Quick Comparison Table
How to Choose the Best Crossbow Scope on the Market?
If you’re participating in archery, or bow hunting, a crossbow scope is a must. A crossbow scope can magnify your target – enabling you to have a better chance of successfully making the kill, and minimizing the pain and suffering of the animal in the process.
There are many different models and brands of crossbow scope on the market. Some feature night vision, while others are designed with premium optics for both practice and real-life targets.
It can take a lot of shopping around to find the best crossbow scope for the money, especially if you’re not quite sure what you need. We’ve put together this buying guide to make the process easier. It features 10 top-rated crossbow scopes on the market, alongside necessary information that should help in the decision-making process.
Activity Type
The type of crossbow scope you choose for yourself can depend on your activity, and how lucrative you wish your hunting experience to be.
Typically, the more you spend, the more features your crossbow scope has. For many different hunting activities, you can choose from red dot sight, a reticle scope, or laser scopes.
Safety
The crossbow scope itself is not a dangerous item. It magnifies your target, and overall can make your hunting experience a more lucrative one. However, crossbows can be quite deadly and can cause a significant amount of damage when misused.
Most crossbows come with a manufacturer’s guide outlining specific safety advice, and we’ve also included additional safety tips below:
Features
The features of a quality crossbow scope can vary depending on who the manufacturer is. All are adjustable, and some are more suitable for long range hunting than others. However, there are a few basic features that very rarely differ.
A crossbow scope consists of a long tube with an eyepiece at one end, and an ocular lens. At the other end, there will typically be a zoom lens ring which can be adjusted to suit the distance you require.
Not all crossbow scopes have this feature, however. In some models, you can also adjust the elevation, as well as the wind. Some even have a bell shape and an area to mount the scope to your bow.
Efficiency
The way to get the best efficiency out of your crossbow scope is by choosing one that’s fit for purpose. You would use a red dot sight crossbow scope if you were using single style distance settings, but if you had an older scope, or wanted to use the most common and trusted scope, you would use one with a reticule function.
A reticle scope has crosshairs which are either illuminated, wired into the scope or are etched on the lens. If you wanted the most efficiency in shooting moving targets, it might work in your favor to purchase a laser sight. They are attached above or below your crossbow and are better than other scopes at determining mid-range targets.
As a rule of thumb, especially for beginners, you will get the most efficiency from a 1-inch tube scope with a 32mm optical lens, a 1-4x variable zoom, and 35-50 yard adjustable parallax.
Maintenance
Everyone knows how important it is to maintain their crossbow. If you fail to do so, you can notice a substantial drop in crossbow accuracy. However, it’s equally as necessary to maintain your crossbow scope as well.
When you notice that it’s becoming smudgy, or hard to see through, give your lens a clean with either lens cleaner or a microfiber cloth. It’s also helpful to keep it free of dust, dirt, and grime, and replace any batteries (if applicable) yearly.
Budget
The price tag for a top-rated crossbow scope can vary greatly, depending on its specs, features, and quality. It’s a good idea to have a budget in mind, but don’t let your budget constraints stop you from buying a scope you know will be better for your hunting requirements.
At the low end, you can pay as little as $10. However, for a high-quality scope that’s worth its weight in gold, you can easily pay up to $1,094 when you buy online.
10 Top Rated Crossbow Scope Reviews
1Nikon 8461
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
What’s Included
Specs
FAQ
QDoes it come with rings? ANo.
QDoes it provide eye relief? AYes, 3.4 inches of eye relief.
Overview
This Nikon crossbow scope offers exceptional accuracy, high-quality features, and a decent adjustment range. It’s well loved by both professional and amateur hunters and is even more popular for its fog proof, shockproof and waterproof features. It’s well priced, durable, and is considered one of the best crossbow scopes for the money.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Nikon 8461 crossbow scope reviews.
2
Ultimate Arms Gear
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
What’s Included
Specs
FAQ
QWhat eye relief is on offer? A3.1 inches.
QWhat rails does it require? A⅞-inch Weaver Picatinny rails.
Overview
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use and affordable crossbow scope that will help you make an accurate shot, this Ultimate Arms Gear scope is a good option for you.
It’s reliable, shockproof, fog proof, and universal for most crossbows. While it’s not waterproof, it is water resistant which can give you peace of mind that it’ll survive in moist conditions.
It also has an illuminated rangefinder reticle which is helpful in low light. All in all, it ticks all the boxes for a range of hunters and is worth your consideration.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Ultimate Arms Gear crossbow scope reviews.
3
UTG
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
What’s Included
Specs
FAQ
QWhat is the parallax? A50 yards.
QHow many reticles does it have? A5.
Overview
If you’re on a budget, but you still want a decent, well-made crossbow scope that ticks all the boxes, this UTG scope is a good option for you. Like most scopes, it does have a few problems.
