OutdoorsmanReview Logo

The Outdoorsman review of outdoor products

Read and leave reviews about popular outdoor products.
Outdoor products reviewed by master Outdoorsmen.
Make sure you grab the RSS feed to stay updated. See you around!

Category : Arrow Rests

Trophy Taker Smackdown FC Arrow Rest Review


Trophy Taker Smackdown FC Arrow Rest

Trophy Taker Smackdown FC Arrow Rest

Review Status:

The Smackdown FC arrow rest was reviewed by a master Outdoorsman


Are you using Trophy Taker’s™ Smackdown™ FC drop down rest? How do you like this rest? Have you used it while hunting? Is it quiet? Let the rest of us hunters know by leaving your comment below.

Trophy Taker Smackdown FC Arrow Rest – Camo

(1/27/11) The review for the Smackdown FC was left for us by Dan M. from Wisconsin. Thanks Dan for your review of the Smackdown.

Outdoorsman Review:

The Trophy Taker Smackdown FC takes full capture arrow rests to a whole new level. After much research I decided on the Trophy Taker Smackdown FC. The rest is quality constructed out of all metal, no plastic here! The Trophy Taker also has the full capture feature to keep an arrow ready to be drawn at all times.

The installation process was a breeze. The rest can be installed in two ways, either using the included clasp and attaching to your bottom limb, or using the included clamp and attaching to your down cable of your bow. Total install time for me was less than 10 minutes. Had I actually known how simple the setup and installation was, I would have purchased one sooner!

The rest is very quiet with the rubber dampers that are used when the rest drops upon launching an arrow. The arrow guide is covered with nicely fit mole skin and the full capture housing is dipped in rubber coating.

The only downfall I have seen is the size. The rest is quite large. I think it could be just as good if made smaller. Overall, the rest is very user friendly with high quality construction. The price is comparable to what other rests of this style are. In my opinion, it was money well spent!

Manufacturer’s Spec for the Smackdown FC:

  • Activation Cord Connects to Lower Limb or Up Cable
  • No Cable Tension at Full Draw
  • Increased Arrow Support Time, Easily Tunes with Today’s Speed Bows
  • Included Limb Attachment Clasp Installs Quickly and Adjusts Easily
  • Launcher Pivots On Rock Solid Bearings
  • Drop Stop Launcher Silencer Included With Every Rest
  • Multiple Broadhead Guard or Containment Ring Options Available as Accessories

The SmackDown™ is designed for attachment to the bottom limb or the upward moving cable. Using the limb or up cable to operate the rest allows the launcher to raise early as the bow is drawn, lifting the arrow long before the broadhead approaches the bow and long before the cams break over into the letoff position. When the bow is shot, the arrow travels along the launcher for nearly the full length of the shaft resulting in increased arrow guidance time. The increased time that the launcher guides the arrow during the shot makes tuning challenging bows much easier. At the last instant, the launcher is pulled down out of the path of the vanes and held firmly in the down position.

As an added bonus, the SmackDown™ promises to be the quickest and easiest rest to set up and tune that Trophy Taker has introduced to date. Be sure to visit your local archery retailer and put the SmackDownTM in action on your hunts this year.

Tri-Van Contour Static Arrow Rest Review


Mid Atlantic Archery Products Tri-Van Contour Arrow Rest

Mid Atlantic Archery Products Tri-Van Contour Arrow Rest

Review Status:

The Tri-Van Contour arrow rest was reviewed by a master Outdoorsman


The review for the Tri-Van™ Contour™ arrow rest was provided by Chris H. from Fulton, IL. Thanks Chris for the review. If you’ve used this rest and you like it or don’t like it so much you can tell us what you think by leaving a comment below.




Buy the Tri-Van Contour Arrow Rest

Outdoorsman Review:

I won this rest in a contest and I replaced my Whisker Biscuit with this rest. I put it on a 101st Airborne. Fit and finish was nice and I liked the rubber coating on the metal frame. Arms are shock absorbing (spring loaded) and accept all arrow diameters. The rest is very adjustable and easy to tune. You need to be careful when adjusting the arm tension screw; make sure you use the right sized regular screwdriver, otherwise you will destroy the screw head (as I did).

