If you are familiar with archery, you already know that there is one piece of equipment that is pretty much an essential. And if you are new to shooting, you will soon discover that there is a single piece of equipment that will make it much easier for you to shoot your bow. Now you may be thinking that the bow sight is going to be the most important piece for your archer shooting, but you would be wrong. While that is definitely an important piece when it comes to archery, the accessories that is actually the most important is going to be the arrow rest. When you are able to find the best drop away arrow rests, you will find that:
It is for this reason that finding the perfect drop away arrow rest for your individual archery shooting style is of extreme importance. Here is exactly what you need to know about drop away arrow rests and how you can find the very best one for your individual style of bow shooting.
What are Drop Away Arrow Rests and How do They Work?
If you are unfamiliar with drop away arrow rests, you may be wondering exactly what it is and how it can help you with your bow shooting. If this is the case, it is perfectly normal. You simply have not gotten to that point where you need to find the best arrow rest and start using it. But when you are ready to discover what the best drop away arrow rest is for your individual bow shooting style, you will need to know exactly what a drop away arrow rest is and how it can assist to improve your shooting.
What is a Drop Away Arrow Rest?
While there are a couple different styles of drop away arrow rests available, they all serve the very same purpose. That purpose being to hold your arrow in an upright position throughout the entire draw cycle process. They then fall out of the way once your arrow has left your bow. Essentially, a drop away arrow rest is going to help you keep your arrow straight while you are getting ready to shoot, and then drop out of the way after you have released your arrow.
The benefit of this is that there will be nothing in your arrow’s way that will be able to impact it after you have taken your shot. This is why there are many competition bow shooters and bow hunters who love to use a drop away arrow rest when they are shooting. It only helps to enhance how accurate they are.
How Does a Drop Away Arrow Rest Work?
Most drop away rests work by holding your arrow in the exact position that you want it to be in while you are getting your bow ready to shoot. As soon as you are in your draw cycle, you release your arrow and the drop away rest will then fall out of the way so that your arrow is free to go without any interruptions.
This is very important when you are doing both target shooting and bow hunting, as a drop away rest can aid to increase your accuracy while limiting any impacting factors on your arrows.
The Different Types of Drop Away Arrow Rests
When you are searching for the best drop away arrow rest for yourself, you will quickly realize that there are several different types that you can choose from. It's important to point out that the ultimate function of these arrow rests is all going to be the same. However, there will to be some differences depending upon the style of rest you decide to go with.
Here are the different types of drop away rests that you will need to decide from:
Full Arrow Containment
This type of drop away rest will allow the arrow to be fully contained. What this means is that the arrow will be held in place while you are preparing to take your shot.
Shorter Arrows
This type of rest is used exactly how the name sounds, for when you are using shorter length arrows. So it is just like the full arrow containment style of arrow rest, the one main difference being that it has been designed specifically for shorter arrows.
Of these two different styles of drop away rests, there are typically two different ways that they can work. The first is going to be referred to as ‘limb-driven’, while the other is what is referred to as ‘cable-driven’. Here is what you need to know about each of them and deciding which one is right for you and your individual style of shooting.
Limb-Driven Arrow Rest
If your arrow rest is limb-driven, you will have a string or cable that runs from either the top or bottom bow limb to the rest housing. As you go through the motion of pulling your bow back, the limb will begin to move inwards. This allows your rest arm to move up into the appropriate position. When you release your arrow, the limb will return back to its resting position and pull the arrow rest downwards in the process.
One of the big benefits to using a limb driven drop away rest is that it’s very quick and easy to get set up and even repair if need be. So if you are out in the field, hunting, this can be a very big deal as you will not require a bow press to repair any damages.
Cable-Driven Arrow Rest
This style of drop away rests is going to operate very similarly to a limb-driven rest, the main difference being that the rest cable will be attached to the bus cable of your bow, not the top or bottom limb. As the bus cable starts moving downwards with your draw, the rest cable will move with it. This pulls the drop away rest arm right into place. For the cable-driven rest to work correctly, the position and the length of the cable will need to be correctly set up. For this reason, this is also going to be the cable-driven rest’s biggest weakness.
