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Cut Charts

Overview

In this section, we walk through our 'Cut Charts' feature. This feature allows you to determine the proper shoot-for range for angled shots. These cut charts are printable for in-the-field use.

Why do I Need a Cut Chart?

My rangefinder has angle compensation, right? Why do I need a cut chart?

Most angle compensating rangefinders simply provide the cosine (horizontal) distance to the target, not taking into account whether the shot is uphill or downhill. For short distances and moderate angles, this serves as a rough approximation of the "shoot-for" distance, as gravity acts on the arrow over this horizontal distance.

However, as distances and angles increase, this simple horizontal distance approximation breaks down due to differences in the trajectory path / time of flight for these different angles. There are several factors that need to be considered for accurate cut values when making angled shots:

  • Parallax error (the difference in perspective due to your eye being above the arrow shaft)
  • Time of flight
  • Arrow velocity
  • Arrow drag properties
  • Air density

We take into account all of these factors, model your arrow's ballistic curve for each shot, and provide you with the exact “shoot-for” mark on your sight tape.

For more information on rangefinders, angle compensation, and properly using them with Precision Cut Archery, please see our guide on rangefinders.

Prerequisites

Before creating a cut chart, you'll need to have completed the following:

Creating a Cut Chart

Start by navigating to the Cut Charts page within the application.

You can modify the Active Setup at the top of the page.

Configuring the Cut Chart

Density Altitude

This is the density altitude the sight tape will be configured for. This is useful if traveling and you'd like to make a tape for the destination's density altitude.

Read more about density altitude here.

Range Configuration

  • Range type - The type of range to use for the cut chart. We support two types: line-of-sight distance and cosine (horizontal) distance. You will likely want to select the range type that matches the mode you run your rangefinder in. For more details on using rangefinders with Precision Cut Archery cut charts, check out this guide.

  • Starting range - The closest range on the cut chart.

  • Ending range - The farthest range on the cut chart.

  • Range increment - The increment between each range on the cut chart.

Angle Configuration

  • Starting angle - The starting angle on the cut chart.

  • Ending angle - The ending angle on the cut chart.

  • Angle increment - The increment between each angle on the cut chart.

Output Format

We currently support two formats:

1) Shoot-for distance: This will provide you with the exact distance to dial your sight to for each distance and angle combination.

2) Plus/Minus from distance: This will provide you with the amount to add or subtract from your rangefinder's reading for each distance and angle combination. This is relative to the range type you selected above. For example, if you selected the cosine (horizontal) distance range type, this will provide you with the amount to add or subtract from your rangefinder's cosine distance reading.

Printing the Cut Chart

You can print the cut chart for in-the-field use.

We currently offer two cut chart printing modes:

  1. Default Mode

    • Default printing mode will print a standard size cut chart on a piece of letter paper. This is intended to used when maximum detail and ease of use is required.

  2. Compact Mode

    • Compact printing mode prints a small, compact cut chart intended to be attached to a rangefinder or back of a phone for quick and handy reference in the field.

    • When using compact mode, we recommend using range and angle increments of 10, and specify 'Plus/Minus from distance' output format. This will ensure the chart remains uncluttered and is efficient to use.

Click 'Download PDF'.

This will download a PDF with the cut chart, ready to print and take with you to you next hunt or shoot!

Check out our recommended setup for hunting for more information on how to properly use your rangefinder with Precision Cut Archery cut charts in a fast and effective way!

Troubleshooting

We have a thorough list of troubleshooting steps here!