I've been reading these type of posts for some time. I also have seen mechanicals getting a pretty good beating about reliability and penetration. Looking at some of the designs for the consumer, It's easy to understand why. But one mechanical that I'll always have in my quiver, Rocket Sidewinder. I started using this head the second year it was offered to the consumer. After the first two seasons I used this broadhead I was blown away by the blood trails. I got my best buddy to switch to them. His son and another buddy of ours. We have taken a combined total of 59 deer with these broadheads. Not one failure to open. Big entry and exit holes no matter what angle.
The very first deer I ever shot with this head was 23 to 25 yds. angling towards me. My bow set up then was 65lbs. shooting a 540 grain arrow. I shot the buck,it went less than 40 yds. The arrow entered just behind his shoulder and came out near his junk and broke the back leg. Now with more efficient bows and carbon arrows,we have switched to the Rocket Hammer Head with a two inch cut. The buck I shot this year was spraying blood 6 feet wide. The only thing we found bad about these heads over the years. Is the tiny little screw that holds the blades. We have had very few break off,but! After a pass threw and the head drives into the ground. The threads for those tiny screws get screwed up and you can't replace the blade. In other words,the head becomes a one shot deal most of the time. But the performance and easy blood trails I get from these heads. I'll live with that!