Feathers vs. Vanes
 

I am getting more and more into bowhunting as this year goes on. Right now i am shoot feathers and i was thinkin about making a switch to vanes. I was thinking the quickspin vanes just due to the rotation. What is your guys opinions?

RE: Feathers vs. Vanes
 

Part of the fun of archery is the ability to try new combinations of different things. Vanes, and the different variants of them, are fun to try out, as are different types of feathers. Quickspins do work, they have their positives and negatives, just like anything else. Try them out on just an arrow or two and see what you think. I wouldn't be surprised if you called NAP and asked that maybe they wouldn't send you a few to try. I'd try the new ST's if I were going to try any of them.

With that said, I've tried all kinds of vanes and I always go back to feathers. But, I'll probably still try vanes every now and then when some new one comes out.

RE: Feathers vs. Vanes
 

Feathers can't be beat IMO;)

Dan

RE: Feathers vs. Vanes
 

I like vanes. Blazer vanes to be exact. It is harder to mess them up and when it rains you don't have to worry about them getting wet. They are alot more huntin' friendly in my opinion.

RE: Feathers vs. Vanes
 

I agree that part of the fun is trying different stuff but for my money i think feathers are far superior to plastic...plus they look cooler haha

RE: Feathers vs. Vanes
 

Go for the Quikspin Hunter ST's , i will not shoot anything else . they hare serving me well andfly great with a slight right offset .

RE: Feathers vs. Vanes
 

I'm a tinker'er. I enjoy trying all different things. Through 26 seasons I've shot a pile of different arrow/fletch setups from 4" vanes to 4" feathers to 3" vanes, 3" feathers and currently 2" Blazer vanes and I wouldn't hesitate to go back to feathers.

Feathers are very efficient for arrow stabilization. Arrow stabilization is all due to air drag causing the arrow to spin. The sooner and faster you get the arrow spining out of a bow, the quicker it will stabilize. Feathers drag more air more efficiently than plastic vanes, however different vane configuations like the invention of the Quickspins and higher profile durable Blazers bring vanes into a vary fair comparison to feathers.

Basically a 3" feather will drag as much air as a 5" plastic vane.

Though I've never tried Quickspins, I understand their concept, the little edge is there to cause air drag over the vane, causing the arrow to spin faster/quicker out of the bow. Other ways to accomplish this is to never use straight fletch. I'd recommend either a helical or offset regardless of your fletch choice.

As mentioned, I'm currently shoot Blazers with a hard offset. I've found this combo works wonderfully out of my current setups with many different fixed blade and mechanical heads. I'm seriously considering 3" feathers with the same hard offset because I like the looks of barred feathers. It's about appearance and as long as they are efficient which feathers are, I'll be happy.

Many are concerned with durability with feathers. Thing is, when it comes to feathers, they can be missing parts and still be very efficient unlike vanes. Other concerns are weather and rain. Feathers can get water logged but and still work, even though they look horrible but there are solutions to that as well. Also, with grouping the same, I'll simply have feathers and Blazers in the same quiver and cover all conditions.

Good luck in your endeavor.

RE: Feathers vs. Vanes
 

I've always used vanes, but i am considering swithching to feathers...purely foraesthetic reasons though;)

RE: Feathers vs. Vanes
 

I also use the 2" Blazers with a hard offset. They work and they're quiet. No reason to change.

RE: Feathers vs. Vanes
 

I am in agreement with Rob/PA, except I really like the quick spins for broad head stabilization.

I have shot aluminum arrows and for years and used 5" vanes with a serious helical; However, with the quick spin I can shoot a 4" plastic vane with a little helical and have the same point of impact and good grouping as the 5" vane.

I too like feathers; however, my experience in heavy rain with my aluminum arrows they drop about 3" at 20 yards even using the spray waterproofing and tend to get caught up in the brush.

But it is fun to try different set ups......
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