The windage and elevation adjustment arms are easy to adjust and pretty solid once tightened down. Really, the only thing I don’t care 100% for is the plastic that the arrow rests on, to me it is noisy with carbon arrows, when released. The manufacturer (Mid-Atlantic Archery Products) does include preformed felt pieces that fit onto the plastic arms, but I still think it is noisier than my old whisker biscuit.

Would I still recommend it? Yes, I would. For a $50 rest, I feel it is a good buy.

If you’ve got another take on the Tri-Van Countour™ then tell others what you think by leaving your comment below.

Manufacturer’s Specs for the Tri-Van™ Contour™:

  • NEW! Solid all-metal launcher arms!
  • 92% Less Friction than leading competitor’s bristle-style rest
  • Independent Windage and Elevation Adjustments
  • Shock Absorbing Arms
  • Vibra-Shield Damping Technology™
  • Fits Right or Left Handed Bows
  • Adjusts to Fit Any Size Arrow

G5 Outdoors Expert Pro Drop Away Rest Review


G5 Outdoors Expert Pro Drop Away Arrow Rest

G5 Outdoors Expert Pro Drop Away Arrow Rest

Review Status:

This G5 Expert Pro drop away arrow rest was reviewed by a master Outdoorsman


Have you used the G5 Outdoors Expert Pro™ rest? It’s a bit different than traditional drop aways because it attaches to the upward buss cable rather than the down cable. Is this an improvement? Tell others what you think of the Expert Pro™ by leaving a comment below.




Buy Buy the G5 Expert Pro™ drop away rest

(2/25/11) The review for G5′s Expert Pro arrow rest was left for us by Rocky from Houston, Texas. Thanks Rocky. Hate to hear this about the Expert Pro. Hope you’ve had better luck with other drop aways.

Outdoorsman Review:

G5 makes outstanding products; however, do not waste your money on the Expert Pro rest. It has blown apart three different times on me when shooting. It’s tricky to put back together. There seems to be a lot of excessive force since the cord is tied to the upward bus cable. There’s probably 6 inches or so of slack travel on the up cable when bow is drawn.

After release, the very last inch takes the “jerk” (like a running dog hitting the end of his chain). It yanks the rest back down out of the way, counter clockwise, twitching the pivot point screw a little looser with each shot. If you tighten the screw fully it will lock up the arrow rest. The fall away cord is under tension when bow is at rest. I got tired of making unexpected emergency repairs and simply threw my $100+ Expert Pro in the trash.

If you buy it, I guarantee you will end up regretting it.

Manufacturer’s Specs for the Expert Pro™:

The Expert Pro connects on the upward buss cable, eliminating tension on the buss cable and thus avoids the risk of pulling the bottom cam out of synch that could affect the timing or let-off. In addition, the new expert pro offers an easier set up and a new ball bearing design for improved durability.

Features:

  • Sealed ball bearings for added durability and smooth performance.
  • Attaches to upward buss cable improving cam synchronization.
  • Will not affect bow timing or bow let-off.
  • Reverse technology supports arrow 5 times longer. (I’m not really sure what this means)
  • Prolonged arrow contact and mechanical drop away helps to produce better groups.
  • Easy setup and tuning.
  • Extremely quiet. No metal to metal contact.
  • Precision micro-windage and elevation adjustment.


Cobra Archery Diamondback drop away rest

Cobra Archery Diamondback drop away rest

Review Status:

This Cobra Archery Diamondback drop away rest requires review


Have you used the Cobra Archery Diamondback drop away rest? Tell others how well it worked for you by leaving a review. Is the lack of arrow containment a disadvantage? Was it easy to set up and use? Is it quiet?

