Compound Bow Drop Away Rest | Setup & Timing Guide

The drop away rest is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to a compound bow. It supports the arrow through the draw cycle, then mechanically falls away the instant the cams roll over—removing any contact that could throw off your shot. Getting the timing right is the main challenge, and it separates tight groups from inconsistent arrows.

What Is a Drop Away Rest and Why Use One?

A drop away rest uses an activation cord tied to the bow’s down-cable. As you draw, tension on the cord lifts the support arm. This design eliminates fletching contact and vertical string interference, which improves accuracy for both hunting and target shooting. High-end models use lightweight aluminum or carbon construction with hardened steel pivot points to handle repeated drop cycles without wear.

How to Install a Drop Away Rest on a Compound Bow

Installation takes about 30 minutes with a bow vise and a level. The rest mounts through the Berger hole—the threaded bushing in the riser. The arrow must pass dead-center through that hole and sit level (90° to the string) to prevent nock travel.

1. Mount and level the rest – Secure it with the provided button-head screw and washer. Use a bow vise and level to get both the vertical and horizontal axes perfectly flat.
2. Center the arrow – Loosen the horizontal block to adjust left/right position until the arrow center aligns with the Berger hole center.
3. Set height – Place an arrow on the rest in the up position (simulating full draw). Adjust so the arrow center is horizontal to the Berger hole center.
4. Attach the activation cord – Tie the cord to the down-cable about 1 inch below the bottom of the grip. This is the standard tie-in point for Bowtech, Elite, Matthews, Hoyt, Parker, and most other major brands. Use archery-specific serving or D-loop material—standard string or nylon frays under tension.

For a tested roundup of the best compound arrow rest options on the market, our product guide covers top-performing models for hunting and target shooting.

Common Timing Mistakes and How to Fix Them

This rest type works only on compound bows with a moving cable system—single cam, binary cam, or hybrid cam. It is incompatible with recurve bows or any bow lacking a down-cable activation point. Major US brands that support it include Bowtech, Elite, Matthews, Hoyt, Parker, Bear, and Diamond. After trimming excess cord, burn the frayed end with a lighter to create a hardened tip that will not unravel.

FAQs

Can I install a drop away rest myself?

Yes, with a bow vise and a level you can do it in about 30 minutes. The critical parts are leveling the rest on both axes, centering the arrow through the Berger hole, and timing the cord so the rest drops exactly at full draw. Paper tuning afterward confirms everything is aligned.

Why does my drop away rest drop too early?

Premature drop usually means the activation cord is tied too low on the down-cable or with too much tension. The rest should stay up through the draw cycle and drop only when the cams roll over. Moving the tie-in point slightly higher or reducing tension typically fixes it.

Does a drop away rest work on any bow?

No. It requires a compound bow with a moving cable system—single cam, binary cam, or hybrid cam. Recurve bows and compound bows without a down-cable activation point cannot use this rest type. Most major US compound bow brands support the standard tie-in setup.