vanes or feathers, straight or helical?

[Dubbya]

I know this is a common question. But I have always liked feathers. What the advantages and disadvantages of both? Also.... straight or helical?

[Matt / PA]

Feathers......
Lighter, but more drag stabilizes arrow faster. Need protection from the weather, but shot to shot more durable. Faster initially due to being lighter, but A touch bit more drop at long ranges due to the extra drag. Increases with a hard helical but fine for most practical hunting distances. More forgiving to incidental contact.
Vanes......
Heavier but weather proof.....also a bit quieter if you have the right ones.(And they aren't ripped) More downrange velocity at longer ranges.

I like at least a few degrees (3-4)of offset on either vanes or feathers and I shoot mechanical heads.....if I was shooting fixed blade heads I would put a good helical on either feathers or vanes to stabilize the arrow flight better.

I really like feathers but they do require some extra care. Whatever arrow I choose for hunting season this year will have feathers in a moderate helical.

[JeffB]

What Matt said

[Dubbya]

thanks for the info guys. feathers sound good to me too, and I like the way they look.