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Best Crossbow Scope Review

I know. Choosing the best Crossbow Scope is not an easy task.

But, here’s the deal…

We already did it for you!

We’ll tell you everything you need to know before buying Crossbow Scopes right here, right now!

Before we go into details… Let’s Take a quick look at what we recommend:

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Here are the  best crossbow scopes we looked at:

• UTG 4×32 1″ Crossbow Scope, Pro 5-Step RGB Reticle, QD Rings
• Nikon 8461 Bolt XR Crossbow Scope
• TRUGLO Crossbow Scope 4×32 with Rings APG
• Hammers Compact Red/Blue Illuminated Crossbow Scope 4x32CBT

Do you wanna learn more about crossbow scope? Here you can learn:

• What’s a Crossbow Scope for?
• Do you really need a Crossbow Scope?
• What to look for in Crossbow Scopes:
  • Magnification
  • Objective Lens Diameter
  • Eye Relief
  • Field of View
  • Illumination
  • Exit Pupil
  • Reticle
  • Optic Lens Coats and Quality
  • Inner Coating
  • Durability
  • Where It’s Made

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Best Scope Crossbow 2023

Mike’s Gear Reviews has prepared five of the top crossbow scopes that you can buy online. The specs and the prices listed here are lifted from Amazon unless otherwise stated.

Crossbows don’t just look cool, they are also extremely lethal!

The best crossbow that you can probably own, if you want one, should be deadly accurate, even more so than the traditional bow and arrow variety.

Well, we have done LOTS of research about Crossbows. 

Here are the BEST 6 crossbows you can buy in 2018 (so far). 

But, let’s take a quick look at what I recommend before we go into details: 

Do you want to learn more about crossbows? 

Here you can learn: 

• What Is a Crossbow?
• How to Use a Crossbow
• Do You Need a Crossbow?
• What To Look For In a Crossbow?

Or, you can just go straight to the reviews:

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The BEST 6 Crossbows

Barnett 78128 Whitetail Hunter II 350 FPS Crossbow

Barnett Outdoors LLC started in the UK and has expanded in the US after several years since its first crossbow in 1958. It pioneered modern-day crossbows in the country and claims to be the first to break speeds over 300 FPS. It’s safe to say it knows a lot about making quality crossbows, and the 78128 Whitetail Hunter II is no exception.

Here are the pros and cons of the product:

Pros	Cons
Comes with complete accessories	Can’t be de-cocked unless it’s fired with a bolt in
Lightweight
Includes warranty

The specs:

• 350 feet per second
• Draw weight: 150 lbs.
• Kinetic energy: 103 ft lbs. Realtree Extra Camo
• Overall weight 64 lbs. | axle to axle 16.125” dimensions 34.25″L to 18.25″W
• Made in the USA and shipped mostly assembled
• Trigger Tech Technology with 3lb zero-creep release. All stainless steel components. Nock sensor and ADF eliminate dry fires
• Includes: 4×32 scope, rope cocking deice, light weight quiver, two 20-inch Headhunter arrows, lube wax (we suggest you lube strings every 10 shots)

This impressive compound crossbow is probably the best crossbow for the money on this list. It is not the least expensive item, but it does its job superbly. You are truly buying a quality item here. It is equipped with safety features to avoid possibly fatal mistakes, such as its Anti-Dry Fire trigger system and finger safety reminders. It is also lightweight at 6.4 lbs., making it ideal even for smaller people to carry. Its cocking assist makes it easier to pull back the 150-lb. draw weight.

As many crossbow reviews can attest, this is an accurate shot at 350 FPS. It doesn’t take a lot to aim smaller games at 30 yards. It is worth noting, though, that you cannot de-cock this. The only way to do it is to fire the bolt. Other than that, it could be the best crossbow that you will own.

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CenterPoint Sniper 370 Crossbow Package

If you need a complete package, the CenterPoint Sniper 370 Crossbow is what you need. It includes a scope, quiver, cocking rope and more. And at its great budget price, quality crossbow with complete accessories could be considered the best crossbow for the money.

Here are the pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
Lightweight	Front-heavy
Compact
Includes complete accessories
Adjustable tactical stock and forearm
Reasonably priced

The specs:

• 370-feet per second firing velocity, 185-pound draw weight
• Fully adjustable, tactical stock and forearm
• Lightweight and durable CNC machined aluminum rail with shoot through riser
• Integrated string suppressors for a quiet, vibration-free shot
• Quad limbs with precision CNC Machined Cam System

The CenterPoint Sniper 370 delivers accurate shooting at 370 FPS with no problem. Some users even reported that it can shoot a 4-inch group at 70 yards. Because of its speed and accuracy plus range, could be the best crossbow for deer hunting.

