Who has actually measured...
 

...FPS difference with vanes vs. feathers.

I'm talking about the same bow, same arrow type, same arrow length, same nocks, same everything, except the fletching.

I hear that the feathers slow it down a bit, but haven't measured it since I haven't started making my own arrows yet, and I'm not about to go buy half a dozen of each just to satisfy a curiosity.

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

Feathers actually make your arrows faster out to about 40 yards or so then vanes overtake them. Have I actually tested that? Yes, a few years back but I can again shortly if you like.

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

hmm. interesting.

I am curious, what the heck. Go for it.

I shoot fingers with a flipper rest and I'm considering switching from vanes to feathers to minimize rest clearence problems.
I was just wondering what the fps cost would be for this change. If you're right, I'll actually be gaining speed. How cool!

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

Why do people shoot light arrows? More speed out of the bow than heavier arrows, right?

3 feathers weigh less than one vane of the same length. So it's obviously going to make for a lighter, faster arrow out of the bow. An arrow fletched with 4" feathers will average about 18 grains lighter than the same arrow fletched with 4" vanes.

I haven't had anyone brave enough to let me shoot over their chronograph at 50 yards and test the difference in retained speed between vanes and feathers downrange. ;) But I simply don't see a vane fletched arrow catching up to a feathered arrow, as long as they are fletched using the same amount of offset or helical and with vanes/feathers of the same length and profile.

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

Cool it is!!!!:D

You will gain about 4-5 fps:)

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

Are they faster only because of lighter wieght, or does it have something to do with the feathers laying down upon release and create less drag? I've heard a number of theories.

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

feathers do not lay down upon release - they hold their shape perfectly

vanes on the other hand do the hula hula upon release

It is because of the weight

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

Once you go feathers you'll never go back , or something like that;) Bulzeye you are going to see major benifits and vastly improved accuracy by switching to feathers from your curent setup , vanes and a flipper arnt the most forgiveing , Id go for 5" sheild feathers on an offset or heilical , man are you in for a change in arrow flight .

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

I think the texture of the feather, with its capabilities to create drag, that would allow a smooth vane to retain more speed downrange.

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

Strange you should ask this question now because I did the exact thing you are asking just this afternoon. I had 6 Goldtip XT 5575's (3 fletched with 3" feathers and 3 fletched with 3" vanes) all from the same batch. They were 29" long and had exact 100 gr. field tips installed and same nocks. With my bow at 29" draw and 60# there was only 2 fps difference with the feather fletched arrows being faster in each case. With 4" or 5" vanes/feathers there might be slightly more difference due to more total weight. I hope this answers your question. By the way, the feathers are more forgiving all around.

PS: I am no great shot but at 30 yards they all shot into a 2 1/2" group with no noticable pattern as to which shot higher or lower.

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

Assuming we're talking about 4" fletch, you'll see about 5fps difference at initial release. Feathers will be faster. Vanes start out slower but because they create less drag theywill retain more velocity over longer distances. So vanes will be moving the same speed as the feathers, generally at or about 50-60 yards. The feathrs will create more drag stabilizing the arrow better making for better accuracy and grouping, especially with broadheads. Feathers, being lighter in mass weight will still work well when they are beat up, chewed up, and sometimes missing (as if one comes off the shaft leaving only two) because they don't throw the balance off so much. Not so with vanes. Even with a piece torn out the balance can get real critical.
A few years back I had a bow really, really tuned and could shoot arrows with only one or two feathers, and yes, even bare shafts at a 3D shoot. Out to 35 yards it just didn't matter. Not many bows tune that well, but I guess I got lucky on the setup. But that's just another reason I shoot feathers.

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

Arthur,

You are more than welcome to shoot my chronograph...uhh, I mean...shoot through my chronograph...uhh, I mean shoot over my chronograph whenever you want....:)

As for vanes overtaking feathers...I just do not have the courage to shoot through a chrono at 50 or 60 yards since I do not practice regularly at those distances but wouldn't you think that the specific design of a feather fletch, multiple bristles, would cause more drag than a smooth surface like a plastic vane?

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

BULZEYE; actually i did the exact test last year when i decided to shoot feathers only. my bow is a pse nova set at 67lbs at 29" draw i shoot pse carbon force 400 shaft's at 29" with 75gr 3 blade muzzy heads. i use 4" feathers or vanes, now i made up a set of arrows 6 of each and thru the chrono i am shooting 268 with the feathers and shooting 260 with the vanes. doesnt sound like much of a difference but seems the feathers are more stabble than the vanes and i get better shot groups. hope this help's

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

Actually, Frank, IF vanes didn't distort, deform and flap around - which they do, as shown in stop action photos - there might be some merit to that theory. My point of view is the distortions and flapping vanes go through in flight probably cause even more drag than feathers, even though feathers have a rougher surface texture. To go even further, I bet the distortions get even worse as arrow speed increases because of increased wind resistance. Vanes on a 200 fps arrow probably don't go nearly as wild as vanes on a 280 fps arrow.

Feathers retain their shape in flight. If you could get a vane stiff enough to also retain it's shape in flight, then you would have something. On the other hand, you'd have to be even more careful to avoid any fletching contact. From what I've seen, especially with short axle to axle bows with a low-mounted cable guard, fletch contact with the bow's cables would become a major issue, for arrow flight, accuracy and possible damage to the cables.

Vanes only have two things in their favor: price and weather resistance. On all other points, they aren't anywhere near the equal of feathers. Some guys might throw in the fact they don't rustle when you scrape them against brush, and maybe that's important to guys that turn into klutzes in the woods. ;)

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

Thank you Arthur. You make a good point. I think it would be really interesting to actually do a test of both feathers and vanes at distances beyond 40 yards to actually put your theory to the test. I do have one chrono I am not too fond of sooooo......:)

RE: Who has actually measured...
 

Thanks everybody !!

Good info here. Some of it is new to me.
I'm glad I asked.

I can't say I'm concerned about what the fletch does to the speed when you get out past 40 yards, but the theories are interesting. I like getting close enough to count a deer's eyelashes, and I want to make a good shot every time, so I doubt I'll ever take a shot past 35 yards. Not that it can't be done, I just want to get them up close and REALLY know I beat them, hands down. I'll take the long shots with a gun, but when I've got my bow in my hand it's all about how close to them I can get.

I'm really loooking forward to trying out my feathers.
Thanks again.