Do Tac Driver 2.75 vanes maintain more down range speed than 2" Blazers?

My experience with both vanes and down range chrono testing results

[@yerfdogd]

Sorry for my late responses, had a knee replacement a few months ago and am just now getting back into a normal routine. Working PT hard and starting to get back on the bicycle. Hope to be one stick climbing and saddle hunting ready by October.

[@darkknightstrikes]

Great video good to see this. Hope you are recovering from your knee surgery and look forward to seeing you at the range soon.

[@yerfdogd]

After re-watching my video, I realized that it probably sounded like I wasn't happy with the tac driver 2.75 vanes. Actually I am quite happy with them because I'm getting more steering (longer and stiffer vane) without loosing speed and I'm hoping that the reports of less sound produced down range are true which means a higher percentage of clean kills due to the animal having less time to respond to the sound of the arrow. I don't doubt that if I compared the Blazers to the tac driver 2.0 that the tac drivers would maintain more speed, even if only because it would create a lighter arrow. Thanks for all your comments.

[@MikeyWoomer]

Great video.. have you ever tested hard helical vs less helical at longer distances? I'm looking to test this and I keep hearing that it will get slower with a hard helical at longer ranges. I'm more curious than anything I guess. Thank you sir. Hope you make more videos . I just found u and I just subscribed.

[@jodypunt9942]

Yes. It sure does. There is a Video, with Levi Morgan, and he explains all about it... Less Helical, for longer Range.

[@RealRadNek]

Very nice comparison. Sounds like there’s no difference. How about noise? Great job Dennis!

[@TomOnTheRun]

Great video vs marketing hype! Preach the truth. Thanks for sharing. Only other comment/question is arrow noise.

[@yerfdogd]

Thanks, I agree and hope someone will do a scientific comparison of the sound of an approaching arrow down range w several different vanes. I tried it using an audio recording app on my phone but didn't trust the data because it wasn't consistent.

[@TomOnTheRun]

@@yerfdogd I know for a fact sitting safely to the side watching my boys shoot 60 yards to their target and the whistle from a blazer vanes are shockingly loud.

[@MikeyWoomer]

The bohning sure do fletch way easier for me personally

[@br4nd0nh347]

I have a bad problem, not sure what I'm doing wrong. I fletched my aluminum arrows with tac vanes, and as soon as they are dried, they are warped... I've tried with primer, no primer, acetone, same thing. I tried correcting it with steam, but that doesn't work. Any tips?

[@brianeustace4175]

If you use zero offset with a helical jig they can warp, try large offset on one.

[@MikeyWoomer]

9:28 I have that same scale.. and I took the plastic cover and cut a notch into the sides to hold my arrows better haha. I found with my scale its touchy.. doesn't take much to be off a grain or 2. If I slide the arrows one way or another or if there is any air moving lol

[@timbow50]

Some good info. I'm into little things like this with my arrows, bows and other archery equipment. A little OCD my son says lol. I'm assuming you didn't have issues with the bases mounting flush with your offset. I am thinking of trying like different sets like 1 and 2 deg. offsets and maybe 3 deg. helical if they are pliable enough? What are your thoughts on how pliable they are?

[@yerfdogd]

They were not easy to fletch with, but I had seen a video that recommended clamping them higher up from the base to allow them to flex enough to make a good connection. And even then I ended up apply extra pressure between fingers and thumb to get the base in place. You definitely want to spend a little time adjusting and practicing before you start gluing.

[@BWB-vb9xb]

I run a helical 4 fletch on a .204 arrow. I use the TAC glue and primer pen, I don't have issues with my TAC Driver vanes, I love them! I've shot through targets, horse stall mats, buried in the dirt. They maintain their form...Blazers and AAE are trash compared to TAC, plus the GPI of TAC vanes are much lower, you can run 4 TAC Drivers for the same weight as 3 Blazer or AAE.

[@stevecrader3479]

@@BWB-vb9xb Same. I switched to the 2.75" TAC driver, using their primer pen and glue. I run them on my X Cutters for 3D and Axis 300 for Elk/deer. Amazing vanes. I've blown through targets, just put them to the side and they come back as straight as the day they were glued on. I've yet to have one come off, I do sit them a little higher in the clamp and put a decent amount of pressure on them for 10-15 secs before removing the clamp. Gonna try a 4 fletch with (probably) the 2" driver later this year as a comparison. Just like you, I was amazed at the weight, especially considering how stiff they are.

[@BWB-vb9xb]

@@stevecrader3479 Shooting field points, I didn't notice a difference between the vane length, but fixed blades, you definitely get a different performance with the vane lengths. I started with the 2" and then the 2.5 and 2.75. The 2.75 gave me the greatest stability and accuracy with fixed blades...out to like 75 yards. I also have a 31" draw length and run a high FOC, so I think with all that , I needed the extra vane length. Good luck, hope you have a fun 3D and hunting season!

[@stevecrader3479]

@@BWB-vb9xb Thanks for that. Reinforces what I expect to find. Went to 150gr fixed blade last year, but didn't want to change vanes right before heading west. I run 29.75" d/l @ 73#, and the Axis setup runs 497gr. Been shooting them @ 60-80 so far and they're more consistent than I am LOL.

[@Steve-ce1mh]

Great video. What helical and offset you using on the vanes?

[@cyberadventures4845]

hmmmm. no reply! lol I hear your arrow will spin opposite your string twist direction. Hope this helps. Also 4 degree offset is good start! Micro diameter arrows not so much!