It’s heavy, illumination doesn’t always work, and sighting in can be difficult. However, it’s also packed full of convenient features with crystal clear optics and competitive pricing. It’s by no means the best option, but it’s well worth your consideration.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read UTG crossbow scope reviews.
4
Excalibur
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
What’s Included
Specs
FAQ
QDoes it have lines for yardage? AYes, up to 50 yards.
QWhat crossbows is it suitable for? AExcalibur.
Overview
If your preferred hunting times require you to spend a lot of time in poorly-lit conditions, there’s every reason to consider buying this Excalibur scope.
While it’s priced higher than several other scopes on the market, it is worth the money. It lets in exceptional amounts of light in low light conditions, all the while offering crisp sight up to 50 yards. It’s one of the best crossbow scopes for the money.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Excalibur crossbow scope reviews.
5
Truglo
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
What’s Included
Specs
FAQ
QDoes it have dots or crosshairs? ACrosshairs.
QIs it waterproof? AYes.
Overview
While this Truglo crossbow scope has all the makings of a decent product, it falls short on quality. Many parts are poorly made, and there are several inconsistencies in the accuracy of the sighting.
It’s also challenging to adjust. If you’re on a limited budget and you don’t hunt often, it might fulfill your needs just fine.
However, if you’re a professional who needs the best gear money can buy, this scope is not going to suit your requirements at all.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Truglo crossbow scope reviews.
6
Barnett
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
What’s Included
Specs
FAQ
QIs it suitable for low light conditions? AYes.
QDoes it require a battery? ANo.
Overview
This Barnett crossbow scope is a good option for beginners with a limited budget. It’s easy to use, easy to set up and even comes with a lifetime limited warranty for your peace of mind.
It ticks all the boxes for a range of features, but it does fall short on quality in some cases. Some customers noted that it doesn’t sight in very easily, and it can also be challenging to mount. Some customers also stated that it wasn’t put together very well.
It’s a good option for new hunters, but it’s not overly suitable for professionals who need the best equipment money can buy.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Barnett crossbow scope reviews.
7
Hawke
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
What’s Included
Specs
FAQ
QWhat diameter is the tube? A1-inch.
QCan you still see the crosses if the illumination is off? AYes.
Overview
For the average bow hunter, this crossbow scope will tick all the boxes. It’s precise, can be matched to most bows, and offers 1.5 to 5x magnification, depending on the FPS of your bow.
Overall, it’s a very high-quality, albeit expensive, crossbow scope. However, the overall clarity and low light visibility are not the best, so it’s best suited to those who prefer to hunt in the middle of the day.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Hawke crossbow scope reviews.
8
TruGlo
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
What’s Included
Specs
FAQ
QWhat rings does it require? AWeaver rings.
QHow many reticles are there in the scope? A4.
Overview
Even though this scope can be difficult to sight in, and on the odd occasion won’t hold at zero, it’s still an excellent example of a low-cost scope for a range of hunters.
It’s easy to use, comes with a lifetime warranty, and is even scratch resistant to ensure it stands the test of time. Overall, it’s a good option for hunters on a budget who don’t wish to skimp on quality.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read TruGlo crossbow scope reviews.
9
SA Sports
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
What’s Included
Specs
FAQ
QDoes it have crosshairs or red dots? ACrosshairs.
QHow big is the eye relief? A4 inches.
Overview
This SA Sports scope is one of the most affordable crossbow scopes on the market, yet it’s on-par with some of the more well-known brands. It packs a punch regarding quality and durability and is also very accurate as well.
It’s shockproof, waterproof and fog proof, and even comes to the party with multiple sight points. If you make a comparison between the price and the features, it’s one of the best crossbow scopes for the money.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read SA Sports crossbow scope reviews.
10
Wizard Archery 3-9x50EG
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
What’s Included
Specs
FAQ
QHow big is the eye relief? A3.2 inches.
QWhat battery does it take? A1x CR2032.
Overview
This Wizard Archery scope represents good value for money. It’s larger than most other scopes on the market, and it offers an exceptional field of view, with decent illumination for use in low light.
It’s also waterproof and fog proof to ensure you can use it in all conditions. While it’s heavy and can be challenging to set up, a novice or professional will find the finished result is one they would happily recommend to others.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Wizard Archery 3-9x50EG crossbow scope reviews.
Where to Buy Crossbow Scopes?
When you’re in the market for a new crossbow scope, there is a myriad of places to look. There are several different hunting and fishing stores to browse, or you could save time and money by shopping on online platforms such as Amazon.
You can often get the best deal on a top-rated crossbow scope when you compare different brands and models online. You can also review various options to ensure you’re getting the best crossbow scope for the money.
Leading Crossbow Scope Brands and Manufacturers |
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