Universal Tuning Gauge

Universal Tuning Gauge (UTG) — Step-by-Step User Guide

For full detailed instructions, please refer to the videos tab on this product page. The instructions below are generic and might not cover every feature, but the video instructions cover each feature in depth.

Recommended Tools

Universal Tuning Gauge
Recommended Draw Board – LCA Draw Board 2.0
Recommended Bow Vise – Revolution Vise
Black or Grey Sharpie

Purpose

Measures string angles from 20° to 52° for accurate peep sight selection and bow fit.
Dual adjustable pointers help locate the peep, nose, and kisser button positions and heights, whether at rest or full draw.
An integrated 90° square assists in setting nock points, D-loops, and checking brace height.
Provides precise nock height alignment referencing both the Berger hole and the string.
Built-in 13/16″ center shot gauge allows for easy rest centering.
Blade angle measurement markings range from 0° to 90°.
Check cam lean, tiller, static timing, and more.
Ruler markings along the body enable versatile, multi-purpose measuring tasks.

Preparation & Safety

Make sure the bow is in good condition and ready for tuning.
Check peep angles, peep height, and nose/kisser button heights at full draw using a draw board. The LCA Draw Board 2.0 is the perfect tool for these measurements.
Mount the bow in a bow vise for tasks that don’t require it to be at full draw. The Revolution Vise is the best tool for these jobs.
Always point the bow in a safe direction during the tuning process.
Never draw the bow by hand with the Universal Tuning Gauge installed.

Measuring String Angles

String angle measurements are only accurate if you mounting the UTG 6 inches from the nock throat.
Take your arrow, measure from the throat of your nock, and mark 6 inches on the arrow shaft.
Install the UTG on the arrow by sliding the arrow inside the UTG clamp.
Align the back of the UTG with the 6-inch mark on your arrow shaft and clamp the UTG to the arrow.
On the UTG, there’s a printed arrow/pointer showing which edge/surface to align with the 6″ mark on the arrow shaft.
Align the back of the UTG directly on the 6-inch mark you made on the arrow shaft.
It can help to use an arrow without vanes, just to ensure clearance, but it’s not required.
Secure your bow onto the draw board, a great option is the LCA Draw Board 2.0.
Draw the bow to full draw using the draw board, making sure the safety loop is on in case of a d-loop failure.
Slide the arrow into position inside the bow with the UTG installed.
The bow string should align just in front of the UTG with the bow at full draw, allowing you to view and measure your bow’s string angle using this method.

Why String Angle Matters

String angle changes due to both draw length and cam designs. Knowing this number helps compare setups, optimize peep height, choose the right peep angle, and improve anchor-point comfort. As bow design has advanced over the past 10+ years, so have string angles and bow fit. Shorter axle-to-axle bows from a decade ago, with very steep string angles, now have more comfortable angles thanks to design improvements for the same length bows. It’s no longer enough to just look at axle-to-axle length; measuring the string angle itself is crucial to determine fit, pick the right peep, and see if the angle will work for you. With advances in bow technology, someone who usually prefers a longer axle-to-axle bow can likely shoot a shorter one and still feel the same full-draw.

Measuring Peep Height

It’s best to perform these measurements at full draw.
Secure your bow onto the draw board, with the LCA Draw Board 2.0 being a great option.
Install the UTG on the arrow, sliding the arrow inside the UTG, then tighten the clamp.
Slide the UTG until the top pointer is directly in line just in front of your peep.
Adjust the pointer up or down until the tip is centered with your peep sight.
Check the ruler scale pointer — that’s your peep sight height measurement.
Measuring this is useful for building sight tapes, setting up a new bow, and matching your peep height on the new bow with your current setup.

Measuring Nose/Kisser Button Heights

It’s best to perform these measurements at full draw.
Secure your bow onto the draw board, with the LCA Draw Board 2.0 being a great option.
Install the UTG on the arrow, sliding the arrow inside the UTG, then tighten the clamp.
Slide the UTG until the 2nd lower pointer is directly in line just in front of your nose or kisser button.
Adjust the pointer up or down until the tip is centered with your nose or kisser button.
Check the pointer on the ruler scale — that’s your measurement for nose or kisser button position on that bow.
Knowing this measurement helps when setting up a new bow and ensures your nose or kisser button is in the same spot as on your current bow, making setup quicker and more consistent from the start.

Setting Precise Nock Points

Place your bow in a bow vise, like the Revolution Vise.
Keep the bow at rest and do not draw the string.
Remove the dual points from the UTG and set them aside.
Attach the UTG to your arrow and slide it so that the back edge of the UTG lines up with the throat of your nock.
Nock the arrow with the UTG installed. This should align the UTG vertically with your bowstring.
This creates a perfect 90º square, allowing you to slide the arrow shaft up and down the string.
The UTG will stay aligned and square with your string; the arrow will point outward and cross the shelf on the riser.
Move the arrow up or down the string, keeping the UTG square with the string, until the arrow is level with the Berger hole or your preferred position.
Once the arrow is in the correct spot on the string, mark the underside of the nock for your nocking point installation.
Remove the arrow and the UTG, then you’re ready to tie on the nocking point.

Setting Centershot

Place your bow in a bow vise, like the Revolution Vise.
The UTG includes 13/16″ centershot markings for both left and right-hand bows.
Align the UTG with the inside of the riser and ensure the 13/16″ scale measures outward from inside the riser.
Adjust your arrow rest so that the center point aligns with the 13/16″ mark on the UTG.
This will be your starting point; then proceed with paper tuning and fine-tuning your bow.

Measuring Blade Angles

Place your bow in a bow vise, like the Revolution Vise.
This can be done in several ways depending on your setup.
Mount the UTG to your string by inserting the string into the string groove on the UTG, then tighten the UTG clamp.
The UTG extends outward, positioning the pointers directly behind the arrow rest blade to show the correct blade angle measurements.
Each pointer has blade angles; one is designed for LH bows, and the other for RH bows. Use the appropriate pointer for your setup.
Alternatively, you can remove the pointer from the UTG, hold it behind your blade, and make sure it’s level with your riser, which will also indicate the blade angle.

Measuring Cam Lean

Place your bow in a bow vise, like the Revolution Vise.
The UTG can also serve as a basic 90-degree square. Hold the UTG against your cam and view the bow from the backside. Any misalignment between the UTG, held against the cam, and the bowstring indicates cam lean. It’s important to tune your bow through paper tuning and other methods to determine if cam lean adjustments are necessary.

Measuring Brace Height

Place your bow in a bow vise, like the Revolution Vise.
Hold the UTG so that the string is inside the “arrow groove,” since the ruler markings measure from the center of the “arrow groove.”
Ensure the longer part of the UTG points outward toward the bow.
Adjust the UTG up or down the string until the ruler aligns with the throat of your grip.
You want to measure from the string to the deepest part of your grip.
View the measurement when positioned to see your bow’s brace height.

Each Universal Tuning Gauge also functions as a standard bow square.