Archery Ballistics Study | Vane Performance Overview
Overview
This article analyzes the vane performance data from our study, focusing on aerodynamic drag, restorative lift, and sound across all vane combinations.
Below is a quick summary of each metric. For further details, see our methods page or review the raw data.
Aerodynamic Drag
We measured arrow speeds at 0.5 yards, 30 yards, and 60 yards with Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronographs. Using the Precision Cut Archery ballistics engine, we calculated the drag constant for each vane setup for a true apples-to-apples comparison.
Restorative Lift
Think of this as the vane’s ability to steer a broadhead or correct a less-than-perfect shot. We quantified this by measuring how far a fixed-blade broadhead deviated from a fixed reference point at 70 yards, using an out-of-tune bow and a shooting machine.
Sound
This is the weighted overall sound pressure level produced by each vane combination, as heard by both whitetail deer and humans. All sound testing was performed by the Archery Sound Lab.
Everything in One Plot
This chart shows the aerodynamic drag constant, restorative lift, and overall sound pressure level for every vane combination in the study.
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 vane combination.
If you only check out one chart, make it this one!
(louder = purple)
Sight Tape Comparison
Here’s a comparison of sight tapes for the most drag-efficient vane, the average across all vanes, and the least drag-efficient vane. All tapes were generated for a 450 grain arrow at 280 fps with a DA of 5000 ft—the only variable changed was aerodynamic drag.
The differences between tapes become even more pronounced with faster speeds, higher air density, or lighter arrows. This example is just one scenario, shown for illustration.
This is a simple, visual way to see how aerodynamic drag affects arrows downrange—and why properly accounting for drag is critical for accurate long-range sight tapes. (And, why you may want to choose a vane with less drag!)
Aerodynamic Drag
This chart shows the aerodynamic drag constant for every vane combination in the study, plotted with 95% confidence intervals.
Lower drag means less wind drift, less drop, and more energy carried downrange. In short: lower is better.
Normalized Wind Drift
This chart shows simulated, normalized wind drift for every vane combination in the study, 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.
Vane Noise, Whitetail Deer
This chart shows the weighted overall sound pressure level for every vane combination in the study, 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.
Vane Noise, Human
This chart shows the weighted overall sound pressure level for every vane combination in the study, 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.
Vane Fixed Blade Displacement
This chart shows the fixed blade horizontal displacement for every vane combination 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.