It is front-heavy, though, which is typical with most crossbows. And with all the accessories included, what it doesn’t have is a silencer, which it probably doesn’t need as much, given that it is a compound crossbow.

It will be delivered to you unassembled, so it’s up to you to put it all together. As users wrote in their crossbow reviews, the instruction included is a little vague. But again, it’s also not too complicated to assemble.

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SA Sports Fever Crossbow Package 543

From SA Sports, which is fairly new in the archery market, the Fever Crossbow Package has all the features and some accessories you need to use a recurve crossbow.

Here are the pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
Lightweight	Only suitable for small to medium games
Auto-safety features	Scope not accurate
Inexpensive
Includes accessories

The specs:

• Ambidextrous auto safety
• Large boot style foot stirrup
• Adjustable weaver style scope mount
• Lightweight composite track/barrel
• Quick detach quiver
• Full dipped camo pattern
• Includes 4-16” 2219 aluminum arrows
• 4×32 multi-range scope
• Padded shoulder sling
• Rope-cocking device
• Hex keys

One of the least expensive crossbows available online, the SA Sports Fever Crossbow is best for use by beginners. This is the best crossbow that a novice could own.

Nevertheless, it does provide everything that expert archers need for a recurve crossbow as well, so if you are particularly skilled already, this would work, too. But keep in mind that you would most likely have success in hunting small to medium games with it. A 16” arrow will only wound larger animals.

Also, there are crossbow reviews that report inaccurate shots using the bow’s scope. You may invest in a separate scope, though.

It has a one-year limited warranty, which is considered short. However, as it’s an inexpensive crossbow, the warranty isn’t too bad at all.

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Barnett Whitetail Hunter Pro Crossbow, 380 FPS, Trubark Camo

The second of the three Barnett crossbows on this list, the Whitetail Hunter Pro is another hunting masterpiece. Like the first one, it also has Anti-Dry Fire, which means you cannot fire without a bolt in place, and nock sensors as added safety features.

Here are the pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
Lightweight	Lower than stated 380 FPS
Compact
Low vibration and sound
Good accuracy

The specs:

• 380 feet per second
• Draw weight: 160 lbs.
• Kinetic energy: 122ft lbs.
• Trubark HD Camo
• Overall weight: 6.4 lbs.
• Axle to axle: 16.125 inches
• Dimensions: 35.25L x 17.75W in inches
• Made in the USA and ships mostly assembled
• Power stroke 13.635 inches. Single bolt assembly. Magnesium riser
• Trigger Tech Technology with 3lb zero-creep release. All stainless steel components. Nock sensor and ADF eliminate dry fires.
• Includes: 4×32 scope, rope-cocking device, lightweight quiver, two 20-inch Headhunter arrows, lube wax (we suggest you lube strings every 10 shots)

Slightly more expensive than the Whitetail Hunter II, the Whitetail Hunter Pro is called the best crossbow for deer hunting by reviewers because of its high accuracy and range at about 30 yards.

As crossbow reviews have noted, it is not quite the 380 FPS speed that it advertises to be. The 380 FPS is calculated with a 380-grain arrow. But the Whitetail Hunter Pro uses Headhunter Arrows that are 411 grains, which means the speed is actually around 365 to 370 FPS. Still commendable, but it’s not the 380 FPS as advertised.

Nevertheless, the Whitetail Hunter Pro is lightweight and compact, perfect for as a hunting crossbow. It is also the best crossbow for large games.

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Barnett Ghost 420 Revanant CRT2

The last Barnett on this list, the Ghost 420 is also one of the three premium crossbows in Barnett’s elite Carbonlite Series. Among the series, it is said to be the fastest as well, boasting a 185-pound draw weight that sends an arrow at 420 feet per second speed.

And they weren’t kidding about being premium. This top quality crossbow filled with features is the most expensive crossbow listed here.

