opinions of the versa pod bipod?

[Dantrom]

i am considering getting the versa pod bipod for my AR-15 and was wondering if I could get any opinions of them. i am interested in how the legs fold back instead of forward and what your expereiences have been with them. any input or recomendations would be appreciated.

 

[mark4567]

Re: opinions of the versa pod bipod?

I own 3 of them. The legs can fold either forwards or back. The older model has no cant control so the rifle flops side to side while on the bi-pod. This takes some getting used to. The newer model you can clamp down on this to tighten up the cant.
Leg adjustment is very positive with notches, and again the earlier version didn't have spring loaded legs while the newer one does. I have one early model with rubber feet like a Harris, one has the "ski" feet which is nice for dirt. The latest one is the newer model with "claw" 3 point feet,very aggressive but also very large!
For the money I really like them, might not stand up next to some of the cool big buck bi-pods. But my oldest is over 10 years old and has never failed. I also like the fact that you can leave the spigot mount on the rifle and remove the bi-pod with the push of a latch. Which is nice for storage or shooting from a bag.

 

[dtask]

Re: opinions of the versa pod bipod?

I heard a rumor that the Versa Pods were made from pot metal - any truth to that or is it gun shop/internet BS?

The Atlas bipod does what you want an is held in very high regard among many of the members of this forum who would have break point knowledge of it's capabilities. I can't remember reading any instances of failure with the Atlas and some of the guys that swear by it have a pretty high standard of expectation that needs to be met prior to having an opinion on a piece of equipment.

 

[USMCGRUNT0311]

Re: opinions of the versa pod bipod?

I hate that this had to be my first post ,but it really depends on you application. If you are prone looking at stationary target than yes get the versa however if you enjoy flexability and free range of motion go with the harriss as it has the swivel feature. I had a versa-pod on aan old FN and I hated it,,,way to heavy and to feel it in your hand was akin to holding something from toys are us....I havent kept up on this scene in a while so maybe hey have developed something better

 

[mark4567]

Re: opinions of the versa pod bipod?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dtask</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I heard a rumor that the Versa Pods were made from pot metal - any truth to that or is it gun shop/internet BS?

The Atlas bipod does what you want an is held in very high regard among many of the members of this forum who would have break point knowledge of it's capabilities. I can't remember reading any instances of failure with the Atlas and some of the guys that swear by it have a pretty high standard of expectation that needs to be met prior to having an opinion on a piece of equipment.</div></div>

I'm not sure about the pot metal, I thought it was cast alloy. And yes a Atlas would be way better! But if your life doesn't depend on it you can get 3 versa pods for the price of one Atlas.I'm not sure how you guys afford your toys, but with a house,wife,one Ex,2 kids..I have to save pennies where I can.

 

[RollingThunder51]

Re: opinions of the versa pod bipod?

.

Versapod and "pot metal"

The facts are as follows.

Versapod does (did) use within the head assembly a metal that was much more mild that every other part of their bipod. Those heads would last just about forever, but they did have the unfortunate condition of marking quite liberally. In other words, when one enforceable rotated the lower on the head it would eventually mark and become bright.

Now, as of 2010, the full bipod assembly is produced in the same high strength steel, the head is gone. In its place is a hardened head that appears to completely eliminate the issue.



.

 

[RollingThunder51]

Re: opinions of the versa pod bipod?

.

Versapod and "pot metal"

The facts are as follows.

Versapod does (did) use within the head assembly a metal that was much more mild then that of every other part of their bipod. Those heads would last just about forever, but they did have the unfortunate condition of marking quite liberally. In other words, when one forcefully rotated the lower on the head it would eventually mark and become bright. Over time one could actually begin to see the head cut a minor groove.

Now, as of 2010, the full bipod assembly is produced in the same high strength steel, the head is gone. In its place is a hardened head that appears to completely eliminate the issue.

As well, the Versapod had two disassembly screws (one on each leg) that allowed the sections to escape their shafts. Whereas they worked perfectly, some found the screws to be yet another "catch" point when moving through heavy brush. Those too have been replaced with flush units.

Here are some shots for those that want to understand both issues.

Versapod has some unique features, some already mentioned, some not. With the pin modification, here are some of them..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyYhnKXYTs0










.

 

[dtask]

Re: opinions of the versa pod bipod?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RollingThunder51</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.
Versapod and "pot metal"

The facts are as follows.

Versapod does (did) use within the head assembly a metal that was much more mild then that of every other part of their bipod. Those heads would last just about forever, but they did have the unfortunate condition of marking quite liberally. In other words, when one forcefully rotated the lower on the head it would eventually mark and become bright. Over time one could actually begin to see the head cut a minor groove.

Now, as of 2010, the full bipod assembly is produced in the same high strength steel, the head is gone. In its place is a hardened head that appears to completely eliminate the issue.

As well, the Versapod had two disassembly screws (one on each leg) that allowed the sections to escape their shafts. Whereas they worked perfectly, some found the screws to be yet another "catch" point when moving through heavy brush. Those too have been replaced with flush units.

Here are some shots for those that want to understand both issues.

Versapod has some unique features, some already mentioned, some not. With the pin modification, here are some of them..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyYhnKXYTs0




</div></div>

Thanks Thunder - that was the kind of answer I was looking for having never owned a Versa. Very informative and concise.

 

[phideaux]

Re: opinions of the versa pod bipod?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dtask</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I heard a rumor that the Versa Pods were made from pot metal - any truth to that or is it gun shop/internet BS?

The Atlas bipod does what you want an is held in very high regard among many of the members of this forum who would have break point knowledge of it's capabilities. I can't remember reading any instances of failure with the Atlas and some of the guys that swear by it have a pretty high standard of expectation that needs to be met prior to having an opinion on a piece of equipment. </div></div>

the internal legs are aluminum, outside legs on mine are steel. the large swivel knuckle is cast stainless steel. the bracket holding the swivel knuckle is aluminum. the handstop/mount is delrin w/steel mounting rod like a Parker-Hale. there's also 18 TIG welds on it. if you look on their site at the catalog portion, you'll see what the various models are made of.they also make/made steel versions. if you do happen to break it, send it in. they'll give you another one.

 

[phideaux]

Re: opinions of the versa pod bipod?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 168Gr-Grunt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I hate that this had to be my first post ,but it really depends on you application. If you are prone looking at stationary target than yes get the versa however if you enjoy flexability and free range of motion go with the harriss as it has the swivel feature. I had a versa-pod on aan old FN and I hated it,,,way to heavy and to feel it in your hand was akin to holding something from toys are us....I havent kept up on this scene in a while so maybe hey have developed something better </div></div>

the Versa-Pod i have has much more swivel range than my Harris swivel bipod. feels like a toy ? steel legs on versa-pod and harris is basically all aluminum. i don't get the toy feeling at all. the 2010 models are even better, almost as good as a Parker-Hale. I've tried an Atlas on a friend's FN-PBR, i honestly don't see the fasination with those. it flops around way too much for what he paid for it.