String loops
 

I recently got a new bow. I have never used loops on my string for my release. Well not regularly. I have several of the metal ones I picked up at some point. I know I have tried them but never got used to them. It seems like all your doing is shortening your draw. I know there is supposed to be some advantages to them or you wouldn't see them. Wear on the serving is one I know of but my realease didn't seem to hurt my older bow.

So whats the deal. What is it I may be missing. Should I get one tied on and try it?

RE: String loops
 

In my (little) expirence, loops help reduce torque on the bow string, reduce wear on the serving, and allow the shooter to put the pressure directly behind the arrow. All improving performance or creating longevity.:)

RE: String loops
 

I have been told the metal ones deccrease the life of the serving as well as wear out your release from the metal on metal contact. I personally like the string loops better.

RE: String loops
 

A BCY loop is just great to have, I dont know exactly what advantages other than whats been mentioned, but I love mine.

RE: String loops
 

To clarify. I currently do not shoot a loop at all. I clip my release to the string just below the arrow. This seems to work fine but I wonder about what I am missing not using one. It seems to me like one more thing that could fail.

I do have some metal loops in my box of archery stuff. I tried them years ago but disliked having to find them when a shot at an animal presented itself. That and the metal to metal click I seemed to get. Didn't use it any more than on the range.

Didn't someone make a release that held above and below the arrow? I wouldn't mind one of those. Anyone know the one I'm talking about?...I have looked but nothing jumps out at me.

RE: String loops
 

Moral of my story....String loops, in my experience, help keep everything straight and lower the amount of friction on your actual bow string. Now here's the longer version of my story....

String Loops are benificial in two ways(never used metal)
1)Less friction on the bow string...b/c string loops get worn over about 2 or 3 years, so why wouldn't your bow string do the same...a loop costs less than $2.

2)Ease of tuning. My loop keeps everything straight from my rest to my release. If you notice someone who places the release on the bowstring just under the arrow know, there's a kink in the string you just don't get when you're using a string loop. For example, with my current setup, if I take off my stringloop and shoot the loopless way mentioned above...my arrow dives almost straight into the ground. I understand there should be a difference, but without the string loop seems kinda too severe to me.

RE: String loops
 

1. More consistent release.

2. I can't see how a loop would lengthen your DL any more than I could see how it shortens it (unless your loop is RADICALLY long).

RE: String loops
 

We'll If you have a long release and/or a loop you cannot physicaly pull the bow back as far. Sure its only 1/4-1/2 inch but when your talking having the bow fit you right that may make all the difference.

Wear on the searving isn't much of a factor as I can easily reserve it. Though it would be nice to just replace the loop and not have to retune the whole setup. However my old compound has 14 years on the serving with me pulling from below the nock. Granted I didn't shoot it a ton some of those years but it sure has put plenty downrange. More than you'd think it should have on the original string etc.

Ok lets look at pros and cons.

Pros
------------------------------------
Lessens serving wearDoesn't seem like a huge issue
More even release <-----------I like this one for sure




Cons
-----------------------------------
not as easy to find in hunting situation <----------------could be a major problem, looking down to find the loop....
one more thing to fail if tied right it shouldn't fail but....
Slight decrease in physical length you can draw May be so slight its not an issue

At least thats how I see it. Like I said I can see why the idea is a good one. I just worry about finding it in a hunting situation. (I hate having to look down to clip the release on) That may not be an issue if you got realy use to it I guess. I also worry about them failing. It would realy suck to have a huge buck at 25 yards and have the loop come untied. Just my traditional simple is best coming out....

I may have to try one again in the spring/summer with this new bow. I do find it funny that people went to releases from fingers to get a cleaner release and now thats not "clean" enough and you have to go with an extra string loop.

Just a thought.

I've shot a long time and learned the hard way to research before getting the newest gadget no matter how cheap. You have less headaches that way.

RE: String loops
 

If you can pull your bow back to the back wall.....explain to me how the length of your D-loop affects DL, realisitcally.

What's the difference in finding your D-loop v. finding your string?

I've shot THOUSANDS of shot through several different bows.....and I've never had a D-loop fail (come untied). I suppose one could have the same (unwrranted?) fears RE: limb failure if he so chose.

