LAST UPDATED: May 1st, 2015
Bowhunting whitetails and black bear in the eastern mountains I call home is tough business. The terrain is punishing, the animals are tougher than nails, and the shots are up close and in your face. As a result, I decided long ago that my choice in bow sights had to be just as tough. Even more, I came to the conclusion that those sporting multiple pins were of little use to me. After all, when you consider that the average bow shot on whitetails occurs somewhere between 20-25 yards, and shots on mountain whitetails are often closer, why would I need more than 2 sight pins anyway? In my opinion I don’t. However, I still want (need) the ability to shoot at longer ranges; not only during practice, but during hunting situations if the opportunity arises. Alas, I can’t have my cake and eat it too…or can I? The moveable pin sight certainly suggests that I can.
Moveable pin sights offer the best of both worlds. The Hogg Father is perfection personified.
Throughout the years I’ve tried a lot of different makes and models in the single-pin moveable sight category. Some have been good, some not so good. While some models excelled in smooth operation, they unfortunately left a lot to be desired in rugged, reliability. Likewise, rugged models were often cumbersome and not very smooth to manage. For every plus there was always a minus. Some little something that made the sight fall just short of perfection. This trend, in my opinion, has finally come to an end.
Recently, I had the pleasure of testing the Spot Hogg Hogg Father. It is a premium, single-pin moveable bow sight that is charismatically functional, armored-tank tough, and operates with the precision of a well-trained surgeon. But, it is also much more than that. In a nut-shell, it is “peace-of-mind”. And, when it comes to bowhunting….confidence kills.
Traveling Case
I’m not big on fancy packaging. To me, if a product doesn’t perform, the box it comes in isn’t worth taking a “you know what” in it. But, when said product lives up to the hype, the packaging can then be admired. The Hogg Father comes with a custom case that not only looks good, but is sure to protect your investment. With foam padding, custom made specifically for the individual Hogg Father parts, you can confidently break-down your sight and store or transport it without worry of damage. Like I said, this doesn’t make the sight, but it is a nice overall feature.
The Travel Case for the Hogg Father is very well made and offers the utmost in protection.
Quick Release Dovetail
I love dovetail sights. Essentially, a dove-tail extension bar moves the sight pin further from my eye, which makes it more accurate. Think in terms of shooting a pistol and a rifle. With the front sight moved further away, long range shooting is easier with a rifle. The same principles apply to archery. That is why I favor a long extension on my sights.
The dove-tail extension bar can set the face of the pin housing roughly 4-7 inches from the riser of my Mathews bow.
The Hogg Father comes with two options when mounting the dove-tail. You can choose the highly attractive knob which allows the user to hand tighten the extension. Or, you can use the set-screw that locks down the unit more permanently. Either method works well so it is entirely up to the user. In addition, the dovetail bar has several, evenly spaced indentions machined into it in order to allow the quick release knob (or set-screw) to bite into it for a perfect fit that won’t rattle loose.
Wheel in the Sky
Moving down the sight the first “mechanical” portion you will encounter is the Bull Knob, or yardage wheel. Immediately, I noticed its larger size. However, this is helpful in two ways. One, it is much easier to grasp and rotate; especially while wearing hunting gloves. Two, the larger size allows the spacing between the site tape marks to be further apart, which makes it a little easier to choose the right range; especially in low-light conditions. But, the features on the yardage wheel don’t stop there.
The Bull Knob (sight wheel) is large (for easy moving) and has a host of other features.
Located on the bottom portion of the wheel is a neat little device called the “Vertical Micro-Knob”. When engaged, the Vertical Micro-Knob locks the Bull Knob (yardage wheel) down so that it cannot rotate off of the desired yardage mark. When it is disengaged, it allows the user to micro-adjust the distance one yard at a time by simply rotating the Micro Knob as opposed to the main yardage wheel.
The Micro-Knob makes even the most minute adjustments easy.
Located on the inside of the Bull Knob (sight wheel) is a sight scale that allows you to micro-adjust the sight even further…..in tenths. For example, you can dial the sight for a range of 45.8….if you wish. While that may sound a little sophisticated for many, myself included, it is a really cool feature should you need it. In reality, you can use this sight for competitive 3D competition, as well as bowhunting, without the need to change sights in order to enjoy certain qualities.
The Sight Scale on the Hogg Father allows for even more precise shooting.
