Garmin Xero X1i Crossbow Scope Review: A Hunter’s Perspective

As a passionate hunter, I’m always on the lookout for the latest gear that’s out there. I wanted to get my hands on an advanced crossbow scope for quite some time and that’s when I heard about the Garmin Xero X1i crossbow scope. Despite not being a fan of rangefinder scope combo, I just wanted to test it out to see what it had to offer. In this Garmin Xero X1i crossbow scope review, I’ll share my experience with this advanced crossbow scope and see if it justifies its heavy pricing.

Specifications and Background of Garmin Xero X1i Crossbow Scope

Garmin is a company from the U.S. that’s well known for making great GPS technology for cars, planes, boats, and outdoor and sports activities. They started making optics to bring their advanced tech to the world of hunting. I have used some of their optics for hunting and I like how tech savvy their products are, but I’d say I’m not a huge fan of their high end crossbow scopes.

Alright then, let’s move to the specs of the Garmin Xero X1i crossbow scope.

The Garmin Xero X1i Crossbow Scope has a 3.5X magnification with a built-in rangefinder that can measure distances up to 250 yards. The scope is about 3.74 inches long, 2.6 inches wide, and 6.22 inches tall, and weighs in at just about 2.4 pounds. Two AAA lithium batteries power the Garmin Xero X1i.

This scope also includes a Laser Locate waypoint projection feature that requires a compatible Garmin GPS device which has to be bought separately. It has custom bolt profiles, a target lock feature, steady aim, and aim point level features. The additional features in this scope are intended to make this scope more usable and functional in different hunting scenarios. 

Garmin Xero X1i Features

1 3.5x Magnification

Built in magnification helps you ID your target.

2 Easy Battery Access

Easily change batteries when needed without having to remove the scope.

3 Picatinny Mount

Built in Picatinny scope mount.

4 Remote switch

The remote trigger allows you to range without taking your hands out of position.

Review of the Garmin Xero X1i Crossbow Scope

After using the Garmin Xero X1i Crossbow Scope, I have to say its design is pretty cool. It’s got a tough aluminum housing with a quiet, rubbery feel that’s ideal for the outdoors. What’s handy is how it easily attaches to any picatinny or weaver rail with just two screws. They have two ranging buttons – one on top of the scope and a remote trigger you can mount onto the stock. Nice touch for both right- and left-handed shooters. 

Setting up the Garmin Xero X1i was pretty straightforward. I had no issues when mounting and leveling. The automatic inclinometer adjusted the incline and decline angles effortlessly. The custom bolt profiles made switching between different arrows much easier.

The optics of this scope produced bright images that were clear as day. The 3.5x magnification was decent. I could zoom in enough to size up my target without any distortion. The view remained clear and focused. As I locked onto my targets, this scope calculated the bolt trajectory and lit up a single aiming point. It was accurate, even up to 80 yards. But if old-school like me, you can switch to the fixed-pin mode and set your own yardage setup.

You can customize the reticle patterns and colors on this scope. I went with green for max battery life. The brightness on the Garmin Xero X1i adjusts automatically based on the light, but you have also got buttons for quick tweaks of the brightness.

The Garmin Xero X1i has some fancy built-in extras like the digital level, a steady aim indicator, and a Flight Apex that tells you the highest point your bolt will reach. 

Speaking of reliability, I was initially a bit concerned about its ranging feature. But, after using it a bunch of times, it turned out that it’s accurate. Also, something that I figured out is that you need to make sure to put in the right speed for your crossbow (fps) to get better shots at your targets.

For the downsides of this Garmin Xero X1i scope, I think it’s just way too expensive. The scope’s battery life is a bit poor as well, especially when using full brightness and all the settings. I had to pack some extra batteries whenever I had to go on hunts. I personally think this scope is more of a gadget than a practical scope.

Garmin Xero X1i Pros and Cons 

Final Thoughts on the Garmin Xero X1i Crossbow Scope

I have used the Garmin Xero X1i crossbow scope for quite a while. I’ve got to say the value for performance on the Garmin Xero X1i can be better. It delivers out in the field but is also packed with a bunch of fancy features that I personally don’t use as much. That said, it performs where needed. That’s why I ranked it as the best rangefinder with scope in my best crossbow scopes article. If you’re looking for a good rangefinder scope but don’t mind the price, then this might be the one for you.

FAQs

Important Links

• Xero X1i by Garmin
• Garmin Xero X1i Manual