Buy Buy the Cobra Diamondback drop away rest

Manufacturer’s Specs:

  • Full-featured drop away design
  • Adjustable vane clearance
  • Adjustable prong height
  • Adjustable spring tension
  • All-metal launcher
  • Adhesive backed arrow holder also included with every arrow rest
  • Independent windage adjustment so you don’t lose other settings
  • Laser-etched windage scales
  • Draw cord is mounted to the down bow cable
  • Mounting slot on the arrow rest is wide enough for single bolt or dual bolt mounting systems
  • Right or left hand model available

Outdoorsman Review:

Are you a master Outdoorsman? Write a master Outdoorsman review for the Cobra Archery Diamondback drop away rest.

Trophy Taker Xtreme FC Arrow Rest Review


Trophy Taker Xtreme FC Top Slot Fall Away Arrow Rest
Trophy Taker Xtreme FC Top Slot Fall Away Arrow Rest

Review Status:

This Trophy Taker Xtreme fall away rest requires review


Have you used the Trophy Taker™ Xtreme drop away arrow rest? Let others know how well this rest performs by leaving a review. Is it quiet? Easy to set up and adjust? I’m wondering how the Trophy Taker™ Xtreme compares to the NAP® Apache arrow rest.

Buy Buy the Trophy Taker™ Xtreme FC Top Slot drop away arrow rest

Manufacturer’s Specs:

The Trophy Taker™ Xtreme FC Top Slot Fall Away Arrow Rest loads quickly and easily while ensuring arrow capture and retention over 320 degrees of bow rotation.

The patent pending Xtreme Arrow Rest Series features an ultra-quiet full capture launcher, innovative Drop Stop Launcher Noise and Vibration Dampener, one of a kind PVC rubberized ring coating, no tools, and no fasteners to quickly install the cable clamp.

  • Original One Piece Stainless Steel Launcher
  • Windage and Elevation Marks Make Adjustments a Snap
  • Angled Slot Offers Full Arrow Containment and Full Bow Rotation
  • Tried and True Trophy Taker Fall-Away Design

Outdoorsman Review:

Are you a master Outdoorsman? Write a master Outdoorsman review for the Tropy Taker Xtreme drop down arrow rest.


Trophy Ridge Drop Slide Vertical drop away arrow rest

Trophy Ridge Drop Slide Vertical drop away rest

Review Status:

This Trophy Ridge Drop Slide drop down rest requires review


Have you used the Trophy Ridge® Drop Slide™ vertical drop away rest? Tell others how it works for you. Is it as good as a traditional drop away rest? What makes it a good rest? Write a review for the Drop Slide™ arrow rest.

Buy Buy the Tropy Ridge® Drop Slide™ arrow rest

Manufacturer’s Specs:

There’s nothing else like it in hunting. There’s nothing more friction-free and faster. And there’s nothing more capable of staying fast over years of use. Trophy Ridge left one outside for a year’s worth of rain, sun, dirt and dust. It was as quick, smooth and quiet after one year as it was the day they put it out there. The secret is the recirculating track of ball bearings. Plus, rubber dampeners mean no metal-to-metal contact to the launcher arm – it’s a silent draw and drop. It’s also ultra-compact for less weight and maximum clearance around quivered arrows.

  • Stainless steel recirculating ball bearing slide.
  • Rock solid dual bolt mounting.
  • No stretch cable.
  • Easy center shot adjustment.
  • Precise height adjustment cap screw.
  • Includes optional arrow launcher arm that allows you to customize the Drop Slide to any shooting preference.

Outdoorsman Review:

Are you a master Outdoorsman? Write a master Outdoorsman review for the Trophy Ridge® Drop Slide™ vertical drop away arrow rest.

Octane Hostage Pro capture arrow rest review


Octane Hostage Pro capture arrow rest

Octane Hostage Pro capture arrow rest

Review Status:

This Octane Hostage Pro arrow rest was reviewed by a master Outdoorsman


The review for the Octane Hostage Pro was provided by Trent from Toledo, OH. Thanks Trent for the review. Have you used the Octane™ Hostage Pro capture arrow rest? Tell others what you think about this rest and how it compares to the traditional Whisker Biscuit® by leaving a comment below.

Buy Buy the Octane Hostage Pro Arrow Rest

Manufacturer’s Specs for the Hostage Pro:

Silent arrow loading – Noise dampening pads hug the open circuit design for virtually silent arrow loading.

