OnTarget Software questions

[Straightarrow]

I decided to get this to have something to play around with when deciding on arrows I'm not familar with.

After putting all my bow and arrow stats in, the estimated speed was way higher than the actual speed. Following the directions, I found that I could adjust the estimated speed to match the actual speed by moving the Performance factor slider, with the arrow velocity "calculated" button checked until it matched the actual speed. However, it never got all the way there. I had to add more weight to the string than is actually there to get the actual speed close. So, I put the weight-on-string back to where is should be and reduced the IBO speed until they matched. I had to reduce the IBO speed by 20 to get the match. The thing is, I know the bow shoots closer to the IBO speed than that.

I also tried getting to the correct speed by adjusting Cam Style and IBO speed, but when doing it that way, the recommended spine was different than when using the Performance Factor slider - substantially different.

In my opinion, the directions are not the best, leaving me a bit confused as to what is the best way to get it correct. I also realize that my crono may be off, and I do not have another to verify it against. However, I am getting speeds from it that I expect. On the arrow setup that I used in the program, I happen to know that it spines perfect - verified with bareshaft testing. I found it difficult to get the program to match the speed and spine of the arrow, without changing the IBO speed to an incorrect number.
Is there anyone out there who is an expert with this program? It would be nice to know the exact proceedure to use. The combination of effects from IBO Speed, Performance Factor and Cam Style with the actual arrow speed appears to be complex as well as critical.

[Paul L Mohr]

Email pinwheel archery, I have a few times and they are very helpful. Describe exactly what you did here and ask them what to do to fix it. They will probably respond monday or tuesday if they have time.

I have found there are limitations to this software. I thought it did stuff it didn't, but I still like it.

Paul

[davepjr71]

I'm not expert but from talking to guys on here and OT2 and playing with the program I've found the thatthe only way to get accurate results is to adjust the IBO speed. After setting IBO speed I've checked the results with 2 different arrows at different draw weights and came up with numbers that are very close to the chrono'd numbers. I've adjusted the performance factor a little after doing IBO to get my numbers closer but I was only off by 2 fps to begin with. My spine is more realiztic too.

From talking to someone about this here's what I've determined. You have the IBO speed of the bow from the factory with nothing on it. However we all know that as soon as you add stuff to the string it changes the IBO. Draw length changes that value somewhat also. OT2 may simulate this with some of the speed changes but not as much as it should.

I've found when I tried to use just the performance factor I had to change it for every set-up and also my spine was way off. A friend of mine tried just using the performance factor and it had him all screwed-up.


I hope that helps.

[brucelanthier]

I agree with what Dave says above. I have never used the performance slide, I just adjusted the IBO speed and that seems to bring everything in line with the calculations. I think what you are actually seeing is the efficiency of the bow with particular arrows. I was using lighter arrows and the IBO speed had to be adjusted lower than when I started using heavier arrows. That was telling me that my bow was shooting more efficiently (transferring more energy to the arrow)even though the speed of the arrow was slower. Hope that makes sense .

[Straightarrow]

ORIGINAL: Paul L Mohr

Email pinwheel archery, I have a few times and they are very helpful. Describe exactly what you did here and ask them what to do to fix it. They will probably respond monday or tuesday if they have time.

I have found there are limitations to this software. I thought it did stuff it didn't, but I still like it.

Paul

I think I have it figured out. There are some quirks in the software that had me thinking it was wrong. For instance, on the Spine Match tab, the arrow listed isn't always used on the spine indicator. Sometimes, you have to click on the Size selection and click on the spine to get the spine indicator slider to move correctly.

After playing with it, I have found that I can only adjust the IBO or AMO speed to get correct readings. I hoping this is because the program has my bow model adjusted correctly for everything else. I'm guessing the performance factor slider and cam style are only for bows that are not in their database - at least I'm hoping so. Otherwise, the program is not useful to figure out arrow configurations from scratch. In fact, if you can't shoot an actual known arrow weight through a crono, I don't see how you can rely on it's recommendations. I know the examples I put in, gave a spine recommendtion that were off by a significant amount.

It appears that for it to be really useful, people are going to have to know all the little details before running the program. It kind of confirms why I've seen posters recommending arrow spines on the forum, that were off from what I believe would actually work best.

[davepjr71]

Making sure to always click on the choices is one of my pet peeves too. Why doesn't it automatically reload. you have to click on "my setup" or whatever it's called to make sure the changes you put in are loaded.

You are right on the money with what you are saying about the slider and cam choices. The program should automatically load the correct cams for your bow when you load the year, make and model.I had a problem with this issue because for the Bowtech Allegiance the program still uses 1 CAM HARD. I thought it should have been 2 CAM MEDIUM and actually had to email them about this.

Without a choro'd arrow the program is almost worthless. I was so far off on my spine for my bow that it was driving me nuts how other people were using the same arrow. It actually took me 2 arrows at different draw weights to confirm the changesI made to the IBO speeds were accurate.

Ialso agree that OT2 needs to do a better job with their help section or even users literature. It amazes me that when you email or call them they send you all sorts of useful info that is not in the help file.

One of the ones that got me is that the guy said unless you are using an arrow that is 2" shorter than your DL you shouldn't change the overdraw. I was told the program is accurate until you get below the 2" value. Nowhere is this provided in the help section.