bipods, cheap vs expensive?

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uchi

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i was looking around for a bipod to put onto my r700 today. decided to check ebay. the harris bipods are quite nice but pricey. and then i found some harris knock offs for a third the price. some even made by ncstar. so my question is this. is a by pod a bi pod? essentially its just a place to rest the front of the gun, like a portable sand bag of sorts. so will i notice a difference if i use a harris bi pod compared to a cheap knock off like this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harris-Style-Bipod-5-5-8-RAIL-MOUNT-COMPACT-SIZE-/180633992250?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0e9ffc3a
 
I sold my Harris's and replaced them with Versapods, much better setup IMO. Available from ATRS;)

Here is on on my CZ
CZVarmit008.jpg
 
whats the difference and what makes it better? im just curious if its worth the extra money. ive got a cheap 20 dollar bi pod on my sks, cheap scope, and im still able to get very close to center and shoot decent groupings at 60 yards with surp ammo. im just wondering if a better bipod would make it more stable, more accurate, what it does?

nice looking rifle btw :)
 
I have a few Versa-Pods. They are very soild. Crank the friction adjustments and its super tight for target shooting.

Versa-Pods are built very nicly.
 
You get what you pay for.

uchi said:
i was looking around for a bipod to put onto my r700 today. decided to check ebay. the harris bipods are quite nice but pricey. and then i found some harris knock offs for a third the price. some even made by ncstar. so my question is this. is a by pod a bi pod? essentially its just a place to rest the front of the gun, like a portable sand bag of sorts. so will i notice a difference if i use a harris bi pod compared to a cheap knock off like this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harris-Style-Bipod-5-5-8-RAIL-MOUNT-COMPACT-SIZE-/180633992250?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0e9ffc3a
Click to expand...
 
I don't have a Versapod, but they look really nice so I might just have to try one.

That said, I do have a Harris and a knock-off Harris (Shooter's Ridge I think?). Anyway, they might look similar, but there IS a difference in construction, and operation. The knockoff has pinched my fingers, because the retracting is spring-loaded (the extension is spring-loaded, but only to start it moving, on the Harris). The screws holding everything together on the knockoff are typical butter-soft chinese crap, and they've already started to strip, so I have a slightly loose leg. No such issues with the Harris.

With the above shortcomings of the SR bipod, I have to say that both have been serviceable so far, and both would suit your purposes if a bipod is what you're after. I would recommend spending a little extra for the Harris though, because you'll be happier in the long-term (after the SR has probably fallen apart, the Harris will be going strong).

Apart from the bulkiness of the whole setup, I think the Versapod would be the ultimate way to go after seeing the above picture.
 
I had the rockmount(imitation Harris), it actually fell apart over time from recoil. I have had a couple harris bipods on different rifles, I have never had a problem with them.
 
excellent,. just the info i was after thanks guys. i know with some things you dont wanna cheap out but wasnt sure if a bi pod would actually show a noticeable doifferent between a cheapy and a good one. looks like quality and construction win this question. i guess what it comes down to is how long do i want it to last :)
 
I have a couple of Harris bipods and a couple of the chinese knock offs. While the knock offs are functional they have problems. The padding isn't glued on properly and slides off, the mechanism that clamps to the sling stud is flimsy and starts to cant off centre as you tighten. Looks like its going to break, but hasn't yet. This results in the bipod being slightly off centre at times when you combine that with the slipping padding. Great deal though for say $25 to put and leave on a gopher gun. Better to pony up $125 and get the real deal if you have any appreciation for quality.
 
retepnosflow said:
Funny stuff but the reality is the reality....they are obviously good!
Click to expand...

I have been running VersaPods on my 50 BMG rifles for years and have had no problems with them standing up.
The early versions did not have the pan tilt controls that the 1 made in the last several years do.
They USED to be Chinese made knock offs of the Parker Hale bipod, but are now Made in USA and are very good value and quality with features that PH has not provided. These bipods are used by several US military groups.
 
good to know. i guess ill end up with one or the other at some point. ill keep my eyes open at the gun shows or see if i can find one locally at a gun shop before checking online. thanks for the help guys
 
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