question about the REAL effects of vamp upgrades...

i happened to come across a vamp 5/1 bow string in one of my trades, but i have some questions about its effects:

FIRST: does the life sucking 5, mean that every hit u inflict, the vamp upgrade does 5 EXTRA dmg and gives them to u, or does it mean that the vamp takes 5 of the dmg your bow does, and returns it to you with health


SECOND: At waht vamp lvl do you actually GAIN health? (2:1,3:1,4:1,5:1)
what i mean is, will i actually net a positive amount of health when i am done with a battle using the bow, or will i end up actually have lost health from using the 5/1 bow during battle


thanks alot in advance, im not new to the game, but i have never been able to understand what the vamps really do and how effective the 5:1's really are

thanks alot for ANY input


PS: would it be best to put a 5/1 on a half moon bow bc of the fast refire rate, technically wouldnt you be gaining more health that way?

thanks again

Your PS is right. If your RoT is quick, then a 4:1 / 5:1 bowstring would typically gain you a little health. But, you don't take it for its regenerative capabilities. You take it because that's 5 EXTRA damage you do, when you hit a target. Imagine compounding that with Kindle Arrows / Ignite Arrows and Tiger's Fury? Or Barrage. Each arrow hitting a different target + 5 is like a quick AoE spell. =]