Bipod comparison (pic heavy) TBAC, Harris, Atlas

[1moaoff]

Since I see alot of threads discussing the 3 popular bipeds and I happen to own atleast 1 version of each I figured I would post up some actual comparison pictures. I may add some short clips if people want that show folded, deployed, deployment method and some of the finer points. I can set them on matching chassis for a even playing field. Really this is to show people that cant see them in person the overall differences.

I am NOT going to declare brand x over brand y is better for our application or budget!!!
I would give feed back on how they feel to me and what I like and dont like. (There are both on each one)

More pictures to come.

 

[1moaoff]

 

[1moaoff]

 

[1moaoff]

As you can see there are alot of design differences. Theres even a difference when stowed.

 

[1moaoff]

Some notes on overall position of the legs.

TBAC
Legs sit forward of the mount, this adds to overall length when attached.

Harris
Legs sit rear of the actual mount point, this makes it shorter towards the muzzle but moves the body towards the chassis.

Atlas
Legs sit center of mount point.

 

[Charlie112]

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As you can see there are alot of design differences. Theres even a difference when stowed.

Thanks for the info, deeply appreciated.

 

[DownhillFromHere]

Having just ordered my first Atlas (BT65-NC, RRS BTC-Pro clamp from @Mile High Shooting ), I can say your pic-heavy post would have been quite helpful to me earlier in my decision process. I can't speak to TBAC variants, but the totally non-intuitive naming conventions across the various Harris and Atlas offerings made the learning curve significantly more difficult.

So, a suggestion: edit your post(s) to say which specific variant of each bipod is shown, and, if you're really into teach mode, say a bit about what differentiates the variants.

Thanks for this.

 

[Steel head]

You need a CAL and elite iron in this comparison

 

[1moaoff]

 

[1moaoff]

 

[1moaoff]

 

[1moaoff]

Having just ordered my first Atlas (BT65-NC, RRS BTC-Pro clamp from @Mile High Shooting ), I can say your pic-heavy post would have been quite helpful to me earlier in my decision process. I can't speak to TBAC variants, but the totally non-intuitive naming conventions across the various Harris and Atlas offerings made the learning curve significantly more difficult.

So, a suggestion: edit your post(s) to say which specific variant of each bipod is shown, and, if you're really into teach mode, say a bit about what differentiates the variants.

Thanks for this.

This was literally just a thought while I was having coffee. I'd be more than happy to add to it.

 

[1moaoff]

You need a CAL and elite iron in this comparison

This was a spur of the moment thing.
I dont have a CAL because I didnt fall in love with the x2 atlas I have(both the same). The elite iron i find interesting but I just dont have one. I have seen them but never really used one. I have a buddy who has one so I could have gotten it but to be honest I have never used it so I'm not able to answer any questions in a sincere manner.

The three posted I think i have a good overall handle on and have a good basis for comparison.

Just trying to be fair.

I could always add it.

 

[1moaoff]

 

[1moaoff]

 

[1moaoff]

 

[1moaoff]

How the 45 degree legs work will be up later today. Trying to decide how to best show it simply

 

[Mxridr]

Thanks for the pics. Nice rifles

 

[1moaoff]

Some thoughts on already posted pictures and video.

I have used all 3 bipods and this is my opinion only.

In the stowed position there is a big difference. I bring this up because they are stowed as much as deployed for me. This also falls into deployment, meaning going from stowed to using the legs. Not extending the legs!



TBAC
Has fairly clean lines overall and not a ton to get hung up on. Deployment becomes very natural after playing around with it. The levers that are present are notched to hold in place but you dont need to engage them to deploy. These are as fast as the Harris. Legs can be deployed directly to the 90 position smoothly. Once deployed legs are locked into location. The levers must be used to unlock the legs.

Harris
Has Alot going on in terms of bulk and lends itself to snags and cathing on things. Leg deployment is as fast and simple as it gets. Legs are only used in 90 position.once deployed the legs rest into notches, if you pull the rifle back you can easily pop the legs from the notches.

Legs are not locked in any position, simply notch and spring tension.

Atlas
Stowed this is the slimmest of the three and theres no peripheral parts to snag. Leg deployment is slower and more fidgety(for me). Button for leg deployment must be held in while deploying to get to 90. Once deployed the legs lock into position.

Legs locked in all positions.

 

[TxWelder35]

This was a spur of the moment thing.
I dont have a CAL because I didnt fall in love with the x2 atlas I have(both the same). The elite iron i find interesting but I just dont have one. I have seen them but never really used one. I have a buddy who has one so I could have gotten it but to be honest I have never used it so I'm not able to answer any questions in a sincere manner.

