure, heavier sights are often far more durable and long-lasting, and often have extra features, but a really heavy sight can cause problems.

The same can be said for the size of the single pin bow sight in question. A larger option may have more features and be a bit easier to see through, but simply put, if it’s too large, it may actually just get in the way.

Durability

Of course, when it comes to hunting and being out in the woods, especially when lots of movement is concerned, you also want to go for something that is very durable. You don’t want to put your bow down only to find that the sight is messed up because you bumped it on something.

That said, if you buy a high-quality unit, especially modern ones with strong pins and enclosed fiber optics, you should be fine. On a side note, metal makes a big difference. If you can find a single pin bow sight made of lightweight metal or carbon, you are in luck.

Something you should aim to avoid here is getting a bow sight with lots of plastic components; plastic is cheap and lightweight, but also not very durable either.

Range

Another factor is the intended range of the unit. For hunting purposes, most shots are made at 50 yards or less. Sure, some people try to push this and may try for that 100-yard shot, although this is exceedingly rare. The point here is that you need a bow sight that can accurately acquire and lock in on a target at the distance you plan on shooting. Just remember that not all bow sights are designed for the same distances.

Design, Special Features, and Price

When it comes to the matter of personal preference, the biggest one is going to be the design of the model. Each single pin bow sight is going to feature its own unique design, and this is a matter of personal preference.

Simply put, you may prefer one style or design over another. What you want to pay attention to is how the sight is attached to the bow and where the adjustment dials are, as this is going to be a matter of comfort.

Moreover, many of the modern higher-end units come with their own special features, with a select few even featuring high-tech features such as infrared night vision. You should look into the variety of special features that single pin bow sights can come with.

This brings us to the final point of price and brand name. This is the kind of thing where the brand name and price are going to make a difference. You get what you pay for, and if you want a high-quality unit with all the bells and whistles, you will have to pay for it.

Best Single Pin Bow Sights Recommendations

Here we have what are considered to be the best single pin bow sights on the market at this time. Let’s take a closer look at both of the following bow sights to see exactly what they bring to the table.

HHA Optimizer Sight

If you are looking for a very high-quality single pin bow sight that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, this HHA Optimizer Sight is a fantastic option to keep in mind. One thing we want to note right off the bat is that this particular model can be used by both right- and left-handed archers.

Next, what can also be said about the HHA Optimizer Sight is that it is a very durable unit. In terms of durability, this unit is made out of CNC machined aluminum with a high-quality armor pin, complete with high-grade wrapped fiber optic. It’s definitely a long-lasting single pin sight.

Going back to the aluminum build, the HHA Optimizer Sight is not only durable, but also very lightweight, so it should not impact balance very much at all, thus allowing for easy shooting and a great deal of accuracy.

The green sight ring is another bonus, because it allows for easy target acquisition, and on that same note, the brightness of the pin can be mechanically adjusted to meet lighting needs. It’s a good single pin bow sight to go with for a variety of light levels.

Just to be clear, the HHA Optimizer Sight features a 0.019 pin inside of 5’ of wrapped fiber optic. What is also worth mentioning about this sight is that it is extremely easy to mount. Also, the HHA Optimizer Sight features a tool-free micro-dial for windage adjustments, thus also increasing accuracy and ease of use.

Read more about the HHA Optimizer Sight on Amazon

TRUGLO Range-Rover PRO LED Bow Sight

This is a slightly more expensive single pin bow sight, but it also has some pretty nifty features that make it worth the slightly higher price. Let’s not forget that the TRUGLO Range-Rover PRO LED Bow Sight is made of durable and lightweight machined aluminum, making this a long-lasting single pin sight that will not negatively affect balance or accuracy.

What really stands out about the TRUGLO Range-Rover PRO LED Bow Sight is how adjustable it is. For one, this is a slider sight, so you can move it closer or further away from your eyes, which is a very unique and useful feature. Moreover, this sight also comes with a zero-in elevation dial and a tool-free micro-dial for windage adjustments. This high level of adjustability is a big bonus which makes this unit worth the cost.

Another great feature is the illuminated LED dot in the center, which is a more modern version of the previous version which used a straight-up pin. The benefit here is that the dot is illuminated and is therefore very easy to see in all light conditions.

That said, the brightness of the pin/dot is fully adjustable to meet any and all shooting conditions. The large field of view and the glow-in-the-dark shooter’s ring are special features you get. You can even get a Range Rover lens kit for up to 2x magnification for long-distance shooting.

Read more about the TRUGLO Range-Rover PRO LED Bow Sight on Amazon

Conclusion

There you have it — everything you need to know about how to choose the best single pin bow sight for hunting. Remember to keep all of the important considerations in mind, compare those to your own needs, and then you will be ready to make a choice.