Unlike a limb-driven arrow rest, this style is not as easily fixed when you are out in the field. The benefit of a cable-driven arrow rest though, is that it is the ideal candidate if you are looking to increase your accuracy while shooting archery. But again, if something does end up going wrong with the rest, there is a potential to create a serious headache for you.
On a side note, there are some arrow rests out there that can be operated in either style.
Benefits of Drop Away Arrow Rest vs Other Arrow Rests
You may be wondering how a drop away rest compares to some of the other types of arrow rests out there. Are drop aways the best option for you and will you like them more than other types? In order to fully understand whether or not a drop away is the best option for you, you must first know about the benefits it can provide you with and compare them to the other types of arrow rests.
Here are the benefits of a drop away rest and how it compares to other types of arrow rests.
Drop Away Arrow Rest
When compared to some of the other rests out there, the drop away is considered more on the complex side in terms of tuning, but there is a reason for that. When tuned correctly, the drop away will give you far superior accuracy. This is mainly y in part to the rest falling out of the way, which allows your arrow to clear the riser without touching anything when you are shooting.
Full Capture Arrow Rest
Unlike the drop away, a full capture arrow rest will help support your arrow the entire time it is in your bow. There are no moving parts and is considered to be full containment of your arrow. What this means is that you are free to move your bow as you wish and not have to worry about your arrow falling.
While this may sound like something you can get used too, you must also remember that the more points of contact between your arrow and the rest, the more accurately you will need to have your tune. If one side is off just slightly, it is going to affect how straight your arrow will fly.
Launcher Arrow Rest
The launcher rest is considered to be the very first version of an arrow rest that has hit the market. They are incredibly easy to install, very reliable, and considered to be on the more affordable side when compared to some of the other types out there. On top of that, with only some minor tuning, you should be able to get some great accuracy downrange.
The launcher rest works by having a blade or prong support your arrow through your entire draw process. Specifically designed to limit any contact between the arrow and rest, the main flaw is that there is nothing holding the arrow in place. This means that tilting your bow or trying to shoot at an angle can cause your arrow to simply fall off.
While each type of arrow rest will have its own advantages and disadvantages, the one that is best for your really depends upon the type of shooting you are doing and what you are most comfortable with. Of all the 3 different types of arrow rests though, the best one for improving your accuracy is definitely going to be the drop away.
Drop Away Arrow Rest vs Whisker Biscuit
When it comes to bow hunting, most people will generally use either a drop away arrow rest or a whisker biscuit. But which one is the best for you? Here are the pros and cons of each style of rest.
Drop Away Rest
When it comes to the drop away, there are a few things that you will need to know when you are comparing it to whisker biscuits. For example, with a drop away you can expect to have an undisturbed shot. You don’t have to worry about any disturbances on your arrow while you are shooting. Since hitting your target is already difficult enough, the last thing that you need to worry about is any extra interference while shooting.
On top of that, the bar that ‘holds’ the arrow in place allows you to take your shots at odd angles. You don’t have to worry about your arrows falling if you tilt your bow in any particular direction.
It is not all cakes and pies with a drop away, however. They can be somewhat difficult to get tuned if you are not familiar with them and are not necessarily easy to install. On top of that, there is the possibility that they will cause your bow to be louder than normal when you are releasing your arrows. While this may not sound like that big of a deal, if you are out hunting in the field, there is a chance that it will spook your prey.
Whisker Biscuit
What makes whisker biscuits so popular is that they will hold your arrow in place no matter how you move your bow. So if you try to get creative with some of your shots, you don’t have to worry about your arrow falling. Another benefit of the whisker biscuit is that they are extremely quiet. Finally, they are considered to be very easy to install and tune. Once it has been set up, it is very rare to have something go wrong.
As with anything, there are going to be some disadvantages as well. In this case, you need to worry about the rest interfering with your arrow’s flight. And remember, even the slightest interference can cause your shot to go way off target. On top of that, this style of rest does not allow you to use any helical fletchings on your arrows. This is due in part to the fact that they will brush against the rest and alter how your arrow shoots.
Now that you are familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of both the whisker biscuit and drop away rest, you may be even more confused when it comes to choosing between the two.
