When shooting with a bow and arrow, precision is your key to success. Nowadays, you can find a wide array of attachments and accessories to improve your archery skills. Arrow rests, in particular, can help to enhance your shooting performance.
There are three types of arrows used more frequently among archers, but this article will focus on drop away/fall away arrow rests. You will learn about the differences between the three types of arrow rests and understand some of the features to look for in a drop away arrow rest. This article will also provide you with product reviews to help you find the best fall away arrow rest.
Arrow Rest Comparisons
The most popular arrow rests used are: shoot through arrow rests, capture/containment arrow rests, and drop away/fall away arrow rests.
Shoot Through
Shoot through arrow rests are simple, easy to use and affordable. They have two spacing prongs that are adjustable to two thirds of the arrow’s diameter. When you take a shot, the prongs (that are usually spring loaded) tilt forward and down to give the arrow clearance, then the prongs flip back to their starting position. Sometimes, it can be difficult to keep the arrow on the prongs when transitioning from draw to shoot. Another disadvantage of this rest is that the vane or feather can interfere with the prongs while in flight. Overall, these rests work best with mechanical releases.
Capture/Containment
Capture arrow rests encircle the shaft to keep it steady until it’s released. This type of rest works well with any type of release technique or arrow. Since you don’t have to worry about your arrow falling off your rest, you can focus on your form and aim. However, capture arrow rests tend to reduce arrow speed and can damage the arrow’s fletching.
Drop Away/Fall Away
Drop away arrow rests are made with lengthened prongs and deep notches to hold the arrow steady. Since the prongs are longer, they do not interfere with the fletching. The rest is raised up using nylon cord or cable. After you take a shot and the arrow is released, the rest drops before the fletching can hit it. Drop away arrows rest are compatible with different arrows and fletching designs. They’re intended to give you full shooting capabilities.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Drop Away
Trigger Mechanism
There are three types of trigger mechanisms for drop away arrow rests: limb driven, buss, and inertia. Limb driven designs can take time to install properly, but they give you more accuracy than the other trigger systems; the key is to install them correctly so the fletching of your arrow does not get damaged. Buss systems are easier to install and calibrate but they are not as accurate as limb driven systems. Inertia trigger release is a new offshoot of the buss system that has total arrow containment and gives the arrow and fletching full clearance.
Right or Left Handed
It’s important to check whether the drop away arrow rest you intend to buy is right handed or left handed─never just assume. This will save you the trouble of having to return your arrow rest and finding a new one.
Product Reviews
Now that you know more about drop away arrow rests, it’s time to take a look at some of the best drop away arrow rests available.
QAD DROP AWAY ARROW ULTRA-REST QUAD HUNTER
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Quality Archery Designs has created the Ultra-Rest Quad Hunter with high-quality performance in mind. It’s made with Velocity Drop Away Technology (VDT) that uses the forward movement of the timing cord on the buss cable to drop on time. The VDT will ensure that it will only drop when the bow is fired. The Quad Hunter also captures the arrow completely, allowing you to keep an arrow in place, even while stalking. It also has rubber bumpers and laser-cut felt for silencing. Its timing cord and cable clamp can also be adjusted easily. Included with the rest is an aluminum mounting bracket and instructions. This arrow rest is right-handed.
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QAD HDX ARROW REST
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The HDX is made out of high-quality stainless steel that’s built to last. It features Velocity Drop Away Technology, Lock Down Technology and Advanced Vibration Technology. Its vibration technology and molded rubber help to minimize peak vibration amplitude and sound. The timing cord can be easily adjusted, even when it’s clamped to the buss cable. Indicator marks lets you know when your launcher is in the right position at full draw. Also, included are instruction for installation, a complimentary knife, spacer, mounting hardware, tools, felt covers and an extra arrow rest fork. This drop arrow rest is available in left and right-handed models.
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TRUGLO DOWNDRAFT DROP AWAY ARROW REST
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TRUGLO’s Downdraft arrow rest has a high-performance, drop-away design that’s quick and easy to install. It’s made with sealed bushing to help increase downward speed when the shot it fires. The Downdraft also features technical arrow dampeners for silencing. It attaches to a downward moving buss cable, and no bow press is needed. This drop away arrow rest also prevents bounce back when you shoot. The Downdraft is designed with Realtree’s Xtra Camo design. This arrow rest is right-handed.
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RIPCORD FALL AWAY ARROW REST
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This Ripcord arrow rest features a containment arm to ensure that your arrow has 360-degree stability before you take a shot. The launcher can be manually locked in place, but will automatically disengage when your bow is fully drawn. This fall away arrow rest and cord clip can be installed easily and without the use of a bow press. To help silence your shot, internal dampeners are included. It also has calibrated horizontal and vertical adjustments. This Ripcord arrow rest is available for right and left-handed archers.
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TROPHY TAKER X-TREME SL ARROW REST
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The Trophy Taker X-Treme is a designed as a one piece, stainless steel launcher with a PVC rubberized ring coating. The slot is angled in a way that ensure full arrow containment and full bow rotation of over 320 degrees. It also has windage and elevation marks to make easy adjustments. To install the cable clamp, no tools or fasteners are needed. Its durable construction will ensure that each shot you take will be clean and accurate.
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Final Thoughts
When it comes to finding the best drop away arrow rest, it’s important to make sure that the product you buy is compatible with your bow. Research various product to ensure that you find the one most suitable for you. Investing in a high-quality fall away arrow rest will ensure that your shooting performance improves.