I have seen people jerryrig them on bows before and they work pretty good. But they are for just messing around as there isn't one place I know where they are even legal to hunt or use in competition.

 

They are actually legal in a couple states for hunting, think Illinois is one, and I'm pretty sure they are good for hogs in Texas [but in Tx they'll about let you use dynamite to get rid of those critters]. Have seen a few bow-laser set ups advertised for bow fishing, so maybe their use is more common in that realm.

 

From experience, the stab isn't the best place to mount a laser, and definitely not at the end of the stab if the intent is to actually aim with the reference; because the stab generally sits much lower than the arrow, you have to angle it up while the arrow drops down into the POI, gives you a very specific distance at which they will intersect; move back just a bit and your laser points significantly higher than the arrow will impact. Whole set up will be less sensitive to distance changes if it's mounted up near the bow's sight mounts, but then it's still like using a fixed single pin, you have to figure out the over/under at different distances.

Another problem many bow laser users come across is the target panic that comes on trying to aim with the laser- your pin float appears to be significantly smaller with a regular set up, and is wickedly wide/off target with the laser.

Will it aim the same for different shooters... Maybe closer than a reguar pin and peep rig, but won't be dead on as archer form/execution is still different.

Typically, their greatest use is found in not using the laser to aim, but rather pointing somewhere outside your field of vision; then video your shot and the laser movement and use that to work on steadying your hold on target.

And no, have never come across a "programmable" laser for multiple distances; My set up has windage and elevation adjustments that someone could, with a lot of time on their hands, figure out how much to change for different distances, but the whole thing would be thrown off by up/downhill shots anyway.

They are fun to play with; I'm going to set one up sometime so a spotter can help me shoot some 3D, but expecting only the lowest probibility of success on even hitting the target.

 

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Here is a video I did several years ago shooting a hog with a laser mounted to the side of my bow. It was a small Crimson Trace rail master with IR laser that can only be seen with night vision. I can tell you it's very difficult to hold the POI steady. I made a mount so the string would clear my helmet mounted PVS-14. As mentioned, the stabilizer is not a good mounting location. It needs to be mounted to the bow for a repeatable zero. Mine was hard mounted on the side of my bow at arrow level.

 

Neat video. The hog didn't look soo intimidating at distance but got big with a sense of scale nearby.

Thursday I might get to start working on the project. I could mount a laser or IR laser anyplace on my bow I suppose. Its watching all the target shooters with the low and forward mounted weight that got me thinking about stabilizer mountings. I THINK I can mount it to the stabilizer but have the laser on a riser of sorts to get it in line or right under the bow. Best of both worlds if it works.

 

I'd be interested in one for target shooting if they are visible in daylight. I have used laser levels for construction work but they aren't very good unless in a well shaded area or indoors.

 

My primary laser toy was a bit pricey green light laser, made by Viridian I think. Think it was advertised as 100yds daylight visibility; my spotter could easily see it at 40yds in the sun.

 

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Absolutely not legal in Illinois! Would be fun for hogs!

 

Yeah, got my "I" states mixed up, Indiana [last I read] allows laser sights for all hunting; And Texas just wants to be rid of them hogs...

 

There are several problems with using laser as a sighting device on a bow...

1) It can only be zeroed at 1 distance; laser travel in straight line, your arrow does not. (This issue could be solved if they can come up with a mount on a slider frame so the laser can be adjusted up and down for distance.)

2) It shows EVERY little movements in your form. When your eyes starts to follow the dots like cats do, it can lead to drive-by shooting and major target panic.

3) Need direct line-of-sight. Anything that get in the way (bushes, brush, leave, etc) of the laser would block the dot, render it useless.

In firearm world, Laser is used for when you need to shoot around something (ballistic/riot shield, for example) or in close quarter combat at high speed, where you have to put lead into the bad guys in a hurry. It definitely has its place. I am just not sure if Archery is one of them. just my opinion.

 

There are several problems with using laser as a sighting device on a bow...

2) It shows EVERY little movements in your form. When your eyes starts to follow the dots like cats do, it can lead to drive-by shooting and major target panic.

Lol.......I saw one mounted to a bow in the 90's.......lasted about 3 minutes because of that. If you are not a snap shooter or suffer form target panic get one and then you can learn how to become one.

 

They make a bracket that holds rail sights. I put a reflex on mine for a while. It worked. Took a bit to dial in but it did come with a tilt adjustment. It's in the same place as regular ones so you can even use a peep. My problem was that it takes a whole nother scope to add magnification.

 

They make a bracket that holds rail sights. I put a reflex on mine for a while. It worked. Took a bit to dial in but it did come with a tilt adjustment. It's in the same place as regular ones so you can even use a peep. My problem was that it takes a whole nother scope to add magnification. View attachment 7372496

That is not a lazer sight. It looks like a hologram sight. A lazer sight projects. A hologram doesn't.
Laser sights are illegal in Michigan to hunt with.

 

Yeah, it's a reflex sight. At least I believe that's what it's called, either way, If you re-read my post, slowly and completely, you'll see that I said that and that my point was that they make a bracket that holds rail mounted sights. It would put your lazer pointer right where you need it, which, again, if you read the original post, was the question of where to mount it. I made no reference to legality of the equipment. That seems to be different in many states.

 

I know how they mount with a rail/bracket, probably mounted more of those than you have seen. It still mounts to bow like a sight.

 

I've tested both laser and reflex sights extensively. I really wanted them to work but always came back to the good ole pin sight....that's just my experience with them.

 

Terminology is important, if you expect the proper answer.

I have seen Reflex sights with BDC (Bullet Drop Compensating) reticles build in. Although they are calibrated for bullets and not for arrows. And since the BDC is NOT adjustable, it most likely won't work with your arrow's trajectory.

Pin sights still exists and used nowadays for a reason... Like Bowhunting1 stated.

 

What did Dale do to get his own personal Troll?

...or better yet, who has this much time to create all the burner account just to troll one person?

I kinda wonder how much hate is in the hearts of the person that would do all this just to spite one person on a internet forum.

 

Just a little back ground. He can't hold a real job so his teacher wife supports him and he has nothing better to do.
As to why he stalks me ????? Can't explain all mental conditions LOL.