Atlas Bipod

[bushmktc]

Would you consider this bipod to be the best on the market and why?

Atlas Bipod

Also, what is the going rate on the Atlas Bipod?

 

[bushmktc]

From what I have found on the net, this bipod is highly rated because of its ability to cant, easy height adjustment, non exposed springs and accessories (adm lever and cleats). The only complaint that I've read is the price.
$270 seems to be a fair price. Most of the places that I've come across are $280ish.

 

[Swift]

Do a quick search. This topic has been covered to death. Atlas is a great option but there are plenty of other quality bipods available and it all comes down to personal preference.

 

[Baron85]

I loved mine just sold it with my ar. I chose it because it was light folded at 90, 45, 180* pans, cants adjustable resistance on those features had just enough give for easy loading, and every thing worked smooth and was simple. I now have the sako bipod which I really like it's wide stable and gets the rifle low but I do miss the pan feature. I have only used atlas, Harris and sako.

 

[Johnny Lately]

Try the search feature. This topic comes up weekly. Yes it is the best.

 

[Slapchop]

I'd go with an Atlas over a Harris any day of the week. In fact, its the only bipod that I will put on my rifles.

 

[dwt]

No I don't , but that's just me ?

 

[josh1982]

Its what I have on my Tikka. I will be buying the spiked feet to get better traction in the dirt but as it stands, you won't be disappointed.

 

[oubeta]

Atlas is a bitch shooting barricades, in cars, etc. It sucks to get to a stage and figure out the barricade you need to shoot under is to low for a bipod then you have to push the buttons and flip it up. A harris I can bang up and down as needed in no time. Atlas on range toys- Harris on match guns for me. If I was going into harms way I would have a Harris for sure. If I'm shooting my pretty rifle off a bench all day Atlas all the way.

 

[matt2143]

I agree with oubeta

I have run an Atlas that was on loan and I have had Parker Hale and SAKO bipods on top of my Harris's. When it comes to barricades and windows and such, I appreciate the Harris. It may not be the coolest but it flat out works. Larue has a sling out now that quickly deploys the Harris and allows you to load the bipod against your body enough to where you could even brake the Harris if you tried hard enough. Watching guys try to get in position and have the Atlas panning and being unable to get it sorted quick enough adds stress in a stressful situation which costs you time....

But if I were just range shooting then HELL YEAH I would buy one.

 

[Kasey]

Clearly the Atlas can be used off the "range"....

 

[Kasey]

That screen shot above posted as visual sarcasm, is from MW3, it was a surprise as we had no idea that was happening (we did know about GI Joe) and was sent to me by a Sniper Instructor from the SOF community.

bushmktc, to answer your question, "Would you consider this bipod to be the best on the market and why?" I am biased and still I won't say the Atlas is the best on the market. I will say the Atlas brings versatile functionality to the table no other bipod does at a minimum weight. The fact that other manufacturers are incorporating some of these features (even some patented) in their offerings suggests there is a value to them.

You left an important element out of your question, and that is your application.

As mentioned the Atlas legs are not as quick to deploy as other bipods, the position buttons (mentioned above) require depressing to move them which also prevents the legs from accidently collapsing (spring loaded bipod legs can and will do this). So if time to deploy legs is the priority then the Atlas is not the best choice. (Objectively, leg deployment speed does not define the time it takes to engage a target and make the shot, Atlas excels at allowing a good quick sight picture no matter the supporting surface be it man-made or natural.)

A suggestion on using a rifle to engage a target, try to approach it with "how can I support my rifle to make this shot" not "I'm going to use my sling/bipod/beanbag/monopod to make the shot". In other words, let the terrain and your position in relationship to the target(s) position, determine how the rifle is deployed and what accessories are used to make the shot. Which goes back to your intended use.

Thanks for considering the Atlas, it is an honor to be included.

 

[Emilio]

That screen shot above posted as visual sarcasm, is from MW3, it was a surprise as we had no idea that was happening (we did know about GI Joe) and was sent to me by a Sniper Instructor from the SOF community.

bushmktc, to answer your question, "Would you consider this bipod to be the best on the market and why?" I am biased and still I won't say the Atlas is the best on the market. I will say the Atlas brings versatile functionality to the table no other bipod does at a minimum weight. The fact that other manufacturers are incorporating some of these features (even some patented) in their offerings suggests there is a value to them.

You left an important element out of your question, and that is your application.

As mentioned the Atlas legs are not as quick to deploy as other bipods, the position buttons (mentioned above) require depressing to move them which also prevents the legs from accidently collapsing (spring loaded bipod legs can and will do this). So if time to deploy legs is the priority then the Atlas is not the best choice. (Objectively, leg deployment speed does not define the time it takes to engage a target and make the shot, Atlas excels at allowing a good quick sight picture no matter the supporting surface be it man-made or natural.)

A suggestion on using a rifle to engage a target, try to approach it with "how can I support my rifle to make this shot" not "I'm going to use my sling/bipod/beanbag/monopod to make the shot". In other words, let the terrain and your position in relationship to the target(s) position, determine how the rifle is deployed and what accessories are used to make the shot. Which goes back to your intended use.

Thanks for considering the Atlas, it is an honor to be included.

