Advantages to a new string
 

Is a new sting something you get to upgrade your bow, or is it more of a thing you do when your current string frays or wears down? I see a lot of people have aftermarket strings and I was thinking about getting one, but I really didnt know any advantages. I have heard that an aftermarket string will hold a tubless peep much better but that is about it.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Yes. A GOOD aftermarket string will not stretch or creep and will hold a tubeless peep better. Some really good string makers and tuners (AKA Crackers) will have your bow shooting the best it can and will often get your bow to shoot a little bit faster.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Highly depends on your application. I don't know of any bow sold today with B500 string. Some have a 8125 which is like winners choice, and if prestreatched will not rotate your peep. 450+ will not stretch.

There are disadvantages and advantages to all your choices. From 450+ to 452X to 8125, to fastflight, or D97, TS1. Some like to have thier cables out of 8125 and thier string out of 452X because strand size.

But most likely, most new bows has one of these already on it. I still buy winners choice or vapor trail.

On traditional bows, string material is useful for helping to tune your bow for an arrow.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Thanks...I was looking at getting a Vapor Trail.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

If I am not mistaken, Martin Cheetahs has 450+ already on them. Not sure vaportrail would do anything for you.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Alright thanks...In that case you just saved me some money. I am going to a tubeless peep and If I have a lot of problems I may end up switching it anyway....But for now. Your comment is good enough for me.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

BCVD: wait for Black Stick to reply as well as MeanV -- they will chime in soon enough -- but they both shoot Vapor strings. They will help ya out.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

I think this is the first post i havent seen black stick all over in a long time.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Cosistancy and peep rotationis the main reason for a high quality string and cable setup.

Think about this,if a peep rotates constantly from shot to shot with cheap rigging,wouldn't it make sense that the string isn't doing the same thing from shot to shot,therefore,resulting in less consistancy from shot to shot.


I will take a well built rigging of poorer material over good material that isn't built properly any day.I have seen junk strings built out of quality material and I have seen good strings built out of lesser material.The way a string is built makes a huge difference.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

What TFOX said. Expanding on this a little farther most strings are made of only a few different materials these days. BCY8125, 452x, Brownell D97 or TS1 and some others. There is a difference between these materials, but not so much that most people could tell. The main difference is how they are built.

For instance I get my strings made from 8125 for a slight increase in speed. Some people say 8125 creeps, but I can tell you that it creeps no more than any other material if the string is built right. On the other hand you could shoot a factory strin made from 452X that would creep almost forever, but have an aftrmarket string made of the same material that never creeps. Again, it's almost completel a matter of how the string is built.

The biggest advantage I see in good aftermarket strings is that once they are shot in (100 shots) and the bow is tuned then the bow rarely changes tune till I replace the string. That, and no peep rotation so no tube is necessary.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Thanks! That answers a question I have been pondering since Sunday. I have two bows, identical except one is 60# and one is 70#. They also have different strings. The 70#, my current deer hunting bow, has new vaportrail strings I put on 2-3 weeks before the season. Shot it a bunch, got it tuned right and it has been shooting laser beams since. The 60# bow has the Manufacturer string still, and it is a good string but.... I get the 60 bow out last sunday and it is shooting right by a couple inches at 30, 40 yds. When I hung it up a few weeks ago it was shooting laser beams too. I couldn't figure how it got out of tune just hanging there but I was thinking the string stretched/changed and caused it to start shooting weak. That makes sense now after reading what you said.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Where can I find how long of a string I need for my bow?

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Also would I need the cables in addition to the shooting string?

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

bcvd, I would highly recommend a high quality set of strings and cables for your bow. IMO, the strings are the single most important part of your bow. They hold it all together!

I personally like 8125 material for all of my strings. My current bow, a 2007 Bowtech Allegiance still has the factory set on it. However, Bowtech uses very high quality strings on their bows and my peep, along with timing has not budged since approx 50 shots after buying the bow.

You'll pay a little more for good strings and cables...anywhere from 50-100 dollars, but they are very well worth the extra money.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

so if i was to go with a vapor trail....I would need the shooting string...the Y cable...and the control cable...right? But that is all....I am just trying to make sure that if I get one I get everything I need.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Is your string wore out? Is your serving separating? Is your bow not shooting well?

I have had well over a dozen or so bows in my life, and it appears to be fashionable to change out strings and cables for the heck of it on this forum for some reason.

I see folks replying that a quality material put together poorly and such. So is your string/cable put together poorly?

