I have it down to these two options. I briefly considered an MDT but I like the pod lock feature on the TBAC and Atlas.
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Bipod: Thunderbeast vs CAL
- Thread starter Cold_Bore_88
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- atlas thunder beast
I have owned both. Not a huge difference. Both are solid bipods.
I have both and I like both of them. My only gripe about the TBAC is the spring loaded legs. They're quick and easy to extend, but putting them back in isn't nearly as fast and easy as the CAL.
I owned both as well. Still own the Atlas Cal. I also have the MDT Ckye pod double pull. The MDT is gaining some ground in my favorites category but only used for the last year
The TBAC is like a Harris in its design with the legs. Made me feel like a polished Harris when I used it
I prefer the grip and rip collar on the Atlas legs
I use mine primarily in fields. Corn/beans/alfalfa etc. The TBAC like the Harris has the inner portion of the leg extend. So if you use in dirt or mud you need to be cautious of sucking the dirt up inside the leg when you collapse it. It tends to collect dirt and get gritty even if you’re cautious
The atlas and ckye pod it’s the outer portion of the leg that extends. So the leg notches are up by the forend and not in the mud
The TBAC again like the Harris allows you to grab the leg when collapsed and rip it down. Where the atlas has a button to push to drop the leg. This is when initially folding the legs perpendicular to the rifle
I run hawk hill talons on mine. But if I remember correctly the feet rotate on the TBAC like the Harris does as well. The cal model of atlas legs don’t rotate
The TBAC is like a Harris in its design with the legs. Made me feel like a polished Harris when I used it
I prefer the grip and rip collar on the Atlas legs
I use mine primarily in fields. Corn/beans/alfalfa etc. The TBAC like the Harris has the inner portion of the leg extend. So if you use in dirt or mud you need to be cautious of sucking the dirt up inside the leg when you collapse it. It tends to collect dirt and get gritty even if you’re cautious
The atlas and ckye pod it’s the outer portion of the leg that extends. So the leg notches are up by the forend and not in the mud
The TBAC again like the Harris allows you to grab the leg when collapsed and rip it down. Where the atlas has a button to push to drop the leg. This is when initially folding the legs perpendicular to the rifle
I run hawk hill talons on mine. But if I remember correctly the feet rotate on the TBAC like the Harris does as well. The cal model of atlas legs don’t rotate
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I had an Early TBAC. I sold it and bought a CAL. I just never liked it. I probably put a few thousand rounds on it before giving up. All of the fasteners worked loose and had to be locktited, and it would roll away shooting down hill on hard surfaces.
Ive owned them all. The only ones I still have are Harris and Cyke Pods. If it wasnt for PRS, I would only have Harris.
This is exactly where I ended up.
I also really like the accu-tac, but haven't justified buying one because it does nothing better than the ckye pod or Harris that I already own.
If I was to go buy one today with nothing else to compare to I'd likely get an accu-tac and end there.
Have both the Atlas and TBAC and I wouldn’t pay the premium for the TBAC over Atlas again. My AccuTac bipods are my favorite if not worried about weight. They lock up the cant tighter and better than anything else I’ve used.
Anybody else just want an upgraded Harris with stronger carbon fiber legs ?
The TBAC is the best with fit and finish, and is a really nice, well built bipod.
I prefer the atlas partly because it suits me a little better for field conditions and it’s also bit less expensive.
I prefer the atlas partly because it suits me a little better for field conditions and it’s also bit less expensive.
It's not that simple. The TBAC and the Harris have 2 similar features.
-the spring loaded legs
-deploying them without having to push a button
Other than that, the TBAC is far superior. It has those two features of the harris, but the rest it shares with the Atlas. Harris is made from stamped metal, and hops around on lighter or higher recoiling rifles.
The TBAC has a little more play than the Atlas, so it sits back down on target instead of hopping if you're on a hard surface.
If you're shooting a heavy PRS rifle or something with little recoil, this really isn't an issue with any of these bipods.
-the spring loaded legs
-deploying them without having to push a button
Other than that, the TBAC is far superior. It has those two features of the harris, but the rest it shares with the Atlas. Harris is made from stamped metal, and hops around on lighter or higher recoiling rifles.
The TBAC has a little more play than the Atlas, so it sits back down on target instead of hopping if you're on a hard surface.
If you're shooting a heavy PRS rifle or something with little recoil, this really isn't an issue with any of these bipods.
Similar in the way it deploys/extends and how its extensions on the legs have the notches to the dirt is what I’m referring to
Thanks, @Holliday. I ended up going with a CAL. After reading everyone’s reviews I noticed that very few people were unhappy with the CAL. They were a good amount of recommendations saying the MDT was “the best” but not compared to the what you get for your money.
There is no such thing as a "pro" PRS shooter, FYI. It's a hobby.
That said, TBAC is obviously a much higher quality bipod than a Harris. Whether that quality is needed or worth it to any one individual is subjective to any individuals needs and wants.
You've supplied a nice in-depth look at the TBAC. I don't own one, but if I was to buy a bipod today, it would very likely be a TBAC.
No need to thank me, it's just a pet peeve of mine.
I just hate when the designation of "pro" gets used to elevate what are essentially hobbyist shooters. As if their opinion means more than anyone else's in this hobby. It doesn't.
Personally I prefer bipods in which you can take up slack for recoil management, especially in compromised positions.
Obviously Harris doesn't have that ability, and the bipod can certainly hop if your fundamentals aren't perfect. The lack of this feature isn't always necessary on a lot of PRS targets, but it can hamper precision.
I've also seen a few Harris' break in PRS competitions. They certainly aren't very sturdy.
Between those two, no vote, either have too much play for me.
I waited a long time to finally get a hold of a TBAC, as I had the impression that it was just a better-made Harris, and I was bummed to find out that they have so much play in them and I hate it (and feel the same about the play in the Atlas bipods and Ckye-pods), and I ended up selling it almost immediately.
I don't get to shoot as many matches per year as some others do around here, but I shoot more than a few, and over the last few years there have only been ~3 times when I came across a stage that required a fancy Ckye-pod (and so far, 100% of the time there's been a cool MF'er in my squad who's loaned me one for the ~90 seconds or so I needed one).
I still prefer the good old cheap Harris BRMS... albeit with added KMW Pod-Loc, Hawk Hill Talons (that I run with JKL covers on 98% of the time), and RRS ARCA/pic adapter, which all ends up making the Harris not so cheap anymore.
I suppose an Accu-Tac would be an upgrade to the Harris with its wider/better geometry and feet that don't roll, but I've never felt like the Harris has ever held me back enough to bother getting one just yet... (maybe someday?)
I waited a long time to finally get a hold of a TBAC, as I had the impression that it was just a better-made Harris, and I was bummed to find out that they have so much play in them and I hate it (and feel the same about the play in the Atlas bipods and Ckye-pods), and I ended up selling it almost immediately.
I don't get to shoot as many matches per year as some others do around here, but I shoot more than a few, and over the last few years there have only been ~3 times when I came across a stage that required a fancy Ckye-pod (and so far, 100% of the time there's been a cool MF'er in my squad who's loaned me one for the ~90 seconds or so I needed one).
I still prefer the good old cheap Harris BRMS... albeit with added KMW Pod-Loc, Hawk Hill Talons (that I run with JKL covers on 98% of the time), and RRS ARCA/pic adapter, which all ends up making the Harris not so cheap anymore.
I suppose an Accu-Tac would be an upgrade to the Harris with its wider/better geometry and feet that don't roll, but I've never felt like the Harris has ever held me back enough to bother getting one just yet... (maybe someday?)
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