Complete vane clearance – These are the only rests available today that simultaneously prevent the arrow from falling off the rest and allow the vane to pass through without contact. This increases the life of the arrow, enhances accuracy and drastically decreases noise.

Open circuit design - Large capture area for use with large arrows and extended height vanes without any fletch contact. Opening at the top of the rest allows for easy arrow insertion.

Narrow brushes – Fletch damage and noise, as well as speed loss, are eliminated. Fletching passes freely through without vane contact during the launch to deliver enhanced accuracy.

Adjustable brushes – Allows the appropriate amount of brush tension for all arrow sizes.

Precision vertical & horizontal adjustment – Featuring target quality tuning for vertical and horizontal center shot adjustment, the Hostage Pro can be tuned as accurately as any target rest, allowing for perfect arrow flight.

CNC machined 6061 aluminum – Provides durability and increased rigidity for an accurate shot every time.

Outdoorsman Review:

I wanted a capture style rest with out going with a full Whisker Biscuit®. This rest fit nicely into my budget.

Shot probably 200-250 arrows through it and have had no problems with it and adjustments are very easy to do on it.

If you have something to say about the Octane Hostage Pro arrow rest then leave your comments below.


Trophy Ridge Quick Shot Whisker Biscuit

Trophy Ridge Quick Shot Whisker Biscuit

Review Status:

This Tropy Ridge Whisker Biscuit was reviewed by a master Outdoorsman




BuyBuy the Trophy Ridge Quick Shot Whisker Biscuit

Manufacturer’s Specs:

  • Windage adjustment
  • Composite-encased biscuit – 150% stronger than previous models
  • Reference marks
  • Custom rubber boots silence arrow loading
  • Designed for use with left and right hand bows

Outdoorsman Review:

After using a blade type rest for so long the whisker biscuit was well welcomed by me. I did not have the new Quick Shot with the reference marks. I had the original Quick Shot. The nice thing about the whisker biscuit is that it is very fast to load an arrow. I won a contest at a local 3D shoot which entailed shooting a clay pigeon and then shooting through two targets that were attached to metal arms that swing after the clay pigeon was shot. This required a fast load of the second arrow.

The original Quick Shot was a bit difficult to adjust because it doesn’t have graduation marks and it angles down from the mounting hole. However; after it was adjusted it worked fine. I understand that the new version of the Quick Shot is easier to adjust.

I was told when I bought the original Quick Shot that I needed to be really careful with it because it tends to bend if you set the bow down on the whisker biscuit side. I was always careful to do this but I did start to notice stress cracks in the anodizing. I also understand that the new version is much more robust.

I stopped using whisker biscuits due to the cost of replacing the inserts. I really liked the whisker biscuit but I didn’t like how fast the whiskers would wear out. I moved to the NAP Apache drop down rest so I didn’t have to worry about replacing the biscuit.

What I like about the Trophy Ridge® Quick Shot:

Speed of loading arrows.

What I don’t like so much:

Slow to adjust. Cost of replacing biscuits.

Review of QAD’s Ultra-Rest Pro Series HD


QAD Ultra rest pro series HD
QAD Ultra rest pro series HD

Review Status:

Reviewed by a master Outdoorsman


Are you using QAD’s Ultra-Rest Pro drop away rest? Tell other archers what you think of this rest by leaving a comment below.

Buy Buy the QAD Ultra-Rest Pro Drop Away Rest

Outdoorsman Review:

(1/9/11) The review for the QAD Ultra Rest Pro was provided by Luis M. from somewhere in the US. Thanks Luis for your helpful review. I’m using a drop away rest as well but it doesn’t seem to be as nice as the QAD as far as arrow containment is concerned.