Here are the pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
Illuminated scope	Expensive
Very fast at 420 FPS	No case included
Lightweight	Only two arrows included
Compact
Frictionless release

The specs:

• TriggerTech Frictionless Release Technology™
• Single Bolt Assembly
• Carbonlite Riser
• Crank Cocking Device Compatible
• Anti-Dry Fire (ADF) Trigger System

The Ghost 420 is the latest addition to the elite line of Barnett’s Carbonlite Series. It is also the most impressive. It comes with a 1.5-5×32 mm illuminated scope and a rope cocking device that reduces the drawing weight from 185 to 92.5 pounds. At 420 FPS, it is the fastest and arguably the best crossbow in the series.

It is lightweight, but that’s a bit subjective because it weighs 7.6lbs, under the 7lb weight mark that many lightweight bows are. The most obvious drawback of this arrow is its price. It also includes only two arrows, which is unfortunate if you think of the price.

One of the best features of the Ghost 420 is the TriggerTech frictionless release technology. As the name suggests, it makes the bolt release frictionless and smooth. The speed is impressive enough, as well as the accuracy and range. But the TriggerTech makes the Ghost 420 a standout.

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Hickory Creek 150 lbs In-Line Mini Vertical Crossbow with Split Limb

The littlest item on this list, the Hickory 150 lbs. In-Lini Mini Vertical Crossbow is truly a compact and lightweight hunting tool. It isn’t as small as the name implies, though. It is still nowhere near a pistol crossbow. However, it is still inches smaller and more compact than its regular counterparts.

It should be noted that the item is from a third party supplier, Southland Archery Supplies. Hickory Creek left a review on the Amazon listing, saying it will no longer sell to the supplier, and therefore the remaining In-Line Mini Vertical Crossbow on Amazon would be the last stock.

The pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
Compact	Expensive
Lightweight
Has safety features
Adjustable bow handle
Can easily be used with one hand

The Specs:

• Draw weight: 150 lbs.
• Arrow travels up to 325 FPS
• 13” power stroke
• Dual cam system draws even
• Adjustable bow handle grip so one size fits all adults
• Safety blocks trigger
• Anti-Dry Fire lever
• String loop for precise nocking point
• Unique, patent pending design
• Shoots full length arrows
• Easily converts from right hand to left hand
• Foot stirrup for easy cocking
• Easily un-cocks at end of hunt
• Tripod adapter for handicapped
• Easy takedown for storage/travel
• No press needed to change string

From a small company, the Hickory Creek 150 lbs. In-Line Mini Vertical Crossbow might be a little expensive. However, it’s because the company is a low volume manufacturer, and therefore can’t compete with the prices of bigger companies.

That said, this vertical crossbow has everything you need for a hunting crossbow. It has the efficiency and complete features of regular-sized bows and the compactness of pistol crossbows. The best thing about this is that you can easily use this with one hand and its balance will not be affected. Not many crossbows do that.

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Mike’s Top Choice

Among the six items reviewed above, Mike’s Gear Reviews thinks that the CenterPoint Sniper 370 is the best crossbow for the money. You get all the basic features and then some more of a professional and pricier crossbow but in an affordable price range.

But if money is no object, the most expensive on this list, the Barnett Ghost 420 Revanant, is the best crossbow that you can find. It is simply a powerful tool with all the upgrades, including speed and accuracy, that you need for a crossbow.

Are you getting ready for your next adventure? Read our Survival Gears Reviews section and stay safe, sane and in control.

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What Is a Crossbow?

Crossbows have been around for centuries, and you’re probably already familiar with them. However, they have gained media attention when they were popularized by Daryl from the zombie apocalypse TV series “The Walking Dead.” These weapons don’t just look cool, they are also extremely lethal. The best crossbow that you can probably own, if you want one, should be deadly accurate, even more so than the traditional bow and arrow variety.

A crossbow is a type of ranged mechanical weapon that shoots arrow-like projectiles called bolts or quarrels. It is illegal to use in some US states, but for others, it is considered an accurate hunting crossbow.

It is perhaps less popular than its vertical bow and arrow cousin. The vertical is what Legolas and Hawkeye use. Vertical bows weigh less. They allow faster follow-up shooting because you don’t need to go through all the motions of cocking the crossbow and loading it up.

How to Use a Crossbow

It looks more complicated than a bow and arrow variety, but it’s actually just the same. It just depends on which one you are more comfortable in using. Here is how you use it:

Cocking the Bow

Before aiming at something and shooting at it, you would need to make sure your crossbow is loaded first. And the first thing you need to do is to cock the bow. There are two ways to do it: manually or crank-operated.

