Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

Im shooting a Browning Rage and have only been shooting my bow for a couple of months now. When I shoot it feels good, I can shoot good groups, and I dont think its very loud. Im shooting 29" draw and 60 # weight. *I have no stabilizer and no vibration control gadgets*

In magazines and all over the place everyones bow is loaded with stabilizer and all sorts of vibration control gadgets all over the place.

Stabilizers - If it feels fine the way it is...do yall think this would help me shoot better?

Vibration/Noise control - vibration doesnt bother me as is...but should I put some limbsavers or other on to get the bow as quiet as possible?

Whatever equipment you feel is necessary I get what brands and kind do you guys like?

Or do I K.I.S.S. like I have been................Thanks!

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

Not always.

Most bowhunters, including myself, refer to the stabilizer as a…..well…. a stabilizer. :)However, in the true sense of a actual stabilizer, the short extensions on a typical hunting bow does very little to stabilize the bow, if at all.

I use a hunting stabilizer that has a shock and noise dampening ability, as most are designed today, and just enough weight to cause the bow to slightly fall forward after I shoot.

If you are shooting well and the hand-shock and noise is minimal, I would not be concerned with adding weight (stabilizer) to the bow or any other device that has a tendency to rob energy from the bow (limb savers).

Anytime you can keep from adding things to a bow, you are ahead of the game.

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

On some single cams a stabilzer is quite beneficial. Quite a few have a significant kick on the shot, coming from the cam. A stabilizer can really dampen this. There is also quite a bit of vibration reduction and most will reduce torque, though probably not a lot.

When it comes to adding Sims products like string leeches, cable dampeners and limb savers, there is no down side that I can see. They will reduce noise and vibration in virtually every instance, which can make a shot feel much better and sound much quieter. The fact that they are not expensive makes them a good investment in my view. I've even heard that they can extend limb and riser life, when removing vibration. I don't know if that has been proven, but it sounds reasonable to me.

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

Great info...I think one of the reasons I dont feel the need for these items is because Im so new to the sport. I just dont think this bow doesnt feels stable enough or this bow shocks my hand too much as Im shooting.

The only thing I am unsure of its noise level. I dont think it is very loud (no where near as loud as my friends crossbow), but I also have not shot at a whitetail with my bow yet. I have hunted with a rifle for 2 years so I guess I really dont know what quiet enough is. Maybe it will just be trial and error.

Thanks for the help c903.

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

Straightarrow -

I think your right on how the vibration/sound control products can do nothing but help with my shot. c903 brought up a good point about it robbing energy, but with the heavy use of these items I see, I dont think it takes too much speed away. I am on a tight budget so I might toy with some of the cheaper Sims products.

Now comes another question,

Since some stabilizers also reduce noise/vibration, and I am on a tight budget, for the money what would be a good product (whether it be a stabilizer or string/limb attachment) to go with first since I dont have the doe to get them all?

I know you guys get these beginner questions all the time so I appreciate you helping me out.

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

Much of a bow's noise comes from the vibrating string after the shot.

For just a few bucks you can install some string silencers (rubber whiskers are probably the cheapest) that will reduce the noise level greatly, IMO.

I am a big fan of the Limb Saver mushroom shaped gadgets, too, but they don't seem to contribute as much to overall noise reduction as do the simple string silencers like rubber whiskers (the Sims string leaches do work well too, but are more difficult to install than whiskers.)

Good luck and have fun!

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

First of all, the only person who has to be satisfied is you. If you want to keep it simple and are shooting well, then have at it.:D

If you know a friend who might let you borrow a stabilizer to try, you could find out if it would make a worthwhile difference. One thing to think about is that if you are planning to hunt with a bow quiver, the stabilizer (even a cheap solid one) will make your bow more resistant to torque which could cause problems with broadhead flight and accuracy.

Now, I've gotta say that the first bow I ever put Limb Savers on was pretty quiet, or at least I thought so. I read on forums like this one about how effective they were, so I tried them. At the first shot, my jaw must have dropped. I could actually hear the click of my release opening!
If you are on a budget, then the $12-15 that solid limb savers cost will be well worth it. They don't slow the arrow to any significant degree, if at all. All of the rest of the Sims products pale in their effectiveness compared to Limb Savers, IMO. Well worth the cost.;)

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

If for no other reason install one to protect the bow and accesories ( sight etc.. ) from damaging vibrations.
BD

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

Anyone ever ask his or herself: Why does my bow need components that dampen vibration, shock, noise, protect the bow and components from damage, etc, more than was ever required in the past?