Sounds like a resounding reason to take up traditional archery.;)

RE: String loops
 

I've shot bows both ways, and to me it is a toss up. The bow I've hunted with most this year does Not have a loop. It doesn't make me any more/less accurate to have a loop, and it does change the felt draw length of the bow even if it is onlyslight. That's a No Brainer!
I know guys that shoot a loop and still miss deer and/or make bad shots. Would they be worse without a loop? I doubt it[8D]
Jason, I would be careful putting that many years on a bowstring. I have seenagedstrings completely blow without even a little warning. To me it would not be worth the risk to put more than 2 years on a string.

Dan

RE: String loops
 

I'm with Meanv on this one. This is kinda like the peep/no peep decision. Some guys love loops, some guys don't. I prefer them myself, but I like to practice out to 60 yards, and I feel they help with long distance accuracy. But for most hunting in the woods, wehre most of my shots are under 30 yards, I don't think a loop will show any significant gain in accuracy. You can try one, throw away the metal ones, and go with one tied with BCY material, not the camo stuff.

RE: String loops
 

Actually I have already replaced that bow. I need to send it back for new limbs or replacement as they are developing a crack anyway. If they don't replace the bow I'll have all that replaced. I just never got around to it.



True enough. I know its only a slight distance. Just was my thinking.

Well The string is alot bigger and I can clip on 6 inches below my arrow and easily slide right up to the bottom of the arrow without looking at it. Got to be a little more acurate for a loop. I guess you'd get used to it.


I build and shoot Trad bows.... I bought the compound because once set up, lets face it, you need much less practice to be able to shoot it acuratly. I personaly prefer carrying my selfbowandobsidian tipped rivercane arrows to the field. Unfortunatly due to the fact I have 5 children to take to all their events (not complaining) I have little time to feel good enough with my selfbow to take it to the woods. I still love to shoot it I just believe I should be better than that for the animals I persue. I'm lucky to get time in the woods with all my kids do. So I want to worry less about my acuracy if I haven't shot in a while.
Of course now that I bought this new fancy bow I have shot more than I have in a while.....LOL

I do want to say I aprecieate everyone chiming in on this. Its meen a long time since I bought a compound and I'm a bit out of the newest tech. Some things haven't changed and some things have. So bear with me as I relearn some of it. I just need to get it right in my head.

RE: String loops
 

OK, I'm driving so I may not capture all my thoughts on this subject that I'd like...

First off -- adding a loop WILL change your draw length!! It may not change the BOW'S draw length, but it will change YOURS. Adding a loop will increase the distance between your bow hand and your anchor point; assuming you keep your bow hand the same (including the relationship of the grip to the bow and eveything else), it WILL move your anchor point rearward. It HAS to; if it didn't, we could assume the loop was ZERO inches long -- which in turn means you didn't tie a loop on! Add a loop of ANY length, and it moves your anchor point rearward. To compensate and keep the EXACT same anchor, you'll have to decrease your dl, if only slightly, depending on the length of the loop.

That's why I like to tie mine as short as physically possible. Look at my "How to tie a d-loop thread" pinned at the top of the tech forum, and you should be able to start tying your own within no time.

The good thing about loops is the ability to fine-tune your anchor point without placing the bow in a press to twist/untwist cables. Now on my 3d bows, I do both: I like my loop a bit longer because I'm shooting a hinge or a thumb-trigger style release (I regularly use both), and I can't afford for the loop to be TOO short and impart torque on the connection point. Therefore, I use a longer-length loop and shorten up my dl by close to a 1/4".

Perhaps one of the most practical benefits of shooting a loop for a bowhunter is the ability to let down after being at full draw if needed without the arrow popping off the string due to nock pinch. Look at the last picture in my d-loop thread and you'll see why it doesn't pinch the nock as much. The tradeoff, as you rightly mentioned, is it IS a bit harder to hook up in the moment of truth. I know; I shot "off the string" for more than a decade" and you're right in that you can just hook up ANYWHERE on the string below your nock point and simply slide your release up. In fact, I've gone to exclusively using flourescent coloring for my loops these days as it helps me hook up even easier in low-light conditions.

There's also no center-serving wear on your string when using a loop. It'sfar easier to cut off a loop and retie than to serve a whole new center section.

There's several other benefits as well which I won't get into... but DON'T use one of those junk metal ones. Just go ahead and throw all those away. :)

RE: String loops
 

dang greg you took the words out of my mouth.
my personal opinion. i wish i would've started out with a loop.
i have found that after practicing for the upcoming season hooking onto the loop was almost second nature. i found myself almost instinctivly goin to the loop.
but thats just me.