To cock it manually, place your foot in the stirrup so the crossbow is planted in the ground while you pull the string back with the cocking ropes until the crossbow string is cocked. Pull the ropes at the same time because if not, your shot won’t be as accurate, and it will be difficult to pull the bowstring back. Store the rope until you need to use it again.

A crank-operated crossbow may have its crank integrated into the bow or separated. Either way, you need to engage the crank and turn it until the string is cocked. It is easier to use but could take longer to cock.

Loading the Bow

Place the bolt in the barrel of the crossbow once it is fully cocked. Align the cock vane of the arrow in the barrel channel first. If you don’t align the vane first, you might damage the bow because the bolt won’t be placed against the bowstring properly. Slide the bolt back into the barrel until it is securely seated into place.

Shooting the Crossbow

Some of the best crossbows have a safety switch, which prevents users from accidentally shooting someone. Flick that off when you are ready to actually use your crossbow.

Once you are ready, get into the position and aim through the scope at your target. Place your finger on the trigger and pull as you would a rifle’s.

Do You Need a Crossbow?

If you’re not adept with using a crossbow, then it wouldn’t be your first choice of weapon when it comes to hunting. It does take some studying before you can shoot with ease. But by users’ experiences, it is easier to learn than a vertical arrow. It is also an interesting tool and a practical one at that. You don’t need to wait for a zombie apocalypse to use one. Use it during hunting, and you would be surprised how efficient a tool it could be.

Also, a crossbow is, by many accounts, best for disabled people or those who are injured. How it is held and how easier it is to use make the crossbow a preferred hunting tool by physically challenged people.

There’s one caveat before browsing crossbow reviews, though. Make sure that it is legal to own and use in your state. In some states, crossbows are legal only during hunting season or other specific seasons. Some only allow them by special disabled permit, or in just a few areas. You also need permit to own and use one.

What To Look For In a Crossbow?

When you are ready to buy one, consider the following criteria for the best crossbow. You would first want to determine what type you want or need, and then you also need to determine its bolt speed, noise, power stroke, range, draw weight, and its country of manufacture.

Speed

In hunting, stealth and speed are crucial. You need to be faster than your target. When you aim your crossbow at your target, you would want your bolt to accurate hit it at the right speed.

This is how speed is calculated by FPS, or foot per second. The best crossbow that you can find is one that can deliver a speed of 300 FPS or more. This is the right speed for a hunting crossbow.

Noise

As mentioned above, stealth is imperative when it comes to hunting. For target shooters, it’s not much of an issue, if at all. But hunting is a different game. All crossbows make noise when you fire a bolt, but recurve ones tend to be noisier than compound. But it’s usually the quieter the bow, the lesser the speed. So it’s not a total winner-take-all situation. You have to gauge the balance between the two in choosing the best crossbow for the money.

Fortunately, some of the best crossbows these days use design that reduces the noise. You can also purchase a separate string suppressor to reduce the amount of vibration of the string, and thus reduce the noise level.

Power Stroke

Power stroke is important to determine the FPS. It has the same concept as draw length for the vertical bow. The longer the power stroke is, the higher the FPS, and therefore the faster the shooting. A hunting crossbow usually has power strokes from 11” to 14″.

Range

Range is simply how far your bolts can fly. If you are using your crossbow has at least 300 FPS, a hunting range of 50 to 60 yards, or even up to 80 yards for bigger game, is ideal and effective. But even though it seems the farther the better, it’s not always the case. Can you accurately kill your target at 80 yards? Are you certain the bolt will pierce the target’s vital organ from that far?

As an ethical hunter, you would want to kill your target immediately, and that means impaling its vital organ at first try. The shorter the range, the more precise you can hit your target. Otherwise, you might just wound the animal, which isn’t what you would want to happen.

Draw Weight

Draw weight is not the same as the bow weight. The latter is how much the how much crossbow weighs. The former is how much force you need to pull while drawing the bow. The higher the draw weight is, the higher the shot speeds.

But as crossbow reviews have noted, draw weights for crossbows tend to be higher than for others because the draw length for a crossbow is shorter. Also, you have to pull the weight until you reach the latch. This is designed as such so you can have higher weight with shorter draw lengths.

Where It’s Made

Knowing where it is made is something to consider when buying a crossbow as well. You would of course want to get the best crossbow for the money, and therefore where your bow is manufactured plays a significant role in determining this.

