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Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

H

Hellbender

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 23, 2008
1,560
314
Lebanon, Missouri
#1
Got an Atlas the other day and immediately noticed how much easier I could load up the bipod, it seemed to "stick" better to everything and didn't slide forward as easily as the Harris.

Thought I would see if this was just my imagination, cuz I just shelled out about $300 for a BIPOD!!! Good grief!

Grabbed 2 guns that are almost identical, weighted the lighter one to match the heavier one to within an ounce. Put the legs on each bipod to the same length. I tested on 2 different surfaces, brown cardboard and thin carpet.

I leveled the guns and had the rear grip sliding on a piece of slick paper to minimize any influence other than the bipods.
DSC04741.jpg


Used my trigger pull gauge to slowly pull the guns forward one inch, did three pulls on each and averaged it all out.
DSC04742.jpg


Well, it wasn't my imagination, for the extra $200 you gain an average of 4 POUNDS more preload force. It also has more "give" and flex and is much more forgiving because the legs aren't as rigid when you push forward.

.........Cardboard.......Carpet
Harris....6.5 lbs........9.5 lbs

Atlas.....10.5 lbs.......12+ lbs (est 14)

(Trigger pull gauge only goes to 12 pounds)

I tried to isolate exactly where the difference was, the biggest thing was the foot material, it is much softer and cushier on the Atlas and "sticks" much better. I thought maybe the angle of the legs were a big part of this, but I actually shimmed the Harris back to the same angle as the Atlas and it actually REDUCED the preload force it would take by about a pound.

The feet on the Harris also roll much easier than the Atlas, but I locked the feet and it really didn't make much difference in the readings, just a few ounces.

Just some side by side comparison pics....
DSC04748.jpg


DSC04747.jpg


DSC04744.jpg


I guess you get what you pay for.
 
#4
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

Im curious as to how the results would be different if the legs of the Atlas were at a 45 instead of the 90. Would it make that much more of a difference or no?
 
#6
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Outsydlooknin75</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im curious as to how the results would be different if the legs of the Atlas were at a 45 instead of the 90. Would it make that much more of a difference or no? </div></div>

I'll check tomorrow.

I'll make a guess that on the slick surface it will be less and the carpet it will be more.

You will lose the springy "give" that helps it stick on the slick stuff, but should "dig in" more on the carpet.

But I was wrong once when I was younger....
 
#7
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

I'm liking the Atlas too. Thanks for the well though out and executed experiment.

I used a tiny bit of black RTV silicon to eliminate the little bit of slack my Atlas had where the spigot mounting block mates to the front of the AICS and the set-up is good to go now.
 
#8
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

This is a timely thread for me. I was just sent an Atlas by a friend to try out, and one of the first things I noticed was that it's considerably easier to preload, and it feels more stable when it's preloaded compared to the Harris.
 
#9
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

I have 3 Harris, one has softer rubber on the feet than the other two for some reason. It works quite a bit better than the others on any kind of hard surface. How does your atlas feel compared to the harris in that regard?
 
#12
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

Hellbender,

Thanks for the test. Love it when somebody actually takes the time to provide useful information. I'm considering the Atlas well.

But I have a couple of questions:

My Harris S BRM 6-9 Bipod with Podlok is $111.00. The Atlas is $219.95 from Accushot. Where did the $200. difference come from?

What is the weight of the Atlas, compared to your Harris?

Thanks,

Bob
 
#13
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hellbender,

Thanks for the test. Love it when somebody actually takes the time to provide useful information. I'm considering the Atlas well.

But I have a couple of questions:

My Harris S BRM 6-9 Bipod with Podlok is $111.00. The Atlas is $219.95 from Accushot. Where did the $200. difference come from?

<span style="font-weight: bold">What is the weight of the Atlas, compared to your Harris?</span>

Thanks,

Bob

</div></div>

My kitchen scale put the weight of the Atlas at 11 7/8 ounces (I've got the one with the ARMS lever.) The Harris sits at 14 even on the same scale. Since you need a rail to mount the Atlas, add in an ounce for that, and the weights are really quite close to each other.
 
#14
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

I am sure Kasey could get the costs down close to that of the harris if he had a factory mass produce them but then quality would suffer as well as the awesome customer service. Personaly I will pay the extra money for a great product as all the harris, rock mount and versa pods I have used blow donkey dick. Last time I had an issue with my rock mount I wasnt able to talk to the owner or builder to fix the issue. Nuff said.
 
#15
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

The Atlas is worth every penny. It is just a better system, period.

Ya gota pay to play, or make due with less. A Harris is a fine bipod, it does what it is supposed to do, but the Atlas is on a higher level.
 
#16
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hellbender,

Thanks for the test. Love it when somebody actually takes the time to provide useful information. I'm considering the Atlas well.

But I have a couple of questions:

My Harris S BRM 6-9 Bipod with Podlok is $111.00. The Atlas is $219.95 from Accushot. Where did the $200. difference come from?

What is the weight of the Atlas, compared to your Harris?

Thanks,

Bob

</div></div>

I have the Atlas with the ARMS lever, and had to add a Pic rail to the forend, so it was around $300. I can buy the Harris's wholesale through one of my businesses and that saves me about $25 or so, but I can't get dealer prices for the Atlas.

The weight was posted above by another poster.
 
