The Allen Photon Broadhead Stainless Steel Blades Red 3 Pack Made a Bold First Impression
The world of archery is constantly evolving, with broadheads playing a critical role in ethical and effective hunting. Today, I’m diving deep into the Allen Photon Broadhead Stainless Steel Blades Red 3 Pack, a budget-friendly option from Allen. Having spent over a decade in the outdoor gear industry, I’ve seen countless broadheads come and go, so I was curious to see how these stack up.
I needed a reliable broadhead for whitetail season that wouldn’t break the bank. The Allen Photon Broadheads caught my eye with their promise of stainless-steel blades and aircraft-grade aluminum ferrule. The bright red color and the seemingly robust design piqued my interest, and the price was certainly appealing.
Unboxing the Allen Photon Broadheads was straightforward. The packaging was simple, but the broadheads themselves felt surprisingly solid for the price. They felt well-balanced and the blades appeared sharp, although not as razor-sharp as some premium options I’ve tested.
Compared to my go-to broadheads, the Muzzy Trocar and the Slick Trick Magnum, the Allen Photon Broadheads are noticeably lighter and have a less intricate blade design. I chose the Allen Photon Broadheads because of the budget-friendly price point and the promise of decent performance for the whitetail season. Could they offer acceptable performance without the premium price tag?
My initial impression was cautiously optimistic. I was hoping that the Allen Photon Broadheads would prove to be a reliable and affordable option for hunters on a budget, despite my skepticism from previous experiences with cheaper broadheads.
Real-World Testing: Putting Allen Photon Broadhead Stainless Steel Blades Red 3 Pack to the Test
First Use Experience
My first experience with the Allen Photon Broadheads was at my local archery range, shooting into a standard foam target at 20, 30, and 40 yards. The weather was dry, with a slight breeze. This was my control test before moving to more challenging conditions.
The Allen Photon Broadheads flew reasonably well, grouping within a 4-inch circle at 20 yards, but the groupings opened up to 6-8 inches at 40 yards. I noticed slightly more wind drift than with my higher-end broadheads. I didn’t need time to get used to them; they were easy to install and shot consistently, albeit with a little less precision than I’m accustomed to.
The biggest surprise was how quickly the blades dulled after just a few shots into the foam target. This raised immediate concerns about edge retention during a real hunt.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of shooting, including practice sessions in varying weather conditions, the Allen Photon Broadheads showed signs of wear and tear. The red finish on the aluminum ferrule started to chip, and the blades continued to dull quickly. After about 30 shots, I noticed a slight bend in one of the blades.
Cleaning the broadheads was simple enough, as the three-blade design allowed easy access. However, I found myself needing to sharpen the blades far more frequently than with my higher-end broadheads. The blade retention ring also seemed a bit loose on one of the broadheads after repeated use.
Compared to my previous experiences with premium broadheads, the Allen Photon Broadheads simply didn’t hold up in terms of durability and edge retention. While they were adequate for target practice, I felt less confident about their performance in a real hunting scenario.
Breaking Down the Features of Allen Photon Broadhead Stainless Steel Blades Red 3 Pack
Specifications
The Allen Photon Broadhead Stainless Steel Blades Red 3 Pack features a ferrule made from aircraft-grade aluminum. The broadhead is equipped with a stainless-steel blade locking ring. It also features a hardened carbon steel tip. Each broadhead uses .032-inch thick, razor-sharp, stainless-steel blades.
- Aircraft-grade aluminum ferrule: This provides a lightweight yet sturdy base for the broadhead. The quality of the aluminum directly impacts the overall durability and resistance to bending or breaking upon impact.
- Stainless-steel blade locking ring: This ring is designed to secure the blades in place during flight and upon impact. A secure locking ring is crucial to prevent blade detachment, ensuring maximum penetration.
- Hardened carbon steel tip: This tip is designed for bone-splitting power and initial penetration. The hardness and sharpness of the tip determine how effectively it can penetrate hide and bone.
- .032-inch thick stainless-steel blades: The blade thickness and material influence the broadhead’s cutting diameter and edge retention. Thicker blades generally offer better durability but can reduce penetration if not razor-sharp.
These specifications matter because they determine the broadhead’s flight characteristics, penetration ability, and overall effectiveness in the field. The choice of materials and design directly impacts the hunter’s confidence and the likelihood of a clean, ethical kill.
Performance & Functionality
The Allen Photon Broadhead Stainless Steel Blades Red 3 Pack performs adequately for basic target practice, but falls short in critical areas for serious hunting. It lacks the precision and durability needed for consistently ethical shots. The blade sharpness degrades quickly.
Its strengths lie in its ease of use and affordable price. The weaknesses are its questionable durability and inconsistent flight at longer ranges. It doesn’t quite meet expectations for reliable hunting performance due to the blade durability issues.
Design & Ergonomics
The Allen Photon Broadheads are designed with a simple, three-blade configuration. The build quality is decent for the price, but the lightweight materials make them feel less robust than premium options.
They are user-friendly, with no significant learning curve for installation or use. However, the less robust construction doesn’t inspire confidence.
Durability & Maintenance
The durability of the Allen Photon Broadheads is a significant concern. The blades dull quickly and are prone to bending after repeated use. Expect to maintain the blade edges frequently.
Maintenance is straightforward, but the need for frequent sharpening and the potential for blade damage make them less appealing for long-term use.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Allen Photon Broadhead Stainless Steel Blades Red 3 Pack does not come with any additional accessories beyond the three broadheads included in the pack. There are no customization options available. Due to the non-standard ferrule design, compatibility with aftermarket blade replacements is limited. You’re essentially buying a disposable broadhead.
Pros and Cons of Allen Photon Broadhead Stainless Steel Blades Red 3 Pack
Pros
- Affordable price point makes them accessible to budget-conscious hunters.
- Easy to install and use, suitable for beginners.
- Lightweight design aids in faster arrow flight.
- Bright red color provides easy visibility in the quiver.
- Acceptable accuracy at shorter distances for practice.
Cons
- Blades dull quickly and are prone to bending.
- Questionable durability compared to higher-end broadheads.
- Inconsistent flight at longer ranges.
Who Should Buy Allen Photon Broadhead Stainless Steel Blades Red 3 Pack?
The Allen Photon Broadhead Stainless Steel Blades Red 3 Pack is perfect for beginner archers, casual target shooters, or hunters on an extremely tight budget who primarily hunt small game at close range. These broadheads might also suit anyone needing practice broadheads without wanting to damage their expensive hunting broadheads.
Hunters pursuing larger game or those requiring utmost reliability should skip this product. They should also be avoided by anyone prioritizing accuracy and durability.
A broadhead sharpener is a must-have accessory. Additional broadheads are recommended, as the lifespan of each head is limited.
Conclusion on Allen Photon Broadhead Stainless Steel Blades Red 3 Pack
The Allen Photon Broadhead Stainless Steel Blades Red 3 Pack offers an entry-level option for archers, but its limitations are apparent. While the price is attractive, the questionable durability and inconsistent flight characteristics make it a less desirable choice for serious hunters.
The $10.99 price tag is justified only for very limited use scenarios. You get what you pay for with these broadheads.
I would not personally recommend the Allen Photon Broadhead Stainless Steel Blades Red 3 Pack for anyone prioritizing ethical and effective hunting. There are better options available for a slightly higher investment. Explore alternatives and consider prioritizing quality over cost when it comes to broadheads.