Overview
The Garmin Xero bow sight helped increase my accuracy, coached me on shooting better, and far exceeded my expectations. The battery is not an issue and lasts a very long time.
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Garmin Xero bow sight
$799-$999The Garmin Xero bow sight is packed with so many features you will never get bored exploring them all. Here are some of the key ones we found helpful:
- Bow sight with built-in range finder
- Laser pins keep your sight picture clear of physical pins (my favorite part)
- Pin brightness automatically adjusts based on conditions
- Angle Range Compensation in the range finder
A1i version only ($200 price premium):
- Ability to have different pin colors
- Save profiles for different arrows allowing you to change arrow type without having to re-tune your bow
- Laser locate allows you to mark where the target was located when you take your shot allowing for easier arrow retrieval and confidence you can find the place of the shot to start tracking. It will even automatically send that location to my Garmin fēnix® watch!
What we liked:
First and foremost, I am more accurate when shooting with this Garmin Xero bow sight. When I was in New Mexico hunting a couple of years ago, I was grouping 70 yd shots in about 5” in the wind. When dialing in the pins, Garmin has a setup process that allows you to fine-tune the bow sight to ensure it is level, and I found myself shooting more accurately than when I had previously had the bow shop set up my bow sight for me.
The built-in range finder is also very nice because you get a “to the yard” distance before firing a shot. When I use a handheld range finder, I usually range some reference points when I first get in my stand and then estimate where the animal is or will range again as it gets close.
Ranging an animal with a handheld range finder to get precise yardage is more movement than I like and unnecessary with the Garmin Xero bow sight. However, I still carry the handheld and range reference points when I get situated, but I do not worry about the exact range after that. It gives me a ballpark of when an animal is in range, and then I let the Garmin give me a more accurate range when I am ready to take a shot.
It is awkward to hold the bow up and range reference points when getting situated, so I still bring my handheld for that initial reference range.
The Garmin Xero bow sight also allows you to set up pins that will auto-populate at different ranges, like a classic bow sight. I programmed them in case I ever had trouble getting a range on something or needed to take a quick shot. It would pop up with 20, 30, 40, and 50 yd pins, but I have never found myself in that situation where I needed to use it as a “failsafe.”
Who we think will like this product:
People who like the latest and greatest gear and technology (me) and can afford a $799-$899 bow sight. A few years ago, I got the Garmin Xero bow sight, so I don’t remember what I paid, but I would repurchase it today without question. There is a reason I chose this product as my first review, and this bow sight is one of the reasons I decided to start RealHunters. I had convinced several friends to buy the bow sight and thought a reviews website would be an excellent way to share my experiences with more people.
Pros
- Extremely accurate
- The battery is not a problem (I changed mine this season after a few years, but it still showed a full battery, I just changed my out of an abundance of caution)
- Pin brightness automatically adjusts based on conditions
Cons
- Not legal to use in some states. Regulations constantly change, so please verify any rules against using this bow sight before use. It is legal in Texas, and I use it here, but when I go to Colorado to Elk hunt, I put my other vertical pin bow sight on since electronic devices attached to a bow are not allowed.
- The bow sight window can get dusty when hunting in dry areas, and I am stalking or hiking a lot. I have not experienced it ever hindering my ability to take a shot, but I do keep an eye on it when it is dusty or conditions that could cause it to fog.
Video Reviews
Keith Ross
Keith has lived in Central Texas his whole life, and his passion for hunting began when he would visit his family in East Texas growing up to hunt Whitetail Deer, small game, and Hogs. After his father-in-law introduced him to bow and public hunting a decade ago, he spends 99% of his time doing that now. Keith was also introduced to Rocky Mountain Elk hunting shortly after he began bowhunting. That is now his favorite type of hunting at high elevations in a spot-and-stalk style. Keith has hunted Whitetail Deer and Hogs primarily on many public lands all around Texas and hunted Elk and Mule Deer in New Mexico and Colorado. Keith also has experience tracking wounded game and has a Beagle named Hank, who is UBT certified.
Being a very detail-oriented person with a high standard for quality, Keith became known as the hunter who is always prepared with the latest and greatest gear for himself and any fellow hunters in need. Keith started RealHunters to share experiences with and opinions on excellent hunting gear. Our mission at RealHunters is to help save other hunters time and effort trying to find the best hunting gear and pass along tips to the hunting community. RealHunters means that we are real people who love to hunt and give honest opinions in the form of real reviews.
