First Impressions of Redline Guru Drop Away Rest 1501639
The Redline Guru Drop Away Rest 1501639 enters a crowded market of archery accessories promising silent draws and unmatched arrow clearance. Redline claims to deliver exceptional performance with its full capture design and focus on durability. I was immediately intrigued by the promise of a longer lifecycle, boasting over 250,000 shots, a bold claim indeed.
My search for a new drop-away rest stemmed from consistent issues with my older model; accuracy suffered due to inconsistent arrow release. I needed something dependable, quiet, and capable of handling the rigors of extended hunting seasons. The Redline Guru‘s design seemed to directly address these concerns.
Upon unboxing, the rest felt substantial and well-made. The black finish was clean, and the internal components felt solid. The AAE pig hyde covering on the V-fork rest was immediately noticeable, hinting at the silent draw it promised.
I initially considered the QAD UltraRest HDX and the Hamskea VersaRest Pro. The QAD is renowned for its reliability, and the Hamskea for its micro-adjustability. Ultimately, I chose the Redline Guru because of its advertised lifespan and the unique delayed sear system, which I hoped would improve my arrow flight.
My first impression was cautiously optimistic; the build quality seemed promising, and the features aligned with my needs. It remained to be seen if the Redline Guru Drop Away Rest 1501639 could live up to its claims in the field.
Real-World Testing: Putting Redline Guru Drop Away Rest 1501639 to the Test
First Use Experience
My initial testing ground for the Redline Guru was my local archery range, followed by a weekend hunting trip in the dense forests of Northern Wisconsin. I wanted to evaluate its performance in both controlled and real-world hunting scenarios. I faced typical fall conditions: cool mornings, fluctuating humidity, and occasional light rain.
The setup was surprisingly easy; the bolt-on design made mounting straightforward, and the cable adjustment was intuitive. The silent draw, thanks to the AAE pig hyde, was immediately noticeable; significantly quieter than my previous rest. I did not encounter any issues during the initial sighting-in process.
After about 20 shots, I noticed a slight creaking sound from the cable attachment point, which I initially dismissed as a minor break-in issue. However, after a full day of shooting, the creaking persisted, prompting me to apply a small amount of lubricant, which seemed to alleviate the problem.
Extended Use & Reliability
After three months of consistent use, including several hunting trips and weekly range sessions, the Redline Guru has mostly held up well. The durable/flexible polymer launcher shows no signs of wear, and the internal mechanism still feels smooth, despite the initial creaking issue. Overall, I am satisfied with the durability.
I’ve noticed slight fraying on the AAE pig hyde covering of the V-fork, particularly where the arrow consistently makes contact during the draw. A thorough cleaning and occasional application of leather conditioner have helped mitigate the wear, but it’s a minor concern. The fraying has not affected the silent draw of the arrow.
Maintaining the Redline Guru is relatively simple. A quick wipe-down after each use and occasional lubrication of the moving parts keeps it functioning smoothly. I haven’t needed to disassemble it for deep cleaning, though the cable-driven system seems relatively accessible should that become necessary.
Compared to my previous drop-away rest, the Redline Guru offers a noticeably quieter draw and a more consistent arrow release. While the initial creaking and minor fraying are drawbacks, the overall performance and improved accuracy have outweighed these issues. It does outperform my previous rest regarding shot consistency.
Breaking Down the Features of Redline Guru Drop Away Rest 1501639
Specifications
The Redline Guru Drop Away Rest 1501639 is a cable-driven, bolt-on “Full Capture” fall-away rest. It is designed specifically for bowhunting applications.
- Manufacturer: Redline
- Color: Black
- Hand: Left (The tested model is the left-handed version)
- Material: Aerospace-quality internals, durable polymer launcher, AAE pig hyde covering
- Release Mechanism: Cable-driven with sealed stainless bearing system.
- Special Features: Internal anti-bounce back, delayed sear system
These specifications are crucial for several reasons. The cable-driven system ensures a reliable and consistent drop-away action. The delayed sear system provides extended arrow support for improved accuracy. The AAE pig hyde promises a silent draw, essential for hunting.
