Let’s Talk About Qad Replacement Felt Kit
The Qad Replacement Felt Kit is a simple but essential product for any archer using a QAD Ultrarest drop-away arrow rest. As a seasoned archer with over a decade of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly the felt on these rests can wear down, impacting accuracy and arrow flight. This kit, manufactured by QAD, promises to restore your rest to its original, optimal condition.
I came across this product when my groups started widening at longer distances. Upon inspection, I noticed the felt on my rest’s launcher arms was noticeably worn. I immediately recognized that fresh felt would reduce friction and improve arrow launch consistency.
Upon opening the package, the Qad Replacement Felt Kit appears straightforward; you receive three pieces each of launcher felt and capture bar felt. The material feels slightly denser than the original felt, which could indicate improved durability. My initial thought was, “Finally, a quick and easy solution to keep my rest performing like new!”
Compared to simply buying generic felt and trying to cut it to size myself, the Qad Replacement Felt Kit offers the convenience of pre-cut pieces. I chose this kit because of the QAD name, hoping for a perfect fit and consistent performance. Off-brand felt is an option, but I’ve found that trusting the manufacturer often yields better results.
My first impression was relief. This little kit has the potential to save me a lot of frustration and potentially even a trip to the archery shop.
Real-World Testing: Putting Qad Replacement Felt Kit to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Qad Replacement Felt Kit immediately at my home archery range, a small setup in my backyard. This allowed for immediate feedback on arrow flight and grouping. I tested it in dry conditions, which is typical for my practice sessions.
Installation was surprisingly easy. The pre-cut pieces fit perfectly onto my QAD Ultrarest. The adhesive backing seemed strong, and the felt adhered well to the metal. No adjustments were required beyond ensuring the felt was centered properly.
After replacing the felt, my arrows seemed to launch smoother and quieter. I noticed a slight improvement in my group sizes at 40 yards, which was a welcome surprise.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of consistent use, the felt is holding up remarkably well. There are no signs of peeling or excessive wear. The adhesive is still strong, and the felt remains firmly in place.
Durability seems to be a strong point of this kit. I have noticed no visible wear or tear after several hundred shots. The material still looks and feels like new.
Maintenance is simple; I occasionally wipe the felt with a clean cloth to remove any dust or debris. Compared to my previous experiences with worn felt, the Qad Replacement Felt Kit is a significant improvement in terms of both performance and longevity. This upgrade has restored a level of consistency I didn’t know I had lost.
Breaking Down the Features of Qad Replacement Felt Kit
Specifications
The Qad Replacement Felt Kit includes:
- Three pieces of launcher felt: These are designed to cushion the arrow as it launches, reducing friction and noise. The quality of this felt directly impacts arrow flight and consistency.
- Three pieces of capture bar felt: These are for the capture bar on the rest, providing a soft, quiet rest for the arrow before the shot. Replacing worn felt here helps prevent arrow bounce and ensures a smooth draw.
- Adhesive Backing: Each felt piece has an adhesive backing. This allows for easy and secure attachment to the QAD Ultrarest.
These specifications matter because worn felt can negatively impact arrow flight and accuracy. Replacing the felt with the Qad Replacement Felt Kit restores the rest to its original performance level, ensuring consistent and accurate shots.
Performance & Functionality
The Qad Replacement Felt Kit performs its job exceptionally well. It provides a smooth, quiet, and consistent arrow launch. The felt reduces friction and vibration, resulting in improved arrow flight and accuracy.
The strengths of this kit are its ease of use, perfect fit, and noticeable performance improvement. I can think of no real weaknesses, apart from the fact that felt will wear down eventually, making this a consumable product. It meets and exceeds my expectations for a replacement felt kit.
Design & Ergonomics
The build quality of the felt is excellent; it feels dense and durable. The pre-cut design ensures a perfect fit on the QAD Ultrarest, eliminating the need for trimming or modifications.
It’s incredibly user-friendly; even a novice archer could easily install these felt pieces. No special tools or skills are required.
Durability & Maintenance
The felt appears durable and should last for a considerable amount of time with proper care. The adhesive seems strong and should prevent peeling or shifting.
Maintenance is minimal. Simply keeping the felt clean and free of debris will help prolong its lifespan.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Qad Replacement Felt Kit does not come with any additional accessories. However, it’s designed specifically for the QAD Ultrarest, which itself has many customization options.
The kit is compatible with all models of the QAD Ultrarest drop-away arrow rest. As it is designed for a specific purpose, there are no other customization options.
Pros and Cons of Qad Replacement Felt Kit
Pros
- Provides a noticeable improvement in arrow flight and accuracy. New felt reduces friction for a smoother, quieter, and more consistent launch.
- Easy to install, even for novice archers. The pre-cut design and adhesive backing make installation a breeze.
- Extends the life of your QAD Ultrarest. Replacing worn felt keeps your rest performing like new for longer.
- Cost-effective solution compared to replacing the entire rest. At $17.49, it’s a small investment to maintain top performance.
- Genuine QAD product ensures quality and perfect fit. You can trust that these felt pieces are designed specifically for your rest.
Cons
- Felt will eventually wear down and need replacement. This is an unavoidable part of using a drop-away arrow rest.
- Only compatible with QAD Ultrarest models. If you don’t use a QAD Ultrarest, this kit is useless to you.
Who Should Buy Qad Replacement Felt Kit?
This product is perfect for any archer who owns a QAD Ultrarest drop-away arrow rest and wants to maintain its performance. It’s a must-have for serious archers, bow hunters, and competitive shooters.
If you don’t own a QAD Ultrarest, this product is not for you. Also, if you are not experiencing any issues with your current felt (such as excessive wear or noise), you don’t need to purchase this kit immediately, but it’s a good idea to keep one on hand.
A must-have accessory would be some rubbing alcohol or a similar cleaner to ensure the rest is clean before applying the new felt. This will ensure proper adhesion.
Conclusion on Qad Replacement Felt Kit
The Qad Replacement Felt Kit is a small but mighty product that can significantly impact your archery experience. By restoring your QAD Ultrarest to its optimal condition, this kit helps improve arrow flight, accuracy, and consistency.
The price of $17.49 is more than justified by the performance gains and the extended life of your arrow rest. It’s a small investment that pays off in improved accuracy and confidence.
I would absolutely recommend the Qad Replacement Felt Kit to any archer using a QAD Ultrarest. Don’t let worn felt compromise your shooting. Keep a kit on hand and be ready to restore your rest to peak performance at a moment’s notice! Invest in the Qad Replacement Felt Kit and experience the difference that fresh felt can make.