The advantage to mechanicals is that they are suppose to fly like field points. I believe if you properly tune your bow that your fixed broadheads will fly like your field points too.

I like to keep things simple so I prefer the fixed broadheads. Keep in mind that I shoot fingers because I want to eliminate the need for a release and the possibility of its failure or that I forget it.

Could I shoot better with a release - probably yes, but not enough to worry about for hunting.

Would mechanicals fly better than the fixed broadheads - probably, but not enough to worry about for hunting.

Is there anything wrong with using a release or mechanicals - absolutely not. To each their own!!!

I have never hunted in an area that allows anything but fixed blade. As was mentioned in an earlier post, they are supposedly meant to fly like a target tip. Having never used them for anything. I couldn't say one way or the other but I do feel more comfortable with the fixed blade and have not had a problem with finding some very good fixed blade that fly very well indeed. Don't fix it if it ain't broke.
Also, it seems the more moving parts. The great the possibility of problems, in the field. It's just another thing to get hung up on the grass and shrubs. There are just to many variable that could go sour. I'll stick to the fixed blade.

My archery shop talked me into using mechanicals, 75 gr. Mini-Blasters. I have shot 6 animals (hogs, blackbuck, spanish goat and a fallow buck). Made good shots on all with 65 # bow. On every one, the arrow penetrated about 4-inches and was pushed back out as the animal ran. Surprisingly, all animals left a great blood trail and died withing 100 yards.

The animals are being recovered, I am just uncomfortable with not getting a full pass-thru. I believe two holes are better than one (entry and exit) and am not willing to risk losing a trophy of a lifetime due to poor penetration.

I have gone back to old faithful, Muzzy 100 grain and always get entry and exit fll pass-thru.

Normally, I am a "if it aint broke..." kinda guy, but I just am not getting the penetration I think I should from the particular Mini-Blaster I used.

Fixed blade all the way!

dl

Use 125gr NAP Spitfires, they have never let me down.

Are there any advantages to using a mechanical or just preference?

The original concept of the mechanical broadheads was to have a broadhead that flew as well as a target tip. At the time of there conception this may have been a plus for some shooters.
As of the current innovations of the fixed blade designs. I see no advantage but, I'm sure it's open for debate.

I replace blades everytime its been used for a kill - & sometimes factory blades are not sharp enough either which then I'll sharpen them. as for mech. BH's I've shot a couple deer with spitfires but I'm getting leary of them on their blade deployment.
I've tried the Rage BH's & IMO junk! not good for walking through the woods cuz the blades deploy with a slight touch(which other rear deployment blades woulld be tha same) & their deployment just seems like it can be hindered from another blade.

I'm gonna try the hypershock BH's this year , the blade deployment looks great.

but I'll also say a fixed BH is the best way to go, since nothing can go wrong, & if hunting dangerous game(bear) IMO its a must to use a fixed BH
mech. BH just easier to hunt with & get longer yardage shoots since they'll fly better at those ranges vs a fixed.
BUT your bow better be up to par to use a mech BH if not then the mech BH wont work properly