QAD Exodus Fixed-Blade Broadhead Review
- Super short fixed head designed for field-point accuracy
- .040" blades swept back over the shaft, 1-1/4" cut
- Fits Deep Six inserts only, so check your arrows first
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A fixed-blade head shortened until it flies like a field point, with blades swept back over the shaft. Here's the design, and the Deep Six catch.
Quick verdict
The Exodus is built around one idea: make a fixed blade so short that it flies like a field point. QAD sweeps its .040" blades back over the shaft for a compact profile, pairs them with a steep cutting angle and hardened tip, and lands at a 1-1/4" cut. The catch is compatibility. It works only with Deep Six inserts, so check your arrows before anything else.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Super short fixed head designed for field-point accuracy
- .040" blades swept back over the shaft for a compact profile
- 1-1/4" cutting diameter that cuts on contact
- Steep cutting angle and hardened SST tip aimed at pass-throughs
What could be better
- Works only with Deep Six inserts, not standard 8-32 inserts
- A 1-1/4" cut is modest next to an expanding head
- Product data is brief, with no blade count or replacement-blade details
- Switching arrows to Deep Six means rechecking spine and balance
Key features, explained
A fixed head shortened to field-point length
Length is what usually makes fixed blades hard to tune. The longer the head, the more blade surface it presents to the air and the more leverage it has to steer an arrow that isn't perfectly tuned. QAD's answer on the Exodus is a super short design meant to deliver field-point accuracy from a fixed blade. A compact head is also less prone to planing as distance grows. You still need a straight arrow and a decent tune, but the head isn't working against you.
Blades swept back over the shaft
The trick behind the short profile is where the blades sit. Instead of standing entirely in front of the arrow, the .040" blades on the Exodus sweep back over the shaft itself. That tucks cutting surface behind the insert, so the head reaches a 1-1/4-inch cutting diameter without the overall length a conventional fixed head would need. QAD calls the blades super strong, and at .040 inch thick they have more backbone than the thin blades found on many replaceable-blade heads.
Steep cutting angle and hardened tip
QAD pairs that layout with a steep cutting angle and a hardened SST tip, and it says the result is devastating penetration and consistent pass-throughs. A steep blade angle acts like a long, gradual wedge, which helps the head slice through tissue instead of shoving it aside. The hardened tip handles the first contact with hide and bone. Pass-throughs matter for recovery, because an exit hole gives the blood trail a second source and makes tracking easier.
Deep Six only: check your arrows
This is the part to read twice. The Exodus works only with Deep Six inserts. Deep Six uses a different thread and a slimmer shank than the common 8-32 insert, so these heads won't thread into a standard insert. If your arrows already run Deep Six inserts, the Exodus drops right in. If not, you will need new inserts or new arrows before you can shoot it, and any change to the front of the arrow means rechecking spine and front-of-center balance.
Weight, finish and pack
The Exodus comes as a pack of three 100-grain heads, part BD100-F, in a black finish. Before the season, spin each head on its arrow to check for wobble, since even a short fixed blade will magnify a crooked insert. Then shoot one at your longest ethical distance alongside your field points. If the two groups land together, the short design is doing its job. Check the edges on any head that has gone into a target before you hunt with it.
QAD Exodus specs
| Brand | QAD |
|---|---|
| Part number | BD100-F |
| Type | Fixed blade, swept-back blades |
| Cutting diameter | 1-1/4 inches |
| Blade thickness | .040" |
| Tip | Hardened SST |
| Weight | 100 grain |
| Insert compatibility | Deep Six inserts only |
| Color | Black |
| Pack size | 3 broadheads |
| Prices change often. See the live price: Check Price | |
Who should buy it?
Great for
- Hunters whose arrows already run Deep Six inserts
- Archers who want fixed-blade reliability with field-point flight
- Anyone chasing pass-throughs with a cut-on-contact head
Skip it if
- Your arrows use standard 8-32 inserts and you don't want to change them
- You want a 2"-class cut from an expandable head
- You'd rather not tune arrows around a fixed blade at all
Frequently asked questions
Will the QAD Exodus fit standard arrow inserts?
No. QAD says it works only with Deep Six inserts, which use a different thread and a slimmer shank than standard 8-32 inserts.
What is the cutting diameter of the QAD Exodus?
1-1/4 inches. It is a fixed head, so that is the cut from the moment the tip meets hide, with nothing to deploy.
Why are the Exodus blades swept back over the shaft?
To shorten the head. Tucking blade surface back over the shaft gives a 1-1/4-inch cut in a very compact profile, which is what QAD relies on for field-point accuracy.
Does the QAD Exodus fly like a field point?
That is the design goal of its super short profile. Confirm it from your own setup by shooting the Exodus beside your field points at your longest hunting distance.
Final verdict
The Exodus is a clever fixed head with one big string attached. Its super short design and swept-back .040" blades make for a compact profile aimed at field-point flight, and the steep cutting angle and hardened tip are built for pass-throughs at a 1-1/4-inch cut. If your arrows already run Deep Six inserts, it is an easy recommendation. If they don't, factor in the time and parts it takes to switch first.
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