How do you align your sight and aim?

It's a subconscious thing. But they make a huge difference.

I recently asked this questions, 

Do you align the sight and target by 

- Looking at the sight pin then putting it on the target or 

- Looking at the target, then putting the sight pin into it

Do you aim by 

- Keep red dot in the middle of the target or

- Align circumference of the sight forming around the target ring"

These are subconscious routines we build since we start shooting, and we barely revisit them. 2 vastly different methods, also with vastly different results.

It is normal for new archers to use the first method to both questions. It is just normal, and it just happens. No one actually teaches us how to align and aim when we go for one of those fun shoots.

Personally, I use the 2nd option for both questions. Here are the reasons for it. 

Take note that these varies according to shooting style and are ultimately personal preferences to help you shoot better. So try them for a month and see which works better!

Alignment: 

When you keep your eye on the target and put the sight pin into it, you keep your focus on the target.

Compared to when your eye follows the sight into the target. This makes it more difficult to align as your vision moves along with your sight pin.

With the focus on the target, you can use peripheral vision to check where the sight pin is and adjust your aiming as required. Essentially, you minimize movement and transition time from setting up to aim.

To note, some archers keep their sight pin at the black / blue rings at 12 oclock while drawing. This reduces unnecessary movements even more, and reduces the time needed to aim and expand

Aiming:

I used to aim with the middle dot. I got a fiber optic sight pin just for this purpose. But after 2 years, I realised that doing this will make me want to have the "perfect aim" before releasing the arrow. Resulting in taking too long to expand and click, or not wanting to expand because it will not be a perfect shot. There was so much focus on aiming that I forget about engaging the good muscles while shooting. (This, if too severe drastic, may lead to clicker or target panic.) This subconsciously stuck with me for 2 years. Even now, I have to remind myself to focus on me shooting, not the target. 

So how do I aim? I get the pin into the target, then try to have a nice "sight picture", seeing that the yellow mostly fills the sight. In essence, see if the colours on the target make a nice circle. Then I tell myself.. "Easy and relaxed expansion and release"

There will never be a perfect aim, and I have accepted this fact. Have you?

I found that the Spigarelli Berti Light sight pin helps me greatly in achieving this. (Not a sponsored post, but some factors for you to consider). The circumference of the shibuya round sight pin is too thin for my liking and I found it difficult to tell where the pin is on the target. The Berti Light on the other hand, is square, with an opaque side facing me. 

- This helps me to see the sight ring better and identify if I my aim is off 

- The cross hairs are so fine that they can barely be seen while aiming, giving me a very nice sight picture.

- The straight vertical side helps me get a good gauge of my string alignment with reference to the sight pin

- The center dot is luminous red, which is really bright. (not the most important), but it helps me get a rough sensing of how 'centre' I am. Though I am still aiming with the sight picture.

I am an advocate for "rough aiming" so that we can bring the focus back to us. 

Execute good shots, not perfect aim

Fivics Titan EX Riser

Got a chance to see the Fivics Titan EX riser at Bangkok World Indoors. Wasn't a chance to shoot it, but a good time to draw and feel the riser. The main difference between the EX and X2 risers are in the weight and the weight balance

Weight:
EX is at 1330g, can definitely feel the difference compared to the X2 at 1315g. The feel of the riser is definitely heavier and bulkier.

Weight balance and Grip:
Can't comment on the weight balance
But the grip felt much better to use. The staff explained that the neck of the grip follows the bow centre and is geometric to maximise the control of the bow
Also, the outer left side (RH) of the grip has been extended slightly out for the archer to quickly find and get a good contact point with the bow. Of course, this difference could be felt when I switched back to the X2 :/ (feeling insecure with my X2 now)

Archery Clickers

I also have a habit of changing equipment, especially smaller accessories like clicker :/

Have changed 4 clickers so far,

Beiter silver -> Beiter black -> ArcTec Carbon -> Wiawis Carbon

In terms of price, carbon clickers are definitely more expensive. Wiawis set me back S$33 while the ArcTec costs $42.

I shall not talk too much about Beiter blades as they are the most common and popular, even among Olympians and Korean archers. They're simple, light and does the job perfectly well.

Carbon clickers, if you are dissatisfied with the clicking sound of the Beiter ones, would be producing music to your ears. 

What I would want to compare is the ArcTec and Wiawis.

In terms of force it generates when it clicks, the ArcTec would be slightly less forceful. At the highest hole, the clicker doesn't really touch the clicking plate. Second hole is great.