To sum it up, they are both great rests that can help improve your archery skills. The drop away is going to be the best if you consider yourself to be a more advanced shooter. If you are not as experienced with shooting, it may not be the best option for you. However, if you do consider yourself to be less experienced at shooting, then whisker biscuits will be better for you. They are easy to install and have been designed to provide you with an easy shot every time.
How to Choose the Right Drop Away Arrow Rest
Deciding which rest is the best for you is going to be completely based on what you are looking to get out of your rest. Maybe you are looking for a rest that is easy to use. Maybe you are looking to be in total control of all the functions your rest has to offer. Perhaps you are trying to get your shots to be more accurate. Or maybe you are simply looking for a rest that you can rely on and know that it will perform for you with every single shot you take.
Keeping this in mind, there are certain things that you will need to consider when you are trying to decide which rest will be best for you and your individual archery needs.
What is the Purpose of the Rest?
Are you planning on using your rest for target shooting, 3D target shooting, or hunting? Depending upon the style of shooting you are planning on doing, the style of rest you use can have a pivotal role in how successful you are.
Ease of Use
While this is somewhat relative to the user of the rest, if you are not experienced installing and tuning the rest you are using, it can very quickly become a headache that you didn’t plan for. If this is the case, you may want to opt for a rest that is considered to be easier to use.
Accuracy
All rests will be accurate when they have been set up properly. Knowing that, what you need to look for is how well the adjustments that have been made can be maintained. Ultimately, the key to maintaining the accuracy of the rest is consistency. So the more contact that happens with your arrows while you shoot, the more potential there is to have your rest shift.
Noise Reduction
The most reliable rests will help to reduce any noise your bow makes every time you shoot. This is especially important if you plan on hunting as a loud bow can potentially spook any prey that you may be stalking. However, if you are only going to be doing target shooting, it is not that big of a deal. So be sure you keep noise reduction on your mind if you are planning on using your rest for hunting.
Dependability
The more moving parts that your rest has, the more ways that it can potentially fail on you. However, even a stationary rest is going to wear out the more you use it. Both of these factors will play a role in how dependable the rest you choose is.
Arrow Clearance
The rest you use should allow your arrows the most clearance possible. Please note that this also includes minimizing any potential friction on the arrow you are shooting, as well as preventing any issues pertaining to fletching as well.
The drop away rest you decide to use should have some extensive consideration put into it. While there are many great rests out there, they are all not created the same. Just make sure that you decide on a rest that has all the features you are looking for and will provide the functions you require of it.
The Best Drop Away Arrow Rests
If you are in search of a drop away rest, it can become very overwhelming, very quickly. With all of the different arrow rest options available claiming to be the best, how are you supposed to know which one is actually the best?
Have no fear! In order to help make choosing as easy as possible, here is are the top-rated drop away arrow rests that are available to you right now.
1. Quality Archery Designs Ultra Rest HDX
Considered to be one of the best arrow rests for right handed shooters, the Quality Archery Designs Ultra Rest HDX really sets the bar high as far as drop away arrow rests go. And in case you are wondering why this Quality Archery Designs Ultra Rest is seen to be one of the best rests on the market today, it’s because of how versatile and compatible it is. On top of that, the Quality Archery Designs brand has grown into one that archers are able to rely on for nothing but quality.
Aside from the high standards that Quality Archery Designs Ultra Rest provides you with, this arrow rest has many convenient features that you will simply fall in love with. Featuring a special lock-down technology that helps eliminate bounce back and a customizable timing cord, this particular model also comes with a full draw indicator. This means you can expect your arrow’s launch to be nothing other than perfect. Now factor in the unique fall away system and you will see why the Quality Archery Designs Ultra Rest should be on the top of your list.
Pros
The Quality Archery Designs Ultra Rest is a rest that really can be considered one of the best arrow rests on the market today. It doesn’t mean that there are not any downsides. The only real downside with this arrow rest though, is that it is only available for right handed shooters. This means that if you shoot left handed, you are out of luck. Other than not being available to left handed shooters, this is definitely an arrow rest that you must check out.
2. Ripcord Camo Arrow Rest
One of the biggest contenders to the Quality Archery Designs Ultra Rest mentioned above, this is another rest that's up there as one of the best arrow rests. The Ripcord Camo Arrow Rest comes in both right handed and left handed models. What makes this arrow rest one of the best, is that it's a very simple install, helps improve your accuracy while you are shooting, and is easily adjusted in order to allow you a wide range of different arrow options.
