Tabs!

[fran]

So... I've got a platform tab with my shiny new bow; I've used it one or two times, but I find it really irritating to have a bit of plastic stuck under my chin.

So what's the advantage of having a platform tab as opposed to the bits of leather that the club provides for the poor people who don't have their own bows? And what would be the alternative to both, is there one?

Or is it one of those things where one group prefers having a platform tab and another group wants to condemn them to eternal hellfire without there being a reason except personal preference?

[Andrew]

Tabs choice is very much down to personal preference. The main difference between your tab, and the club tab is that the club tabs are very thin, very cheap, arn't really solid enough and can shift around on the hand a fair bit.
Theres quite a difference though between quality tabs. Some have platforms, like yours does, some don't. A browse of www.quicksarchery.co.uk/superbasket/category.php?category=165 can show you the sort of selection avaliable.

I switched from the A&F tab i used to use, that you get with your bows, to the Cavalier Elite. The problem with the A&F (in my opinion) is that the big lump of plastic on it moves the hand further down from the jaw and makes it harder to get a more solid contact on the reference. The Cavalier still has a platform, but one that doesn't actually cover the index finger, so i can reference with contact on the jaw with both the platform and my index finger

Ultimatly though, it is just personal preference as to what you find more comfortable.

[NEUAL Disorganiser]

fran said:

Or is it one of those things where one group prefers having a platform tab and another group wants to condemn them to eternal hellfire without there being a reason except personal preference?

You've hit the nail on the head rather nicely.

Arguments for the platform mainly revolve around the fact it can help you get a better and more consistent reference. It is easier to make sure that the platform is under the chin than fingers alone. I find that I end up slipping my fingers round the side of my chin without the platform - with the platform, it is definitely located under the chin, and I reference with the string position.

Arguments against the platform mainly revolve around the fact that it gets in the way of feeling a decent and consistent reference. Having a great lump of plastic there stops you feeling where the fingers are in the reference. This makes a consistent reference harder to get. With the fingers touching the chin, you can feel both ways for the reference.

Alternatives certainly exist - you can get tabs with and without platforms that are better than the club tabs. Being happy with the A&F tabs I don't know that much about them...

[Cougar]

My opinion on the 'platform tab' thing is that with a platform it is (as you say) a lump of plastic under your chin.
Most people are not very good at 'feeling' with their chin especially when you are at full draw.
Without a platform you can at least 'feel' in both directions - the chin feels the finger and the finger feels the chin.
As the main point with a reference is that it be repeatable and consistent being able to feel what you are doing has got to be a plus. However it isn't just a case of feeling the hand under the chin. To facilitate a good reference point you need to feel the finger touching the jaw in at least two places, you need to be able to feel the string touching your chin AND you need consistent touching of your nose with the string.
In summary the more reference points the better. These are much easier to feel *without* a platform and therefore it is preferable to use a tab without a platform until you have *established technique*. Then you may decide to try a platform if you so desire. I would recommend the Cavalier Elite tab (or the Cartel copy) as they have removable platforms. I would highly recommend the Soma Saker Tab which also has somewhere to place your little finger but who can justify £36 for a tab?

[thecanuck]

Not me... but then I wonder - is it really that good? Is it worth that amount of money? It looks schnazzy, and the fact that it goes back into your hand to keep the back of your hand flat looks intriguing - but not 36 quid worth of intrigue.

[Miles]

I've tried one. It's nice enough, and I could probably get used to it (i'm going to wait until I can get one cheap on eBay). Definately a marmite tab. I have a cartel cavalier knock off, the leather died after 4months of heavy usage but i'm using a foam type hybrid now anyway.

I used to have an A&F type thing but it's too lumpy and gash.

[fran]

Thank you for all the comments!

I think I'll just order an ordinary tab online, one without a platform. The Club ones aren't really any good in the long run, are they? And I'm keeping the A+F tab in case I want to use it again at some point later...

Which means that I have now a perfect excuse to order Archery-related things online. And receive parcels containing said Archery-related things. Yay!