8 Best 5-Pin Bow Sights in 2024 — Reviews & Top Picks

Last Updated on Jan 03 2024

You’re out in the field and a deer stumbles into view. It’s perfect.

You line up your shot and let your arrow fly. But it flies wide right, and the deer runs off into the distance.

How’d you miss that opportunity?

It’s because your cheap bow sight lost zero. That’s why it’s critical that you get the right bow sight the first time. We created these reviews of the best 5-pin bow sights here.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2024 Update)

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		IQ Bowsight Micro Compound Bow Archery Sight	bright pins easy to adjust Small Retina Lock	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		TRUGLO Carbon XS Carbon-Composite Bow Sight	Affordable Three color options Glow-in-the-dark	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Axcel 5-Pin Armortech HD Hunting Sight	Easy to adjust Easy to see windage left and right handed	CHECK PRICE
		Trophy Ridge Volt 5-Pin Bow Sight	Affordable Laser-etched markings left and right handed	CHECK PRICE
		TOPOINT ARCHERY CNC Tool-Less Bow Sight	Affordably Eight color options left and right handed	CHECK PRICE

The 8 Best 5-Pin Bow Sights 

1. IQ Bowsight Micro Compound Bow Archery Sight — Best Overall

If you’re looking for the best 5-pin bow sight that over-delivers, you want the IQ Bowsight Micro Compound. While it’s slightly more expensive, it comes with tons of advantages.

For starters, it has dedicated sights for both right- and left-handed shooters and has a dual-position mount. This lets it adapt to your shooting style, which makes everything easier. Moreover, it allows you to make toolless windage and elevation adjustments and has exceptionally bright pins.

But what really sets this sight apart is the Small Retina Lock technology. This is a smaller design that makes it easier to see and hit long-distance targets. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, this sight is an outstanding choice.

2. TRUGLO Carbon XS Carbon-Composite Bow Sight — Best Value

If you’re looking for the best 5-pin bow sight for the money, you want the TRUGLO Carbon XS Carbon-Composite Bow Sight. It’s an extremely affordable option that doesn’t lack in features.

It’s an ambidextrous bow sight that has three different color options for you to choose from. Moreover, it has a glow-in-the-dark shooter ring that makes it easier to sight in your target.

But it is a lower-priced sight, which is why you can only make standard adjustments, no micro-adjustments, and it’s not as durable as the higher-end options. It’s good value, but it’s not an amazing all-around sight.

3. Axel 5-Pin Armortech HD Hunting Sight — Premium Choice

If you’re not worried about how much you’re spending, then the Axcel 5-Pin Aromortech HD sight is an extremely durable option that delivers top-notch performance.

It’s another ambidextrous sight that makes it easy to make windage and elevation adjustments without any tools. Moreover, the laser-etched markings make it easy to see what changes you’ve made.

While this is an excellent bow sight, it doesn’t offer more than the standard features of other sights, which is it’s third on this list.

4. Trophy Ridge Volt 5-Pin Bow Sight

An affordable 5-pin bow sight is the Trophy Ridge Volt. It comes with laser-etched windage and elevation markings, and the adjustments themselves are easy to make. It’s an excellent option for both left- and right-handed shooters, and you can mount it in multiple different positions.

However, it does feature lighted pins. While this is a perk if you can have them, lighted pins are illegal in many states. Also, the pin colors don’t alternate. While this might not sound like a big deal, when you’re out in the field, the last thing that you want is to accidentally use the wrong pin. They should alternate colors, and it’s a shame that they don’t.

5. TOPOINT ARCHERY CNC Tool-Less Bow Sight

The TOPOINT CNC Tool-Less bow sight is an excellent option if you’re looking for customization for your bow sight. It has eight different color options to choose from, and it’s affordably priced.

Moreover, it works great for both right- and left-handed shooters. While we’re focusing on 5-pin bow sights, this brand has a 7-pin option available too.

But while you don’t need tools to make windage and elevation and adjustments, the lockdowns don’t always hold the adjustments in place. While this is easy to fix, it can be frustrating to deal with. Additionally, the lighted sight can make it easy to see the pins, but this is illegal in some states.

Finally, the pins themselves are flimsy. So, if you’re not careful, you can easily break a pin if a stick or branch works its way into the sight.

6. Southland Archery Supply Fiber Optics Bow Sight

The Southland Archery bow sight makes this list for one reason: it’s incredibly affordable.

That said, with a discount bow sight, you’re getting something that doesn’t have a ton of features. It’s a basic bow sight, and the pins are close together, which can make it hard to see. It is nice that the light is detachable, so if you live in a state where lights on bow sights are illegal, you won’t run into any problems.

There are two color options to choose from, and they both have an ambidextrous design. In the end, it’s a low-quality sight that’s available for a low price.

7. CBE Tactic Bow Sight

The CBE Tactic Bow Sight narrowly earns a spot on this list. You can make windage and elevation adjustments on this sight without any tools, and the laser-etched markings are easy to see.

However, in the end, you’re getting a basic sight with pins that often strip out, and you’re spending too much money for it. It’s a decent bow sight, but you can easily get a better one for the same price.

