Putting accessories on a bow isn’t something you should take lightly. I’ve had instances when those very accessories proved the difference between success and failure in the field. You need gear that you can depend on when you need it most. It needs to be able to handle rugged country, being bumped around, and inclement weather.
Hamskea has always been a name I’ve trusted across the board here. The new R7 arrow rest might just be the best one yet for me and bowhunters alike.
In short: Bowhunters looking for an arrow rest that is not only durable, but dependable, and easy to use, will be elated with the R7. Just be ready for a hefty bill to bring one home.
Hamskea R7 Arrow Rest
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Activation:
Limb driven -
Dexterity:
Right-hand and left-and -
Mounting style:
INTEGRATE (Can also buy a universal mount)
Pros
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Micro-adjust elevation and windage
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Very durable
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Easy access screws
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Can swap out different rests with “Quick Swap”
Cons
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Pricey
Hamskea R7 Arrow Rest Review
Hamskea has been a trusted name in bowhunting/archery for a long time coming. It delivers some of the most durable and dependable arrow rests on the market, and it’s not even a debate. The new R7 arrow rest is the result of not only the minds at Hamskea, but also listening to their customers.
The goal with the R7, from where I’m standing, was to create the G.O.A.T. of all arrow rests by addressing every single weak point of previous Hamskea arrow rests.
New Mounting Option
This arrow rest is a drop-away limb-driven arrow rest specifically made with bowhunters in mind and is the first INTEGRATE-compatible in the Hamskea lineup. It still can be mounted standard, though, if need be.
As the name states, this is the seventh generation of Hamskea arrow rests. It can be purchased in both right and left-handed models. All R7 arrow rests come in a spiffy zippered foam carrying case. Inside, you’ll get the rest, new padding, and a sticker.
As for the layout of the R7, it’s easier and more streamlined than any previous Hamskea arrow rest. The entire rest is black with black hardware too, to avoid shine in the bowhunting woods.
Each launcher is surrounded by a removable containment bracket. Micro windage and elevation adjustment knobs, along with locking screws, are located on the top and side of the rest.
Also on the side is the wedge lock lever arm, which we’ll dive into below. With that, there are laser-engraved adjustment marks on the side and front. Located on the side and bottom, there are your locking screws to mount the rest. And on the bottom, you’ll find adjustment screws for tinkering with the angle of the launcher.
Features
Wedge Lock Lever Arm
The new wedge lock lever arm makes installation and cord management easier than ever with Hamskea rests. Not to mention, it also holds its position better than any other previous system. By simply loosening and tightening a screw, you can now easily adjust and set the cord length.
And with the new slack management system, you don’t have to worry about any unnecessary cord slack dangling out and about. This is a win all the way around with Hamskea rests.
Accessible Locking Screws
One of the pains about previous Hamskea arrow rests was the location of the screws for micro-adjustments. In order to access those screws, you needed to have a stubby Allen wrench, because the standard folding sets that everyone has wouldn’t fit.
With the R7, Hamskea addresses this by relocating where these screws are. They’re now more accessible, and you don’t need to have a separate Allen key just for your arrow rest.
Quick-Swap Feature
Hamskea now uses a Quick-Swap Feature with this arrow rest. This makes switching between arrow rests a snap. Where this would come in handy is if you wanted to switch between, say, a rest for target archery and a rest for hunting. Without having to change bows or retune, you can now just swap out your rest by a simple turn of a screw.
New Material on Launcher
Along with the R7 looking striking enough as a whole, the first thing that will likely stand out to you is that the launcher now has a very different material on it. This material comes pre-installed on the R7.
Hamskea used a woven nylon type of fabric that entirely replaces the old felt from the past. The new application not only looks great, but is quiet, incredibly durable, and seems like it’ll last far past the point of the fuzzy old felt we’re used to.
My Experience
There are two words that come to mind when I hear the name Hamskea: durability and reliability. All that to say, as an avid bowhunter who’s rough on their gear, I’ve been a Hamskea fan for quite some time now. The R7 was a rest that I, without question, knew I had to test out, and I’m so glad that I did.
Upon first receiving the new R7, my eyebrows lifted up when I saw the new snazzy packaging. No longer was I looking at some standard molded plastic holding an arrow rest. It was a sleek zippered carrying case with everything inside you need to get going. This is something I will likely keep, just in case I decide to have multiple rests and utilize the quick swap feature.
Slick Tuning
Tuning the R7 was a breeze. This is an area that was somewhat frustrating in the past with previous models, because of the location of the micro-adjustment screws. I remember being annoyed that I had to carry a separate Allen key just for my arrow rest. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one, and Hamskea listened by repositioning these screws. Thank you, Hamskea!
As an avid bowhunter who is sometimes admittedly a bit high-strung about gear, the fact that Hamskea switched the color of the hardware to black is something that made me smile. In bowhunting, the little things matter,f and it’s a dang good thing that the folks at Hamskea are bowhunters themselves.
So far, I’ve taken the R7 out on a few different late-season hunts, one of them being a backpack hunt, and it’s held up fantastically. A common hiccup I’ve experienced with Hamskea rests is the cord slipping and having to retighten it. So far, I haven’t had to do that once with the R7. And the new wedge lock lever arm is a massive improvement, too. The previous version was a good idea, but it wasn’t all peaches and rainbows.
New Materials
As for the new woven launcher material, I’m a big fan and can tell it’s going to hold up much better than the felt of old. Quick story, I once had that standardized felt wear out on a different rest and ended up spooking a big mule deer buck when I drew my bow back. SQUEAK! Buck ran like something smacked him on his behind.
Plain and simple, I’m rough on my gear, and Hamskea holds up. I was able to harvest a javelina on my first trip out with the R7, as well as a nice Coues buck, shortly after, so it’s already got some good juju behind it!
What’s Wrong?
The R7 has a lot going for it, and it’s a phenomenal choice for bowhunters, especially ones who are hard on their gear. All of this reliability, durability, and innovation, though, comes at a cost. The R7 isn’t exactly something I’d call affordable. What I would call it is an investment, though.
In order to slap one of these babies on your bow, it’s going to run you in the realm of $330, which is the upper end in terms of price point on arrow rests. I do want to say, you will get what you pay for here, and this is a rest you’ll put not just on one bow, but on the bow after that, the bow after that, and so on. Again, investment.
Final Thoughts
Each year that comes before us brings new gear items after new gear items. Some of it will hold weight, and some will sink, never to be seen again. I truly believe that the Hamskea R7 arrow rest is one piece of gear that will be on the bows of hunters for many years to come. It wasn’t created just to meet a deadline. It is purpose-built and was designed based on the feedback of real bowhunters.
Yes, it’s going to cost you a pretty penny, but from where I’m standing, it’s worth every bit. Go check out an R7. I’m elated that I did.
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