QAD (Quality Archery Designs)
QAD was founded in 2000 in Memphis, Michigan by the Grace family, who also own G5 Outdoors and Prime Archery. QAD is best known for the Ultrarest arrow rest line (HDX and MXT models), and the Exodus broadhead is the fixed-head hunting flagship.
Brand ethos and manufacturing
Fixed-blade full-cut geometry. The Exodus runs a 1.25 inch cut on a compact 1.25 inch ferrule, which puts the entire cut inside the shaft profile at 12 gpi. Blades are .048 hardened stainless, one of the thickest in the fixed-head category. Manufacturing is CNC in Memphis alongside the G5 line.
Flagship products
- QAD Exodus Full Blade: 3-blade 1.25 inch cut, 100 grain, .048 stainless blades, swept-back trocar tip. MSRP USD 40 to 50 for a 3-pack.
- QAD Exodus Swept Blade: 3-blade 1.25 inch cut, 100 grain, forward-swept blade angle. MSRP USD 40 to 50 for a 3-pack.
- QAD Exodus 125: 3-blade 1.25 inch cut, 125 grain, for high-FOC builds. MSRP USD 40 to 50 for a 3-pack.
Warranty and forum reputation
QAD replaces damaged blades free through Memphis support. Rokslide whitetail and elk threads consistently pick the Exodus as the best fixed head under USD 50, citing the thick .048 blades and swept-back geometry that keeps the head inside the shaft profile for clean field-point flight.
Common complaints
The Exodus’s swept-back trocar tip does not cut on contact; a heavy quartering shot on elk shoulder can deflect where an Iron Will V100 tanto or Cutthroat single-bevel would drive through. The Ultrarest HDX velcro launcher wears out at 2 to 3 seasons and needs replacement (see the arrow rests guide). Not a traditional shooter’s head.