Performance & Functionality
The Redline Guru excels at its primary function: providing a clean and consistent arrow release. The delayed sear system keeps the arrow supported for a longer duration during the initial launch. The longer arrow support stabilizes the arrow’s flight path, resulting in tighter groupings at longer distances.
The quietness of the draw is a significant strength, making it ideal for hunting situations where noise can spook game. The anti-bounce back feature prevents the rest from interfering with the arrow after release. While the initial creaking was a concern, it hasn’t significantly impacted overall performance.
The Redline Guru mostly meets my expectations, providing a noticeable improvement in accuracy and noise reduction compared to my previous rest. The exceptional durability claims have yet to be fully validated, but after three months, the rest is still functioning well. There is always room for design optimization, but the current product is satisfactory.
Design & Ergonomics
The Redline Guru features a sleek, all-black design that blends seamlessly with most bows. The polymer launcher is lightweight and flexible. The lightweight design minimizes added weight to the bow.
The bolt-on design makes installation relatively straightforward, and the cable adjustment is intuitive. Adjusting the rest to accommodate different arrow sizes and weights is user-friendly. The learning curve is minimal, even for novice archers.
Durability & Maintenance
Redline claims a 250,000+ shot lifecycle, which is substantially higher than many competing rests. Only time will truly tell if it lives up to this claim. The materials appear to be of high quality, and the internal components seem robust.
As mentioned earlier, maintenance involves basic cleaning and occasional lubrication. The ease of access to the cable system suggests that repairs, if needed, would be manageable. Overall, The device should last for years with correct maintenance.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Redline Guru Drop Away Rest 1501639 doesn’t come with many accessories beyond the necessary mounting hardware and cable clamps. Its primary customization option involves adjusting the cable tension to fine-tune the drop-away timing. The user can adjust the drop-away timing using the cable tension, however, this is the limit of customization.
It’s compatible with a wide range of arrow sizes and weights, making it versatile for different bow setups. The bolt-on design makes it easily adaptable to most modern compound bows. Redline’s universal design enables compatibility.
Pros and Cons of Redline Guru Drop Away Rest 1501639
Pros
- Exceptional silent draw thanks to the AAE pig hyde covering, crucial for hunting.
- Reliable and consistent arrow release due to the cable-driven system and delayed sear.
- Relatively easy to install and adjust.
- Durable construction with aerospace-quality internals and a robust polymer launcher.
- Improved accuracy over older rest designs.
Cons
- Initial creaking issue, though resolved with lubrication.
- Fraying of the AAE pig hyde covering after extended use.
Who Should Buy Redline Guru Drop Away Rest 1501639?
The Redline Guru Drop Away Rest 1501639 is perfect for serious bowhunters seeking a reliable, silent, and accurate arrow rest. It’s also a good choice for target archers who want to improve their consistency and grouping. Anyone wanting a reliable arrow rest for their bow would benefit from this device.
Those who prioritize micro-adjustability or are extremely sensitive to any noise might want to explore other options like the Hamskea VersaRest Pro. Those looking for simpler and more budget-friendly models may consider a whisker biscuit style rest.
A quality bow square and arrow level are must-have accessories for proper installation. Applying a small amount of bowstring wax to the AAE pig hyde can help prolong its lifespan and reduce fraying.
Conclusion on Redline Guru Drop Away Rest 1501639
The Redline Guru Drop Away Rest 1501639 delivers on its core promises of a silent draw, consistent arrow release, and improved accuracy. While the initial creaking and minor fraying are minor drawbacks, the overall performance and build quality are impressive. It has noticeably improved my grouping accuracy.
At $159.99, the price is justified considering the features and claimed lifespan, particularly for serious hunters seeking a competitive edge. The price is reasonable considering the lifespan of the product.
I would personally recommend the Redline Guru Drop Away Rest 1501639 to anyone looking to upgrade their archery setup. Experience the difference a quality drop-away rest can make and take your archery to the next level! If you’re looking to upgrade your archery set up, consider the Redline Guru.