Atlas vs Harris

T

The_New_Sniper

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Feb 6, 2014
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#1
New LR shooter, please bear with me.

Whats the difference besides $$$? I heard atlas has the highest quality, and I've also heard a lot that harris bipods are good. Can anyone tell me primary difference between both brands?
 
#2
a lot is preference - there isn't a huge difference in price once you add the frills to the Harris. The Harris is an older design - some people like some of the things about it like the spring loaded legs - atlas legs you have to move with your hand and you need to press a button to do so.

I sell the Atlas - and I am partial to them. I like that there isn't a lot of exposed junk to get caught on stuff which the Harris has.

If you have the money, I would suggest the Atlas is a better bipod. If you don't have the money maybe buy the Harris and see how it works for you - you can always sell it later.

I am surprised other haven't chimed in here - likely because there are a lot of threads that compare the two....
 
#3
Ok, here is my thoughts.
Harris, less expensive, legs are spring loaded and move from stowed position to use position faster.
Atlas, outstanding build quality, legs will fold and lock in multiple shooting positions.
I had an Atlas and now have multiple Harris bipods with notched legs and podlocks.
Scott
 
#5
I've used the Harris plenty, but prefer the atlas by a long shot.

You first think that you can just get one and then just swap it amongst rifles. Who in their right mind needs more than one atlas? But then they slowly begin to multiply by some form of sheer magic... I just don't get it.
 
#8
I'm a new convert, with only 2 range trips on my Atlas I'm sold. Having the extra leg position is a nice option. They are easier to load and with that less prone to hopping. The other nice thing is you don't have the recoil noise of the spring that hold the legs in place. The lack of stamp parts should translate to a longer service life. Last is Atlas customer support, Kasey and the rest are first class. Read up on the differences between the original and the knock off out of China.
 
#15
Gmountain said:
That's what I thought. So if you have a swivel, the only real option is Harris.
Click to expand...

I saw a Pro Mag pic rail adapter that would use the sling swivel to mount. Might be worth looking into if you like the features of the Atlas over the Harris. I have both brands and the rifles that don't have a pic rail are using a Harris with no complaints.
 
#18
I converted from Harris to Atlas last year. I prefered the locking leg positions and more solid feel personally. Gave my last Harris to one of my oldest boys friends. From now on its all Atlas for me.
 
#20
ZombieMonkey said:
I've used the Harris plenty, but prefer the atlas by a long shot.

You first think that you can just get one and then just swap it amongst rifles. Who in their right mind needs more than one atlas? But then they slowly begin to multiply by some form of sheer magic... I just don't get it.
Click to expand...

They are like Tribbles in that Star Trek episode. Soon you are surrounded by them.
 
#21
Having an Atlas and a few Harris bipods, although I would agree that the Atlas is built "better" (in quotes because the Harris isn't "badly" built), I don't think its 2x better. I just picked up another rifle today and will be ordering a Harris for it.
 
#24
Now if you are a Coyote hunter and need a super tall bipod to sit on your ass to shoot, Harris is your only "Practical" Solution. Or shooting Sticks! Yes, you can add extentions to your Atlas, but that is a lot of extensions and $, that do not retract when needed. This is just a view from a Coyote hunters perspective? I guess most on here are not talking about Coyote hunting anyways?
 
#25
Don't want to change the thread but I picked up a LRA bipod and it is a tank. Bigger and heavier than both but worth it.
 
Last edited:
#26
TacBlade, here is an option, get the Atlas leg extensions and either cut to length a pair of dowel rods (material of your choice) to accommodate sitting height.
OR
Butcher a cheap tripod and take the tripod legs and fit them to the leg extensions for an adjustable option.
I've wanted to show this on our www just need the time....
 
#27
I have both Atlas and Harris and I like both and if I had it to do over I would get at least one of each.

Things may have changed since I got mine, but with mine, the Atlas mounts directly to a rail whereas I had to get an adapter to mount my Harris to a rail. This closed the gap in price. IIRC, the Atlas was about $220, the Harris $130. But after the $60 ADM adapter, the gap was closer in price. But then I got 3 inch extenders for the Atlas and opened the gap back up.
My harris is a 13-27 inch and the atlas out of the box is a 6-9 inch, with the extenders the atlas is a 9-12 inch. If I lock the legs forward at a 45 degrees angle I can get it to be a 6-12 inch.
But the Harris can get me up out of the grass on my land, and support sitting (at 20 inch extension) or kneeing (at 27 inch extension) which the atlas cannot do. So for me, I need both.
I also have a tripod to support shooting standing.
 
#30


I absolutely love my Atlas's and the quality is top notch, if I am at a PRS match in flat country I use them 100% of the time.
BUT:
Here where I live it is mountain country and most shots are in uneven terrain. Pictured are standard issue bi pods from both Manufactures, That height difference is a BIG deal, it really aids in building position.
 
#31
mdmorrow said:
I love how easy the atlas is to swap between rifles. Plus it's very lightweight and doesn't snag on things. I have two and switch them between 5 rifles.
Click to expand...

I swap both my Harris and Atlas around on my rifles. Since the Harris is 13-27 and the Atlas (with on set of 3 inch extenders and allowing for the 45 degree lower position option) is 6-12 they serve different purposes (I mostly shoot on my land which has lots of "cricks", Hills and trees).
The Harris is easier to swap because the ADM QD adapter is truly tool-less whereas moving the Atlas requires a flat head.

I think you can get a QD for the Atlas also but more $$ of course.
 
