With a stabilizing rotational spin rate 10 times faster than conventional vanes and being almost unaffected by crosswind, the new micro-diameter, six-vane Helios fletching and nock system from Nockturnal has redefined arrow flight. Utilizing aerodynamic lift properties on six small fletches instead of velocity-robbing parasitic drag of three larger conventional fletches, the Helios delivers extremely quiet flight, unmatched accuracy and deeper penetration at the target.
Since archers realized that the addition of feathers to arrows made their flight more stable 10,000 years ago, not much has changed beyond switching to polymer materials and adding helical angle and deflection to those vanes to create better accuracy through spin. The new Helios reinvents arrow flight through the application of simple aerodynamic principals to produce faster rotation and incredible crosswind resistance.
“Anybody who’s ever sat next to a window over an airplane wing knows that when it’s time to slow down and land, dropping the flaps creates parasitic drag-which is how conventional fletching works-and that can lead to a very unnerving flight in turbulent air,” said Jon Syverson, executive vice president. “With the flaps up, the smooth wing cuts through turbulence, and that’s the principal we used to design the Helios. Each of the six aerofoil vanes produces lift instead of drag to create a spin that’s impossible in conventional designs, no matter how steep the angle of the vanes.”
Spinning at 2,500 RPMs at just 240 feet-per-second forward arrow speed, the Helios has proven itself to be virtually unaffected by 25 MPH crosswind in wind tunnel and range testing. Whereas conventionally fletched arrows “yaw” or fly at the target at an angle in a crosswind, leading to a direction change upon impact, the Helios flies through the wind in a linear direction to deliver more energy deeper into target.
The Helios incorporates a proprietary translucent urethane in the rear of the fletching that transmits light from the illuminated nock toward the archer in a spinning 1 1/8-inch diameter glow. The translucent urethane is permanently bonded to an opaque white urethane in the front of the vane system that blocks the glow from the target. The durable Helios fletching is molded in one piece, so no jigs are required for installation, and there’s no possibility of misaligned fletching or vanes that come loose in flight. Each Helios vane and nock system weighs 54 grains.
To install, simply slide the Helios vane over the arrow, insert the nock, and you’re ready to shoot. A light bead of super glue on the front of the vane system can provide added assurance that your nock will stay in place in the event of a pass-through, but it’s not required.
The Helios is available in either the standard illuminated version with an instant-on, string-activated nock or as a non-illuminated Helios Eclipse version for practice and for states that don’t allow illuminated nocks. Five sizes are available in each version-S, G, H, GT and X. Suggested retail of the Helios illuminated nock and vanes is $34.99 for a three pack of either red or green, and the Helios Eclipse is available as a six-pack for $34.99.