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

It wasnt put together poorly as you can see from earlier where I was not going to buy one to now where I really want to. Today I got some new stuff put on my string and when he was taking off my old kisser button he put a nice little nik in my string. The one on there before had been way over tightened and he fought with it for a good 15 minutes to get it off. I don't think its much to worry about cuz it wasnt that big......but when I know of something like that, it gets in my brain and I can't stop worrying about it.....

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

The lengths should be on a sticker on the inside of the bottom limb. It might not be much of an issue though. Call almost any good string maker and they should already have this info.

I'm not an advertisement, but I highly recommend Bucknasty strings. They're made by a guy right here on tis site called Gibblet. Talk to him and he can give you more details and all your options. IG yeah, and I highly recommend pink and purple.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Just a general answer to your question. I think Martin strings are similar to the new Hoyt Fuse strings. Most are pretty good, but a few people report having a so-so set. I guess some things get through the quality control cracks every day. I've been shooting Martins for four years now--5 different bows. Most times I get strings even prior to the bow arriving, justdue to the reputation factory strings have in general. I decided on a couple of the bows to just shoot what came on the bow and so far I've seen some good results.

We have discussed here about the quality of the manufacturing process. This always makes me wonder if only one person at Martinis making the strings and just messes up once in a while or if more than one is doing the work and one guy is better than the other.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Thanks guys for the help. I am looking at them and it looks like it is gonna be $80 + to get the string and cabels so......it might be a bit, but not too long before I get a new one I think.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

I sure don't like nicks in the string. I see some techs trying to remove nock sets and kissers with a screwdriver or a set of needlenose pliers, and I just look on in horror. Why would anyone take a chance on removing something under tension that way?? A person needs to buy a good set of nock pliers with a nock removal tool.

You can just change out the string. Which I would probably do and I like 8125 material. It can get fuzzy, which some don't like.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Thanks...That will save me 40 bucks on buying the whole cable set too.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Personally, I would change everything out this time. This way you get a new, perfectly matched set and know they are exactly the right length. I know I'm a little fickle about strings and cables and make certain they are in tip top shape. I like to change out every two years, even though my current strings may look fine. For the amount of shooting I do, with high end strings, two years seems about right for me. By then, I usually start to see some serving seperation around the cams and a little wear on the servings.

Its a peice of mind thing for me. Plus, you can get some cool color combo's to make your rig look sweet.:D

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Just to help you out with some GOOD string options --- Vapor Trail, Bucknasty, Proline, Crackers, Rock Solid, and Terminal Velocity.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

thanks guys.....This is a big help. Now I will do my research on your list FSUBIGMAC and see which one stands out to me. Thanks again.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

bcvd45,

I'd like to also chime in for Wolf Den Bowstrings. I had two sets of their strings so far and could not be happier. No movement after 50 shots and you can have them built with any of the popular materials. Also, they're quite a bit cheaper than most others. 65.00 a set, to your door.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Ya now I am really really considering getting one. My peep will not stay alligned from one shot to the next. it is starting to bug the hell out of me.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

True that I didn't mention the option of just getting a string. Your bow is fairly new so the cables should be OK. Colors won't be the same, but hey, who's looking?

As long as you're willing to shop around try getting on Arcgery Talk. In the classifieds there is a whole raft of string makers listed. Try looking at a few and see what they have to offer. Then ask some questions or use the search function to get some opinions. One thing to pay attention to is the experience level of anybody posting an answer. You'll get the most informative answers from die hard target and 3D shooters as they shoot their bows on a regular basis. Don't pay much attention to how durable one is against the other. The truth is all strings are made of similar materials and have virtually the same durability if you care for them correctly.

Wish you luck.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

BG Fisher is correct -- actually most of the stuff you have read is correct. I personally have never heard of Wolf Den Strings but they are worth a look. I know for a fact your not gonna find any better quality string that Mike "Crackers" Carter. Go on archery talk and do a search for crackers -- you will see some of the work he has done. Its a long process and a long wait but it sure is worth it. Make sure you have someone who knows that they are doing when putting on your string and timing your cams and tuning. OK WAIT -- I just noticed you are in Missouri -- As is Crackers -- You should not even hesitate to take a drive to his shop -- hands down probably the best techie out there. http://www.cartersarchery.com/. Let his set you up -- I guarantee you that your bow will never shoot better

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

I will admit, I have never bought a crackers string or cable. But what does he do that others do not? I mean, they all have string jigs. They all probably machine serve. I mean does he put magic dust on them or something?

