By Keith Dunlap
May 25, 2008 – 7:26:24 AM
Spot-Hogg ® has a reputation for producing well-built, durable sights that last a lifetime. They’ve been at it since 1997, and they’re still going strong today. I have used a Spot-Hogg Right On sight for years, so I was anxious to evaluate the new features of the Real Deal sight.
The Real Deal is a ruggedly built sight that has a very strong dovetail. Machined entirely out of 6061 aircraft aluminum. It has easy to use knobs for micro-adjustable windage and elevation, and heavy-duty clamping screws ensure this sight will not come loose. The Real Deal includes a white alignment ring around the circular pin guard, a sight level, and a wire guide for pin alignment. There are many options available for the Spot-Hogg Real Deal sight, including the following:
- Hogg Wrap extended fibers
- Right hand or left hand
- Small circular pin guard (2″)
- Large circular pin guard (2 3/8″)
- .010 fiber optic pins
- .019 fiber optic pins
- .029 fiber optic pins
- .039 fiber optic pins
- Standard aluminum pins (no fiber)
- Sight light
- 2x, 4x, or 6x lenses
- Lens adapter/sun shade
The Real Deal sight that I evaluated has three fixed .019 pins, the large pin guard (2 3/8″), and the Hogg Wrap option for brighter pins. Let’s take a look at the Real Deal from SPOT-HOGG.
The Real Deal from SPOT HOGG.
INITIAL INSPECTION:
I opened the package and completed my regular inspection of the finish and craftsmanship of the Real Deal sight. I found no defects or blemishes, and the quality was truly top shelf. I noticed immediately that the glow of the pins on this sight were brighter than I am accustomed to for .019 fiber optic pins. This is attributed to the optional Hogg Wrap, which provides extended fibers that travel the circumference of the pin guard prior to making their way into the sight pins of the Real Deal. The Hogg Wrap has an opening to install an optional sight light for low- light conditions, although I found that the sight light was not necessary for normal low-light situations. It also has a clear plastic guard protecting the extended fibers that wrap around the Hogg Wrap.
Hogg Wrap option significantly increases pin brightness.
Mounting and setting up the Real Deal sight on my bow was simple and I was ready to continue my evaluation in no time. I found the micro-adjustments on this sight to be more than adequate to fine-tune the sight. Each pin on the Real Deal sight has two black set screws that allow the pin to be micro adjusted vertically. By loosening one screw and tightening the other, the pin will rotate enabling you to sight in your pins. Both screws should be tight when done. Then to adjust your pins so they are all aligned on the wire, adjust the silver screw at the end of the pin. By adjusting the silver screw the pin will telescope in and out enabling you to align your pins. Gang adjustment is achieved by loosening the ¼-20 screw with a 3/16 allen wrench. The micro-knob should turn freely and you can micro-adjust. When finished make sure to retighten ¼-20 screw. You have a gang adjustment for windage and elevation. It should also be noted that the sight pins and fiber optics are replaceable if necessary.
Each pin is micro-adjustable using set screws.
The next part of my Real Deal evaluation included testing the sight for durability, light gathering ability, and shot accuracy.
TESTING:
Durability: To test for durability, I relied on my experience with my existing Spot-Hogg Right On sight, which has the same sight features and design as the Real Deal. The only added feature on the Real Deal was the Hogg-Wrap, and only time will tell how durable the extended fibers will be, but the protective clear plastic should prevent any damage to the fibers during normal use. To put it simply, Spot-Hogg makes extremely durable bow sights, including the Right On and Real Deal sights. These sights are designed to last a lifetime. I have had no damage to my sight over the years, and I have dropped my bow on more than one occasion while hoisting it into a treestand.
The white alignment ring and bright sight pins quickly train your eye to the target.
Shot Accuracy: The next phase of my evaluation included testing for shot accuracy. I sighted my bow with the Real Deal sight at 20 yards and shot several groups of 2″ or less. I adjusted the sight pins for 20, 30, and 40-yard distances. I found the adjustments to be simple and effective, and I had no trouble dialing the Real Deal in at all three distances. My arrow groupings were satisfactory and the target was easy to find through the 2″ inside diameter sight ring. The white alignment ring and extra bright .019 sight pins on the Real Deal quickly train your eye to the target.
Light Gathering: The final phase of my evaluation of the Spot Hogg Real Deal sight was to evaluate the light gathering ability and brightness of the fiber optic pins in low-light conditions. This was a simple test, I shot one of my bows equipped with the Real Deal sight with Hogg Wrap, and I shot another bow equipped with a top name bow sight – both in low-level light conditions. I compared my ability to shoot into a 3D whitetail target well after the sun had disappeared into the horizon. Without any additional light source on the Real Deal sight, I was able to continue grouping arrows into the 3D target well beyond what I would normally consider shooting light. The other sight I was comparing used coiled fiber optics to maximize light gathering. I was impressed that the Real Deal sight held its own against the coiled fiber optics system of the other sight.
Specifications as Tested:
- Sight pins: three 0.019″ fiber optics
- Overall length: 4.75″
- Weight (Real Deal & HOGGWRAP): 8.235 oz.
- Sight body material: CNC machined 6061 aluminum
- Sight finish: matte black
- Retail Price for Sight Only: $146
- Retail Price for 5-pin HOGGWRAP: $69.95
- Warranty: lifetime on damage to the sight, excludes fibers, scratches, and dents
CONCLUSION:
The Real Deal sight from Spot-Hogg receives an A+. It was not a tough sell, since I already own a Spot-Hogg sight, and have used it for years. I put the Real Deal to the test, and I find it to be a high quality bow sight in all respects.
To see the full line of Spot-Hogg products, visit their website: SPOT-HOGG, Inc.
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