Types of Crossbows

There are different types of crossbows. The two most common are recurve and compound.

recurve crossbow

a recurve crossbow is the simpler of the two. It is so called because its tips curve away from the archer. These curving tips keep the string in place so it does not flick out. With this method, the string is strained and locked in, thus ensuring the safety of the user.

Because it is quite big and has a longer draw length than all other bows, it allows for greater acceleration for the projectile. But again, according to crossbow reviews, the intense pressure exerted on the bow because of its length also makes a recurve crossbow noisy when fired. And because it causes greater strain on the string than any other type of crossbows, its strings need to be replaced often.

It has fairly accurate aim and has outstanding power and speed. It is good for taking long range shots and targeting large animals, making it the best crossbow for deer hunting.

Compound Crossbow

A compound crossbow, on the other hand, is much easier to use but harder to set up for the first time. It has a more complicated design than a recurve crossbow. It has shorter limbs than the recurve’s, making it easier to use. It also is more compact, which is why it is often a favorite hunting crossbow.

It features a string connected to a pulley system linked to the second limb. The pulleys at the tip of the bow turn and the cables move to bend the limbs when the string is drawn. This system allows energy-saving and faster shooting.

Unlike recurve crossbows, which put great pressure on their bow, a compound crossbow minimizes vibration. Therefore, it doesn’t make a lot of noise. So if you need stealth in hunting, this is the best crossbow that you can use.

Recurve and compound are the most common types, but there are a few more out there. There’s the pistol crossbow, which are so named because of its relatively compact size. It is so small that you can shoot with this under your arm. The rifle crossbow is a modern-day hybrid of ordinary crossbows and rifles. It is designed to provide better aim, just like a rifle.

Repeating Crossbow

A repeating crossbow is perhaps the most convenient to use because you just need to make a single movement and everything will be completed. By everything, it means from the bow-stringing to the projectile-launching, as well as shooting. It can shoot three times faster than other types of crossbows. Therefore, it is the best crossbow to use when speed is of the essence.

From the US company Leapers, the UTG 4×32 Crossbow Scope is a perfect fit for most crossbows at 12.3 ounces and 8.19 inches length. As indicated in its name, it has a standard tube of 1 inch, with four times the magnification and 32mm objective lens diameter. This is one of best crossbow scope on the market.

Pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
Fog-proof, waterproof	No bolt speed compensation adjustment
Shockproof
Affordable
Field of view is 27ft at 100 yards
Eye relief at 3.8 inches

Specs:

• UTG 4×32 Crossbow/Air gun scope, built on TS platform, 1″ tube, wide angel, parallax 15 50 yards
• Broadband lens coating, pro 5-step reticle, RGB side wheel illumination, zero reset/locking W/E knobs
• Complete with flip-open lens caps and UTG RQ2W1104 QD Rings

This is probably the best crossbow scope for low light that you can get for this price range. It offers excellent light transmission and gives you clear view in low light conditions. It is an illuminated scope, in red and green and have five-setting brightness adjustment, which you can use for low light conditions. But if you don’t want to use illumination or don’t have a battery for it, you can just use the black crosshair reticle.

It has high quality optics as well. At 4x the magnification and 32mm lens, you will have no problem shooting a target from 50 yards.

Many users said crossbow sighting is easy with this scope if you just know the right procedure. And once it is properly sighted in, you’re good to go as it would remain that way.

One complaint by majority of crossbow scopes reviews is that it has no bolt speed compensation adjustment. You have to sight in each individual reticle line.

Overall, in crossbow sights, you can’t go wrong with this.

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Nikon 8461 Bolt XR Crossbow Scope

As it is from Nikon, the Japanese-headquartered multinational company specializing in optics products, it goes without saying that the 8461 Bolt XR Crossbow Scope is a high-quality crossbow sighting.

With a fixed 3x magnification and 32mm objective lens, you can shoot a target within 60 yards easily. It is—as is now standard among high quality crossbow scopes—waterproof, fog-proof and shockproof, ensuring that it is fit for outdoors use as it should be.

Pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
Fully multi-coated lens	Expensive
Fog-proof, waterproof	Not illuminated
Shockproof
Quick focus eye piece
Eye relief at 3.4 inches
Range up to 60 yards

Specs:

• Fully multicoated lenses: For maximum brightness and contrast and light transmission up to 92%. Nikon coats all lenses with multiple layers of anti-reflective compounds
• Precise ¼ inch at 20 yards adjustments: With an incredible 150 MOA adjustment range (100 yards)
• Zero-Reset Turrets: Zero-Reset turrets allow you to sight-in at 20 yards, then lift the spring-loaded adjustment knob, rotate to your zero, and re-engage. Field adjustments are now as simple as dialing in your subsequent ranges
• Parallax-free at 20 yards: For optimum accuracy; Waterproof, fog-proof and shockproof
• Lightweight Compact Design: Fits virtually every crossbow design
• Large Ocular with Quick Focus Eye Piece: ±4 Diopter; 3.4 inches of eye relief & BDC 60 Reticle
• Includes: Nikon lens caps, Nikon windage & Elevation caps

Although the Nikon Bolt XR is a bit on the expensive side, it is, by all accounts, worth it.

It is precise and clear and everything that you would want when you are looking for the best crossbow scope. It is probably not the best crossbow scope for low light, according to some users, though it is passable in that regard.

It transmits 92% of available light, giving you superior brightness and contrast. Its magnification is fixed at 3x. Nikon boasts that accuracy is spot on at 60 yards, and according to users doing crossbow scope review, that is correct.

It is non-illuminated, so if this isn’t what you prefer, then you will be disappointed as it’s probably the only thing that makes this model complete. Nevertheless, it’s the only flaw that you might see.

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TRUGLO Crossbow Scope 4×32 with Rings APG

The TRUGLO Crossbow Scope 4×32 is definitely an option if you want the best crossbow scope at a fraction of the price of high-end models.

These affordable crossbow sights have superb optics quality that helps improve your shooting skills.

It has a generous 4″ eye relief, the biggest among the others on this list.

Its 4x magnification and 32mm diameter of objective lens provide clear image of targets at a distance. Its crosshair reticle is at 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards’ range.

Pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
With limited lifetime warranty	Difficult to mount
4-inch eye relief
Scratch-resistant
Waterproof and fog-proof
Inexpensive

Specs:

• Special range finding and trajectory compensating reticle. Generous 4″ eye relief.
• Fully-coated lenses provide maximum brightness, clarity and contrast
• Rubber eye-guard. Fingertip windage and elevation adjustment under screw down caps.
• Durable leaf spring for windage and elevation adjustments. One-piece tube made of aircraft quality aluminum.
• Durable, scratch-resistant, non-reflective matte finish. Lifetime Limited Warranty

If you are looking for an inexpensive scope that doesn’t feel cheap at all, the TRUGLO Crossbow Scope is it.

This scope comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which says a lot for something that doesn’t cost that much. It is made of the same aluminum used in aircrafts, and the fact that it is in camouflage skin adds to its beauty.

As budget scopes go, it does have a few drawbacks.

One crossbow scope review says that it is not true to its claim that it’s fog-proof. That’s one complaint, though. What most users complained about was it is apparently difficult to mount on crossbows.

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Hammers Compact Red/Blue Illuminated Multi-Line Reticle Crossbow Scope 4x32CBT with weaver rings

Even cheaper than the TRUGLO above is the Hammers Compact Red/Blue Illuminated Crossbow Scope. You will have a lightweight, budget, compact scope that you can carry easily during hunting.

Pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
Shockproof	Lowest intensity of illuminated reticle still too bright
Waterproof, fog-proof
Eye relief at 3.5 inches
Inexpensive
Quick focus

Specs:

• Six cross lines for more reference points down the range
• Two color illuminated
• Compact 4x optics
• Comes with weaver rings
• Good 3 ½ inch eye relief

Touted by some as the cheapest and the best illuminated crossbow scope, the Hammers Compact Red/Blue Illuminated Multi-Line Reticle Crossbow Scope is an easy to mount scope that even comes with a set of mounting rings.

With fixed 4x magnification and 32 mm diameter, it is the ideal scope for beginners as it does provide accurate sighting and clear image resolution without costing a lot.

The multi-line reticle, as its name indicates, is illuminated with 5-setting adjustment. The issue from a crossbow scope review is that its lowest brightness setting of the illuminated reticle is still too bright.

This is a great value for money for beginners in the sport. It has the basics and some more that you would expect from a scope of this caliber.

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LaserWorks LE-032 Riflescope mate rangefinder 700M

Here’s a wildcard entry, the LaserWorks LE-032 Riflescope is obviously not a crossbow scope. It is a rangefinder that you can use with crossbows or, as its name suggests, rifles. Rangefinders measure the distance from the observer to their target, which is not unlike how scopes work, though they have few differences.