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

Elephant hunter, I was in the same situation as you a few years ago. I really did not see the need for all that when I was please with how my set up shot. Then one day I shot six different stablizers on my bow. I narrowed it down to 2 different ones that really seemd to help keep me from moving my pin around so much waiting to release. I came back the next day and shot both stablizers until I picked the one that worked the best for me. Yes I could hit the target before but now my groups are much tighter.

Same thing with the limb savers. These guys gave you some great info on that topic. I put some on and could tell there was a reduction in vibration. Because you have been shooting without, this will make it easier for you to tell the difference when you put some on.

Give both a try, the limb savers are only $15 and most bow shops will let you test shoot stablizers, you don't have to buy one if you don't want to.

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

If the add ons don't feel good to you don't shoot them! there are plenty of hunters that do not like a stabilizer or wrist sling on their bows. Shoot what ou like & forget what everyone else is using!

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

With all these good opinions and some research ive done I think I am just going to leave it the way it is (besides cheap stuff like sims products). With a small budget I think my money would be better spent on other things such as clothing and etc. I rifle hunt as well so I cant put all my focus on my bow (although Im obsessed with it right now!)

Thanks for all the opinions, this is a great board;)

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

elephanthunter - glad you made the choice yourself! Sometimes it's best to use what you want instead of what someone else uses!

Good Luck this fall!

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

I would say the simms stuff is the best stuff you can get for the money. You just can't go wrong getting it. Even if it doesn't make it quieter, or take some of the forward momentum out of the bow. It is still going to soak up some of the vibration and ulltimately be better for your bow. At sixteen or so dollars it is sort of like cheap insurance or something. And unlike a lot of archery gear that is iffy, a bit hokey, or even down right retarded, the simms stuff works. PERIOD! It's a proven fact. I would say the best inovation in archery in long time.

I broke a cable once on by bow at full draw and it exploded. The whole bow came apart. One limb went one way, the other went another way. Knocked me right on my but and bruised my face it came apart so hard. Then I have dry fired it by accident a few times since then. Didn't do a freakin thing to my limbs or axles. Didn't even knock any accessories loose. I think it was because of all the simms stuff on my bow.

As far a stabilizer, you really need to shoot with one to find out. And the particular type size will make a difference as well. Every bow is a bit different. The best thing to do is to find a shop that will let you shoot a few on your bow to see what you think. Or try a buddies or something. I personally like them and think they help, especially at longer distances.

Good luck,
Paul

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

"Some stabilizers"?:D IMO todays stabilizer manufacturers have forgotten the true need for a stabilizer. It seems that their all about vibration dampening and nothing else. Years ago I could get stabilizers in all different lengths and weights , now the majority of the companys only offer two lengths (maybe) and two weights which seldom go more than 8 ounces.[&:]

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

IMO The bow stabalizer is just for that - to stabalize the bow - I kinda wonder about the quick connects and flexible stab. add ons. Doesn't the vibration occur ahead of the stab on the riser itself?

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

The biggest reason I use the short hunting stabilizers, is for balance. Many bows need a little weight in that area, to keep the bow from jumping too much on the shot. There isn't much we can do about reducing torque with a short stabilizer, but it can still be a very useful accessory.

Although none of these add-ons are absolutely necessary, many of us like to tweak our set-ups to get the balance and feel that we prefer. Few people prefer a bow with more vibration, more noise or more recoil on the shot. Some manufacturers are now realizing this and produce bows that are so good out of the box, that these add-ons don't do as much as they will when put on other bows.

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

A good stabilizer and cat whiskers is all I need but I shoot 2219s so the weight of my arrow soaks up most of the energy from my bow. The lighter the arrow the more vibration.

RE: Everyone Uses Them, But Are They Necessary?
 

Lots of today's bows are developing very large amounts of stored energy for faster speeds and greater kinetic energy, some of which is not transfered into some of today's lighter arrows. Heavier arrows do a good job of quieting any bow. Quote,, "more than ever required in the past" Limb Savers weren't invented back in 1960 but if they would have been available then,,, they would have sold lots.