I know that this thread has probably been posted before but I have been testing FOBs and I have gathered enough information to do a good, accurate, comprehensive review for anyone that is interested in trying them. Let me start off by saying that I am not posting this thread to promote FOBs. I had heard everyone talking about them and I wanted to see what all of the fuss was about. I have a fletching jig and I enjoy fletching my own arrows but I wanted to test FOBs because I hunt in high winds and FOBs are suppose fly superior to vanes in windy conditions. So here's what I found: 1.Are FOBs more accurate than vanes?Answer: No, as the picture below shows, FOBs and vanes flew exactly the same through both my PSE Vandetta and Strother Vanquish. As long as your bow is well tuned they will impact the exact same spot. However, I did notice that FOBs spin faster than vanes giving the arrow less drag. I use the one pin method on both my bows and I usually have to hold about 3 inches over the target at 35 yards but with FOBs I only had to aim about an inch an a half high at 35 yards. 2.How durable are FOBs?Answer: Fobs are made of a flexible plastic and will stand up to normal shooting but “don’t” try to shoot groups at the same bullseye. If you group shoot with FOBs like you do with vanes you’ll end up with a bunch of broken FOBs. Even when FOBs get damaged they still shoot fine but for the amount that you pay I wouldn’t push it. 3.Do FOBs fly better in windy conditions with broadheads than vanes do?Answer: Oh yeah, this is where the FOBs really shine. I used 2 different broadheads to test this. The first one was the NAP Thunderhead 100 grain, the second was the Muzzy MX-3 100 grain. I tested this in winds ranging from 15-25 mph. My fletched arrows usually go knocked off target by about 3-6 inches. The arrows with FOBs on them usually got knocked off target by roughly ½ an inch. Arrow rests used: I tested the FOBs on 2 different drop-away rests, the Trophy Ridge Drop Zone and the QAD ultra-rest. I didn’t have any clearance problems with either rest. Final thoughts: I liked the FOBs and will continue to use them. They cause the arrow to spin faster thus causing less drag than vanes. They have less wind resistance giving you a more accurate flight in windy conditions. They aren’t cheap but if you take good care of them, you’ll never need to buy them again.
nice assessment. i have been looking into this for a while. starting to think i might try them. I have an aero project coming up so i might be able to test these in a wind tunnel vs. vanes and blazers. cant wait for the results
That was a great assessment man, unbiased. I've heard some great things about FOB's but they're just so goofy looking!
I liked my fobs but had issues with the knock staying on the arrow. Also when i went to a 3d shoot, i got so much **** from everyone. But after seeing this review might have to get 1/2 a doz arrows and try them out again.
I have noticed that fobs work better with longer nocks like the ones that Carbon express use. If your using a shorter nock, put just a "dab" and I do mean a dab of super glue on your nock before you insert it into the arrow. This will allow the nock to stay on the arrow better but the FOB will still be able to pop off in the event of a pass through.
Glad I came across this thred bc I was also looking into trying these out. Question for you though, did you notice any whistling sound or anything like that when you were testing them? I have read on other posts and reviews that they had a slight "whistle" type of sound when being shot? It wasn't loud but they said it was noticeable??? Overall great review though, it covered everything else that I was wondering about these! :-D
I had also read this but when I first shot FOBs I didn't notice any more noise coming from them than what you would get with vanes. Even if they were a bit louder than vanes I very seriously doubt that that would effect anything as there have been a many deer harvested with FOBs. Once again, I am not promoting FOBs, I still use both FOBs and vanes.
Nice, yea, I was wondering if it was just something comparable to vanes or if it was different, I will probably end up trying them here soon, they are just too intriguing for me not to try! Maybe ill do a 50/50 split haha
