If you shoot off of your string , try this : nock an arrow , pull back , let down and see what happens to your arrow . Usually , it will pop off the string and fall. A BIG no no when bullwinkle is right under you . Been there , done that.

I don't use one. I would rather have the simplicity of being able to clip the release (scott little goose) directly to the string than fumble for the string loop. I'm now on my 3rd hunting season with this bow and have not had to replace my serving yet. For those of you who worry about wear on strings...it's not the string that's getting the wear, it's the serving. I can put a new serving on and tie on a thread nock in about 10 minutes or so...it's cheap and easy to do. All that said, if I were shooting for accuracy only I can see the advantages to a string loop, but I'm plenty accurate without it and when I'm out in the woods for a week at a time, the simpler the better.

YES, I just could not shoot one now.

I am using my first one, basically because of now owning a shorter bow.......34" A to A. My pro shop told me not to worry because it wouldn't break and it didn't but a Scott Lil Goose release is a little hard on them so I now install my own on exactly how he does. Installing my own makes me feel better.

I voted "no difference" although there are more pro's than cons. The only reason I voted the way I did is because I don't use one because my "loop" is on my release. I have shot a rope release for 30 years now. It's easy, I'm familiar with it, and it's one less thing to mess with.

One other reason is that I don't care for wrist/caliper releases and they are the most common ones used.

My preference may change one of these days now that Spot-Hogg has introduced the "Saturday Night Special". Remains to be seen yet.

I haven't seen the need. My release grips the string above and below the arrow the same a string loop would.

Tough toll to answer. I guess they are good if you use a release. But not everyone, myself included, does.