AAE Plastifletch MAX tested

[Christopher Lee]

I posted up some time back to see if anyone had heard about these fletches.



Well, I managed to buy the 1.6 parabolic and 2.9 shield cuts in, and so far, they have been working out great!

As with the old Plastifletch, there's no preperation involved save for ensuring that my shafts are clean. I just used a cyaoacralate glue and everything was all set.



Flight on my AXIS FMJs appear to be very straight in cross-winds, but the real test came when I deliberately torqued my release and ripped it to launch the arrow askew. The vanes corrected the flight very quickly at around 10-15 meters (by visual observation).

They also perform exceptionaly well in heavy rain. This was my best group shot at 76m in a storm.



Just wanted to share what I found in case you're looking for a fletch that may offer faster/better correction. I do not work for AAE and neither am I sponsored by them.

[Toxitalk]

I have been trying to find out whats the difference is between the two, is one any real advantage over the other if you shoot fita?

[pHz]

shields look cooler

not sure theres any other measurable difference unless youre a VERY good archer

slainte rob

[Shirt]

Shield cuts cause more drag.

Dunno what the percentage effect is on small ones, but for feathers:
3" shield ~ 4" parabolic
4" shield ~ 5" parabolic.

My experience was that Flex-fletch 187 shields fell about a foot lower at 90m compared to AAE Plastifletch EP16s. Of course, that could well be me being chronically inept.

[Toxitalk]

So at a guess. Im thinking if you shoot a fast bow, shields may be the answer when shooting shorter distances when the arrow is not straightening up quick enough.

But for longer distances, shields would put you at a dis advantage.

The old two sets of arrows thing all over again.

[pHz]

Originally Posted by Shirt

Shield cuts cause more drag.
Dunno what the percentage effect is on small ones, but for feathers:
3" shield ~ 4" parabolic
4" shield ~ 5" parabolic.
My experience was that Flex-fletch 187 shields fell about a foot lower at 90m compared to AAE Plastifletch EP16s. Of course, that could well be me being chronically inept.

nah - probably right - havent done a direct parabolic to shield comparison - i went parabolic > kurlys > AAE max shields > bohning x-vanes (with a fair bit of toing and froing in that journey) and sight marks have never radically altered (other than for changes in poundage and arrows)

slainte rob

[Desert Archer]

I use FF 212 vanes on my field (NFAA/IFAA) arrows and did a direct comparison with the AAE Max 20 shields. I couldn't tell any real difference in performance, but then I'm a barebow recurve shooter and don't get the kind of precision compound shooters expect. The AAE were easier to install (less prep) but I was disappointed in the dull color. My flo orange FF vanes glow in the sunshine. The AAe orange are just...orange.

Dave

[Panserborn]

I just got these vanes as well (Plastifletch MAX), done a bit of web based research and they seem to be recommended by trustworthey archers.

Haven't used them yet but tried to fletch up some arrows with them last night. I used Socx fluorescent wraps and doublesided tape from altser instead of glue. This is what I done before for older AAE fletches and it was grand. However, these new fletches will not stay on the shaft! Keep falling off even though they're not even shot yet! Gurrr .

Anyone have any ideas? Maybe I need to use a solvent to get rid of the applicator chemical on the base of these fletches if using double sided tape - this wasn't the case in the past though.

Should say as well, I'm using x10s so don't really want to go without wraps - things are too expensive to tear the carbon off during refletching!

[english_archer]

Ive been using these outdoors for over a year now (shield cut) not only do they seem to straighted the arrow quickly I get good groups and sight marks at 100 yards.
Also they are tuff as old boots I have had several pass throughs on some of the older aoft club bosses with no fletch damage

[phil_r_58]

I bought a pack of them to try on my ACC's from Merlin. Fletched OK, but due to elbow damage, not been able to try them yet.

No adhesion problems for me though. Shafts cleaned with good old fashioned VIM. A drop of water forms a film, not droplets, so absolutely grease free. The vane foot is swabbed by a cotton bud dipped in neat isopropyl alcohol, oops sorry, re-classified now. it's called 2-propanol now. That makes sure there is no release agent or plasticiser on the gluing area.

I use parabolics, all three in yellow, they look smart.