#33
Kasey said:
TacBlade, here is an option, get the Atlas leg extensions and either cut to length a pair of dowel rods (material of your choice) to accommodate sitting height.
OR
Butcher a cheap tripod and take the tripod legs and fit them to the leg extensions for an adjustable option.
I've wanted to show this on our www just need the time....
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good idea!!! I have some aluminum tubing that I may make a nice conversion and I will post up some pics!!! Thanks Kasey
 
#34
But will these "extensions" collapse down to the 13 inch size of the Harris 13-27 inch solution?

And yes, I did purchase the 13-27 Harris specifically, at the time, for Coyote hunting, though it comes in handy for the sitting and kneeing positions of target shooting.

But without a collapsible capability, we would be humping through the woods with a big long bunch of stuff hanging off the bottom of the rifle getting in the way. Maybe I'm not seeing the picture correctly :).
 
#35
I have both and shoot with both a good bit. The harris is just fine. I don't think that you will ever "go wrong" with a harris. The atlas is a very nice bipod though. I enjoy shooting with both. I have an atlas rail on my 308 folder that I also carry a rail mounted set of long Harris's with and I can swap quick and easy. No, I cant swap out the bipods real quick on my others but usually times isn't that bad. I got shooting sticks or a sling for those moments. I coyote hunt a good bit so I think about that a lot. When hunting I have both but usually just carry sticks and small harris. The harris is much faster to get out and on but again, if time isn't bad and usually it isn't then the atlas is very nice once its set up. The flexability of the atlas has made a shot or two much better than a harris would due to how the legs can be put at a 45deg angle.

Heres my advice, get either HArris or Atlas over any of the cheap ones and youll be just fine, If you go Harris then make sure you get the swivel and notched legs. I recommend a set of long Harris though either way. If you see yourself sitting a good bit.


Good luck
 
#37
I will get one of the Cheap Copy's of a Harris from Wallyworld, the really long one, and cut them off and adapt them to my Atlas and see if it works? I will throw some pics up, but it might be a few days.
 
#38
NO offence to Casey but I would rather have a long Harris and a Frank n stine atlas for tall use. The atlas is great for its desired use. Way I look at it is the tall harris should be tough where the make shift atlas might come apart just when you need it. I will use the atlas how they built it and use the harris how it was designed. Both are great tools
 
#41
I have always used Harris S-BRM bi-pods and I have finally built a Atlas with the 3 pica rails, spiegot, stainless spike feet and the screw on bi-pod and I love it. I wouldn't spend this much money if it wasn't going on my precision rifle, but in my mind it is night and day difference between the Harris.


Also make sure to buy from a dealer, I almost ended up with one of the knock off ones. tradingplacepawn.com is a dealer of them and I got the one with screw on rail type for $199 with free shipping.
 
#43
I got my atlas so I could get closer to the ground, by angling the legs 45 degrees forward.

If you don't have a Picatinney rail, you can buy a Weaver #48328 which attaches to the sling swivel stud and gives you 2-1/2 inches of Picatinney rail.
 
#44
wigwamitus said:
I swap both my Harris and Atlas around on my rifles. Since the Harris is 13-27 and the Atlas (with on set of 3 inch extenders and allowing for the 45 degree lower position option) is 6-12 they serve different purposes (I mostly shoot on my land which has lots of "cricks", Hills and trees).
The Harris is easier to swap because the ADM QD adapter is truly tool-less whereas moving the Atlas requires a flat head.

I think you can get a QD for the Atlas also but more $$ of course.
Click to expand...

Both my Atlases are QD. One with the ADM mount and one with a Larue mount.
 
#45
RobertB, no offense taken, the atlas leg extensions would be the foundation for the frank-n-atlas telescoping legs. So they would plug in and be retained with the spring plunger.
 
#46
OH, I thought yall were replacing them with dowel rods LOL. If yall make telescopic leg inserts then I might buy me a few sets then. BTW,I wasn't talking any trash about the product itself. Just altering it. I have been shooting with an Atlas for a while and theres a reason its still on the front of one of my fav rifles ;)
 
#48
RobertB - no worries, honest constructive criticism is welcome here!!!


Yes in the event of a bipod leg deployment race;

First place would go to: Parker Hale/Versa pod style

Second place: Harris (no speed string attached to legs)

Third place: all others

Now if we run the clock beyond leg deployment, to shot on target, maybe it stacks up different....
 
#49
Now if we have a bipod race, all other things but the bipod being equal,
Deploy bipod, lay down and get a shot on a target straight away, THEN, pan to another target 100 yards left, THEN, pan back to a target 100 yards right of the first, Things will definitely stack up differently here.



Also, its worth mentioning in m opinion, IF you go with a harris, and add a pod loc to the back, I have seen tons of people get on a barricade, knock the pod loc on the barricade and its either super loose or supper tight, then get back down to the ground, and now they have to reach up and fiddle with the pod loc again, It just wastes time and adds more stress to the match or situation. In my opinion

Kasey said:
RobertB - no worries, honest constructive criticism is welcome here!!!


Yes in the event of a bipod leg deployment race;

First place would go to: Parker Hale/Versa pod style

Second place: Harris (no speed string attached to legs)

Third place: all others

Now if we run the clock beyond leg deployment, to shot on target, maybe it stacks up different....
Click to expand...
 
#50
I just had to make the decision. I was all set on the atlas but couldnt justify the money. I picked up a new harris 9-13 with notched legs and swivel from amazon for $86. Then purchased the american defense qd mount for $65. Just jeed a pod loc and I should be sitting under $180.
Part of me regrets not going with the atlas but I got a pair scope rings with the difference. Hopefully one day I can see one in person and then decide. I wanted 1 bipod I could use for 3 diff rifles and be able to quickly change.
 
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