Hmmmm? Am I right?
 

Being a bow hunter ed. instructor, I was thinking about how I can "effectively" measure each person's "comfortable" draw length for my classes. So, I bought 2 Genesis bows (single cam with 0% let off - infinite draw length from 15"-30"). I have one bow set up with a 3/4" string loop, the other is set up for fingers or release (direct to the string). My idea is that if I get 2-full-length arrows, embed a graduated scale ( in 1/8 inch increments) on them, with the zero marks starting exactly on the rests, when someone, regardless of draw length, draws to their "comfortable" form, I will be able to tell them their exact comfortable DL. The question that keeps bothering me is "What about different brace heights for different bows?". The BH on the Genesis is 7". The zero mark on the arrows start 7.5" from the string. So, if someone draws the bow and the measurement on the arrow is 21", their true DL would be 28.5" (right?). BUT - If someone who has a bow (or is looking for a new bow) with a 6.5" BH draws these bows, won't the measurement that I give them be wrong? How can I set this up so it can be accurate? Do I let them know the measurement that I give them is for a bow with a 7" BH, and that to get their true DL for their bow, add the BH of their bow (or the bow they want to buy) to the measurement on the arrow to get their true draw length? [:@] Sometimes I give myself a headache [8D]. Any thoughts/suggestions are welcome!

RE: Hmmmm? Am I right?
 

Measure 1 3/4 inches from the low point of the grip forward and this will be your reference point to measure AMO draw length.

RE: Hmmmm? Am I right?
 

Two thoughts:

One, I would suggest using the wingspan method to determine draw length instead of the method you selected as your current choice can be affected greatly by the person's shooting form, etc....

However, and second, if you use your current choice then the graduated arrow should tell you the draw length without having to factor in brace height.

RE: Hmmmm? Am I right?
 

Are graduated scales more accurate cause they, uhm, graduated?

:)

RE: Hmmmm? Am I right?
 

- Good one!

[quote]However, and second, if you use your current choice then the graduated arrow should tell you the draw length without having to factor in brace height.

- Even with a full-length, uncut arrow (33"), the scale starts at 0" (if started on the rest) and ends at 26". When I draw the bow (my DL is 29.5") the arrow reads 22.5". If the bow had a 5" BH, then the scale would show 24.5", right?

RE: Hmmmm? Am I right?
 

BH has nothing to do with draw length, get them to full draw, measure to the deepest part of the grip, then add 1.75 inches.

However, unless you are trained enough in form you will end up with to long a draw length on 90% of the new shooters, this is because what is initially "comfortable" will be to long.

The Genesis is a great bow for its usage model, lots of shooters, the lack of a wall or valley makes it hard to shoot for beginners to get a consistent anchor.

--Bob

RE: Hmmmm? Am I right?
 

I am confused as to what type of graduated arrow you have. The ones that we have down at the shop start at about 1 inch (to compensate for the distance between the bottom of the nock groove and the beginning of the shaft) and go up to about 34 inches. If you come to full draw and then measure to the throat of the grip (sometimes the same as rest mounting holes drilled into the riser) and then add 1.75 inches you should end up with close to your actual draw length.

I would still recommend the wingspan method though.

RE: Hmmmm? Am I right?
 

I forgot how to do that-it's been a while - please refresh my memory.

After listening to you guys, I'm sure that I over-thought this whole process now[:@]. After thinking about it (again), I realized that it doesn't matter what the BH is, because a person's DL has nothing to do with the BH of a particular bow - DL is always the same. BH determines how long the string is in contact with the arrow, so a bow with 8" BH will lose the arrow 2" sooner than a bow with a 6" BH. This has nothing to do with DL of an individual, who will have the same DL regardless of the bow used.

Thanks for the tips - I'll try a variety of methods and determine which one is most accurate.

RE: Hmmmm? Am I right?
 

The wingspan method is not a consistent way of determining drawlength. It is merely used to get you "close". By "close" I mean within an inch or so---there are simply too many variables in a persons' stature to rely on that method for anything other than a rough-in.

For my customers I simply run a straight line up to the shelf near the arrow rest of ANY bow they decide to use for the measurement, and mark that spot with a piece of tape, pencil mark, whatever. Then, using the same release, loop, fingers, or whatever they will be using on their new bow or the next bow they will be shooting, I take a long arrow and have them draw comfortably to anchor. Then I mark the arrow in the same exact spot as the mark on the shelf. Then they let down, and we measure from the inside of the nock where it touches the string, to the mark on the shaft, and then ADD 1.75". This is anyones' AMO drawlength when setup with their preferrred equipment no matter which bow they shoot, and that measurement will not change unless one changes releases, loops, etc, or simply decide it is either too long or short for them.

I know many people who prefer to shoot "long" based on their anchor point with different releases. My thoughts on this-- Comfort is job one---You do not want tension anywhere--- nice relaxed form is paramount to good shooting habits and accuracy. So altho sometimes my customers may in fact be "off" according to "perfect drawlength", I usually overlook that a bit if I see the person is holding very steady and they say that is where it feels good and they are comfortable. "Perfect drawlength" IMHO is as individualistic as the setups themselves, due to each individuals' stature, so at the shop I maintain a close eye on steadiness of hold and correct alignment and form, moreso than I do "perfect" drawlength. Good shooting, Pinwheel 12

RE: Hmmmm? Am I right?
 

Agreed. By the Wingspan method I should be shooting a 27.5 to 28" draw. However because I have extremely wide shoulders and somewhat short arms, shooting that short of a draw is extremely uncomfortable, and hardly accurate. Because of my shoulder width I need to get up right around 29" AMO to 29 1/4" AMO (depending on loop length) To get my release arm back and in line for proper back tension.

There are way too many variables in our individual builds for the wingspan method to be anything but a general ball park.