Wiawis clicker is naturally curved, so it would touch the plate regardless.

It also spots a 'slider' concept rather than the 4-hole concept. No need to change from hole to hole to adjust the lengths, just slide it up and down.

The main difference is at the end of the blade, which comes into contact with the clicking plate. 

ArcTec's is a piece of brass while the Wiawis is a normal metal plate. Don't belittle the brass. It is the one which gives the really amazing click sound. The word I would describe it with is "SOLID". Really solid click (youtube has a video of the ArcTec clicking sound vs the old win carbon clicker).

But, because of the brass, I also find it difficult to adjust the clicker position as it is rounded. From different angles, it seems like it is on a different position on the clicker plate.

Also, if the anchor is not stable and the arrow moves forward and back near the clicking point, the clicker might move. Very difficult to find the 'feel' of when it is going to click.

It is also difficult to fully tighten the screw as the allen key is required. After a couple of shots, it might move. I actually use my beiter screw to keep it tight instead.

The wiawis clicker on the other hand, does not sound as good. Could not get used to the sound at all. Sounds a bit more 'flat'. But because it is a flat surface, it is much easier to get the 'feel' and adjust the clicker position.

Also, because it is narrower, I am extremely afraid that it is quite flimsy and might snap.. Hopefully it doesn't.

 I screwed it on the riser tight and it stayed in place quite well.

My friend and I both sold the ArcTec clicker and changed to Wiawis :)

Archery Plungers

Recently I've ordered 2 Infitec Nexus plungers for friends. The moment I touched it, I regretted.. The plunger pin does not go in and out smoothly. Feels like sandpaper.. And it costs S$35. Even Cartel plungers which cost way less feel smoother than that.

Today I would like to share about the Fivics SM740 vs Beiter Plunger.

Similarities
Both these plungers are very similar in the sense they allow micro-tuning and adjustments of the plunger tension. They are both about the same lengths.
Both are extremely smooth when using.
The concepts for both are the same for securing onto the riser and for micro tuning.




+ SM740
Just 1 tool required to tune. The blue spanner and the small allen key attached to it. Beiter requires a couple more tools like the screw driver.
The micro-tuning adjustment is independent adjustment from the body of the entire plunger. (when turning micro adjustment, entire body does not turn). Essentially, it pushes a platform at the back of the plunger forward or backward. The adjustment level can be seen through a window at the side of the plunger. Beiter works in a similar manner, except that the entire body turns.

+ Beiter
Very inter-changeable and easily available parts. Multiple plunger pin lengths to suit your riser and shooting needs. SM740 spare parts do not come easily but other than the plunger pin, some parts can be inter-used.
The spring is actually really good, compared to the SM740 spring. The SM740 spring increases tension exponentially upon being depressed.
The sheer number of Olympians can attest to the goodness of this plunger. Most likely because there is zero or extremely low tolerance in the plunger pin movement. It only moves in and out, and no left/ right around the opening.

+ SM540
Similar to SM740, just 1 tool required. Same method of attaching onto the riser
The adjustment method is similar to Beiter. The whole body of the plunger turns.
(but I still prefer to use the beiter spring in the plunger)


Price (in SGD)
Fivics: 80+
Beiter: 160+

What do I do..?
I am using the SM740 (or 540) because I like the way it can be micro-tuned and the gauge can be seen through the window.
I dislike the Fivics spring because the tension increases wayyy to much upon being pushed down.
Use the SM740 plunger with the Beiter spring. :)

Thankfully the springs are of the same size and quite interchangeable.
Plunger pins are not
Grub screws are the same
Spanners are not of the same size

Thinking of changing Limbs..

Looking to change to my own long term high poundage limbs.. Currently using a friend's Inno EX Power 68" 38#. Thinking of..

- Titan x2
- Inno EX Power
- Wiawis NS
- Wiawis One
- MK?

Fivics Titan x2 riser

Gotten around to changing a riser. The new Fivics Titan X2! Here's some info and my thoughts abt it

Design: it's design looks extremely close to GMX and MKX 10. 

The riser design is exactly the same as the previous Titan plus.

The difference: the grip and the little damper at the bottom of the grip.

Titan X2 in its natural habitat

Fixing up the riser with the accessories

Pluses and minuses

Grip: changed from the glossy low wrist on Titan+ to a mid grip matte finish. The feel is great. I absolutely love the comfort of it. Do try it out for yourself first though, as I have small hands. The mid grip fits my hands just right, like a natural hand-wrist position.