I have had PSE strings, zebra twist, winners choice, bowtech, bucknasty, some strings I can't remember who made out of D97, vaportrail, and now make my own flemish twist and endless loop for trad bows.And as long as they are all put together good, I am not sure that it made a lick of difference.

I am just curious. Are you going off of word of mouth from archery talk? Because this is the last place I would gather knowledge from. Thats just me.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Yes, I am going off word of mouth from AT and other place, such as Drock on here. I mean its one thing if just a few people are satisfied but when there are thousands of people that are satisfied the guy has to be doing something right. I would also think me might be good if people are willing to wait over a year or 2 just to ship their bow to him. Just face it -- the guy is one of, if not the, best in the business. He fine tunes your bow down to every little detail and has been know to get bows to shoot up to 15fps faster. I mean heck if the guy lives in Missouri why wouldn't he take it to a guy that is regarded as one of the best in the business. And I agree it doesn't make a difference IF they are all put together good; but thats a big IF. Yea call me a brown-noser, but ya gotta think some of the people on AT who recommend him know a thing or two about how a bow works and how it should shoot. SO if ya don't trust people on AT for information who do ya trust? People on HuntingNet?

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

I trust myself. There are several on here that are much brighter than I, and I trust. And I have seen things that stump me, and still doesn't make sense. But there is tons of misinformation on AT IMO. I see some techies try to act like its some sort of black magic science that only they can do. But tune up about 10 bows, and you will see its not. Its attention to detail.

I sure don't know about thousands are satisfied with carter. I am sure the guy is good, but if you get the right arrow for the right bow, and set the stuff up straight, there is nothing he can do any better than anyone else. I know if I can't tune my bow, I usually will sell it. Its the stuff that you can't figure out, strange effects that make you scratch your head and need an experienced person.

I suggest everyone takes a new bow, and play around with the rest. Move it to the extremes, and see what happens on paper, bareshaft, walkback, etc tuning. Watch the effects as you slowly adjust. Move the nocking point real high, and play. Get a bow scale, get bow vise, get a chrono, and start playing around with tiller, and speed nocks, start tinkering.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Crackers from all accounts does very good work but to call him the best might be an overstatement.(he might be one of the best)How many world records have been set with his tune jobs or even strings?


I have a local guy that doesn't even do it for a living that can lay claim to 3.;)Of course he was their coach as well at the time.

He doesn't use a machine to serve with either.:eek::D

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

big,you are correct,there is tons of misinformation on AT.[8D]

I am sure Crackers can do things that many can not, due to the equipment at hand.Shooting machines,drawing machines and lazers ALONG WITH A KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO USE THEM PROPERLY go a long ways.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Your missing my point -- Crackers IS one of the best in the bizz and if they guy who started this thread lives in Missiouri why wouldn't he go visit Crackers? Just makes sense in my opinion. I live in Central Ohio and I havn't found a decent pro shop as to where I feel comfortable with anything the guy does to my bow. I would love to do it myself cause I'm sure its not rocket science -- but like you said -- lack of tools and money to get started.

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

TFOX -- not saying you are wrong but to state that there is tons of mis-info on AT and not claim that on this sight is a joke. I have pretty much learned who to listen to on this forum and others, and who's info to let go in one ear and out the other. Everyone has personal preferences -- for instance you are on the "Hoyt national shooting staff" -- so you would argue that hoyt makes the best bow where I might say that Mathews is (which I never would;))

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

LOL I can get my bow to shoot 15 FPS faster just by going from a 605 grain arrow to a 530 grain arrow ;). I just don't see how it's worth waiting for months, sending your bow off to someone and waiting more, paying a lot of money and getting 15 FPS. Does 15 FPS really make that much difference when hunting deer?

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Yeah you changed your arrow -- he didn't thats the difference. I am in no way claiming he is the best but he is definately one of the best. Man get the chips off your shoulders people

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

Change the bow, chnage the arrow, it is still a 15 FPS gain. No chip on my shoulder just not sure why I should be so impressed with squeezing 15 FPS more out of a bow. Tell me why 15 FPS is that important and then maybe I'll be more impressed by it ;).

RE: Advantages to a new string
 

I never said it was inpressive -- I could care less how fast my arrow gets there as long as it gets there on a straight line. You ASSumed that was the whole selling point of Crackers, which its not.