One of the major problems a lot of my friends seem to have with drop-away rests is the fact that their arrow is not fully contained, and even slight movement can cause the arrow to fall off and clatter around. It might as well be a foghorn while you’re hunting. Thankfully this rest fully contains the arrow and I can basically do a juggling act with my bow and the arrow wont move. The felt coating on the rest keeps it dead silent with any arrow movement. It’s silent when it shoots too! It hasnt ever hit my bow shelf and the lock down tech keeps the rest down so it doesnt bounce up and hit the arrow. I was skeptical that this rest wouldn’t react fast enough for my Diamond bow, and would interfere with my arrow vanes as I shot… But alas it actually made my bow shoot 15 flipping fps FASTER than when I shot a whisker biscut. I honestly think it’s helped with my accuracy too, and my groupings are tighter. On top of all of this, its easy to set up. This rest does exactly what it says it does. I’m not taking this off my bow for ANYTHING.

So. Incredibly. Happy.

Manufacturer’s Specs for the Ultra-Rest Pro:

Advanced vibration technology

  • Injection molded rubber thumbwheel is designed to force peak vibration amplitude to a minimum, while durable molded rubber creates a comfortable feel.
  • Extended Thumbwheel Lever!
  • Timing Cord is now Adjustable at the Thumbwheel!
  • Now available in RealtreeAP, or Mathews Lost camos!
PATENTED LOCK-DOWN TECHNOLOGY
Patented eccentric cam, brakes, and Locks-Down into the Drop Away position, guaranteeing Total fletching clearance!
INCREASED SPRING TENSION
New Lock-Down technology allows for increased internal spring tension for faster launcher drop-away
TOTALLY CAPTURES THE ARROW
When stalking, drawing, or during slow let down your arrow will always remain in total containment.

VDT (Velocity Drop-Away Technology)
The ONLY drop-away rest on the market with a patented feature that allows the ULTRA-REST to fall away only when the bow is fired, NOT during a slow let down. Unlike other rests that drop-away because of inertia, or vibration, the ULTRA REST relies on the velocity of the Rest moving forward, via the Timing Cord attached to the bows downward buss cable, to initiate the launcher to drop. VDT assures the ULTRA-REST remains in the cocked position even on a slow let down and will only drop- away if the bow is fired. VDT is a durable and reliable firing mechanism which is sure to change the way you look at drop away rests.

SUPER quiet
Internal cam/brake design, and laser cut felt, offer superior noise reduction, and a “Deadly Silent Draw”.

TOTAL BOW SHELF CLEARANCE
With the ULTRA-REST cocked into the Capture Position, via the thumb wheel, this will assure your arrow will not drag across the bow shelf when drawing, or let down.

Rip cord code red arrow rest
Ripocord code red arrow rest

Review Status:

reviewed


Are you using the Ripcord Code Red drop down arrow rest? How do you like this rest? Tell others what you think by leaving a comment below.


Buy Buy the Code Red Drop Away Arrow Rest


(3/19/11) The review of the Ripcord Code Red was left for us by Jake C. from Eureka, California. Thanks for the review Jake.

Outdoorsman Review:

This is not exactly a cheap price for a rest I was looking for but I figured I was going to go for the top notch accesories from now on. I bought the rest and found it a little confusing to get it set up right because it only has one screw to mount it to the bow so it can pivot. I took the rest in and had someone put it on my bow for me. I was really impressed with how it shot.

However; after about 50 shots with it the rest stopped dropping and was throwing my arrows off by about 6 inches at 20 yards. I took the rest back in to return it and one of the amployees had me bring it in so he could look at it. It turns out that the little “football” that it comes with it that connects its string to the bowstring had let the string slip causing it not to put enough pressure on the string so it could drop. He took off the “football” and tied the two strings together. Works much better now.

I recomend if you do get this rest, take it in and have someone tie the strings together for you. (DO NO USE THE FOOTBALL)

Manufacturer’s Specs:

• The fall-away rest that keeps your arrow on!
• Revolutionary new DropDead internal brake system eliminates bounce back
• Maximizes forgiveness because it falls away so fast
• NEW RED over-molding means no more moleskin
• arrow containment system
• internal brake system NEW
• Red Over-molding NEW
• slimline launcher NEW
• lightning fast fall away
• TWO position arm NEW
• unique offset cord
• large WINDAGE ADJUSTMENT
• SHOOTING FLEXIBILITY
• Extremely quiet operation
• easy installation
• Rock solid guarantee