(Author photo)
October 29, 2021
By Sam Forbes
Piggybacking off the Garmin Xero A1i, is the new Xero A1i Pro . This revolutionary electronic sight has a built-in rangefinder, so you can take one more step out of the hunting process. Simply draw, range and shoot!
Whitetail woods, mountain slopes, open plains or the wilderness of foreign countries — the versatility of this bow sight is endless. Archers can utilize the arrow profiles to set up pins for individual arrows and broadhead setups. Let’s say your turkey hunting arrow is different than your elk arrow, because it probably is — you can take each arrow to the range and step through the setup process to dial in specific reticles for that arrow. No longer will you have to completely re-sight your pins for a simple swap of seasons; just switch arrow profiles and your pins will switch with you. No matter what you prefer to shoot, single pin, 3 pin or 5 pin, Garmin’s Xero Pro is completely customizable. Electronic pins offer the sight the chance to be completely customized to your preference and saved in the settings.
(Author photo) The Garmin Xero A1i Pro provides archers with on-sight micro-adjustments and autocalibration tools for an extremely fast setup. Setting up this auto-ranging digital sight is simple and intuitive. The included video shows just how quickly you can get dialed-in for a specific arrow.
The Xero A1i Pro operates up to a year on two AAA lithium batteries and comes in both right and left-handed configurations. Ruggedized and water rated to IPX7, the Xero can withstand the rigors of bowhunting all four seasons.
Redesigned Mount Archers know fine-tuning adjustments on their sight for accuracy can be take a fair amount of time. Thanks to the newly designed, micro-adjustable rails on A1i Pro, archers can now make quick, precise changes to elevation, windage, pitch and yaw. This allows for faster first pin setup as well as laser alignment when sighting in. The A1i Pro now offers adjustments for sight roll (2nd axis) correction and a removable dovetail with two position options for better sizing to a user’s peep sight when mounting to the bow.
Traveling hunters or archers shooting multiple bows will find the new “quick detach” system on the A1i Pro dovetail rail mount particularly useful. To remove the Xero A1i Pro, simply remove a single screw from the bow riser and unplug the new quick release trigger cable from the sight housing.
Auto Calibration All you have to do to get things started is to enter a bit of information — arrow speed, arrow diameter and draw length — and you'll automatically receive a pin stack that’s mathematically programmed out to your bow’s estimated maximum distance.
After mechanically setting a 20-yard pin, archers can enter or estimate their bow’s chronograph speed, and the sight will autogenerate a pin stack. The archer then validates the stack by shooting a few arrows at a distance of 40 yards or more, and setup is complete. This validation step ensures a true ballistic match of the arrow, and it’s fast and easy to revalidate if the setup changes later.
But if you don’t know your arrow speed, don’t fret; you can simply tell the sight to skip that step and it will prompt you through a more manual setup.
Aiming Features Using real-time accelerometer data, the A1i Pro’s new dynamic level feature provides indicators within the sight window to display if the bow is not sufficiently level to execute an accurate shot at the ranged distance. Designed for hunting environments, this feature allows archers to remain focused wholly on target, instead of having to take their eyes off their pin to check their level. Within the sight menu there are four different level features to pick from, so be sure to read your owner’s manual and decide which is best for you.
(Photo courtesy of Garmin) If hunting in heavier cover with potential obstructions such as branches, the Flight Apex feature provides a flashing dot that indicates the arrow’s highest point during flight. Once again, the technology of an electronic screen allows for any point to be marked, and the flight apex of your arrow can be displayed while full draw to help you know if your arrow will fly above or below a potential obstruction.
Xtra Distance (XD) Mode Once XD Mode is enabled, simply loosens the set screw on the vertical rail and dial the sight into a lower position with the micro-adjust knobs. Follow the instructions provided on the sight display and take your shot out to unheard-of distances. When done, simply puts the sight back into the base position via the on-screen prompts.
Other Features (Photo courtesy of Garmin) Customizable arrow profiles: Saved pin setting for multiple arrow configurations, so users can change from a practice setup to their hunting setup in seconds (see above photo)Laser Locate Feature: Waypoint projection feature pairs with a compatible Garmin GPS device (sold separately) to show the target’s exact location when the shot or range was taken.Dual-color LED Pins: Allows users to easily identify preset distances by using alternating pin colors for fixed pinsSilent trigger: Mount the silent aiming button in the most convenient spot for your grip. With minimal movement, at rest or full draw, you can range up to 100 yards on game or up to 300 yards on reflective targetsAmbient Light Sensor: Controls the pin brightness per the user’s preferences so pins appear consistently sized no matter the lighting conditions It’s hard to think of a feature that’s not included with this sight. Never has there been a piece of bowhunting equipment that is more customizable to a true hunting situation. These features aren’t for glamor or show; no, they’re all programmed to maximize your lethality in a hunting situationFor more information, visit the Xero A1i Pro product page .
