When to move to a clicker?

[Rik]

Originally Posted by jathalls

Youve got it. Since the tip of the arrow should be very close to the clicker, you do need a good consistenet draw length to your anchor, without (he very common) symptom of initially drawing back further and hen relaxing a he hold while aiming.

Which is why it's a good idea to set up on the clicker. No guessing about the draw length - you can see when you've got it right.

[Ffish]

A paste from my journal entry today:

A lovely warm late summer’s afternoon, and I had the range to myself. Shooting into the sun was never going to be very pleasant, but I was just really keen to get some practice in with my clicker. Having been told by a few of the guys at the club that I should wait at least year before starting to use one, and everyone else on AIUK saying I should use one as soon as I’m feeling ready – well, I feel ready! If I’m going to use one eventually, then let’s get on with it!

<boring preamble about my round and score removed>

My thoughts on using the clicker – I’m surprised by how much more time it gives you at full draw, and that teeny weeny push on the bow hand is enough to make the clicker click, and then the release. My opinions on that are that (for me anyway) it gives me MUCH more time to aim the shot than I used to give myself, and that’s highlighted by the fact that I achieved a higher handicap rated score than I’ve ever managed before, so I reckon it’s giving me more time to aim properly, and also draw to a more consistent length. Some of my groups at both 80 and 60 were pretty darn good, and I hit a 48 for one end at 60, so that was good.

The one thing I will criticise it for though, is nocking the arrow – it’s a right pain in the bum – holding the clicker open, sliding the arrow through (with a tab on), and making sure the clicker doesn’t spring under the arrow as you’re sliding it through. There must be an easy way to do this?

All in all though, I feel comfortable using the clicker, and I’ll continue using it now in preparation for the Double American at Aquarius in October. It helped me today, and I think it can stay on my bow!

[wingate_52]

It does give you the time to focus on the gold and aim properly. After a while it becomes part of the cycle and is no problem. The main problem is all the re-learning and possible lower scores whilst you get used to it. I have been shooting my clicker for some 8 months and I am getting used to it. So much better for supporting the arrow without it falling off the rest. Also the rest can support the arrow, not cradle it when used with the clicker. Mine does not half stick out with the fatboys indoors.

[wingate_52]

Nfinite is a quality archer. He achieves these scores without a clicker. The choice of equipment is down to the archer.

[Rik]

Originally Posted by Ffish

The one thing I will criticise it for though, is nocking the arrow – it’s a right pain in the bum – holding the clicker open, sliding the arrow through (with a tab on), and making sure the clicker doesn’t spring under the arrow as you’re sliding it through. There must be an easy way to do this?

Some people have things set so that they can just slide the shaft under the clicker without lifting it (slide arrow down under clicker and nock it onto string - simple).
I do things backward though. I like to nock the arrow then put it on the rest under the clicker. Um, couldn't tell you the exact sequence of movements though - it's so automatic I can't visualise them...

[geoffretired]

Originally Posted by Ffish

My thoughts on using the clicker – I’m surprised by how much more time it gives you at full draw, and that teeny weeny push on the bow hand is enough to make the clicker click, and then the release. My opinions on that are that (for me anyway) it gives me MUCH more time to aim the shot than I used to give myself, and that’s highlighted by the fact that I achieved a higher handicap rated score than I’ve ever managed before, so I reckon it’s giving me more time to aim properly, and also draw to a more consistent length. Some of my groups at both 80 and 60 were pretty darn good, and I hit a 48 for one end at 60, so that was good.

Your comments on giving you more time to aim are very interesting.
So often, the clicker is seen as something else to bother about. I see it as not having to bother about the drawing elbow moving the wrong way . Not having to bother about whether the draw length is the same or not. The clicker removes those concerns. You then get a larger proportion of time to see what is happening at the sight end, even if the actual time spent is the same. Did you feel that you were able to concentrate on the aim and the draw with fewer distractions?

[Ffish]

Originally Posted by geoffretired

Your comments on giving you more time to aim are very interesting.
Did you feel that you were able to concentrate on the aim and the draw with fewer distractions?

Sorry Geoff - been meaning to reply to this for a while, but never got round to it!

I felt that the draw was something I was actually thinking less about, and I was focussing more on the crosshair of the sight settling on the gold than anything else. It did take me a few ends to get the hang of it though, and I found myself watching the tip of the arrow as I was at full draw, rather than the target. But having settled my draw length to what feels to me a consistent distance now, I felt it easier and more relaxing to simply watch and settle the sights onto the target as I draw back.

What I did noticed sometimes though, is that on the odd occasion, I was having to come down as I wasn't pulling right through the clicker, and it felt like the sensation of having one longer arrow. Obviously this isnt the case, and I was just having a lazy shot. I think these are the shots that you dont realise you're doing until you have a clicker fitted.

[geoffretired]

Ffish, thanks for the reply.
It seems you have got the hang of the clicker fairly quickly. It also seems that you are making good use of it. You are able to concentrate on the aim and the draw without distractions and without "thinking" .Sopunds good to me.

[BowSurfer]

Originally Posted by Rik

Some people have things set so that they can just slide the shaft under the clicker without lifting it (slide arrow down under clicker and nock it onto string - simple).
I do things backward though. I like to nock the arrow then put it on the rest under the clicker. Um, couldn't tell you the exact sequence of movements though - it's so automatic I can't visualise them...

I use the technique of sliding the arrow under the clicker - it is quite easy to do (even easier now I have a magnetic clicker which gives a wider slot to get the arrow into), but I found that it was wearing away the bay. At least the paint/powder coat/whatever, got worn down to the bare alloy, so now I put a little bit of tank tape over the spot to reduce wear on the bow and also on the arrows.