Skip to main content

ATA 2017: Best New Bow Sights

ATA 2017: Best New Bow Sights

I've been fortunate to try out an awful lot of bowhunting gear over the last decade, which admittedly, has been pretty fun. But, when I think back to the variety of gear that I've tried few things stand out as actually helping me be a better hunter. Near the top of that short list is sights. Without question, the right sight for your shooting style and hunting situation can help you fill more tags.

The Rocky Mountain brand, much to the thrill of older bowhunters, has returned to the archery industry after an extended absence.

This is often accomplished through brighter pins, a decluttered sight window, or as of lately, a movable sight that brings more aiming options to the table. This year, we've scoured the rows upon rows of manufacturers at the Archery Trade Association Show to find out exactly what 2017's crop of new sights looks like (good, very good).

Following are the best of the best new bow sights.

Rocky Mountain Driver

Young bowhunters may not remember the Rocky Mountain brand, although they most likely shoot broadheads that started with the company (or were inspired by them). This iconic brand disappeared for a while, but is now back and they are making killer sights like the new one-pin Driver ($130). This adjustable slider is constructed entirely of aluminum, features fully-captured a .019-inch pin, and is second- and third-axis adjustable. It also boasts laser-etched windage and elevation markers and a built-in light adapter. In other words, this is one of the best deals on the market and is only one of many, many new products we'll see out of Rocky Mountain this year.

Rocky Mountain Driver

Apex Gear Covert Single-Pin Sight

One-pin sights are all of the rage, with more options showing up each year. Heading up the pack for 2017 is Apex Gear's latest offering, which features a .019-inch pin (green) that boasts an extra long fiber for increased brightness. Easy, one-hand adjustments are standard with the Covert, which also happens to include 120 pre-marked yardage tapes to ensure that setup is a breeze. Other features include an adjustable yardage pointer and adjustability to accommodate both right- and left-handed shooters.




Apex Gear Covert Single-Pin Sight

Axcel Sights AccuHunter Plus featuring the AV Hunter Scope

Anyone looking for a single-pin slider needs to check out the latest offering from Axcel Sights. The AccuHunter Plus features elevation and windage locks, an adjustable 20-yard stop, and is fitted with the new 1.75-inch AV Hunter Scope. This scope is designed with the FirePin, a crazy bright pin that takes advantage of Axcel's fiber optic technology. Perfect for both right- and left-handed shooters, this high-end sight option can be had for only $240. Anyone looking for a different aiming option can also choose the Crosshair Insert.

Recommended


Axcel Sights AccuHunter Plus featuring the AV Hunter Scope

Black Gold Ascent Verdict w/ X Frame Base

Anyone who has hunted the steep slopes where elk and other mountain dwelling critters live has had to face the reality of third-axis adjustments on sights. Black Gold is well known for their quality offerings, and this years Ascent Verdict w/ X Frame Base is no exception with its first-, second- and third-axis adjustability. Choose from one-, three- or five-pin models that are all fully customizable. As with all Black Gold Sights, their latest is backed by their Unconditional Guarantee.

Black Gold Ascent Verdict w/ X Frame Base

CBE SL4 Bowsight

Few companies have as loyal of a following amongst western hunters as CBE. This is no accident, and instead is a direct result of creating products like the new four-pin SL4 Sight. To provide ultimate protection while allowing plenty of light to reach its pins, the SL4 is designed around the ArmedGuard Fiber Management system. This system includes 12 inches of fiber-optic (.019-inch Rhino Pins). The movable, multi-pin SL4 is a breeze to set up thanks to its laser-engraved markings, QuickSlide windage unit, and indicator window with reference marks.

CBE SL4 Bowsight

PSE Amp Micro Sight

Looking for a quality new five-pin sight that won't break the bank? Look no further than PSE's new Amp Micro Sight ($70). This sight is designed with .019-inch full capture pins, micro-adjust for both windage and elevation, and a bubble level. With its two-inch diameter housing and included True Blue sight light, the Amp Micro Sight is the ideal choice for low light conditions when you're most likely to earn a shot, and is also perfect for both right- and left-handed shooters.

PSE Amp Micro Sight

Spot Hogg The Grinder

If durability is important to you in a sight, you had better check out The Grinder ($205) from Spot Hogg. This set-it-and-forget-it five-pin sight features the company's Vertical Aiming Wire for quick target alignment, is extremely lightweight, and features simple, durable gang adjustments. To further enhance your shooting experience and allow you to match up peep sight sizes to aperture, the housing is capable of accepting interchangeable alignment rings.

Spot Hogg The Grinder

Trophy Ridge React H5

It took a lot to get me to abandon my beloved single-pin sights and try out the world of multi-pin sights, which is exactly what Trophy Ridge did when they released their original React sights. This innovative product line just makes it so much easy to sight in, and when you've got twin five-year olds, time management is important. This year, the React lineup includes the new H5s ($149 - $159), which are lighter in weight and sleeker in design than their predecessors. Simply sight in with the 20-yard pin and a farther distance (40 to 60 yards ideally) and you'll be have a bow that is dialed in with all five pins. Simple, convenient, and mathematically impossible to be wrong provided you do your job.

Trophy Ridge React H5

TRUGLO Archer's Choice RANGE€¢ROVER PRO

TRUGLO has taken one of their most popular sights and made it even better for 2017. The revamped Archer's Choice RANGE€¢ROVER PRO ($245) now features digital push-button controls that allow users to change the brightness of the LED pin through 11 brightness settings. To ensure you don't wear the batteries out by accident, this sight is also built with an automatic-off feature that shuts it down four hours. This sight also comes with 80 pre-marked yardage tapes for ease in setup and is micro-adjustable (tool-less).

TRUGLO Archer's Choice RANGE€¢ROVER PRO

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Craig Boddington gives a quick summation of why the B&C club was created and the role it's played in conservation effort...

A Missed Whitetail Opportunity

Craig Boddington gives a quick summation of why the B&C club was created and the role it's played in conservation effort...

The Origins of Boone & Crockett

Petersen's Bowhunting Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Petersen's Bowhunting App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Petersen's Bowhunting stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Petersen's Bowhunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now