RE: String loops
 

Thanks Greg. Thats what I was thinking. I knew it had to changed your anchor point. Otherwise everyone could have the same bow with the same DL. Everyone is different and each persons draw is slightly different even at, lest say, 29" dL. each persons anchor can be slightly different. Thats why all the adjusments on bows for DL.

Its a new bow or I would not consider it. I think I'll try one come spring. Right now I'm grouping in 2-3 inch groups at 30 yards. So I think I'm pretty good for now. I think If I practice enough I'll get used to the loop. And thanks for the info on the tying your own link. I like doing as much myself as I can. I have to check out the nock pinch. Its a much shorter ATA bow than my other one so I'm sure the advantage of not knocking the arrow off will be a plus. I honestly havent tried to let down nocked yet.


Good info guys. Exactly what I needed to hear.


So anyone use or seen the double caliper release? Seems it may be a good other way to go.

RE: String loops
 

You can adjust your release (most can) to accomodate for loop length (to an extent)....and never change your DL. The bow's will never change.

RE: String loops
 

i know of the release you are talking about. i remeber seeing it ona realtree video before. i'll see if i can find it for ya.

RE: String loops
 

My setup would also let you forget about the fear of not being able to find your loop;)

RE: String loops
 

one of the double releases your talking about is like this one.
its called the JAMES GREENE GATOR JAW RELEASE CALIPER

they run 50 to 60 bucks here is a link to one.
http://www.yeoldearcheryshoppe.com/james-green-gator-release-p-2179.html?osCsid=7f96851e3dfd973ab031f1afb7006964

RE: String loops
 

14 years with the same string?? dude what are you thinking?

you should replace your string WAY more often than that.

at the very least try to replace it every 2 years..


and if you learn to tie a loop yourself ,and do it correctly,
it wont come undone... i have to cut mine off when i tie a new one,
because i know how to do it right..no probs....

i have seen guys loops come undone ,
and most of the times they came undone is because
the guy didnt burn the balls on the end the right way ,
and didnt tighten it fully before shooting it.

just my .02



[quote]ORIGINAL: Jasonlester

RE: String loops
 

Ok since I'm getting beat on about my 14 year old bow string.

If you replace your string every 2 years... The whole string wear advantage is out the door isn't it? I mean if I have to retune every 2 years I might as well beat up my serving a little. I know it will last that long.

RE: String loops
 

My first bow was a 1993 PSE Thunder Flight Express and I had it until 2003
Note: I never changed the string and I never had a problem with it!
2nd note: I only shoot from beginning of Aug. until Sept 15th (50-70 arrows per week) when archery season begins,
then it's a few arrows once or twice a week to keep my eye on straight during the season, and to make sure I didn't bang my bow.
Totaling = 300-400 shots per year. Maybe the lack of shooting gives the string more longevity??

~ My current bow is the same thing.

Another experience is a buddy bought a used Hoyt @ the end of the eighties, it was 6 years old when he bought it and had the original string.
He shot that same bow, with that same string, until he and I upgraded in 2004, he also never had a problem. 20+ years with the original string.
Ohhh ~ the bow gods will get him![&:]

I have a friend that has a Toyota and they recommend him to change his timing belt at 60k miles, so he did. Costly expense!
I change mine at 100k and it still doesn't look worn, go figure??? This is my 4th vehicle and belt change, I figured it saved me a lot of money, without any heart ache.??

RE: String loops
 

hey , not trying to beat on you ,

but going that long on a string could be dangerous,
but i shoot all year so i put alot more shots on my stringsthan alot of people
but strings can fail under the end servings where you cant even see,
and the string stretching will throw your bow out of tune anyway.

have you ever had a string break on you ?
trust me its not fun.

as for the tuning every 2 years, whats the problem in tuning?

i retune my setup everytime i change anything,
draw weight,release,nocks,loop,peep,fletches,arrow style,length or weight...etc...


if you are using the stock strings that came on your bow , they arent going to stay in tune for 2 years anyway!

i use custom strings , and they start to show signs of wear
(peep rotation) after about 1 or 1.5 years,

just trying to keep ya safe..[8D]

RE: String loops
 

I know I was just kidding about that....Its all good....:D

I plan to change it . But since I have a new bow I haven't worried about it. It also sat for a few years without being shot. So I'm sure it helped make it last.