Designed to provide you with a very easy user experience, this weather resistant arrow rest will withstand any type of weather conditions you may come across while out in the field. It's also very easy to transport and carry with you and is easily stored when you don’t feel like using it. Designed with stainless steel and then coated in weather resistant rubber, expect for some very quiet arrow loading (at least more than you would from any other stainless steel arrow rest.
Pros
If you consider yourself to be a bow hunter, you must have an arrow rest that you are able to depend on. This is one of the arrow rests that is definitely in your best interest to take a serious look at. The one downside, however, is that while this is an easy to install arrow rest, getting accustomed to the adjustments that you can make will take you a little bit of time. Other than that, this is an arrow rest that you will have no problems getting comfortable using.
3. QAD Pro Series LD Drop Away Arrow Rest
The professionals over at QAD have out done themselves once again. Designed to provide you with an exceptional user experience, their Pro Series LD Drop Away Arrow Rest is not only easy to use, but is an arrow rest that you will simply fall in love with as well.
With a specially designed timing cord fall away mechanism that is pretty much perfect, you'll have a great clearance no matter what type of arrow you wish to use. To sum up what this special timing cord fall away mechanism means for your shooting, you can basically expect your shots to be virtually silent. So if you are out in the field hunting, you will have no problem pulling off those tricky close-range shots.
Designed with mainly machined aluminum, this versatile arrow rest also has Delrin and stainless steel parts as well. This combination allows you to use the rest in almost any type of weather conditions you can think of. Now add in the fact that your arrow will remain completely contained at all times (including when the bow is let down), and you have another serious contender on your hands.
Pros
The one downside for this arrow rest is that it does have a sticky padding that you may not fully appreciate. Other than that, this is another arrow rest that you will find on the top of many archer’s arrow rest list.
4. Trophy Ridge Sync Drop Away Arrow Rest
Trophy Ridge, another reputable and reliable brand for bow hunters, has been creating different style of arrow rests for quite some time now. The Trophy Ridge Sync Drop Away Arrow Rest is considered to be their best of the best. This Trophy Ridge arrow rest is a full-containment style, so you will not have to worry about arrow falling at any time, even while at full draw.
Once you have installed this arrow rest on your bow, you will notice that your accuracy will increase exponentially. Simple to install, you can expect to experience a reliable and smooth draw due to the cable driven arrow rest.
Pros
While Trophy Ridge has done it again with this arrow rest. The main downside though, is that while this is a rest that is easy to adjust, finding the best adjustments can be quite troublesome initially. However, once you have been able to find those adjustments, you will have no problems keeping them tuned in and your arrow shooting accurately.
5. Trophy Taker SmackDown Pro
Considered by many to be one of the best compound bow arrow rests on the market, the Trophy Taker SmackDown Pro definitely puts its money where its mouth is. The appealing design and rugged look are exactly what you need to let others know you are a bow hunter. The durable construction and easy to install design mean that you can have this rest up and running in no time at all.
What makes this arrow rest really stand out, is that you can literally keep the arrow in the launcher until it is ready to be shot. And when you do shoot your arrow, you can know that your shot will be quiet as to not alert your pray. The special fleece covering ensures that there is no noise while you are shooting.
Pros
Even though many consider this to be the best compound bow arrow rest, there is a downside that you may experience when you are using this arrow rest. That downside being that there may be a little wobble if you have not perfectly tuned the rest. This little wobble has the potential to affect how your arrow shoots if not addressed. Aside from this easily fixed flaw, this may be the perfect arrow rest for your compound bow.
Final Thoughts – Which Drop Away Arrow Rest is Best?
Finding the right drop away arrow rest is going to be something you must do if you want to start shooting the highest quality archery. However, finding the best arrow rest is something that may seem overwhelming when you are first getting started with your search. But if you follow the advice and recommendations that have been made above, you will have no problems finding the best arrow rest for your individual needs.
One of the very best drop away arrow rests that you can choose is going to be the Ripcord Camo Arrow Rest. It has all of the features that you could ever want, is easy to use, and will help improve your accuracy as well.