TruShot touched upon the release aid and wear issues.

However, the loop makes for much easier tuning and better nock travel as well. There is virtually no upward pressure on the arrow nock, whick makes for a smoother release. On the short bows we have today that is extremely critical.

Becuase of that it makes arrow spine selection MUCH less critical.

It also reduces torque and allows one to let down with no fear of the arrow coming off the string.

I've been using a loop for the past 8 years. I don't know how to do anyother way.

Yeah I never have but I'm getting one on my new bow. If you think about it twist your release whiles its on the string, does it move the string? Then twist it while its on the loop, no movement. I never had any trouble with serving wear but the guy at my proshop said its the way to go.

The loop offers too many benefits for me to ignore. IMO, it's the only way to go.

i used a loop and did not like it. for the release i use it takes longer to connect and it was a pain. i dont see the use of one but that is just my opinion

Since I started this, I wanted to post my own "personal" findings........

I tried the loop and found it to be somewhat clumsy and my groups were not as good. I'm sure I didnt give it long enough, but shooting off the string just feels better to me plus I find I have tighter groups.

I understand about the serving wear and all, but I'll deal with that if and when it happens.

Again, these are just my own findings I do appreciate all the responses!

If you put the loop on and didn't adjust the draw length shorter on the bow then your findings are just as they should be.

If you shorten the draw length,then you should notice a much easier bow to tune and a much more "forgiving" setup.

Agreed. Precisely the problem I had with my initial "test runs" with the loop.

For what it's worth I actually disagree from my own experiences. I shot with a loop for 4 years. I shortened my draw length. There is no difference in tuning my bows with a loop or without one.

I'm also a little old school when it comes to shortening a draw length to accomodate a loop. I kinda try and go by Bernie P's theory on where the string should be when at full draw by the corner of your mouth. When you start shortening draw lengths to accomodate a loop your changing one of the most important aspects of archery , being correctly fitted to the bow , not to mention giving up something which creates more speed and energy.

I can also honestly say I dont have any problems with serving wear shooting off the string , not with todays caliber type releases. My arrow doesn't pop off the string when I back down from full draw. I can see where a shorter ATA bow might have that problem if your not conscience of the possibility.

I'd like to see some of the regulars on here take their setups and change to shooting off the string for a month and come back with an honest assesment of the tuning factor and forgiveness factor of the loop -vs- off the string.

I've also been paying particularly close attention to hunting setups while watching hunting videos and I've noticed the overwhelming majority of the hunters are shooting off the string. I'm not sure if that means anything , but start paying attention to their setups and you'll see what I mean.

I have to agree with this. I never thought you had to shorten your draw length rather you just found another anchor point a little further back.

I found this link that pretty much sums it up at least for me. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page under "Does a String Loop Change my Draw Length?" You can see by the picture of the shooter that his hand is further back with the loop than with out.

I'll add that from my first post on this that I am brand new on using a release, so all I'm saying is what I am comfortable with.......