Written By Aaron Ritter
Imagination and technology have changed the vision of archery sights since the conception of the first aiming device. My research has found documentation leading back to the 1870’s with James Spalding’s addition of a dressmaker's brightbead pin attached to his longbow. I, myself, recall the first two sights I had on my Martin Lynx Mag back in the late 1980’s. The first was a Martin multi-pin rail. For pin yardage differentiation, the two common methods were to paint the end of the brass pins with nail polish or model paint. At 30yds, your pin would engulf your sight picture. The next sight was a Proline. Considered ground-breaking in it’s time, the sight had thin gauge colored wire in a cross-style matrix. They were very difficult to adjust, and using them for “spot and stalk” hunting in the Pacific Northwest was challenging. I spent more time worrying about protecting my bow sight than I did hunting.
Fast forward to current archery technology. The list is long and distinguished with endless options. Single pin, multi-pin, magnifiers, dove tails, fiber optics, battery illuminators and laser rangefinder sights. The average modern-day bow sight is very technical, hosting multi-access mounting, set-up and tuning with micro-adjust knobs, levers or screws and the popular trend seems to be slipping towards “sliders”. The slider is a wheel-style adjustment with a sight tape (an adhesive tape with distance marks which coincide with your bow speed) allowing one of the pins to be adjusted in the field for a precise, ranged shot. All of these features add weight and bulk to the bow sight, while reducing the durability of the sight.
In October of 2015, Aaron Lasco, Founder and Owner of the EZ V bow sight applied the “stadia method” to archery. Not to turn this gear review into a Popular Science magazine article, Aaron was able to apply the same mixture of physics and trajectory used in optics (Bullet Drop Compensator, BDC) and laser rangefinders to create an instinctive-based, self-ranging archery sight. Based on the average “kill zone” of North American big game animals, which his research has determined to be 13”, the sight uses a “V” shaped sight insert used for framing the imagined “basketball” size shape. The closer the target, the higher up in the V the shooter frames the shot. As the target distance increases, the basketball sized kill zone is framed lower in the V. His research and testing further revealed he could shoot accurately and lethally in 20 feet per second(fps) intervals, allowing him to create sight inserts ranging from 220fps to 320fps. In 2016, his research became reality as he wrapped up his patent and in May, 2016, his first EZ V bow sight left his shop.
In July of 2020, I started the hunt for a new bow sight. Aaron Lasco’s EZ V populated in my search criteria. With my archery roots stemming from traditional stick and string, I was intrigued. The outward appearance of a modern bow sight mixed with instinctive shooting piqued my interest, but I did not act on my curiosity and I chose a modern 5-pin slider.
From July of 2020 to September of 2021, a few hunters I follow on social media transitioned to the EZ V and communicated nothing but positive reviews and success with the revolutionary bow sight. In September of 2021, I decided I wanted to downgrade from the large, heavy 5-pin slider to a lighter, simpler sight. Over a three day period I found myself looking at the EZ V and watching Aaron Lasco’s instructional YouTube videos on his sight. (follow the link below for access to all of Aaron’s instructional videos)
www.ezvsight.com/demos-tutorials
All of this browsing culminated in a 20-ish minute phone call with Aaron Lasco himself. Aaron is a very candid, professional entrepreneur and a pleasure to speak with. He also offers the opportunity to try his bow sight for 30 days without penalty or question. If you are not satisfied, you only pay return shipping. Despite Aaron’s time being spread thin, especially when dealing with curious customers like myself, I received shipping notice within an hour of our conversation. The sight arrived a few days later and I commenced to following the videos on the EZ V website and headed to the range. Within 40 minutes I had swapped sights and was shooting accurately out to 40 yards. Astonishing, in my opinion.
Aaron’s bow sight is simple and durable compared to today’s archery standards. Constructed of machined aluminum, the sight is nearly indestructible and only weighs 6.5 ounces. Unlike other sights on the market, the EZ V only has four allen screws, all the same size, used to mount and adjust the sight.
When ordering, the bowhunter has three options to choose from:
Sapphire Green
Sapphire Orange
Sapphire Ruby
Regardless of color, they arrive in the same packaging with the same components:
Bowsight
Luminescent Scope Ring (color matches the insert color)
V-inserts: 220fps to 300fps (in 20fps increments)
Instructions
Practice Target
310fps & 320fps inserts are available at additional cost
What are the major benefits of the EZ V bow sight compared to the popular sights manufactured by other companies:
Weight and durability. The two 5-pin sliders I tried on my Prime Black 3 both weighed over 11.5 ounces. They both had multiple, different sized allen screws.
The EZ V weighs 6.5 ounces and has four allen screws, all the same size.
Sight picture. Pin sights require the pins to be placed in the sight picture. The more pins you have, the more scatter you have in your sight picture.
The EZ V has an open-concept sight picture with zero scatter. The shooter sees the entire target area or “kill zone”.
Illumination. Today’s common bow sights utilize fiber optics and battery-powered illuminators. Fiber optics are fragile and batteries add weight, require spares and fall prone to damage in the field.
The EZ V uses light gathering resilient components with optional glow tape. This design adds to the durability of the sight.
Ranging. Pin sights require pre-ranged shooting lanes. Sliders require “range-adjust-shoot” with every shot scenario.
The EZ V is based on an instinctive-based, self-ranging sight, simply requiring a hunter to “draw-frame-claim”.
How about the older guys reading this review, or those with vision problems? Do you struggle with blurry pins or target verification? Do you lose focus when trying to place the pin on your intended point of impact? The EZ V design provides an open sight picture, reducing blurred vision and the need of holding a pin on target, known as pin drift.
Speaking of holding a pin on target, how many readers struggle with target panic? For several years my vision has been declining. The changes in my vision have caused issues focusing on my sight pins and target when using a multi-pin sight. This led to target panic. Using the EZ V, I am no longer fighting the urge to rush the shot or jerking the trigger on my wrist release when the pin is on the target. Pin drift is no longer in my vocabulary!
Referencing pins and inserts, Lasco’s forward thinking led to the sights' two-sided inserts. The inserts have a blank side and tick side. The tick side has black tick marks on each side of the V, spaced in yard increments from 20yds - 60yds. This allows the shooter the option to go instinctive or maintain a pin-style insert without the sight-picture scatter.
In true LIMB-itless Outdoors fashion, I will close the review with the negatives, followed by my closing statement. I have found two negatives while researching, shooting and interacting with other bowhunters who try the EZ V. The first is not having tried the EZ V sooner. The EZ V is different. VERY different, and it challenges the bowhunting norm. However, if you are able to take the bulky, popular pin sight off your bow, you may be surprised at how simple and efficient the EZ V really is. The second negative I have found is more of a common failure amongst users or those who try the bow sight. If you view and follow the simple, informative YouTube videos Aaron has provided, your use and experience with the EZ V will be a smooth transition and you will be shooting accurately in a very short period of time.
Aaron’s story behind the reasoning and development of the EZ V aligns with a significant part of my enjoyment and drive for writing. Not being able to hunt with our fathers anymore, we have found ways to remain connected with them and continue to build memories associated with the outdoors. Aaron’s connection is intertwined in the memory of their last elk hunt. My father is my writing editor. Needless to say, I am a huge fan of the EZ V. Aaron Lasco has housed technology and science in a simple, indestructible sight designed for hunters. He is an American-based company operating out of Montana, offering a revolutionary bow sight for hunters with above average customer service. Additionally, he is a proud supporter of the military and offers a military discount. (if you are active duty, contact EZ V for a discount code)
Be LIMBITLESS. Get OUTDOORS
Aaron Ritter
