pivoting limb pockets ?'s

[8PT]

What are the advantages for pivoting limb pockets verses fixed pockets? I don't think I have ever heard this explained. Is it performance, accuracy, quietness, durability or all the above? I have a new bow in route and it will be the first I ever owned with the pivoting pockets. Also if there any disadvantages let me know.

[Straightarrow]

The only info I've found has been marketing fluff from manufacturers. I've never been able to detect an advantage, but for sure there are a couple disadvantages.

For one, they increase manufacturing costs on a bow, and as we all know, bows don't cost enough without them. The other is, they are a complete pain in the rear when adjusting draw weight frequently. I'm one who seems to be adjusting draw weight frequently enough, that I greatly dislike having locking limb pockets on my bow.

When I tune a bow, I often tinker with draw weight to match arrow spine and I like to tiller tune. I shoot different arrows at a lower draw weight for my indoor league than what I hunt with. In addition, I build arrows for a lot of friends and I'm always testing them. This requires different draw weights for best flight, so it seems I'm always adjusting draw weight. I have pivoting limb pockets on my current bow and almost can't wait to sell it, so I can get one without them.

[8PT]

I am hoping len and some of the others that are in the bow business could answer some of these. Straightarrow I know that arrow building and tuning is your big thing, even your screen name says so.Personally I don't see the locking feature as a problem at all. I am one that usuallyfinds a draw weight that feels right on a particular bow and seldom changes it. I was hoping someone could tell me if maybe it would be quieter when shooting at a reduced draw weight somewhere in the middle of the weight range.

[TFOX]

The biggest advantage is that the limbs STAY IN THE POCKET.If you don't have pivoting limb pockets,thereCAN BElimb shift when you let out the poundage.I am not sure about efficiency when let out and if there is a difference,I am sure it isn't more than 1-2 fps difference.I just haven't tested it to know for sure.

[Paul L Mohr]

I have owned and shot bows that had both and to be honest I couldn't tell a difference one way or another.

Paul

[Straightarrow]

ORIGINAL: TFOX

The biggest advantage is that the limbs STAY IN THE POCKET.If you don't have pivoting limb pockets,thereCAN BElimb shift when you let out the poundage.I am not sure about efficiency when let out and if there is a difference,I am sure it isn't more than 1-2 fps difference.I just haven't tested it to know for sure.

TFOX, I can definitely see this as an advantage on some designs. I've owned bows, where the limb pocket was the only thing keeping the limb from moving - a very poor design. However, with the use of rockers and/or pins, the limb pocket can be made irrelevant. About the only purpose would be to keep debris from easily wedging between the limb and the riser. Rockers and pins will anchor a limb so it's can't move.

In every design, the butt of the limb presses against the limb bolt, not the limb pocket. On the other end of the pocket, is either a rocker or some cushioning for the limb to press against. With or without a pivoting limb pocket, the limb is still in the exact same position. The pivot point of the limb still remains the same. Making the limb pocket move along this pivot point simply can have no effect on efficiency that I can imagine.