5 pin or single pin?

adubs · Aug 14, 2014

I have always shot a 5 pin sight. I used to have the trophy ridge sight that had them all running vertical instead of the horizontal. The issue I seem to have with the 5 pin horizontal that I currently have is having so much of the sight window blocked. I have had great success with my rifle and to be honest I've had a few missed opportunities and a couple lost elk with my bow. I am considering going to a single pin but I'm worried about the extra time it takes to move the pin and make adjustments. My thinking is if I remove the other 4 pins and only have one pin it would help my focus on the single pin and intended target...

I'm looking for feed back from people who shoot the single pin on hunts out west. Do you feel like its hassle having to adjust the pin or have you had lost opportunities because of the time it took??

I shoot a hoyt vector 32 @ 70# right around 300 fps. My 5 pins are currently 30,40,50,60,70 pretty close together and thats my problem with seeing between them...

thanks,

Adubs

Ozzman · Aug 15, 2014

Try it. You might be surprised at how well you like it. You also may find that its not for you. I personally think having a single pin is the way that works best for me for a number of reasons. Like you mentioned, you don't 'cover' as much of your target, you eliminate confusion on which pin to use, etc... Moving to a single pin actually helped me with target panic.

I was able to work in on my elk last year, adjust my pin and make the shot without any problem. So from a timing perspective, I think you'd be ok in spot and stalk settings. Sit and wait may get a little trickier. However, there are videos out on youtube that teach how to keep your pin on one set yardage, and adjust to shoot at other distances. I've never tried that, seems risky to me, but is something to consider.

OLDHORNHUNTER · Aug 15, 2014

I almost bought one to go on my new Bowtech Carbon Knight but after talking to several guys that have had them I went with a 4 pin sight.. here is the feed back I got from the people that had them .. great for target shooting .. great for blinds .. terrible if u are hunting in timber or lots of brush .. everyone had this same problem when calling elk too much chance for misses because of animals constantly moving u have to range your target put down your range finder reach up & adjust your site & get ready to draw !! Great if u have a blind animal coming in Or have lots of time

sambo3006 · Aug 15, 2014

OLDHORNHUNTER is spot on. Calling situations such as with elk would probably be better served with fixed pins for the rapidly changing yardages. I've used both set ups over 30 years of archery hunting and for the past several years I have been using a single adjustable pin. BUT I hunt in Missouri and mostly out of tree stands. I shoot a 300 fps arrow and keep my single pin set at 26 yards. That puts me good out to 30 yards in the case of a quick shot opportunity. Any thing beyond that and I would have to range it any way and my shots are rarely over 40 yards. The most important thing which ever you choose is to practice enough with your set up that you don't even have to think about it at the moment of truth.

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nripepi · Aug 20, 2014

Maybe go to a 2 or 3 pin setup with an adjustable option for the bottom pin?

AdrenalineAddict · Sep 25, 2014

There shouldn't be much blockage unless you have a brand with very thick pins. I know you won't always have the time to adjust your single pin and therefore wouldn't recommend going that route. Take a look at other sight manufacturers and see if there is something out there with better visibility if that's the issue.

Tom · Sep 26, 2014

Single pin is great, but you need to do some practice with a hay bail and know where your arrow will hit if your sight is set to 50 and the animal moved to 40 or 60, etc after you have drawn. I just got back from Utah and figured this out pretty quick......haha...I did not have any drama with having to sort it out but will be ready for this for my Colorado hunt here in Mid November.....

Good Luck - Tom

Founder · Sep 27, 2014

I've got the 3 pin Sureloc. I like it.

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Hondoarcher · Feb 15, 2015

I currently have an 8 pin site and am considering a 3 or 5 fixed pin with the last one being adjustable. Black gold is selling both models. I think this would give you the best of both worlds. Quick fixed pins for the up close stuff and an adjustable for the longer ranged stuff. Just my thoughts.

trophyhunter · Feb 18, 2015

We use a BlackGold 5 pin and added a custom extra pin so I guess your would call it a BlackGold 6 pin. Works great and dialed in out to 70 yds. I just don't get it

seem like there is plenty of pin to see as well as the game in the background seeing the kill zone with very little congestion of pins causing game seeing issues. If an archer is focusing on the kill zone and correct pin instead of looking at all the pins and saying OMG there are to many pins...there should not be any confusion on what pin do I shoot there are just to many choices and OG. If you practice with your setup you should be able to get it done if you know what you are doing. If your mind can only handle a single pin then just shoot one

))))------->

Hondoarcher · Feb 23, 2015

S&SArchery has a good YouTube video review of Black Gold Ascent sight:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1ILiYw8Ifw#t=18

When the season gets a little closer I'm going to take a good hard look at this site.

BobH92057 · Feb 28, 2015

I just ordered the new Matthews HTR after shooting an older Hoyt with a five pin sight. Im also contemplating switching to a single pin. Been looking at either the HHA or the Trijicon. Pick up new bow in two weeks, decisions decisions....

bigbull1 · Mar 2, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Mar-02-15 AT 09:02PM (MST)[p]I also have the Black Gold, 3 pin. I have the first pin at 25, second pin at 40, and the adjustable bottom pin set at 50. The bottom pin can adjust from 50 to 100 yards. That gives me a good initial three pin set up to 50 and if longer, hopefully the time to set it after ranged.

Ed

RabidRattleSnake1 · Mar 10, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Mar-10-15 AT 04:28PM (MST)[p]moving to a single pin was the best move I ever made with my bow hunting gear. My buddy asked if I was scared that it would take too long to slide my pin (I have a slider) to the proper yardage. after hunting with it it is the best thing. Taking the little, and I mean little, bit of time to slide the pin has actually helped me. I now have to actively think about the yardage. slowing down that little bit has helped wonders. I don't rush shots anymore, which I had a problem with before. I also don't get confused with too many pins. I know it isn't a problem for other guys, but in the heat of the moment I would rush the shot. I am 4 for 4 on deer, and 3 for 3 on bull elk (one 365" bull, one 330" and one 300" bull) since moving to the slider. All were spot and stalk situations.