Just wondering if you ever wound up doing any testing with these and how they performed? I've been messing around with a 4 fletch aae pro max and they are NOTICEABLY louder than a 3 fletch max stealth with a Arizona ez flex max helical
I tested 3 Max Stealth, 4 Max Stealth, 3 Blazer, 4 Tac Driver 2.75, 3 Iron Will Hybrids, 3 DCA Super Sabre (.55" tall), 3 mini DCA Super Sabre (.48").
4 feltch had 2 degree offset. 3 fletch all had 5 degree helical.
To answer your question if you don't want to read the whole post haha, the Iron Will Hybrids were the loudest I tried. I figured since I tested it and in case anyone else is in my position they can at least see my opinion on the these vanes and different configurations.
Arrow: 27.5" Victory RIP TKO. 150 point, 15 gr insert, 25 gr collar
Bow: Mathews Traverse 61# 28" Draw
Speed: 272 fps
Weight: 463gr-479 (DCA Super Sabre lightest-Max Stealh 4 Fletch)
I tested them at 85 yards with fixed blade heads. The Iron Will single bevel and Tuffhead 3 blade.
I'm no Levi Morgen, so any of this is just my opinion and experience from doing several test this summer.
Accuracy: The Tuffhead broadhead for whatever reason, the 3 fletch always shot better than the 4. Nothing ground breaking, the groupings were 1-3" larger on the 4 fletch vs 3 fletch. As far as the iron will I came to the conclusion they all shoot the same, and it really just depends more on the shooter. The Max stealths 3 and 4 fletch did shoot lower than the others. I don't have the equipment to test the speed down range at the target, but I didn't experience any parachuting effect. I tested even a 3 degree helical vs my 5 on the DCA Super Sabre and didn't have any noticeable difference at that 85 yard range. So, the only thing I could account for the drop was the arrow weight differences.
Crosswind: 3 fletch Max Stealth and both DCA Super Sabre (tall and minis) perform the best in a crosswind. 4 fletch drifted more than any of the other vanes and configurations.
Sound: I did't have a great way to measure sound other than with my phone and to have someone to stand off to the side and listen. This is where it got interesting because it was my Dad and he doesn't hunt. It was a good test to have someone with no experience with what arrows sound like to give some feedback. Quietest to Loudest: Tie: 3 fletch DCA Super Saber and Max Stealth, 4 Fletch Tac Driver 2.75, 4 fletch Max Stealth, 3 Fletch Blazer, and last 3 Fletch Iron Will Hybrid. Overall though, with a fixed head on the front, the sound issue in my opinion is splitting hairs. Blazer and Iron Will Hybrid were the only two that still had a noticeable louder hiss.
Durability: They all are plenty durable and this is being shot through BLOB target. So, through an animal I would expect them all to come out okay and the arrow to be able to be used again (as long as the arrow or inserts don't take any damage). The Iron Will Hybrid was probably the worst at retaining shape. Nothing that would affect the performance. The Tac vanes surprised me, with how stiff they are and reading about them not holding shape I was expecting them to be destroyed. They actually do retain their shape really well. Even being folded over if I left it for a day it was back to its original shape without applying heat. Not retaining shape is what convinced me to not use the Iron Will Hybrid.
Ease of Setup: Iron Will Hybrid, Blazer, Tie: Max Stealth and DCA Super Sabre, Tac Vanes. DCA Super Sabre advertise that a primer pen is not required, but with my wraps they were not adhering that well at first, but a primer pen resolved the issue. Iron Will and Blazer are the only two that don't require a primer. The thin base of the tac vanes quickly made me toss those out for even considering using them.
In my final opinion: Any of them will work for most arrow setups. If you shoot a larger broadhead, I could see 4 fletch and the taller vanes being the clear winners as far as groupings at long distance. I also read that if you shoot a heavy arrow that the 4 fletch is recommended. Taking the time tune the bow and arrow setup is what matters most. 4 fletch definitely hides any tuning issues better than a 3.
I decided try out the DCA Super Sabres Mini this season. Prior to this season I've been between max stealths 3 and 4 fletch. I'm definitely liking lower profile vanes for getting a little more clearance and 3 fletch for one saving time. I'm always back and forth on the looks 3 vs 4, but lately liked the looks of the 3. As long as the vane isn't too low of a profile, arrow setup (weight and broadhead) determines if an extra or taller vane is needed, wind drift if that is important in the area you hunt, what one looks "cool" to you, time to setup and last sound. Other than that they are all going to shoot fairly the same and do the job.
