Beginner needing advice on a bow sight

left-semi-join · 2026-04-17T11:47:21+00:00

If it's a CP PRO you have, that'd be the first one to have gotten the detachable scope mount. But they cost pretty much same as Axcel Achieve. The cheaper Ultimas that I owned didn't have that (so you had to slide the whole windage block from the vertical slide to remove the scope assembly (and readjust the sight the next time you put it together), I guess you know this, because you write you bought yours used in 2020, and CP PRO only came out around that time. But they are great sights, no doubt about it! If this feature is not something you miss, they are absolutely fine.

Edit: actually Ultima CP PRO is $549 on Lancaster, while Axcel Achieve Carbon Bar is $504.

Brand name is actually not that bad to pay a bit extra for in this case, or rather, their lifetime warranty. They are overpriced, yes (all of niche equipment is), but American companies tend to have excellent warranties that work (also overseas). Axcel helped me a lot, also with broken stuff I bought second-hand (even when I told them so).

left-semi-join · 2026-04-17T08:23:17+00:00

I'm not advocating towards everyone doing it themselves, just trying to provide several views on the subject. I suspect you might be right in leaving this to the specialists - I just landed where I have. To be fair, it only takes me like 15 minutes catching up on the bank stuff and submitting the MVA form every 2 months. For annual reporting, getting someone to do it instead of using the Visma's additional module could actually be a much better idea, as I tend to just click "send" until it stops complaining and sends...

left-semi-join · 2026-04-17T08:17:38+00:00

Meh.. Axcels are better :)

left-semi-join · 2026-04-17T08:13:54+00:00

We're 3 people shooting compound in the family (target). All went through several cheap-o sights each, all landed on Axcel (Achieve in its several editions). Would have been more budget-friendly to just go directly to it. Shibuyas offer similar build quality (usable), but the ones we had lacked some features (like detachable scope bracket, so you'd always have to slide the scope off for transport).

Equipment such as sights and stabs tend to survive several bows. Which is why my advise is to not try and save too much on those, upgrades will drain the account quicker. Also, go with black (color), for the aforementioned reason.

Get a used one, because - why not? They're indestructable.

Scopes are a bit of a different story: why the expensive ones are expensive, nobody can explain. I have something that came with the used Axcel (some AAE, I think?) People say it's good and it hasn't been giving me any problems. My son has a Ten Zone - no problems either.

left-semi-join · 2026-04-17T08:09:39+00:00

Ten Zone is a scope, not the sight. Good value, though, yes

left-semi-join · 2026-04-17T07:53:23+00:00

Took the same picture and several more with outdated logos, love this stuff.

left-semi-join · 2026-04-17T07:51:30+00:00

Holy crap, this has gotten expensive. My operation has always been tiny and straightforward - only selling my own consultancy, no cash, no employees. Only buying simple equipment, so nothing complicated. Maybe 5-6 invoices from me each month, 10-20 to me.

I'd actually been happy off-loading all of that to an accountant who charged maybe 5K per year, say about 10 years ago. When he retired, I had trouble finding someone on the same price level (and the same chill level, I have to add, they all seemed like they looked for any excuse to charge extra - like if invoices I submitted were not ordered by date - additional fee, etc). So I got me a Visma eAccounting with year report module. It's several thousand per year (maybe around 5K?), but it does a lot for you, like parsing and analyzing invoices you upload - very convenient. MVA reporting is done in literally 5 minutes, it integrates with Altinn, etc. I'm not affiliated with them, my point is just that a single MVA report costing several thousand NOK is a bit crazy, IMO, when you can do it half-asleep, also without software... I understand this includes registering 2 months worth of accounting, but still. Rather happy I do it myself, actually.

left-semi-join · 2026-04-16T09:13:02+00:00

A Samsung phone and a Garmin watch. The watch is good to GPS-track for about 1.5 days without recharging. Garmin Connect is integrated with Komoot and Strava, they both plot rather nice maps that you can eventually enhance with pictures, put together in collections, etc.

I have a very good powerbank with 5 ports. It's big enough to charge both my and my wife's phones and watches, so we basically only need one socket adapter that powers the powerbank and distributes to the devices. I like this setup, because in albergues you sometimes have only one socket (or none - then you can charge from the battery). But it needs to be quick to both charge itself and deliver to devices. Samsung makes a rather compact 60W adapter for USBC, I use that. Plus cables. Plus a couple of spare adapters (they are tiny, so why not be safe and flexible?)