Remington brought us the MSR with the Atlas on it. To be honest, I usually provide a lot of gear for the Infinity Ward COD games and I am in the process of switching most of my bipods to Atlas.

 

[8541recon]

Hmmm, I didn't think about how fast you can get them up and down. I have been trying different options (I have never been a huge fan of bi-pods when you have as much time as you need). The atlas seem to be a able to find a good friction balance that allows you to swivel and adjust for cant without being too loose. I haven't tried the cleats, but that might be nice too. My only complaint with Harris is that they are difficult to tighten by hand (tight enough for me at least) so the cant isn't too loose, also they seem to rust pretty easily compared to other options.

 

[Kasey]

Emilio,

What a cool job that you have!

Funny when that screen shot was sent to me I had no idea about that project and some people were saying it wasn't an Atlas...so I checked with our Remington POC and he confirmed it. He also briefly described some of what is involved in getting the real weapons and sounds into the game...sounded like a lot of effort and energy is involved. So while I cant play it very well, (MW3 is my first...) my appreciation for the gaming industry went up a ton.

8541recon, while "leg deployment speed" has never equated "sight on target" to me, I respect others opinions and will continue to improve our offerings. Regarding the Harris, if you don't know, Terry Cross makes a product called the Pod-Loc, its a lever that replaces the standard round knob on the Harris providing the means for easier and more positive tightening.

 

[FALex]

I have a ton of experience with Harris', and in fact, I was a guy who used to say, "those Atlas' don't do anything more than the Harris does...you can buy 3 Harris for one Atlas." I USED to say that, until I received a rifle that came with one in an ADM QD mount.

Holy shit. The Atlas are just cool bipods. They can move every damn direction you need them, no problem.

I am not knocking the Harris, because I still use them, and they are great bipods for the cash. They just cannot compare to the Atlas, IMHO.

 

[crowsniper1]

Every now and then you can find a used atlas for around $175,they sell rather quickly for that price,i use harris ,blackhawk and atlas and they all work well.

 

[bh-ltr]

I also thought that the Atlas was going to be a slow down in comparison to the Harris. I thought how can you get to be any faster than snap, snap and now we're ready to shoot. However once I finally had an atlas on my rifle I realized that moving the legs up and down to get to different targets happens more often for me than putting them up and down at one school that I went to. In this arena adjusting the legs to where you want them is quite a bit more positive than the Atlas. With a LOT of practice you can get to where you can use the springs on the Harris notched bipods and get what you want. Probably even faster than Atlas but I would find that this was a skill that would atrophy very quickly and I just couldn't keep the skill refined enough. I find that the Atlas has a bit more play in the legs and that makes it easier to tell when you're fully loaded but it also gives the rifle the ability to free recoil for a slightly longer distance. Not sure if this has much to do with anything but my ability to hit on farther targets seems to be improved when using the Atlas over that of the Harris.

I also like that the Atlas comes with extension legs that can be added to it and can be packed with very little additional weight. This is a much better solution that having to carry two full Harris bipods with you and then having to switch them out when you want/need a different height. Hell I find that I can generally leave them on all the time if I need and then just use the 45 degree forward position for the lower shots. The only reason I've not done this is that my legs tend to not hold as well as they should. I've sent an email off to B&T and they said that it doesn't sound normal and have offered to take care of it. I've just not had the chance yet. Honestly the guys at B&T are awesome guys to deal with. Any little tweak that they've made if it annoys you and there is something they can do about it the usually offer to take care of it for you. However on the latest one they've asked that I give their new way a bit more of a chance. I'm in the process of doing that now (mind you that this is regard to their monopod).

Suffice it to say that if I'm taking a shot from the prone position all three of my rifles points of contact with the ground are provided by B&T industries and that does nothing but bring me confidence.

~Brett

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Here is a recent bipod video we did:

It's not really a full review of the Atlas, but a comparison of bipod features and why I like what I do.

Mail Call Mondays Season 2 #22 - Bipods, Harris, Altas, Cheap, etc. - YouTube

Here is an actual review of the Atlas that I still use on my AE MkII.

8541 Tactical - Atlas Bipod V8 Review

I will have a full video review of the V8.1 soon.

I like the Atlas bipods because they give me options. I still have several Harris bipods and I use them often on non-railed rifles. On working rifles I feel the Atlas gives me flexibility that the Harris does not.

It's not all skittles and rainbows. In competition it annoys me that after several traversing passes I have to reach up and straighten the Atlas. Once it twists to one side it likes to stay there. It does not have a self-centering design. It also likes to hang up inside my Eberlestock scabbard.

 

[KYS]

I prefer the Harris 6-9 S w/ notched legs
DLOC attachment
Phoenix spike feet

 

[-Nick-]

Hmmm, I didn't think about how fast you can get them up and down. I have been trying different options (I have never been a huge fan of bi-pods when you have as much time as you need). The atlas seem to be a able to find a good friction balance that allows you to swivel and adjust for cant without being too loose. I haven't tried the cleats, but that might be nice too. My only complaint with Harris is that they are difficult to tighten by hand (tight enough for me at least) so the cant isn't too loose, also they seem to rust pretty easily compared to other options.

Do you not have a podloc?