Buying a new bow isn't always an option, but a dozen new arrows and a new rest can dramatically improve an older bow's performance. Although there are several different manufacturers and models, your arrow choices boil down to aluminum or carbon. On the other hand, there are about as many different arrow rest designs as there are manufacturers making them.

CONTACT APA Innovations, Inc. Box 1420 Biggar SK, Canada S0K 0M0 (306) 948-5101 www.apaarchery.com

APA Innovations, Inc., is offering a new rest design with innovative features that are worth a closer look. The APA Ultimate arrow rest cradles the arrow from the overhead position providing a total capture design to keep the arrow from falling off the rest. Also included with the rest are a few fleece strips to ensure the arrow does not make any deer-spooking noises. The large loop design will fit all diameters of arrows, and because it is made from 6061 stainless steel parts, it is not affected by radical changes in temperature.

The APA Ultimate was easy to set up. I simply slid the rod into the mounting bracket and tightened a couple of screws, and I was ready to head to the range. Instead of using the fleece strips I opted for a couple of Teflon sleeves to cover the cradle arm tips, and I was ready to tune. I started with the nock set at 1⁄8-inch high and had the bow shooting good holes through paper after just a few shots.

APA Innovations offers its line of arrow rests in models designed to fit the finger or the release shooter. They also have a special rest specifically designed for younger shooters, the APA Junior.--DD