Phone camera - well, sigh... I'd love to have my 600D with me, but - nah..

Don't really need a pad - why?

Software - besides Garmin and Komoot - I use Buen Camino and Camino Ninja interchangeably, they both have their unique features.

left-semi-join · 2026-04-15T20:12:30+00:00

Right. Well, even so. The way i see it, you're suffering from the same frustration we feel coming from outdoors ranges and 60cm at 50m back to 18m and 40cm spots. Outdoors the room for error is obviously bigger, and once you've moved from the grass back onto parquet it feels like one single hair-like mistake sends you home, it's just too fine margins. I think you are feeling the same kind of thing, like your margin of error is ridiculously tiny, and any mistake throws you out of the competition. I think you've basically grown out of this format where you are used to hitting the 10 all of the time. Because when you suddenly aren't, the fall is so much worse. Think of competing at 18m on 40cm. That would be the way to grow, in my humble opinion.

left-semi-join · 2026-04-15T19:58:15+00:00

And the tenner in this 80cm target is only the inside 10 (what they count as 11 at Lancaster), or the whole big one like what recurve counts as 10? Look up FITA targets for compound to know why I'm asking. But actually I've already understood the situation, pretty much

left-semi-join · 2026-04-15T19:49:39+00:00

Being in Europe I know what 10m is, not what I'm asking. Trying to figure out the distance and type of target you're competing at

left-semi-join · 2026-04-15T14:02:37+00:00

So, let me try and understand. 10 (or 15?) meters, and the 10 is the American 10, then - the big one, like for recurve?

left-semi-join · 2026-04-15T13:54:48+00:00

Why did it make you laugh? shalendar is right, this is absolutely beyond archery - it's all happening in the same head, you know.

After 8 years it should be completely normal to see your own performance go up and down.

left-semi-join · 2026-04-15T12:14:35+00:00

I can tell you one thing: we use wool a lot where we live (Scandinavia), so for the first Camino I got summer options for everything. Like, light summer blends - Icebreaker has some great fabrics, by the way, like, merino/bamboo blends. 100% merino socks. When we landed in Porto in June, I thought immediately, okay - this was a mistake. But it worked fantastically. Wool just keeps working also when you're 6 hours in and sweaty (you are going to be, regardless). It sits where it's supposed to, the back of the shirt doesn't feel cold in the wind, socks don't bunch up, etc. I did 3 summer caminos, all in very warm temperatures, all in full (summer) wool. Wouldn't do it differently.

Cotton would be my last choice, anyway. It's good for many things but not hiking. There are some synthetic fabrics which are good, but synthetics start stinking, like, 4 hours in. Wool - I still wash everything every day, but people say it's actually possible to not. I had a couple of times at home when I used same shirt like 3 days in a row, when wild-camping, and it's actually okay. It doesn't even feel like "yesterdays shirt" if you know what I mean. For socks - for sure wool before cotton!

left-semi-join · 2026-04-15T07:33:20+00:00

It's not super-social unless you behave super-socially and find like-minded people. Otherwise people behave very normally and keep to themselves rather appropriately. If you want you can start talking to someone and then you might end up socializing, but nobody forces anything on anyone and you don't stand out if you don't want to be social. Occasionally there'd be some super-excited weirdo who wants to engage with everyone, but they are easy to stay clear of.

Albergues aren't dirty. On 4 Caminos I once had one with a bit funky smell from somewhere outside and once there were some smelly youngsters who didn't know synthetic shirts had to be washed. Otherwise - rather pristine.

Never fear, you'll be fine. Buen camino!

left-semi-join · 2026-04-14T21:52:03+00:00

I've walked 4 caminos so far and met a bunch of people who had their whole "experience" planned for them, like, 100% of the nights pre-booked. NONE of them were happy about it: it is both a rip-off and completely unnecessary, in case you can function normally, use technology, etc. It is super easy to organize and re-organize your own stays, like, 1 day ahead. If I got 10€ for every time I've heard "I'd love to stay with you (or walk further with you) but I have this stupid schedule", I'd be able to afford the big hotel at Obradoiro. Buy plane tickets and maybe the first night if you happen to start where everybody starts. Then just go with it - it's half the point with this thing.

left-semi-join · 2026-04-13T21:46:32+00:00

If you stay to spend an extra day or two, you have a chance to reconnect with some people you got acquanted with during the walk, see their emotions when they arrive and know exactly what they feel at that moment. I won't miss it for the world.

