Just what the title reads. Opinions? what works best?
With the panhard running parallel to the axle are you not forcing the linked end of the axle to travel in an arc. The longer the bar the less of a arc I guess, will it have any effect on a 3-link. What if you ran the panhard at an angle to the axle say 45 degree's........

Here's an AFCO tech article on panhard bars:

http://www.afcoracing.com/tech_pages/panhard.shtml

No, running a PHB does take anything away from the upper links mechanical arc only that they are not solely responsible for the axle’s lateral location. Instead now the upper links and PHB fight for control and you "could" run into a mechanical bind issue ( I haven't experienced it but it is possible).

The PHB should be as long as possible and level with the axle, running the PHB at any sort of an angle causes the outside tire to unload when turning the direction opposite the side that has been raised. Keep in mind the tips on the AFCO site are for circle track cars that only turn left, they do things on purpose to increase right side bite that will have an adverse effect on a street cars handling.

There is no comparison of a PHB and a rear sta-bar, they perform two completely different tasks. On a 3-link you must run a PHB or Watts, the upper links no longer control lateral movement and something has to otherwise the axle would exit the vehicle through the side.