Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting Arrows and lighted knocks

I'm going to need to order a dozen new arrows soon and know arrow technology is always improving so I thought I'd get opinions on what are the best arrows right now in terms of strength and accuracy. Also, I haven't used any lighted knocks yet and would appreciate hearing your experience/recommendations with those as well.....

I've switched to gold tips from the Beemans. A nice improvement. They are tougher arrows and seem easier to work with if you build your own.

I have used Nocturnals and Luminox. Both work equally well. I think the Nocturnals switch is a better design. Both are bright and look wicked cool on the video when you shoot something.

Gold Tip Pro Hunters for me. Never used a lighted nock because I didn't want to add weight at the wrong end of the arrow. Trying to keep FOC at a certain percentage and overall arrow weight reasonable just left me opting out of the lighted nocks. I agree they look cool.

Depends on the version.tenpoint omnis are not great.

I have shot Beemans for quite a few years, with great success.

I use Beemans.

Lighted knocks are the ticket. In low light situations, you can see exactly where you're shooting. Bad azz. They're a must have.

I started with Luminox, but it turns on when the string pushes on the knock. To turn it off, you wiggle it out a little bit. The problem I have is that the knock can turn on accidentally and run down the battery.

So I switched to Tracers. They are activated by passing by a small magnet that you stick to the riser. The light turns on solid and after a few seconds begins to blink. Not only can you see it fly, but then you can find your arrow. One time during day light, I shot a deer but couldn't find my arrow. So I went back about 4 hrs. later in the dark and low and behold there was my arrow stuck in the dirt with the Tracer still flashing. To turn it off, you simply hold the knock next to the magnet and it turns off. They're a little expensive, but they're worth it for the hunting experience of being able to see the flight of the arrow.

I am currently using Carbon Express Maxima Blue Streaks, but have two dozen Reds for after these. And lit nocks are fantastic! Been using them on a 3d course and no doubt what path your arrow took or where it impacted. The unlit nocks I sometimes lose halfway due to shadows.

I use easton Full Metal Jackets 340's works great with a 62-75lb draw. Super deep penetration. This is a heavy arrow, however the kinetic energy is super, as well as the straightens of the shafts. I have yet to spin one on an arrow spinner that is not dead on.

It is your preference, however I do recommend that you shoot the arrow in practice with the knock that you will hunt with... You want to be as exact as possible when you release on an animal.

I ran a test with the luminox and left one on to see how long it would burn. 8 -10 days! I am impressed.

easton axis, nocturnals.

Black Eagle Arrows. Most spine consistent and weight consistent arrows out there. The Carnivores are my favorite. Tough. Accurate. Decent weight. I used to shoot GT pro hunters. But when you start comparing arrows on a spine tester, the GT can't match Black Eagle

For example, Black Eagle Carnivore, 300 spine, 001 straightness. Runout is less than .0005. GT pro hunter, which is also a 001 straightness runs around .00075. Yes it's splitting hairs, and the differences aren't noticeable to the great majority of shooters out there. But I like having ME as my only excuse. Not my equipment.

As for lighted nocks, I'll pass. But to each his own

And YOU can shoot well enough to tell the difference?

I'm sure everyone on Black Eagles Arrows Pro Staff can.......

Ahhh... now I understand. Well of course, what was I thinking.

I had a lot of concern over shooting lighted nocks with the additional weight.

It's proven to be a non issue in practice. I've shot the last several dozen big game with them and cannot imagine going without them.

The shot flight and impact and just make the whole experience better.

I bet 280AI's rule and 270's suck, yada, yada, yada.....

Nobody kicks their own dog, just everyone else's. The top golfer aint on top because of the clubs he's swinging.

Pretty easy concept. I tend to look at gear in 5 year increments. Vehicles the same way. New and improved is rarely as improved as people think.

Fear of failure sells.....

Bingo

I haven't beaten Levi Morgan yet, if that's what you're insinuating. I am BEA Pro Staff. And the readings of precision equipment are what they are. I sell both Black Eagle and Gold Tip. I'll always reccomend BEA first. But if you ask for Gold Tip, I'll gladly match the spine to your bow and get you set up. Again, I'm stating MY preferences and findings. In no way did I intend to bash. Shoot what puts you in the X ring consistently. As far as rifles go, I prefer a 280AI to most anything out there. But it makes no difference because I bow hunt year round

I use Firenocks, but don't like to practice with them. Looking at the arrow messes up my follow through. It's sure nice to be able to find one after the shot though.

I run Beman ICS hunter arrows and Nockturnal lighted nocks. After shooting both non-lighted and lighted, I will never again hunt without a lighted nock. Easier to see your hit and WAY easier to find your arrow afterward. I would have lost at least 10 arrows in the last 3 years without them.

Easton HEXX and Nocturnals. I like the green most of all, but got s bunch of yellows cheap on eBay.

I thought I was going to switch from the Easton Axis arrows that I'm currently using to the Gold Tip Pro Hunters due to their tight tolerances and durability but the guy at my local archery shop said Gold Tips were made in Mexico and the Easton Axis arrows are still made here in the US. Anyone else hear that?? I like the Gold Tip Pro Hunters better but not THAT much better so I think I'd rather support a company that still invests in Americans.

Shooting Deer Crossing arrows (guy that ran Victory started the company). Haven't shot lighted nocks yet because I am cheap and can't afford $10 for a nock.

I shoot Carbon Express Maximas. I shoot lighted knocks. I've shoot Luminocks and Nocturnals. Now I make my own for 1/3rd the cost. I wish I could find a place to shoot various arrows to compare side by side for myself. I like to hear people's opinions, but at the end of the day, that is only an opinion and the starting point...not the finish line.

Easton Da torch, and Nocturnals

I shoot Gold Tip Kinetics and just got a 3-pack of nocturnal lighted knocks off of ebay for $19 delivered. Yesterday evening was the first time I've ever shot lighted nocks, I just swapped them in and shot at my 40 yd target, no change to point of impact. They worked perfect every time, they're a little bit of a pain to turn off but not hard with a knife tip once you get them figured out. I'm going to give them a try on whitetails this year. 99% of my shots are right at dark and I can see where these would make finding the arrow a lot easier. If nothing else they're just seriously cool to watch in flight and it makes seeing your impact a lot easier on the target. They were so neat that I went out and shined the 4 wheeler lights on my 40 yd target at 11pm last night & shot a bunch more in the dark just to watch them glow!

I shoot carbon express pile driver hunter 350 shafts and red nocturnal nocks. love to see that trace right into the vitals

I picked up a dozen "Made in the U.S" Easton Axis arrows and a 1/2 dozen green Nocturnal nocks. They're easy enough to turn off and boy are they BRIGHT! I don't see my son loosing any more $10 arrows as he's roaming the creek now.

Has anyone had issues with deer jumping the string more with these lighted nocks? Even if the deer's relaxed, I would think they'd pick them up in flight but maybe it's too late by then??