This rangefinder can be attached to crossbow scopes so you can adjust your scope’s reticle based on the readings of the rangefinder. It is an extra step but not pointless. Rangefinders are for those who need extra accuracy.

Pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
Compact	Only one side orientation
Waterproof
Easy to mount on scopes
Accurate reading

Specs:

• Long distance spotting sight, clear range: 6-702m, ideal for fast target acquisition and accuracy
• Durable Material and Camouflage Color: The product with aluminum alloy metal that’s tough enough to go anywhere and rangefinder color matches most camo patterns. Lightweight, shockproof, weather-resistant that will last for a long time
• Color OLED display: Clear digital meter speed display is easy to read
• Universal clamp-on mounting dech to fit most tactical spots
• Widely used for alignment / aiming / positioning / hunting / spotting / search /rescue / hiking etc.

This compact 700-meter waterproof laser rangefinder has a color OLED display in an all-metal shell. It has a precision of +/- 1M. It has a fog mode, which means it can still function and measure even if it’s foggy. It also measures horizontal distance and the slope.

According to a crossbow scope review, the only negative this has it that it only has one side orientation. Though it can be mounted sideways, the screen orientation remains the same.

The question is if you need a rangefinder if you already have a scope. The answer depends on how serious you are with the sport. You can do away without one, but if your main goal is extreme precision, you need one.

Mike’s Top Choice

Out of the four crossbow scopes (and one rangefinder) above, Mike’s Gear Reviews think you would want to have the Nikon Bolt XR if you want the best cross scope. It is top-of-the-line and simply the best. It has everything and more, save for illumination, which many people don’t need anyway. It is precise and has quick focus eyepiece, and that’s just a couple of its great attributes.

If you want something less pricey, though, then you would love the UTG 4×32 Crossbow Scope. It has the advantages of the Nikon without the price tag that comes along with it.

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What to look for in Crossbow Scopes

The best crossbow scope comes with a few key qualities.

Check the crossbow scopes reviews before buying, and check the following: the crossbow sights’ magnification, eye relief, exit pupil, reticle, objective lens diameter, illumination, field of view, optic lens coating, inner coating, durability and country of manufacture.

Magnification

Probably the foremost reason why you need a crossbow scope is you need to magnify the target yards away from you so you can see it better.

Magnification is the number you first see in a model’s classification. If the scope you bought says it’s 4×32, it means that it magnifies the object four times closer. If it’s 4-16×32, it means it is a variable power scope. It can be adjusted to magnify four to 16 times.

The best crossbow scope on the market doesn’t necessarily have the highest magnification, though. Even if it has high magnification but low objective lens diameter, then it’s still not good enough. The 32 in that equation is the diameter of the objective lens in millimeter, which we will discuss below.

Objective Lens Diameter

In the above example, 4×32, the 32 is the object lens diameter. It is always measured in millimeters.

It determines the exit pupil, or the aperture of the lens. The exit pupil determines how much light will reach your eye upon looking through the scope. The larger the number is, the more light will be able to come through it and the brighter the image at a given magnification. If you have high magnification number, you would also want a higher objective lens diameter. Because otherwise, the object will appear dark and in shadow.

Thirty-two is the standard lens size, which is why you will find a lot of models of crossbow scopes in 32mm diameter.

Eye Relief

This is the distance between the eyepiece lens and your shooting eye.

This is important because if your crossbow scope doesn’t have eye relief, or has but a small one, there’s a good chance you will hit your eye from the force when the crossbow releases an arrow. A good eye relief number is somewhere above 3″.

Field of View

The field of view is how much you can see in a particular range. It is the width of the scope’s sight picture, which is the amount of terrain visible, at a specific distance. The higher your scope’s magnification is, the lower your field of view is. If you have a range of 200 yards, your scope may only give you about 20 feet of field of view, depending on the focal length of the lenses as well.

Illumination

The best crossbow scope has good illumination as well, which means you can shoot in low-light situations. It can help gather light and produce a bright and clear image. The best illuminated crossbow scope will give you properly lighted view of an image even though you have poor lighting.

Exit Pupil

A scope’s exit pupil is the diameter of the circle of light leaving the scope and entering the shooting eye. The smaller the exit pupil, the dimmer the image that will appear to you it won’t fill the iris with light.

