Why do you use blazers?
 

After reading another thread about using blazers with a helical I was just wondering why you use blazers on your arrows? I have used them but find that feathers give me more control and weigh less, even with four feathers fletched. The blazers are a little more durable when shooting groups at shorter ranges but not so much as to make the indespensible. I can see the advantage of blazers over 4" vanes but after that I don't really seean advantage over other fletchingsand, if I were to use a vane on my hunting arrows, I would probably go with NAP quickspins instead of blazers.

So, why do you use them? Are you seeking more control with less weight than a 4" vane or is there another reason?

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

Durable, quiet and it shoots great with broadheads.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

Because bohning sent them to me for free:D

I had to try them, but getting some sort of cleanance issues with them since they are taller.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

I used to shoot feathers and I agree that they are certainly prettier and more forgiving of fletching contact issues.

I switched primarily for 2 reasons (broadhead control was not one of them).
1) Feathers make more noise when accidentally rubbed aganst something either while stalking in or on stand
2) RAIN!

I know that there are a number of great products out there for waterproofing feathers, however after getting stuck hunting multiple consecutive days in the rain, my feathers, while still standing up, picked up enough water between the barbs that my arrows hit low at 20 yards......really low at 30.....you get the picture.

Since switching I have also identified another real benefit to the blazers. My arrows maintain more downrange energy at distances greater than about 35 yards.
All of the great broadhead steering ability of feathers comes at a price. That price is drag. Inside 35 yards, feathers and blazers hit essentially the same point of impact. Beyond 35, the extra drag of the feathers causes them to bleed off speed faster and thus drop more.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

What everyone else said, and they look cool!!!;):D:D

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

If the sight is set up correctly why would this matter? You will still hit where you aim.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

With loss of speed you would loosea lot more KE at the longer distances. Just guessing here though.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

OK, if your guessing, what is your guess at the speed loss (FPS)difference between feathers and blazers and loss of KE difference between feathers and blazers?

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

I used to use feathers. But a trip or two in teh rain changes my mind a little. I still use feathers with my longbow and recurves.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

Im sorry, but I don't even have a ballpark on the KE. But, for the loss of speed I would have to say 5-10 FPS past 30 yards.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

I measured the speed of feather fletched and blazer fletched one afternoon out to 50 yds. I am going on memory but the difference was 1-3 FPSdepending on which arrows you compared (the fastest blazer with the slowest feather). But lets say there is a 10FPS difference. If you are shooting 240 @ 50yds with blazers then feathers will be 230. That is more than enough speed and KE to kill deer. So, is speed really an issue?

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

i personally shoot them because i like the way they fly and the way they look. I used to shoot feathers, but they are expensive, wing dependant, and a pain in the rain, not to mention, make all kinds of noise in a fully packed quiver.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

KE difference will be inconsequential. Probably not even measureable.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

I don't. To high of a profile.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

Because they work better than any other vane I've used. I never had much luck w/ 4" vanes, and feathers are awesome, as long as it's not raining.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

That's fine. I like the way my vanes shoot so Im gonna stick with them. Why fix something that ain't broke, right?

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

TRying different ones is an eye opener as well as fun. Pretty much a cheap thrill as well.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

Well, I've tried them before but thta was a long time ago. Comparing them by memory, I'll stick with my Blazers.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

Here is a great web site if you want to do some comparrison between vanes/blazers/feathers. You can see how each are effected down range as far as arrow drop, speed, KE, and momentum.

Google: Javascript Ballistic Arrow Calculator. Pretty neet thing to play with, you can see how changes effect things as far down range as 100yds.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

I just did a comparrison on the Javascript Calculator between 2" Blazers and 4" feathers using the arrow I shoot ( Terminator lite select 26.5" with 2" Blazers and 100 gr. BH ). Here is what I got at 40 yds.

Blazers: -46 vert. drop 242fps 50 KE .413 Momentum

Feathers: -49 vert drop 231 fps 46 KE .395 Momentum

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

I like the blazers because they are very, very durable. Probably the most durable vane that I have tried. I used quickspins for a while, but the reason I moved away from them is because they start deform to easily. They would start deforming on me just by flying through the air. I know for a fact that they weren't hitting anything on my bow and I wasn't hitting arrows with other arrows. Basically, I like balzers becuase of the durability that they give while still being able to steer a broadhead very, very well.

RE: Why do you use blazers?
 

After ready most post on blazers the biggest reason people use themthat i have read isthat when using a w/b rest they seem towork so much better than any other fletching,more durable!, And they fly great!Why not use them? If they work they work?