[@yerfdogd]

Using an old Bitzenburger w RH helical clamp adjusted to get the maximum twist while still being able to get solid base to shaft contact. So I don't remember the specs on the jig, but if I had to guess, maybe 2°

[@rick31869]

AWESOME VIDEO DENNIS THE MENACE LOL ,,,,, TRY IT WITH A RIGHT HELICAL 2 1/2 DEGREE OFFSET ! PLACE VANES 1 1/4 INCHES FROM BASE OF NOCK ! ....WHATS THAT BOW YOU ARE SHOOTING BROTHER ?

[@yerfdogd]

That is a Bear Arena 30, which blew up on me 2 weeks ago (lower limb broke) and is in the shop. I put as much rh helical as my Bitzenburger would allow and still have good contact.

[@damienhaydon2703]

Try that down range speed at 70 yards and let us know , I use the tac driver 2.25 and they're great, not saying they're faster than blazers but definitely quieter, and being so light they give you just a fly shit more foc, about 4.5 grains , well done ,good stuff mate , it's good to see reality, as we know there's lots of claims out there, IBO at 344 , shoots through the crono and gets 332, zero peep twist, back at the shop 4 times getting everything back in spec , nice work cheers mate

[@zachtylka6851]

I’d be curious about the comparison of two similarly-sized vanes, like the Blazer and the Tac Driver 2”. I think the data here is good, but it’s a bit apples to oranges.

[@reaganriddle]

I think the whole purpose here was how common the blazer is vs the driver. I don’t think there is a more widely used vane than the blazer

[@BWB-vb9xb]

@@reaganriddle when I switched from 2" Blazer to 2" TAC Drivers my point of impact was 4 inches higher at 60 yards with the TAC vanes. Apparently I'm not the only who has found this to be true, and it appears that this video is trying to prove/disprove that. But comparing a 2" vane to a 2.75" vane isn't an equal comparison. Also, the weight of Blazer vanes compared to TAC are much heavier. With 2" TAC vanes, it seems that you can shoot a flatter trajectory or it maintains speed down range better than the Blazers.

[@yerfdogd]

Actually, the Tac Driver 2.75 and the 2 in Blazers are on average the same weight. At least the ones I was working with.

[@yerfdogd]

Thanks for watching, the reason I did this comparison is because the TAC people were promoting this vane as a better option (for fixed blade broadheads) than the 2" std Blazers, and as it turns out they actually weigh about the same.

[@BWB-vb9xb]

@@yerfdogd that is one of the benefits of the TAC vanes, you can get a larger better performing vane for the same weight as the standard blazer that is on just about every arrow. They help in managing FOC.

[@IntuitiveUniversity]

I can't afford good arrows myself but I assume the results wouldn't be similar If you put a spoiler on a Honda civic vs a Ferrari. What I mean is you might find more of difference trying the same experiment on thin on 4mm match grade arrows. IDK but this idea seems to have some logic to me. Thanks for the video. I'll like and subscribe, l look forward to seeing more videos.

[@yerfdogd]

Thanks for the reply. Actually I used to only shoot pro series or the middle series (.003") until I saw my hunting buddy shooting 6" groups at 70 m with these Sportsmans Club (hunter series. 006") . I switched and they shot exactly the same as my old GT XT hunter (.003). I also shot the GT Pierce arrows for a while and did not find them to shoot any better. Although they definitely had better penitration which became problematic at the outdoor range I frequent. (Pass thru s and damaged fletchings). That's my 2 cents anyway.

[@michaelbushey2787]

You shouldn't ever move your rest. It should always be 13/16th from the riser. You should be tuning your cams

[@BWB-vb9xb]

Why would you test 2" Blazers against 2.75" TAC Drivers as a comparison? Shoot the 2" TAC Driver against a 2" blazer, then put out the results. And you can run a 4 fletch 2" TAC Driver setup for the same weight as you can as 3 Blazer vanes. You have more options for nock position with the 4 vane set up, or you can stick with a 3 vane TAC setup to increase FOC if you're concerned about that. But the 2" vs 2.75 inch comparison just doesn't make sense. People typically increase the length of their vanes to increase stability with broadheads.

[@yerfdogd]

Because the TAC people were promoting this vane as a better option (for fixed blade broadheads) than the 2" std Blazers.

[@BWB-vb9xb]

@@yerfdogd it is, but you could also argue that any 2.75" vane is better for a fixed blade than a 2" vane. I think TAC Driver vanes are awesome though, find the one that works best for you.

[@yerfdogd]

@@BWB-vb9xb I've only shot the 2.75's, but I really do think they are awesome also and now that I've had some miles on them even more. One benefit is that if fetched properly, they don't come off. Even with a few target pass thru(s), they not only stay on, but eventually return to their shape.

[@BWB-vb9xb]

@@yerfdogd I agree. The only time I have issues with them is if I don't set them in the jig right. And I usually find that out as I'm fletching, not when I'm shooting. I'm really happy with them, I don't see myself changing to another brand. Hope you have a great season!

[@yerfdogd]

@@BWB-vb9xb You also, thanks for all the feedback

[@AnalogAssassin1]

As hunter's and 3D archer's, "down range" means 60+ yards...not 40. Sorry, but this test is a wash as it is not a variable distance. There are literally dozens of videos, using extremely expensive equipment to monitor speeds at 60, 70 and 80 yards...all of which show the TD scrub far less speed at true distance.