In my opinion there are three factors that go into a stabilizer

1. Rigidity. The stabilizer won't do you any good if it is wiggling around when you are trying to hold steady. There are different levels of rigidity and it somewhat depends on how long of a bar you want and how much weight you put on the end.

2. Weight. The weight of the bar (think of it in GPI like an arrow) contributes to the total mass weight of your bow. The lighter the bar is, the more weight you can put in other place, where it will have a better affect on balance, before you reach your total allowable mass weight.

3. Diameter. Smaller diameter bars have less surface area to be affected by wind.

Personally, I don't look for any after the shot dampening from my target bars. I want smaller diameter, lighter weight, RIGID bars that help to balance and steady the bow.

Different materials, different grade and construction patterns of carbon, etc. all affect those 3 points and also affect the price.

The other factor I look at when purchasing is the availability and price of extra weight. I want adjustable weights to get the balance just the way I like it.

AND, like anything else, at some point you pay for the name too.

I have had bars that I thought "felt" like they worked better than others. That may be a product of the bar quality, the way I had weight distributed ... just in my head, who knows. I don't have a scientific way of testing it. At some point though, confidence in your equipment has an affect.

Mitch

 

There is a big difference between an economical stabilizer and one that is the top of the line high dollar one. A high dollar stabilizer, aside from paying for the name on it, costs more because the high end stabs use high modulus carbon. That is, hi-mod carbon is significantly stiffer than regular modulus and thus will resist flexation and movement. This increased stiffness allows of the bow to settle faster when aiming over regular modulus.

Regular modulus stabs are great for the average archer. However, the better, more precise and consistent shot you become, the faster you wont your bow to settle when aiming. Hi mod will aid in this.

If your not looking to break the bank and spend $500+ on big name front bar, side bar, and weights, I would look at a company like 60X. They have their own line of hi-mod stabs, in which you can get a front bar, side bar, and i believe 24oz of weight for $225.

 

In reality the cost difference between grades of carbon tubing is very minimal and the Modulus actually plays very little into the stiffness of a large tube like a stabilizer. More important than modulus is the type of material weave and number of layers. Unidirectional material is the stiffest possible compared to any other kind of weave.. Another thing that can affect the stiffness greatly is the type of scrim/Resin used in the pre preg material. think of it like glue.. some glues are flexible and some are rigid. Most people would be surprised that the most popular expensive stabilizer brand on the market are Pultruded carbon and then powder coated so it doesnt look like crap. Pultruded carbon is actually a great tube for stabilizers as it is 100% unidiretional carbon and it is also significantly less expensive than the other types of layup tubes even though they sell it for a fortune. Of all the stabilizers on the market Bernie has the most expensive tubes you can buy due to the layup on his product and the flawless finish his product has. I am in no way shape of form associated with him nor use his products just stating a fact as I study useless information like this and make lots of phone calls and emails to supply companies

 

Thx guys for the useful information