I didn't want to get lost in Cougar's post and really wanted to pass the word along.

I hear all kinds of controversy about fixed over mechanical and one brand over another. There are alot of old favorites out there, but most all broadheads will kill if used properly.

Having said all that, I've taken several bucks over the years with a top rated bow and 100 gr. Thunderheads. Everyone knows how great these heads are, but without starting a huge fixed/mechanical frenzy, I have to say that the Gold Tip Gladiators I used this year were phenomenal.

I bought a new Bowtech dually to drive them with and found that after tuning my bow to a razors edge, the semi-mechanical Gladiator simply out performed the Thunderheads all the way around.

I took one buck (40 yds) behind the left ear and out behind the right and words can't describe how impressive the results were, but I still wanted to see the right angle boiler room shot before I gave the head anymore praise. Well I got my chance and shot through a buck at fifty yards and he did one 360, raised up, and flopped over lifeless in like five to ten seconds. No exaggeration. I went right over to him and in the time it took me to travel the fifty yards, his eyes were glazed over and he never twitched again.

You know the rest: devestating wound channels, blood everywhere, but we all have the same examples with our own broadheads.

The bottom line is the Gladiator is a good mix of fixed and mechanical. They tune easy with a U.B.A.R. and an o-ring. They have a fantastic ability to pierce so it would seem that they would work great at angles. The biggest attribute is the price. At thirty to forty dollars a dozen, you can't beat the price which makes blade sharpening a thing of the past.

Sorry for writing a book, but if you haven't tried the Gladiator yet then do yourself a favor and check them out. You can buy a more expensive and more quality built broadhead, but I honestly think these heads are the best value I've seen in archery equipment in a long time.

Boldt