The three posted I think i have a good overall handle on and have a good basis for comparison.

Just trying to be fair.

I could always add it.

If you get your hands on a cal or the new scal they perform quite a bit better than the psr imo. I don’t love the psr and really glad I went with the cal over it. The cal is very stout and gives a lot more confidence without the pan mechanism

 

[Steel head]

If you get your hands on a cal or the new scal they perform quite a bit better than the psr imo. I don’t love the psr and really glad I went with the cal over it. The cal is very stout and gives a lot more confidence without the pan mechanism

I definitely prefer the CAL over the PSR.
I have a shootin trip next weekend and hope the SCAL shows up before I leave.

 

[Tx_Aggie]

Awesome post, thanks for taking the time to put it together.

Per the Harris, I've found the American Defense swivel mount to be a huge improvement. It moves the mounting point back to where it's directly above the legs while also reducing the overall profile of the bipod quite a bit.

 

[1moaoff]

 

[1moaoff]

 

[1moaoff]

If you get your hands on a cal or the new scal they perform quite a bit better than the psr imo. I don’t love the psr and really glad I went with the cal over it. The cal is very stout and gives a lot more confidence without the pan mechanism

I have seen them and I agree 100%. Honestly I wanted to love the Atlas books soooo much, but their operation just isnt for me.
1. Having to depress the button to deploy is a pain, manageable but a pain
2. Having to go past the 45 stop to get to 90
3. Pulling the jets down vs spring assist.

They are great bipods! Just not my cup of coffee. For a rifle shot from prone and known height I would take one all day! Slim and sexy! And VERY high quality!

There are just better options FOR ME!

 

[1moaoff]

Ok now for the 45 degree features.

TBAC
Upon normal deployment you would go to 90 very quickly. If you want 45 theres a button similar to the Atlas on the inside. Once you are at 45 you can actually stow the bipod and return to 45 if you choose to.

You can either set up for quick deployment to 90 or 45.

Will not go to -45

It's very simple once you have hands on with it.

It's actually a second plate that moves. You can see in the video how they accomplished it.

Atlas
Upon deployment you can go straight to 45 or past 45 to 90 or further to -45

At each spot the leg will lock and button must be engaged.

They are very solid and simply designed.

Harris
Hmmm no locking or 45 available. Done!


Both of the 45 degree bipods work great it's a matter of preference to me as to which one people prefer.

 

[1moaoff]

Cant adjustment.

The Atlas I have doesnt have it but the newer ones do and I have tried them and I was very happy with it

The Harris is 100% usable, it's just not as refined or consistent as the other 2

TBAC is simple and effective.


Pan

I dont like pan and even though it's on the Atlas I dont use it so I wont comment.

Feet and Legs

TBAC
Feet pop off quickly and easily without tools if you want to swap to spikes or leg extensions. I havent played with the extensions but they really thought through users being able to adapt them easily without tools

Harris
You have to pop the pins to get the feet off. It can be a challenge if you havent done it before.

Atlas
Has easy to change feet. Not sure on leg extensions from the OEM so I cant say.

 

[1moaoff]

Summation

I have no affiliation with any of the companies. This was done on a whim because I see so many people asking questions and very few side by side comparisons on the site with pictures and video.

To me the Harris is a great first bipod or choice for those on a budget. Let's be honest about it, they work and have been the most used for years. Even in PRS where you have guys buying all the gear you will GENERALLY see more of them than any other. I wont get rid of mine. I remember buying my first Atlas because I wanted a better bipod than the Harris. So much so I bought x2 before I had really tried them. Unfortunately for me they just weren't what i was wanting. I would go back and forth between the 2 brands and was never truly satisfied. There was NOTHING wrong with the Atlas. It just didn't function the way I wanted it to in my mind.
I waited a long time (years) and played with alot of other bipods before seeing the TBAC.
At first thought it was another pass for me because I buy alot on impulse and I'm trying to curb that habit. Eventually I ordered one and all I can say is I am very impressed. It does pretty much everything I want and its intuitive for me to utilize.

 

[BoulderE89]

Just ordered the cal a week ago...but now I’m wondering if I should have gone in on the tbac

 

[1moaoff]

They are different to utilize

 

[Kasey]

OP, I appreciate your efforts here and including the Atlas is humbling, I hope you have seen this is a tough crowd that will keep you honest and on your toes! I'm not posting to ask you to edit/correct what you have posted as I believe you did this as you said, as a whim in hopes of helping others understand the differences as you saw them. The BT46-LW17 in your photos left our facility about five years ago, a lot has changed since then.... This is such a dynamic industry as a manufacturer you need to listen to market daily, sort through the chatter and change what warrents it. It was because of this that the Atlas CAL (Cant and Loc) was developed for consumers that did not want the "Pan" found in our other bipods. Again, thanks for including an Atlas in your effort and I wish you well in your future efforts.