8. Black Gold Rush Bow Sight

The Black Gold Rush Bow Sight is a little too expensive for what you get. It does have a durable construction, and you can mount the sight in multiple positions.

But you can’t add any extra pins, and it only works for right-handed shooters. It’s not a bad sight, but you can do better.

Buyer’s Guide – Picking the Best 5 Pin Bow Sight

We know that you’re bound to have a few questions when you’re looking at bow sights. That’s why we created a comprehensive guide to walk you through everything that you need to know. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you can ensure that you’re getting what you want in a bow sight.

Why a 5-Pin Bow Sight?

There are plenty of times that you should opt for a 5-pin bow sight, but when you’re making your decision, you need to know the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Let’s start with the good. With a 5-pin bow sight, you get to sight in five different pins at five different distances. This gives you a ton of versatility and the ability to quickly line up a wide array of shots at a moment’s notice.

However, with five pins, they start to obstruct your view. While it’s not as bad as a 7-pin sight, it is more obstructive than a 3-pin or even a single-pin bow sight.

The biggest drawback to any multi-pin bow sight is that if your target is between distances, you’ll have to estimate between pins to hit your shot. It’s certainly possible but not ideal.

Mounting Your Bow Sight

If you’re looking at a bow sight and it only has one mounting position, avoid it. That’s because not everyone shoots the same way, and you need a bow sight that gives you a little versatility.

You should be able to mount your bow sight in a way that works for you, as this makes shooting a more enjoyable experience.

All of the bow sights on this list have at least two mounting positions that you can choose from, but some sights have up to four! Take stock of the way that you shoot, and if you shoot from an abnormal position, invest in a sight with more mounting positions in order to reduce the risk of having to change the way that you shoot.

Windage and Elevation Adjustments

While you might not think about elevation and windage adjustments when shooting a bow, it’s time to start. Just like when you shoot a rifle, both windage and elevation can make a huge difference.

You want a bow sight that allows you to make adjustments and lock everything into place quickly. Ideally, these should be micro-adjustments, so you can line up every shot perfectly without overcorrecting for conditions.

Another nice perk that you should look for is laser-etched markings for your windage and elevation adjustments. This makes it easy to see where you’re at, which can be beneficial when you’re out in the field and don’t have a ton of time to line up and take your shot — it’s just one less thing to worry about.

Sighting in Your Bow

If you don’t sight in your new bow sight, it doesn’t matter if you get the best sight available or the worst one. Your bow sight doesn’t come magically lined up with your bow and arrow selection, so you’ll need to do this yourself.

Keep in mind that with a 5-pin bow sight, you’ll need to sight in each pin individually. Moreover, there’s no wrong answer to what distance that you should sight each pin. Just make sure that you measure the distance accurately for each adjustment; otherwise, you’ll have problems hitting your target in the field.

Using a Five-Pin Bow Sight

Once you’ve taken the time to mount and sight your new bow sight, you’re ready to use it. But before you head out, you should know how a 5-pin bow sight works. For starters, you sight in each pin for a different distance.

So, if you sight in the closest pin to 30 yards and sight them 10 yards apart, you would set up your longest-range pin for 80 yards. You’ll need to remember what distance you sighted each pin, and when you identify a target, you’ll need to figure out how far away it is.

From there, all you need to do is line up the target with the correct pin, make sure that the bow is level by checking the bubble gauge, and take your shot. One of the biggest perks of multi-pin bow sights is that you get to decide which distance you want to sight each pin.

If you’re shooting distant targets, you can sight the pins for a farther distance, but if you’re exclusively shooting close-range targets, you can set smaller intervals.

Just keep in mind that you’ll have to shoot between pins if the target is a different distance away. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s something that you’ll have to get used to and account for if you sight each pin at different distances from each other.

Left-Handed vs. Right-Handed Bow Sights

It’s not something that you may think about much, but if you get the wrong-handed bow sight, you’re going to run into problems. That’s because you’re going to have to mount the sight onto the wrong side of your bow, and you won’t be able to line up and take shots.

Luckily for you, almost every one of the bow sights on this list has an ambidextrous design. There are only two exceptions: First, our top choice, the IQ Bow Sight, has both a left-handed and right-handed option, but you’ll need to pick the right one when making your purchase. Second, our final selection, the Black Gold Rush Bow Sight, only comes in a right-handed design. Ensure that you get the proper bow sight before making any purchases.

The Light Dilemma

There’s no doubt that light on your bow sight makes it easier to see your pins in low-light conditions. But there’s just one problem: Many states make it illegal to have a light on your bow sight. The claim is that lighted bow sights will ruin the short-distance nature of bowhunting, but the debate continues.

One thing is for sure: Check your local state laws and guidance before purchasing and heading out with a sight that has a light. The last thing that you want is to run into legal trouble when you head out to the field.

Conclusion

When you’re looking for the best 5-pin bow sight, it’s important that you get the proper one the first time. The wrong one will leave you frustrated and missing shots, while the right bow sight can make everything a breeze.

Hopefully, this guide broke down everything that you need to know about bow sights. This way, you can purchase your next sight with confidence.