When it comes to bows, bow-mounted accessories, arrows, broadheads, apparel and the list goes on, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see we are in an era of supreme product design. It’s awesome! Today’s bowhunting products are functional, purposeful, durable and oozing with modern-day technology. As bowhunters, we’ve been extremely spoiled by a legion of stalwart manufacturers. And that’s just fine by me.
For 2019, well-known arrow rest manufacturer QAD is sure to create plenty of oohs and ahhs with the launch of its newest member in the tried-and-true UltraRest line — the QAD UltraRest Integrate MX ($250). As I ink this field test, I’ve fired 400-plus arrows through the Integrate MX and have tinkered and toyed with its every feature. Plain and simple, this arrow rest is a win. In fact, I will label it as QAD’s most advanced and functional rest to date. (Click here to read a previous manufacturer spotlight article about QAD.)
QAD Partners With Mathews
The caveat: For this year, at least, those who want to give QAD’s latest marvel a go will have to do it with a Mathews bow in hand. Why? QAD’s Vice President Kevin Fry explains:
“We wanted to partner with a top-end bow manufacturer on this project,” said Fry. “Mathews builds incredible bows and has amazing technology. For 2019, all Mathews VERTIX bows come standard with our new Integrate Rail Mounting System. The Integrate is the lightest, most compact and most streamlined rest we’ve ever made. This system eliminates the need for spacers and the like, and makes tuning a breeze. And though the rest must be purchased as a separate item, those who don’t take advantage and mount this rest to their new VERTIX will really be missing out. I think this new mounting system is the future of how we should mount an arrow rest.”
I couldn’t agree more. Unlike standard arrow rests, the QAD UltraRest Integrate MX mounts to the face of the riser. Yes, you read that correctly. It does not mount to the side of the riser, and the Berger hole is not used at all.
The VERTIX’s riser has a pair of slits on each side, just above the bow’s shelf. This dovetail system allows the Integrate MX arrow rest to mount to the backside of the riser, which totally eliminates the use of a rest mounting block and set screw. Not only does the elimination of the mounting block lighten the arrow rest, but it also eliminates rest set-screw problems such as the rest block never being perfectly level, or the screw loosening and the rest block shifting.
Because the Integrate MX mounts directly to the riser, it is impossible for the rest to rotate up or down on the bow. In addition, the rest controls a pair of axes, thus keeping the rest from moving or changing on those axis points. And when it comes to tuning, Auto Leveling Technology promises that when you mount the rest to the back of the riser with the dovetail system, the rest will automatically be level.
Installing and Adjusting the QAD UltraRest Integrate MX
As far as the installation process, it’s easy breezy. The arrow rest mounts to the dovetail system in the riser via a single clamp. This one clamp prevents the rest from moving, and allowed me to make all of my vertical and horizontal adjustments. Once I had the rest tuned and ready, I used the second clamp to lock the rest down tight. After 400-plus shots, my VERTIX is still spitting bullets.
I was pleased to see the .019-inch-per-click micro-adjustments of the QAD UltraRest MXT on the Integrate MX. The major difference with these adjustments on the Integrate MX is that the horizontal adjustment screw and turn-dial are located on the launcher arm. The screw sits to the lower right of the launcher arm, and the turn-dial is found on the lower outside of the launcher arm. The vertical adjustment screw is found on the side of the base, and the turn-dial is located on top of the base. I was also thrilled, as it just makes tuning the rest ultra-simple, to see the tuning marks (designed to line up when the rest is in its full upright position) back on the thumb-wheel and main body of the rest.
Redesigned for 2019, the all-new launcher is no longer made of plastic. I really appreciated this feature. If you’re going to build an arrow rest with this type of functionality, it needs to go the extra mile when it comes to durability. The Integrate MX’s launcher arm is machined from 100 percent aircraft-grade aluminum and was designed to last.
Of course, like the HDX and MXT, the QAD UltraRest Integrate MX promises total arrow containment, and the rest, if let down, will hold the arrow in the ready position. The launcher arm will drop only if the bow is fired. Other UltraRest features brought over to the Integrate MX include Lock-Down Technology, Anti-Vibration Technology and Velocity Drop-Away Technology.
For more information, visit www.qadinc.com.
