Public Rambling: Peep sight ‘cheaters’ create better view of sight pins

The author shows off his peep sight Verifier from Specialty Archery Products. The lens allows you to see your sight pins more clearly, and also maintain a good view of the target.

Lens is perfect for older, farsighted hunters

When I find a new product that helps me to become a better hunter, I immediately want to share it with my buddies.

In this case, my friend David introduced me to an item that his buddy had recently showed him. So now it’s time to pay it forward and tell you guys about the Specialty Archery Peep System.

Up until my my mid-40s, I had 20/20 vision. Like many of you, my close-vision eyesight began to deteriorate at around 44 years of age. I started out with 1.0 or 1.25 reader glasses. But eventually through the years, even those cheaters were not enough.

I went to progressive prescription glasses a few years ago, but I can’t use them shooting my bow. As an avid bowhunter, I somehow still was able to make out my pins and harvested many deer over that time period.

But now at age 60, those pins have become quite fuzzy and at low light, it is a serious challenge to zero in on a deer. I have tried using the low-power readers, and I can see the pins clearer and still see the deer up to 40 yards. The issue with that, however, is my anchor point is somewhat changed due to the glasses, and I really don’t feel comfortable shooting with them on.

Based on a study I read, a person in their 60s will require three times more ambient light than a person in their 20s. This is caused by the weakening of the muscles in an aging eye that control the pupil.

A couple of weeks ago I tried an item that has been around for awhile, but is new to me. It is a lens similar to reading glasses that fits into a peep sight. What a difference this thing makes. Reading the reviews on this product, I feel like most of the guys who commented: It really is like my eyes became 30 years younger – immediately.

This is going to help my bowhunting experience immensely. The lenses are called Verifiers and they screw into a peep sight. In my case, I purchased a 5/16-inch peep that is the largest they make, and much larger than the current one I use. So not only can I now see my pins and the target much clearer, but the amount of light passing through that large opening makes a huge difference in low-light conditions.

So this is definitely a win/win situation for me.

The key is to choose the correct verifier for your vision, where you can best see the pins and your target as clearly as possible. In some cases, one or the other may not be 100 percent clear, but it should be quite an improvement over your current vision.

The verifiers range from a No. 4 through a No. 9, with the latter being the highest magnification. In my case, I chose the No. 5 verifier. As I mentioned earlier, at times I used 1.0 glasses to shoot my bow, and the No. 5 is close to that same magnification, where I can see the pins and target clearly.

To select the correct lens, you can use a tool that Specialty Archery Products provides to their dealers (Bowie Outfitters is one) that holds the selection of peep lenses and allows you to look through them for comparison.

You hold the peep to your eye and focus on the fiber optic pin in the handle extended at arm’s length, just like when you’re shooting. It’s important to focus on the target and pin to select the lens that allows you to see both the target or sight pins clearly.

But there may  be some compromise. To see your sight pins more clearly, you may have to sacrifice the target view slightly to achieve that, or vice versa. But the selection tool lets you make the best choice that minimizes the discrepancy.

I did not use the tool, as my buddy David bought a No. 4 and after trying his out, I needed one just a little stronger, so I went with the No. 5 and I am very satisfied. He sent his back for a No. 6, and he likes that one for his vision.

A small tool comes with the peep sight, to allow you to screw the lenses in. I bought the peep and verifier separately, but they offer a kit that combines all the items together.

I am very excited to try my “new eyes” out next week when the season opens. There is a lot that goes into harvesting a deer with a bow. Having a newly improved peep sight certainly does not guarantee success, but we’re always looking for any edge we can get in the never-ending quest to take that next deer.

I do believe this will help me — not only now, but in the future — to make better, more accurate shots. And if my eyesight gets any worse, I can simply go up a notch to another magnification.

I hope this information helps many of you with vision issues to continue enjoying the sport of bowhunting.

God bless, and good hunting.

For more information on Specialty Archery Peep System, click here.