QAD Integrate ARC: A Rest Built Around the Mathews ARC Bridge-Lock System

Drop-away rest attachment has always been the weak link. The rest itself can be tuned to within thousandths of an inch, but if the dovetail or mounting hardware shifts under recoil, that precision is wasted. Mathews addressed this problem with their ARC bridge-lock system, and QAD responded with a rest designed from the ground up to use it: the Integrate ARC, released for the 2026 bow season.

What's notable

The ARC bridge-lock interface is Mathews' proprietary dovetail that locks accessories into the riser using a cam-actuated clamp rather than a traditional threaded setscrew. The lock engages on a machined rail that's part of the riser itself, which means mounting repeatability depends on the riser's CNC tolerances rather than how tight an archer cranks a screw. QAD built the Integrate ARC's mounting plate to mate directly with this interface — no adapter plates, no shimming, no secondary clamp hardware. The fit is positive, the contact area is large, and the clamp mechanism provides consistent preload on every installation. Archers who've spent time re-torquing traditional setscrew mounts after hard practice sessions will recognize this as a real improvement in the maintenance cycle.

The rest mechanism itself follows QAD's Integrate design philosophy: a full-capture launcher that holds the arrow through the draw cycle, then falls away completely at the shot. The timing cord connects to the buss cable, not the down cable, which is QAD's long-standing approach for consistent fall-away timing regardless of draw speed. The launcher is made from high-density polymer, and the arm's fall-away travel is about 110 degrees — enough clearance that fletching contact is essentially impossible even with large-diameter vanes at standard helical angles. Archers running four-inch vanes with aggressive offset will want to paper-tune the fall-away timing to confirm clearance, but the 110-degree travel leaves enough margin that most setups will pass without adjustment.

Full-capture design means the arrow is held from above and below during draw, which matters for 3D courses and hunting situations where the archer may draw at awkward angles. Compare this to containment rests that only hold the shaft from the sides — those can still drop an arrow if the bow tilts forward aggressively during draw. The Integrate ARC solves that by cradling the nock end in a channel and supporting the shaft at the launcher simultaneously. For a treestand hunter who draws while twisted at the waist with the bow at an awkward angle, the full-capture design is meaningful insurance.

Replacement launchers are available separately, which matters for high-volume shooters who practice daily. The launcher polymer wears gradually over tens of thousands of shots; QAD's design makes field replacement straightforward without sending the rest back for service.

Who it's for

This rest is specifically for archers shooting current Mathews bows equipped with the ARC bridge-lock system — primarily the 2025 and 2026 Mathews lineup. If your riser doesn't have the ARC rail, this isn't the right rest. QAD offers the Integrate MX and MX2 for archers on other platforms.

For Mathews-platform hunters and 3D shooters who want the tightest possible rest mount, the Integrate ARC is the cleanest available option. The bridge-lock connection eliminates the micro-movement you sometimes feel when a traditional setscrew mount loosens over a season of hunting. Archers who compete in IBO or ASA 3D events and want a maintenance-minimal setup will find the ARC mount appealing precisely because there's less to verify before each round — you set it once at the beginning of the season and trust it.

Where it sits in the lineup

QAD makes the Integrate ARC as a platform-specific variant alongside the Integrate MX2, which uses a standard dovetail compatible with any bow. The ARC model commands a slight price premium over the MX2, justified by the machined bridge-lock plate and the reduced need for aftermarket mounting hardware. If you're on a non-Mathews bow, the MX2 or a competitor like the Trophy Taker Shakey Hunter are the logical alternatives.

For the Mathews-committed archer, the Integrate ARC is the natural choice in 2026. It takes the guesswork out of rest mounting and tightens the connection between rest performance and arrow performance — which is the only thing that matters downrange. Archers who've already invested in a Mathews riser built around the ARC system should consider the QAD Integrate ARC the default rest choice before evaluating alternatives that require adapter hardware to achieve the same mechanical result.

Source

Product details sourced from QAD's 2026 product announcement and technical specifications for the Integrate ARC.

Tagged: Rests · QAD · 2026