Crossbow Optics: What to Consider Before You Buy
/ May 20th, 2025So, you are thinking about buying a crossbow?
Well, you came to the right place! We know there are a lot of crossbows on the market and there are many important considerations, features,c and factors involved in picking out the best crossbow FOR YOU!
In this article, we take a closer look at crossbow optics, but don’t miss these other articles that detail other important factors to consider before buying:
Crossbow Speed: What to Consider Before You Buy
Crossbow Size: What to Consider Before You Buy
Crossbow Weight: What to Consider Before You Buy
Crossbow Style: What to Consider Before You Buy
Crossbow Cocking (Pulling it Back)…and De-Cocking: What to Consider Before You Buy
Crossbow Optics
There are (3) basic kinds of crossbow optics:
- Speed Adjustable “multi-reticle”
- Fixed “multi-reticle”
- Rangefinding crossbow optics
Multi-reticle scopes are found on virtually all factory crossbow packages sold. They have anywhere from 5 to 9 lines that represent aim points for specific yardages, allowing the hunter to select the aim point that corresponds to the distance that the animal is at.
A Speed Adjustable Multi-Reticle Crossbow Scope allows the shooter to calibrate each reticle on the scope to the exact speed of their crossbow, allowing for greater accuracy at longer distances. This is done by setting the speed of the crossbow via a “Speed Ring” which uses the power/zoom of the scope to adjust the gap between the aimpoints.
A Fixed Reticle Scope does not have speed adjustability, and while the aim points are typically close, shooters may find that the point of impact of their arrow does not correspond exactly with the crosshair of the scope.
Rangefinding Crossbow Scopes allow the hunter to see the distance to the animal within the scope, with the most advanced rangefinding crossbow scopes also providing an exact aim point that is perfectly calibrated to the speed of the crossbow, and allowing the most accurate shooting at longer distances. Rangefinding crossbow scopes are the most expensive option, require more detail when sighting in and are reliant on battery power, so there are some drawbacks, however they offer immediate information on the distance to the target and outstanding accuracy in the field.