Comparing to the wiawis nano max, it feels smaller. I could never get a proper grip when trying out my friend's bow. Or maybe my hand was wet and couldnt grip properly. The Titan grip is still white though (which is sad). 

The surface:

It has that textured look like it just came out from production and it looks just great. At least it has some feels compared to a painted bow.

Finally, the shooting feel:

To be honest. It feels amazing. Fivics say it's 1315g weight. The old winex is 1250g. But the Titan x2 feels much lighter when drawing and anchoring.

With the winex, it felt like carrying a block of metal. It's chunky, and oomph-ey. Like a drumstick you eat using your hands and take a giant bite into it. 

The x2 itself feels and looks streamlined with less edges and more curves. It feels elegant and poised. Like the perfectly glazed chicken wing that just came out from the grill. (Crap I'm hungry..) Gives the satisfaction and yearning to come back for more. Just like how I can't wait to go back to shooting it again.

It is probably because the balance is toward the front. Which is why the shooting feel is so different. It feels light, but packs a huge punch. After release, it just jumps out so spontaneously.

Hope I can say more, after a few more weeks of shooting

Fivics Nano-XQ

---26 Jan---
Hello!! With the up in poundage also comes an upgrade in arrows. Plus the fact that I'll be shooting 50m in a competition soon. Coach just shipped in Fivics NANO-XQ arrows.

From some snooping around the websites, it looks like Carbon Express produces arrows for Fivics too. Especially since the Nano-XR and Nano-Pro on the Fivics Archery online shop looks exactly the same as the ones on the CX website.
Now the Fivics 2016 catalogue has the XQs listed, together with ZEILOs and other beginner arrows. The XRs and Pros are nowhere to be seen. So it does seem like the feedback from XRs and Pros have gone into the XQs and these are the go-to arrows now.
The claim is that these arrows are just below X10s. They are also claimed to be much more durable, much faster and much more stable than the A/C/G, definitely comparable to A/C/E.
Price wise, its likely around A/C/E range.

Made a visual comparison to my friend's X10s. The X10s are designed to have wider shaft and narrower ends. The XQs width are definitely comparable to the X10s. Widths of the X10s in the middle are just slightly wider than the XQs, while the ends are about the same size or narrower.

I guess the only way to find out is to shoot them. Stay tuned!

---14 July---
Received an email from a reader who wanted to find out more about the NANO-XQ. Thanks for contacting me! He has been using the NANO-XR for 3 years and is looking to upgrade. I'm no expert to comment, but here's my reply based on my what I went through with the arrows. If you're looking for a definitive reply as to buy or not buy, you'll likely not find it here...

I have been using them since January till now. Twice a week, about 100-200 arrows each time.

I have completed with them at 50m in March and 18m in June with 36# limbs, and recently changed to 38# limbs in June.

In March for the 50m competition, my form wasn't very good and the scores reflected it. But what is great is that they could hit consistent 7-10 points during the competition. When I did not shoot properly and my form was bad, they would land at 2-6 points.

In June for the 18m competition, my form was more consistent. The arrows performed perfectly. I could get 9-10 points consistently on the triple face.

After switching to 38#, the spine is a bit soft for 38#. I will have to change another set of arrows for 38#.

The last week was quite a bad experience for my arrows. On Wednesday, I was shooting at 26m indoor range. One arrow dropped off the arrow rest just before releasing and it hit the wall at 45 degree angle. There was a hole in the wall about an inch deep, buy thankfully the arrow was fine.

On Saturday at the outdoor range, 2 arrows dropped off the arrow rest again and they flew into the grass. Again, thankfully they only got scratched on the surface and should be able to use after cleaning it up. (Actually, I haven't cleaned them up)

They seem very durable and able to withstand a lot of rough treatment.

As for arrow speed, I can't tell because I don't have any arrows to compare to. But I believe it is also faster than many Easton arrows because it is much thinner.

I have a friend who uses NANO-XR as well. The XQ and XR are of the same size. They look and feel exactly the same. It is likely just the manufacturing process that is different, in terms of the pressure applied to make the arrow (they keep emphasizing this on their product brochure).

If you are satisfied with your NANO-XR, I'm sure the NANO-XQ will not disappoint you

Remember I mentioned changing to another set of stiffer arrows? It will definitely be to NANO-XQ

Best to order the point and pin with the arrows because it's fivics size. Shops may not have the same size for point and pin

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Let me know if this helped!
Feel free to contact me at buzytmj@gmail.com!