#17
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

Hellbender & Market Garden,

Thanks for the info. I had forgot about the rail mount. I've got a Seekins SRS ready to go on my McMillan when I buy the Atlas. That's $40. in cost I had already sunk, and did not add to the Atlas price.

The Atlas still seems like a good buy. Cleaner and a less Rube Goldburg look compared to the Harris BIpod.

Bob
 
#18
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Outsydlooknin75</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im curious as to how the results would be different if the legs of the Atlas were at a 45 instead of the 90. Would it make that much more of a difference or no? </div></div>

Checked today as you requested.....

I was right in my guess, with the legs forward at 45 deg., it was about a pound less on the slick cardboard and about a pound more on the carpet.

I also checked with the legs fully extended (at 90 deg) and it added about 1.5 pounds to each measurement, it also helped the Harris, but not as much.

The legs bow a little more when longer and get "springier", adding to the stickiness.
 
#19
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trigger time</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have 3 Harris, one has softer rubber on the feet than the other two for some reason. It works quite a bit better than the others on any kind of hard surface. How does your atlas feel compared to the harris in that regard? </div></div>

The softer rubber makes a huge difference (the largest difference in my limited test). I have 7 Harris's of all lengths, and all my feet seemed the same (I checked), some of mine are over 15 years old.

Softer, thicker feet would make a huge improvement on slick, hard surfaces, but not nearly as much in the grass and dirt as the less rigid design of the Atlas, which lets it dig in.

I actually negated the stickier rubber feet difference in one test by putting slick paper under the feet, and it brought them very close, but the Atlas still had a slight advantage because of the springier design that causes it dig in better, esp. on the soft carpet surface.
 
#21
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

Put some of the PHOENIX TACTICAL rubber soled skis on my HARRIS a couple of weeks ago...totally changed the handling.

Preload real is easy now and recoil is much smoother as the gun now slides instead of bouncing back...can now see the target at 100 yards during/after recoil (DPMS LR-308).

Got the claw feet as well but haven't gotten down in the dirt yet.

TWO THUMBS UP for PHOENIX TACTICAL feet....but they are not cheap!!!

~Mike
 
#23
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

Hi everyone. Still kinda new here. Can anyone tell me the increase accuracy attained by using the atlas over the harris in field use? If a person was to use one brand, shoot for group, then switch bipods and shoot for groups with the same rifle. A percentage difference? Thank you.
 
#25
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

If $300 is making you guys feel bad, check out what the sako or AI bipod costs... You will feel a little better. The Atlas is still a better bipod then even those IMO.

Being able to put more load into the bipod really made a nice difference in what I was seeing out of my AW.

Then again... The online training and GAP Bartlein from Moon might have helped some also
smile.gif


All in all the Atlas really shines and is my favorite bipod.

 
#26
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: beenjammin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If $300 is making you guys feel bad, check out what the sako or AI bipod costs... You will feel a little better. The Atlas is still a better bipod then even those IMO.

Being able to put more load into the bipod really made a nice difference in what I was seeing out of my AW.

Then again... The online training and GAP Bartlein from Moon might have helped some also
smile.gif


All in all the Atlas really shines and is my favorite bipod.

</div></div>

Sako TRG bipod on a Sako TRG is superior to anything else on a TRG as far as I am concerned... not price wise though
smile.gif
But as for the Atlas versus AI bipod... I couldn't agree more Atlas runs circles around it and is way cheaper.

Thanks,
- Koshy
 
#28
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kimberyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi everyone. Still kinda new here. Can anyone tell me the increase accuracy attained by using the atlas over the harris in field use? If a person was to use one brand, shoot for group, then switch bipods and shoot for groups with the same rifle. A percentage difference? Thank you. </div></div>

32% better on average.
 
#29
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hellbender</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kimberyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi everyone. Still kinda new here. Can anyone tell me the increase accuracy attained by using the atlas over the harris in field use? If a person was to use one brand, shoot for group, then switch bipods and shoot for groups with the same rifle. A percentage difference? Thank you. </div></div>

32% better on average. </div></div>

I thought it was 97.3% form my observations.
 
#30
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

kimberyote...

I'm messing with you.

It would be impossible to place an average on the improvement.

The Atlas DOES make an immediate apparent difference on how easy it is to "load" the bipod, in every condition I have tried it in.

You will need to learn what "loading" the bipod means, and you can do a search here on the Hide for that.
 
#32
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kimberyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi everyone. Still kinda new here. Can anyone tell me the increase accuracy attained by using the atlas over the harris in field use? If a person was to use one brand, shoot for group, then switch bipods and shoot for groups with the same rifle. A percentage difference? Thank you. </div></div>

You won't see a measurable difference in accuracy. The big difference is in being able to spot your shot and quicker follow-up shots because you are loaded better.
 
#33
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

This post brings up the only problem I have with my Atlas. Most of the time I am shooting sitting on a bench with basically a marble top. The feet have a tendency to start to roll\rotate (slowly) when loaded rather than skid. I bought the ski feet (and even stuck some rubber on them) but the feet dont sit flat so that didnt help.

Currently using carpet to cut down on this.
 
#34
Re: Atlas vs. Harris bipod preload comparison

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kasey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">you guys are killing me here!
grin.gif


beenjammin, just got the V2 TRG Spigot prototype from the shop, will get some pics up ASAP. </div></div>

Want To Buy: VERSAPOD Spigot prototype
laugh.gif

Paying: 3,000,000 dollhairs!

Thanks,
- Koshy
 
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