Install and align a peep sight at home: separating strands, setting height, and locking it in with serving.
Install and align a peep sight at home: separating strands, setting height, and locking it in with serving. Follow the steps in order — each one builds on the last.
Step 1: Relax the string in a press
A portable press or shop visit is the safe route; never separate strands on a bow at full brace tension without one.
Step 2: Split the strands evenly
Divide the string into two equal bundles by color — uneven bundles rotate the peep as the string settles.
Step 3: Set initial height
Have a helper mark the string where your eye naturally aligns at your normal anchor — don’t move your head to the peep.
Step 4: Shoot 30–50 arrows
The string will settle and the peep will rotate slightly; note where it ends up.
Step 5: Fix rotation if needed
A quarter-turn off can often be fixed by twisting the string at the cam end; consistent rotation needs strand redistribution.
Step 6: Tie it in with serving
Lock the peep with serving thread above and below. An untied peep moving 1/8″ changes impact by inches at 40 yards.
Why the Peep Sight Matters
The peep sight is your rear sight, and on a compound it does more than any other component to lock in consistency. By forcing you to look through the same small aperture to your front pins every shot, it anchors your head position and aligns your eye, sight, and target into a single repeatable line. Without a properly placed peep, even a perfect anchor can let your aim drift, because nothing references your eye to the string.
Placing the peep correctly also protects your accuracy at full draw. A peep set at the wrong height forces you to crane your neck to see through it, which corrupts your anchor and your form. Set it right and you draw, settle into your anchor, and find the peep already centered on your pins, so aiming becomes automatic.
What You Will Need
- A bow press to safely relax the string for installation
- A peep sight sized to your string and your light conditions
- Serving thread and a server tool to tie the peep in permanently
- A few dozen arrows to settle the string before locking the peep down
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Installing the peep without a press, which is unsafe and risks damaging the string
- Splitting the string strands unevenly, which weakens the string at the peep
- Setting peep height by guesswork instead of confirming it at a natural anchor
- Locking the peep in before shooting enough arrows to settle string rotation
- Skipping the tie-in serving, so the peep shifts or pops out over time
Pro Tips for Peep Installation
- Split the strands evenly so the peep sits centered and the string stays balanced
- Set initial height, then draw with eyes closed and open them to see if the peep lands centered
- Shoot thirty to fifty arrows to let the new string settle before finalizing position
- If the peep rotates away from your eye, a string twist or a peep tube can correct it
- Tie the peep in with serving above and below once height and rotation are dialed
Final Word
A correctly installed peep turns your anchor into a precise, repeatable aiming system. Use a press, split the strands evenly, set height against your natural anchor, settle the string, then serve it in. Do it patiently once and you gain a rear sight that references your eye perfectly on every shot for the life of the string.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bow press to install a peep?
Yes, a press safely relaxes the string so you can separate the strands and seat the peep without damaging the string or risking injury.
How do I set the right peep height?
Draw to your natural anchor with eyes closed, then open them; the peep should already be centered on your pins without craning your neck.
Why does my peep rotate away from my eye?
New strings settle and twist, so shoot a few dozen arrows first, and correct any remaining rotation with a string twist or a peep tube.
Should I tie my peep in?
Yes, serving it in above and below locks the height and prevents the peep from shifting or popping out under draw.
How many arrows before I lock it down?
Shoot thirty to fifty arrows so the string fully settles, then confirm height and rotation before serving the peep in place.