Setting up stabilisers is mostly a hit and miss process of testing and elimination. The high-level process is to first get the horizontal left/right balance, and then the front/back balance you like, and then fine tune the set-up according to the behaviour during the shot.
Left/Right Balance
The Left/Right bias of the bow can be set with the position and angle of the weights relative to the centre of gravity of the total setup.
Start the process by setting the horizontal balance to the archer’s preference.
- Ensuring proper clearance of the string, draw up the bow with eyes closed.
- Anchor and settle into the aiming position.
- Open your eyes and take note of the bubble in the scope.
- If the bubble isn’t in the middle, and considering any preferred bias, adjust accordingly:
- For a single bar, adjust the rear bar in the horizontal plane.
- For dual bars, either move weights between the bars or adjust the bars in the horizontal plane.
- Repeat the process until the bubble is centred when you open your eyes.
Front/Back Balance
Once the preferred left/right balance has been achieved, focus can move to the Front/Rear Balance of the bow:
- Shoot a couple of scored ends at a selected distance, also considering how the bow feels before and during the shot.
- Record the configuration.
- Make a selected change and repeat the same number of scored ends. Validate the left/right balance after every correct it first if influenced by any new change being tested.
Compare the outcomes against previous results to determine the preferred configuration. If the outcome improved, move to the next change, starting by recording the new configuration, else reset according to the recorded configuration and repeat the process.