Rack It
Perhaps the one detail that really set this sight apart (for me) from all others, besides its bomb-proof construction, is the method in which you make vertical adjustments to the pin. Most moveable sights incorporate a “teeter totter” mechanism for moving the sight pin up or down. In other words, if you push the rear of the adjustment arm down, the sight pin moves up. Raise the adjustment arm, and the sight pin lowers. Some companies use a wheel to move the sight but the “teeter totter” mechanics are still present. And, while this is a basic method, it does leave a lot of room for unwanted movement; especially amongst lower grade sights. I don’t have to tell you that slop or “play” in a bow sight is not good.
The Hogg Father has arguably the best vertical adjustment system on the market.
The Hogg Father depends on a rack and pinion gear system in order to adjust the sight pin vertically. This virtually eliminates any unwanted movement in the sight. In fact, it is without a doubt the most rock-solid method I have used on a moveable pin sight. In addition, the gear system is tight enough that if I find myself in a quick-shooting situation, I don’t necessarily have to lock the wheel down before making the shot. This sight wheel isn’t going to move on me.
Gang-adjustments can be made to the vertical orientation of the sight thanks to a number of positions located on the back of the vertical adjustment rail. This allows the shooter to maximize adjustability. This is important if you are wanting to sight in at ultra-long ranges.
In the past, this lack of adjustability has prevented me from sighting in at long distances in order to reap the benefits of long-range “practicing” simply because I ran out of room on the sight. I have sighted the Hogg Father out to 90 yards and still have room to spare! Lastly, a sight tape can be placed around the Bull Knob for quick and easy yardage adjustment. Several of the most popular archery programs can generate suitable sight tapes which can speed up the sighting in process.
Micro-Adjust Pointer
Anytime you install a new sight tape, or perhaps change arrow weight, etc. fine adjustments must be made to your pointer. Most bow sights require the shooter to loosen a set screw and move the pointer by hand. Then, you are required to hold the pointer while tightening the set screw. This simple task has become quite frustrating for me on more than one occasion. Spot Hogg has eliminated this problem by incorporating a small clamping screw and a drive screw on the pointer. Small adjustments, clockwise or counterclockwise, will lower or raise the pointer.
Preventive Measures
The Hogg Father is equipped to handle any problems that may occur after extended use. Thanks to Adjustable Hardened Rails, the housing around the yardage wheel can actually be tightened in order to take up any slack that may have developed over the years. That’s cool…no matter what sight you use.
Additional Features
The Hogg Father also comes with No-Tool, Micro Adjust Windage and Elevation, as well as 2nd and 3rd axis capabilities. It is also constructed of tough 6061 Aluminum, which means it can handle your basic backyard hunt, or the toughest bowhunting adventure you can find. It also comes in your choice of 1,3,5, or 7 pins wrapped in Spot Hogg’s exclusive Bullet-Proof, aluminum pin housing. In addition, it will accept a scope instead of a standard fiber optic pin, and also comes without the sight pin altogether; allowing you to install your favorite model instead.
The Bottom Line
Although listing basic features is nice, maybe even mandatory in a review, for the most part readers simply want to know how you really feel about a product. In a nut shell….I love the Hogg Father. It is everything I want in a bowsight. Tough, reliable, accurate, dependable, and more importantly, it is built to last.
While the cost of the sight might be more than some may want to spend, it really is a smart investment when it comes to choosing a moveable pin sight that will meet all of your expectations today….and tomorrow. Honestly, I felt the same way 10 years ago when I bought my first Lone Wolf treestand. It was expensive, no doubt, but it is the same stand I use today. I have no doubts this sight will last a very long time.
Overall, the Hogg Father is a top of the line bow sight that comands the utmost respect.
In a nut shell, the Hogg Father is TIGHT. No rattling, no noise, no nothing. I have been testing it for months without a single issue to report. In fact, I have yet to have a screw work loose, or any other part of the sight fail. When you put in as much time and hard work as “we bowhunters” do, failure in equipment is not an option. All of the mechanics on the Hogg Father operate with precision, and the fiber optic pin is more than adequate in low light conditions. It is also very quick and easy to attain yardages with; which is really what the main purpose of the sight is.
If you’re looking for a bowsight that will last a lifetime, provide the quality and functionality you expect in a top-end piece of equipment, while at the same time offering features that will help you succeed in the field, look no further than the Hogg Father. It really is a work of art…..a cast iron, tough as nails work of art.
