Tru-Fire Sear Handheld Archery Compound Bow Hinge Release Aid - Precision Shooting for Target Practice & Hunting Accessories

When I started researching new back tension releases I was a bit surprised to see this one come in at around $150. Far below the norm for quality back tension releases which are usually $200 or more. Especially with it having the ability to modify the click to ready and click to fire settings which is somewhat unique. But I watched a few YT videos where it fared reasonably well, it's the release being used by one of the worlds top archers and it's made in the USA, so I decided to give it a try.I want to preface this review by stating I have been shooting using back tension since I started in archery some 20+ years ago. I cut my teeth on a old Stanislawski xCalibur which is about as pure a back tension release as you can find. Since then I have shot many makes and models of hinge and thumb style releases using back tension, which is a method of shooting a bow not a type of release.That said, while the Tru-Fire Sear is a nice looking release with a superb finish and feel it is far from a polished product. The design, while unique, lacks the level of design quality and sophistication as many of the competitors operating in the same space - which I guess accounts for the lower price tag. I did not even need to shoot this release to know it would not be a good fit...for a few reasons.I have big hands and while it has a nice weight to it and did fit okay, albeit a bit snug, the head position put pressure on my middle finger knuckle if not held is just the right way. The hinge post needs to be about a 1/8 to 3/16 inches longer. The sear wheel that rotates to allow for the various timing options requires a lot to adjust. You need to remove a very small screw with a small allen wrench (not included) that holds in a pin. The pin then needs to be removed using a paper clip or push pin, which is not explained very well in the included instructions, then two set screws, one on each side, need to be loosened to allow the allow the sear to rotate. Then reverse the whole process. Now granted that is not something you would do very often after the initial setup, but I still consider it a design flaw requiring too complex a process compared to....well, about any other release on the market.And there are two of those little screws, like the one I just mentioned, that could very easily be lost or stripped out over time since the hex head slot is very shallow. Also, the two screws had some sort of thread locking compound on them, which leads me to believe they are susceptible to loosening on their own over time and there was no mention of this in the instructions.However, the most off putting design issue, for me anyway, is the swept back design of the head. It requires the archer to really focus on pulling with significant pressure on the thumb pin to prevent a misfire, and possible punch in the face, while drawing the bow. I much prefer releases with the head that is more straight. I suppose that is a preference but it did not work for me.Given all of that, I cannot recommend this release to anyone other than someone who has seen one and likes it, and/or is experienced tinkering with archery releases. Definitely not one for someone new to archery or wanting to try a go with a back tension release. There are many more mature products on the market that would be a much better fit for a first timer.The Sear has some unique features and with a few design upgrades, could be a real contender in the back tension release market. But for right now, I can not recommend it and am sending this one back to try my second choice.I was in between the Trufire sear, or the Ultraview hinge, I chose this release due to brand loyalty. I have a trigger release by Trufire, the Trufire synapse, so i decide to stay loyal since the synapse was great and love that release. First initial impressions of the Trufire Sear was very nice coming out of the box, fits the hand really well, no hot spots, and brass so you feel the weight of it in your hands. Only thing I don't like is that the paint is starting come off from use and as soon as I recieved it the paint was already coming off, seems like you can rub the paint off. Later down the road ill powder coat it so it will for sure stay on then. I recommend if you have one already or have made one a shot trainer!! You want to 1) get use to the click and the way to rotate it in your hand using your ring, and middle fingers. 2) adjust the sear and how long of a click you want, and how hot you want, or how quick after the click you want it to fire. 3) watch the setup video on how to set it up on youtube, and adjust your hot cold settings and what click you want and fine tune it before you pull back on a bow! 4) once you feel comfortable with your adjustments, and the way it functions, I recommend learning how to pull back with out a bow. What I did was use string tie to a door know or loop either way and learn how to pull the door with the string and Sear with out allowing it to fire. 5) Blank bail,or shoot right in front of target, learn how to safely pull back with the Sear and fire as many rounds until your comfortable. 6) Learn how to let down while blank bailing and shooting up close. Once you feel comfortable step back and shoot a few ends, after you feel comfortable with everything, make any final adjustments, then lock tight the set screws that go up against the sear. I personally used high strength orange removable, but I believe in the video on youtube it states to use blue loctite, all I had was Orange. Hope all this helps as of this review I have roughly shot 50 arrows, while utilizing it ,and so far I give it 4 stars. If the paint wouldn't fade and the set screws were better I would give it a 5. Shooting wise Great! I just see alot of negative posts, and never saw a step by step review of how to setup one up. Hope this helps the next person.I was so looking forward to using this. The two 1/16" set screws that hold the four sided sear in place were so tight that when I tried to loosen them that they rounded off THREE allen wrenches. After the third wrench, I gave up. I guess I'll go buy the one that I really wanted in the first place.But... even with the set screw issue, I liked how it felt in my hand, nice weight, the forth finger is a huge plus. These reasons are why I'm giving it 3 stars instead of two or less.I have been shooting a wrist strap trigger for quite some time and developed a habit of drive by shooting. When the pin was on target, I’d pull the trigger. Hinge/back tension forces you to hold steady while you build tension to get that surprise release. After a month of learning this release, it’s improved my groups/scores. It works!Only issue is the poor hardware used. The set screws are made of very poor quality metal. They also use the smallest hex key in a set. As soon as you tighten them to adjust your release point, the head strips. The release itself feels very high quality! I love the feel and look of it! Just wish they used tool grade metal set screws... I’m going to look where to find new ones to upgrade to. If the screw gets lose, the release won’t release and it’s a bit scary...Overall I’d definitely recommend changing out your trigger for this, but remember you HAVE to use a more formal technique. It won’t happen overnight. Keep at it!This release did great to break my target punching. I’ve adjusted it to fairly hot, still using the “click” but I think I will remove that soon. Tru-Fire did well with this!!muy buena calidad en cuanto al costo es algo alto pero vale la pena , si eres principiante te recomendaría algo mas económico o mas sencillo de utilizar pero si ya eres arquero de años a tras adelante es una muy buena opciónThe actual release actions is amazing, works great, adjustment are a little tricky but once you have it settled to what you like it, it's great. Maybe it's just me but all and I say all thumb & hinge release seems to be made for people with miniature to infant hands. With out modification the thumb stud is totally useless, lost in my fingers and hand. Thumb stud need to be at lease 1/4 to 3/8 longer.this is my first time using a hinge release I was shooting a thumb. after about a week with it was great it still wanted to use my thumb but after the second week its great love it it helped with target panicEl mejor soltador que he usado y hasta estoy pensando en comprarme el segundo para tenerlo de reserva. He usado de dedo índice, pulgar y ninguno me había ayudado a usar los músculos que necesito para la arqueríaEs muy dificil de manipularlo ya le movi todos los tornillos que dice el manual y no e podido hacer que se disparen las flechas