Bowsight Axis Leveling

ghosthunter · Jun 10, 2012

While searching for a new sight I'm seeing a lot about 1st, 2nd, and 3rd axis leveling. I've done some research about it and it seems to make sense as long as you use your level. On my sight I've got a bubble level and there is no way I can hold it level without severe torque/cant, so I just put electrical tape over it so that it wouldn't distract me. I never understood the purpose of the thing.

If I understand the whole deal correctly, leveling your axis doesn't necessarily mean that everything is perfectly square, but that you are compensating for your style of holding the bow so that you will cant/torque the bow the same on every shot.

Do any of you perform axis leveling and is it necessary?

JandSCattleCo · Jun 10, 2012

When we installed my sight, which has a level, we hung it from a string and allowed itself to level out. Doing this showed us that the "level markings" as to what is level, was actually off by 1/4". We figured that at 30 yards that would put it significantly off, so we marked what was "level" with new lines, and installed it then.

It made a world of difference to me (or so it seemed).

UTGrad · Jun 10, 2012

JandSCattleCo said:
When we installed my sight, which has a level, we hung it from a string and allowed itself to level out. Doing this showed us that the "level markings" as to what is level, was actually off by 1/4". We figured that at 30 yards that would put it significantly off, so we marked what was "level" with new lines, and installed it then.

It made a world of difference to me (or so it seemed).

I talked to the folks at Black Gold about hanging a sight from a string to check the level and they said that is the WRONG way to check the level. Any disproportionate weight distribution in the sight and gravity will pull on the heavier side.

The way I adjusted my axis is find a door frame that is plum and level. Use a level to make sure the frame is plum and level. This is a two person job but have someone press the bow flush with the door frame. From this point adjust the axis to level the sight bubble.

Once again I talked to two seperate people at Black Gold and they said suspending a sight by a string is not accurate. You have to find a true level vantage point and work from there.

gondo · Jun 10, 2012

Go to archerytalk.com and find the threads by nuts and bolts about 3rd axis leveling, it really is crucial for shooting at severe angles, I didnt believe it mattered much till i tried it. I got up high on my porch and started shooting and the higher i got the farther left my shots were going, this doesnt happen to me on level ground. You need to have your bow tuned good to take full advantage of 3rd axis sights or you will just have factors like poor center shot playing into your shots. It is well worth it if you hunt from tree stands.

gondo · Jun 10, 2012

Most important thing is to set the 2nd and 3rd axis while at full draw or it will be off because of riser torque. So draw, check, let down and adjust, draw, check, let down and readjust, etc.

JandSCattleCo · Jun 14, 2012

UTGrad said:
JandSCattleCo said:

When we installed my sight, which has a level, we hung it from a string and allowed itself to level out. Doing this showed us that the "level markings" as to what is level, was actually off by 1/4". We figured that at 30 yards that would put it significantly off, so we marked what was "level" with new lines, and installed it then.

It made a world of difference to me (or so it seemed).

Click to expand...

I talked to the folks at Black Gold about hanging a sight from a string to check the level and they said that is the WRONG way to check the level. Any disproportionate weight distribution in the sight and gravity will pull on the heavier side.

The way I adjusted my axis is find a door frame that is plum and level. Use a level to make sure the frame is plum and level. This is a two person job but have someone press the bow flush with the door frame. From this point adjust the axis to level the sight bubble.

Once again I talked to two seperate people at Black Gold and they said suspending a sight by a string is not accurate. You have to find a true level vantage point and work from there.