My overall results for the new AAE Trad Vanes. All shots were at 15 yards using a Toelke Whip. The 4" vanes (black and orange) were difficult to fletch. They are VERY soft and pliable. The base wants to turn once pressure is added. They flew well. I tried 2" rayzr 4 fletch, my standard 4" turkey feathers and the AAEs. The group pictured was typical. The field points are 200 grains

Keep us posted on the durability, I’m intrigued.

How do they do at 25 or 30 yards?

I fletched up an arrow to test, as well. Grouped right with the others at 30yds...

Maybe me, but I did have to orient the vanes "cock feather" in (usually shoot cock feather up)

Yes I can see where cock feather in would help.

If you're having to turn the cock feather in, it's a spine issue. Also, why are the two arrows impacting the target differently? And it's not the bag target allowing that.

Pretty interesting. That being said, if the arrow/bow combination is properly tuned, I would expect nothing less than for them to impact together.

If you had to change the vane orientation compared to the other arrows then it really wasn't a good learning experienc. If you can't shoot both types of fletching, with the same orientation, then they aren't behaving the same coming off the bow.

FDP, I was on the same train. "If you can't shoot both types of fletching, with the same orientation, then they aren't behaving the same coming off the bow." That being said, I am still a little fuzzy on the "cock feather" in statement i have read a lot. Virtually no one I know uses cock feathers when fletching. All fletchings/vanes are the same, not one more stiff. SO it is just a pattern and turning one fletch or vane whichever you are shooting verses one inside, down, whatever is just that. It's a pattern rotation, and NOTHING to do with an actual "cock feather" or stiff vane. I am not trying to stir the pot, or de-rail the topic, but just would like maybe someone to clarify the Cock feather statement that gets thrown around. I will go back to my first statement now. IF you have to turn the pattern of fletch then it is a tuning issue just as FDP stated, in that the vanes are not leaving the shelf the same.

-Bones

If you have to tunn the cock feather in, you're not tuned properly. Just think if it. You can't get clearence with an hen at say 60ish degrees to a corner of a rest, but you get clearence with the cock feather at 90 to the window. How could that be better???

So they group together! AT 30 YARDS. Big deal. There's going to be 20 grains differnce in arrow weight??? 35 grains max. Most wood arrows differ that much, so they should group. BUT it's in the back of the arrow which makes it stiffer.

Do they impact the target at 90? I don't know the difference in weight between a 4 inch feather and 4 inch vane, but that weight on the back of the arrow will need and increase in weight at the front of the arrow to maintain the same dynamic spine.

We'd need a hooter shooter to figure it out and IF it makes a big difference. My basic point is that 5 grains in the back is 10-15... in the front to be the same

Bowmania

Absolutely not a tuning issue. I have shot literally 100's of barr shafts along with fletched to get them grouped together. I have also shot the feathers and vanes through paper, and both are making a beautiful hole. Not a tuning issue

The vane arrow is angled down because the feathered one pushed it down. The arrows are touching. They vane arrow just seemed to like cock in...why is beyond me, and kinda of irrelevant if I still get great flight and hit where I need/want. I'm certainly not at an Olympic level where a minuscule difference at impact is noticeable to me

With vanes, they are ~7gr-10 heavier (at the back,) and lower profile. Beyond ~30yds,they show slightly weak. HOWEVER, with as well as they fly at 30yds in the sun, group with my others, I am 100% sold they will be perfect for 20yds or less in wet weather

I like them, am fairly impressed with performance, and will have two in my quiver for our wonderful Pacific Northwest weather

25yds this morning

Anyone shot them withbroadheads yet?

If they are not flying well with the cock feather out, then you can claim it's not a tuning issue all you want, but it is. The vane turned in (cock feather in) is clearing the rest and the cock feather out isn't. That's a tuning issue.

Now that said, if they are supposed to be forgiving as feathers, then it wouldn't be an issue. You can take the stiffest vanes on the market and have them work by adjusting for vane clearance. Just because they group together doesn't mean they are tuned either. At 15 yards I can group untuned 2117 arrows right with my 2016 which are tuned. The 2117 still hits home, but they ain't leaving the bow flawlessly. Get out to about 40 yards and you will see differences most likely. Will wait for more input.