Reticle

Reticle is simply the lines that your see when you look through a scope. It is overlaid on the image as a guide where to aim and how to measure the distance. There are a couple of types of reticles. The first is the most popular: the crosshair.

Crosshair reticles have a single vertical line and one or more horizontal lines.

The horizontal lines are notches signaling the trajectory at a distance. In crossbow sighting, the top horizonal line, for example, is 20 yards. The second top is 40 yards, the third is 60, and so on.

There are reticles that have dots or dashes instead of lines. They may have a single dot or multiple dots, same goes for dashes. If it has multiples, the top dot/dash is the nearest distance, usually 20 yards.

Optic Lens Coats and Quality

The optical lenses are the most important part of a scope.

When crossbow sighting, they are the one that remain constant. They can be coated, fully coated, multi-coated or fully multi-coated. The order is by quality, and the last one is also the most expensive.

A coated lens has a single layer of coating on its surface. Fully coated has a single layer of coating on all external surfaces exposed to air. Multi-coated has multiple layers of coating on one lens surface. And finally, a fully multi-coated lens has multiple layers of coating on all lenses exposed to air.

Inner Coating

It may seem a negligible criterion to consider when looking for the best crossbow scope, but it’s actually a practical one to consider.

The interior coating is necessary to reduce the amount of stray light coming in through the lens. If light enters the scope, it will reflect off the metal, and therefore will reduce the image quality.

Durability

This should be one of your top priorities when looking for the best crossbow scope on the market. Unless you are target-shooting indoors, you are likely to use your crossbow outdoors while hunting. And all things outdoors call for extra durability because they are exposed to elements and rough handling.

Read the crossbow scopes reviews to have an idea if the model that you are eyeing is heavy-duty.

Also, even if the one you are getting isn’t top of the line, it should still have one or all of these qualities: weatherproof (i.e. fog-proof, waterproof and dustproof), scratch-resistant and shock-resistant. It is critical for crossbow scopes to be fog-proof because it will affect the image clarity of the scope if even there’s a slight change in temperature.

Where It’s Made

You may also want to consider the country of manufacture of crossbow scopes. Where they are made can determine their quality, as well as their authenticity.

What’s a Crossbow Scope for?

Aiming a crossbow at a target isn’t as easy as it looks.

It does require precise estimation and you have to rely on your eyesight and your steady hands to hit that game on your first try. But apart from your own skills, there is something else that can help you accurately hit your target.

Using the best crossbow scope during hunting or target-shooting will up your skill impressively.

Crossbow scopes provide great light gathering and increased magnification. They allow you to dial in your aim and adjust arc to give you a larger sight area. You can see your target better from 50 yards, depending on the type of scope.

They are different from riffle scopes. They look similar and even function the same, but they are different in some regards.

One major difference between them is their range.

While some crossbow scopes can engage targets at 80 yards, long ranges are more of riffle scopes’ arena. Because crossbows are short-range weapons, their scopes are designed for short ranges and give wide field-of view, and this is why you cannot use one scope over the other.

Crossbow scopes are also available with low-power and fixed magnification settings, while rifle scopes have adjustable magnification. The former can also be calibrated to the speed of the bolt. This gives shooters an accurate aiming point tuned to the trajectory.

There are two types of scopes for crossbows available on the market.

The first is the red dot scope, which transmits a simple light reticle into the scope. It does not have magnification, but the good news is that the light reticle is easy to see. It requires batteries.

The second type is the optic sights. These are similar to hunting scopes that they also have magnification. Optic sights are either fixed or variable power. If it’s fixed, it means it only has one power setting. This doesn’t allow the magnification to be set to higher or lower number. A variable power scope, meanwhile, is capable of zooming from 3x to 15x.

Do you really need a Crossbow Scope?

When you buy a new crossbow, it’s unlikely that you will get the best crossbow scope that goes along with it. Oftentimes, you will be saddled with a passable scope, if there’s even one included in the package.

That’s why for serious marksmen and hunters, investing in a scope is a must

There are some who would argue that a scope isn’t at all important as the crossbow is a short-range weapon anyway.

However, even if you are using the crossbow for target-shooting or for hunting, bringing in the best crossbow scope with you is essential. You are basically hitting a target, sometimes a live animal. If you missed it or hit it but in a non-lethal way, you are prolonging its agony. It’s an inhumane way to hunt.

Even if you have 20/20 eyesight, you would need help if you are aiming at a small target about 20 yards away. This is where a scope comes in handy.