We tested three different vanes with 0°, 2°, and 4° helical.
This article analyzes the data from our study, focusing on aerodynamic drag, restorative lift, and sound across these helical configurations.
This chart shows the aerodynamic drag constant, restorative lift, and overall sound pressure level for the 0°, 2°, and 4° helical configurations.
Dots that are yellower (quieter) and closer to the bottom-left corner are the best performers based on our test results. Hover over each dot to see the details for that helical configuration.
Please note that we accidentally skipped the 0° Max Stealth configuration, so it is omitted from the data here.
This chart shows the aerodynamic drag constant for these combinations, plotted with 95% confidence intervals.
Lower drag means less wind drift, less drop, and more energy carried downrange. In short: lower is better.
This chart shows simulated, normalized wind drift for these combinations, with 95% confidence intervals.
Wind drift was modeled using the Precision Cut Archery ballistics engine, simulating a 450-grain arrow launched at 280 fps in a 10 mph crosswind.
The first plot is at 80 yards and the second at 120 yards. Wind drift increases with arrow drag and wind speed, and scales with the square of the distance.
This chart shows the weighted overall sound pressure level for these combinations, with 95% confidence intervals, as it would be heard by a whitetail deer.
Note: a 10 dB increase in sound is roughly equivalent to a doubling of perceived loudness.
This chart shows the weighted overall sound pressure level for these combinations, with 95% confidence intervals, as it would be heard by a human.
Note: a 10 dB increase in sound is roughly equivalent to a doubling of perceived loudness.
This chart shows the fixed blade horizontal displacement for every helical configuration in the study, with 95% confidence intervals.
Lower values indicate that the vane did a better job steering the fixed-blade broadhead, which will translate to more forgiveness with broadheads or with a less-than-perfect shot.