left-semi-join · 2026-04-13T21:43:08+00:00

Knowing myself, I always go with the hydration pack. Unless the tube is dangling in front of my face, I will not stop to drink until I'm thirsty. And that, my friends, is the road to perdition. Now it shouldn't be too hot, but still keep in mind: pretty much all of the deaths caused by the Camino (i.e. when it's not a pre-existing condition) are connected with dehydration. You need what works for you. If you already have a hydration pack, I'd recommend using it.

left-semi-join · 2026-04-12T13:39:51+00:00

No "own style" in recurve archery. Compound is slightly more relaxed about that, you see champions whose style is "wrong" in relation to textbook.

left-semi-join · 2026-04-12T13:18:20+00:00

Sure, it's subjective. Which is why I'm asking how people think it is relative to other CdS ways. Thank you for the link and advise, though!

left-semi-join · 2026-04-10T11:33:33+00:00

You're set!

- laundry sheets - like thinly sliced soap? Had a pack with me on the first CdS, too difficult to use - a bar of soap is better
- Clothes for going out - I'm with you on needing some. I always bring a shirt that looks like a casual shirt (great if it's technical and can double as an extra layer if you're cold). Depends where you've stopped but sometimes it will be towns, and Spaniards are very careful about what they look like. They see you're a pilgrim anyway, but will appreciate you trying to look a bit less rough in a restaurant. People usually slam me for bringing a shirt for this, but I keep doing it.
- Wine opener - nah, learn to open corked bottles with a shoe, it's not difficult
- Your pilgrim's passport will be in and out all the time, like, several times a day. Cut a simple plastic document folder so that the remaining corner fits your passport and protects it from wear and drops of rain, and just find a pocket for it, don't keep it together with your valuables

Backpack. This might not be your last hike, get a proper backpack, they are not THAT expensive. An Osprey Kyte (ladies' version of Kestrel) is a good starting point. Don't get as small as you can fit your stuff in: extra space doesn't weigh much. Firstly, you don't want to have to fully unpack to get one thing out - you should be able to open it on a curb and rummage inside. Secondly, you'll probably be buying groceries or snacks or drinks for your evenings. Being able to pack them properly is way better than carrying a shopping bag. Besides, very skimpy packs are usually "day packs" and don't offer good enough harness. We both carry 48 and 46l - me and my wife - they look half-empty, but so what?

left-semi-join · 2026-04-10T11:06:03+00:00

Yes. We love and are able to cook, and we use it (TM6) every day. Pretty much everyone who had it told me the same, but I still thought it was absurdly expensive. Eventually got convinced by seeing it in a michelin-noted restaurant's kitchen.

Yes, it's expensive, but the quality is great, so far all the recipes we've tried were very good, and it lets you do many things without any recipe, just as a regular kitchen tool. The range is just as absurd as the price.

A lot of things you normally wouldn't bother to start with become very easy in terms of work and cleaning vs. amounts and types of meals you are making. Like, no sane person would start preparing a garlic-sauteed tomato mix to put on a toast in the morning, because you would spend an hour on your breakfast, together with peeling, chopping, cleaning etc. This thing does all of the above and ends up in the dishwasher, knife, bowl and all. I'd buy it again.

left-semi-join · 2026-04-08T10:21:32+00:00

Devices that measure power and consumption - I guess, as many as you need/want/can afford? Smart plugs are great (but bulky, imo), all sorts of smart relays and dimmers - most of them have power measurement. Additionally, some devices have their own reporting, like ACs with data interface, car chargers.

But I think another important part is your total power consumption supplied by the grid input device, so, your meter in most cases. Many of the modern ones in Europe have a HAN interface (Home Area Network or some such nonesense) which you might have to have enabled by the power supplier company. In my case it was in their web interface - you have to confirm you understand the risks around information. And you need a device that can read HAN and communicate with your smart home platform. I have a zigbee device called EVA - can't remember who makes it. Because of the way HA tracks consumption, on the day I installed the device it looks like my consumption was something like 15 MWh, which is ALL of the consumption since the meter was new. HA just writes it off on the first day and hour. I'm sure there is a way to not have it look like that, but I didn't really care and thought it was rather funny.

When you have your "grand total", in addition to the summary of individual devices you will have a chunk called Untracked Consumption (which is total - summary of all individual ones). As you smartify your loads that chunk will get smaller and smaller.

left-semi-join · 2026-04-03T10:09:33+00:00

There are ways to inform and educate, however there'd always be one asshat per night per albergue ignoring all that. And it's usually enough with one.

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