Finding Arrow Nodes... Then What?

"TheBlindArcher" said:

Okay, so it is my understanding that the nodes of an arrow are [two] points where during the arrow's flex from launch to target follow each other in the line of flight [provided flight is tuned], and I have a basic understanding of a technique for identifying arrow nodes... But then what? What do you do with this information; why is it "important" to set up/tune? Are you trying to line up the node with the plunger, or having the plunger between the nodes; before/after?

Yeah, I'm probably not going to get a great ROI if I pursue the efforts, it's a curiosity/learning endeavor.

Click to expand...

On the compound bow, the technique is to put the rest directly under the front node. This makes this point of contact more immune to the flexing of the shaft at the point of the release. This flexing always varies a little bit depending on any mistakes you happen to make, so doing this increases "forgiveness".

I actually got this idea from GRIV who says it helps tighten your groups at longer distances. I didn't believe it, but I tried it anyway a while back. Turns out it does have a measurable effect at the distances I've tried like 50 meters.

On recurve, you have to vary the shaft length to achieve this since the rest/plunger contact point isn't generally movable, which obviously changes your tune. So merely doing this to position the node isn't as beneficial as on compound, where you typically can move the rest fore and aft and leave the arrow alone.

So probably only a benefit to compounders with movable rests....

lee.