 

[1moaoff]

OP, I appreciate your efforts here and including the Atlas is humbling, I hope you have seen this is a tough crowd that will keep you honest and on your toes! I'm not posting to ask you to edit/correct what you have posted as I believe you did this as you said, as a whim in hopes of helping others understand the differences as you saw them. The BT46-LW17 in your photos left our facility about five years ago, a lot has changed since then.... This is such a dynamic industry as a manufacturer you need to listen to market daily, sort through the chatter and change what warrents it. It was because of this that the Atlas CAL (Cant and Loc) was developed for consumers that did not want the "Pan" found in our other bipods. Again, thanks for including an Atlas in your effort and I wish you well in your future efforts.

Kasey, this no way was meant to disparage your product. I hope it didn't come off that way. I really tried to purposefully provide information and what my take on how I personally use a bipod is.


You make a phenomenol product and I wanted that to show. If it didnt I apologize and would gladly either update this or self delete it!
I see so many people asking about bipods and alot of other products that cant lay there hands on each one at the same time. Then so many people just saying this is the best buy this one..... it kind of bothers me at times because so many people just say that but dont provide a context or comparison.

I had just read a few posts that were kind of that way early that morning and I felt like it was a disservice to not provide context.

I 100% agree that the x2 atlas I have are not the newer models. I did not try to hide that.

I was trying to show what my journey was and where I ended up. And how subtle differences can affect usage by individuals. I actually do use yours for specific applications.

I say this to anyone who reads it.

Kasey, by all accounts I have ever seen is a stand up guy and has a company that's the same....

Your product is phenomenal!!!! And from what I have seen you are a great role model for businesses and this industry specifically....

Edit to add: the original post is based on my experience and my opinion. If I have a factual point wrong please advise me.

 

[SuperBoot]

Thanks a lot for taking the time to take pics and video of everything. I've been running an atlas for quite a while but the TB looks like an awesome product. It's really piqued my interest since it came out. Now just have to find someone local that will let me try one out before i drop 4 bills

 

[AMTGMC]

Thanks a lot for taking the time to take pics and video of everything. I've been running an atlas for quite a while but the TB looks like an awesome product. It's really piqued my interest since it came out. Now just have to find someone local that will let me try one out before i drop 4 bills

If your in Denver that shouldn't be too hard with Mile High Shooting just up the road. I was in there at the beginning of last year and got to check out the TB and CAL. Both great but left with the CAL being it was available and $100 cheaper, now waiting on the SCAL to show up.

 

[SuperBoot]

If your in Denver that shouldn't be too hard with Mile High Shooting just up the road. I was in there at the beginning of last year and got to check out the TB and CAL. Both great but left with the CAL being it was available and $100 cheaper, now waiting on the SCAL to show up.

Yeah definitely. I had one in my hands for the first time when I went up there over the weekend. I'd really like to put some road miles on one before I make the switch.

 

[Kasey]

Kasey, this no way was meant to disparage your product. I hope it didn't come off that way. I really tried to purposefully provide information and what my take on how I personally use a bipod is.


You make a phenomenol product and I wanted that to show. If it didnt I apologize and would gladly either update this or self delete it!
I see so many people asking about bipods and alot of other products that cant lay there hands on each one at the same time. Then so many people just saying this is the best buy this one..... it kind of bothers me at times because so many people just say that but dont provide a context or comparison.

I had just read a few posts that were kind of that way early that morning and I felt like it was a disservice to not provide context.

I 100% agree that the x2 atlas I have are not the newer models. I did not try to hide that.

I was trying to show what my journey was and where I ended up. And how subtle differences can affect usage by individuals. I actually do use yours for specific applications.

I say this to anyone who reads it.

Kasey, by all accounts I have ever seen is a stand up guy and has a company that's the same....

Your product is phenomenal!!!! And from what I have seen you are a great role model for businesses and this industry specifically....

Edit to add: the original post is based on my experience and my opinion. If I have a factual point wrong please advise me.

LOL, I nor our products were disparaged so please let it stand! You do not present yourself as subject matter expert, just a guy with a few different bipods willing to share what you know. And yes, "buy this" without the "why" is troubling at times, some people require the "why" others care less as they trust the advisor. Seriously no worries.

Because you asked, factual point that is wrong, this-

"Cant adjustment.

The Atlas I have doesnt have it but the newer ones do and I have tried them and I was very happy with it"

The BT46-LW17 in your pictures does have Cant (and Pan).