Mr. Stout... I have always respected your knowledge and opinions, but in this instance I must respectfully disagree

At 30-40 yds, bare shaft/feather/vane all group TOGETHER. I have also put all three through paper at 5/10/20/35 yds...ALL making the exact hole one wants

I shoot off the shelf, so not a rest clearance issue. Feather orientation makes zero difference. And bare are as straight as I am capable at every distance I shoot...and I shoot bare shaft at 35yds to verify tune...same impact as feathers, and same as the vanes

Perhaps, it is possible, that my sweet spot is on the "bubble"...and that may be the difference. Or, more likely, I will not worry about it because they are for 20yds or less in inclement weather...and go exactly where I want

I shot several a bit ago with my bh's, and right where I wanted (20yds)

I appreciate the feedback, though, and will also wait to hear others' experiences

Bloody hell I may have to order some and test them during the wet season here in the land down under.

I'm no expert or do I claim to be the best shot in the neighborhood. I bought some 4" vanes as well and shoots well at 20 yards. Only built one 600 spine and shooting a 39# recurve. I was interested in the durability verses feathers. Will see what happens down the road.For me I enjoy trying new stuff.

papajud, think about you are saying, If you have to change the orientation of the arrow to get it to fly correctly there is a tuning issue of some sort period.

I think the final answer is the composition of the vanes... basically, they are NOT feathers

But, they will do what I need in the wonderful fall weather I hunt in

I agree. They are very soft and very pliable. Durability will take some time to determine. I just fletched some up this afternoon when I got home from work. I shot three arrows, 2 with vanes and 1 with feathers...these were my first shots of the day.

Vane Orientation is the same as feathers Distance is 20yds Arrow flight was very straight. Arrow flight was very quiet

I fletched up one with 4"-4 fletch and it went where it was supposed to. I was also very surprised by quiet they are in flight. This was the first shot at 20yds.

I would be interested to know if 2 inch blazer vanes with broad heads would do in comparison to your results.Most of what I have read says a stick on rest at least is needed to shoot vanes on recurve bows.

Bassman, that is SOP. But these vanes were designed specifically to shoot off the shelf. Blazers are taller and super stiff. I can hypothesize with great certainty that blazers would not yield the same results off the shelf.

Correct, blazers are too stiff and require a rest.

I also fletched up 4 4inch, 75 105, and have been shooting with 150 grain 4 blade magnus and 145 grain field points. I have 3 arrows with AAE vanes and 3 with same 4 x 4 wild turkey feathers in my side quiver. Been shooting both for last 2 weeks and cant see any difference in flight between vanes and feathers with broadheads or field points. The AAE babes are hard to fletch-low profile, soft and kinda floppy. Have to position them carefully before gluing. They seem to be very tough. I've pulled them through a homemade box target several times that usually badly deforms feathers but didn't harm the vanes. I like them!

Just asked,because I have some Blazers.I have 2 bows set up with plunger buttons, and flipper rests. Just for kicks some time I will try Blazers with that set up with a broad head.

Let us know. Ain't this fun?

Papajud, You don't have a tuning issue with your feathers only the vanes. If you have to turn them then they have interference. It is no big deal but something is different or you could orient them the same. That is where the elevated rest shines it gives them clearance. You could fix it but is it worth the trouble? I have some Blazer feathers. Best of both worlds. >>>>-----> Ken

I think the idea of these new vanes is that you can shoot off the shelf. Ive changed all my bows to a flipper rest and modified the shelf a bit and get excellent flight with vanes. I would like eliminate the flipper rest if possible. Would like to see pictures of the shelf on the bows that are shooting these new vanes. Thanks Frank.

I have only fletched up one arrow so far, but nothing negative to report. I thought they were extremely easy to fit/glue up. I truly cannot hear a thing when shot, looking forward to trying some 3" when they are released. Thanks AAE and Snyder!

If you have to turn the cock feather in, that means it's otherwise hitting the shelf or plate if not turned in. Tell me why you would call that tuned. Tuning involves all those aspects, including vane orientation. Turning the vane it tunes the arrow, not turning it in lets an untuned arrow. What I'm saying is I can do that with any vane on the market today, and if the AAE are kicking due to vane strike, you can't say they are forgiving as feathers.

I've said before I've nothing against vanes and have used them in the past, and even have some now. I'm saying they are not as forgiving as feathers as was touted here on the advertising.

For those interested (and non-interested) parties...

It appears my tie-on nock had slid down ~1/16, and was causing the issue coming off the shelf

Fixed, and the vanes are STILL flying great and grouping with the others... and, orientation is same as feathers

So there ya go

For those interested (and non-interested) parties...

It appears my tie-on nock had slid down ~1/16, and was causing the issue coming off the shelf

Fixed, and the vanes are STILL flying great and grouping with the others... and, orientation is same as feathers

So there ya go

That would sure do it Jud.

Ole Paul Shafer did it with old time vanes.

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