First look: SmartRest Racken Rest 3

We do a lot of shooting from vehicles in Australia and one of the biggest quandaries has always been the best way to rest your rifle when you’re aiming out the window.

SmartRest’s solution, the Racken Rest, is now in its third generation and has become a very well-refined piece of kit that locks itself into the car’s window frame and carries your rifle hands-free while you drive, then provides a stable shooting platform when you need it. 

This is only a very quick impression of something that probably deserves a fuller description, so I’ll cut to the chase: spend a few minutes getting it properly set up and learning best how to use it, and the Racken Rest 3 will become a constant companion when you’re shooting from a vehicle. 

The Racken Rest slots into place and comes out again without tools in seconds, literally. 

Straps hold your rifle in place but it can be released in seconds. 

The range of movement in the system gives you a wide arc of fire, especially as you can comfortably shoot both left and right handed using the solid mounting the Racken Rest provides. 

There are multiple adjustment points to ensure it fits you as comfortably as the space inside your car allows. 

There’s even a spotlighting kit you can add to it. See the finer points on the Eagleye Hunting Gear website. 

It’s well designed, well engineered and well made. You can get it for $385.