VALHALLA OR ATLAS BIPOD?

[Samuel Whittemore]

Upgrading my Harris bipod I just spent $$$ or upgrading with optional leg extensions and multiple feet... After all that it still seems pretty flimsy and when I am going to drop a several $$$K rifle on it --I want STURDY.

Torn between an Atlas or a Valhalla. Or.... ?
Suggestions?

 

[MTB doc]

Since you mention STURDY as a priority, I'd go with Elite Iron.

 

[Secant]

The valhalla is a flop in my opinion. An Atlas Gen2 CAl is 12.9 oz. The listed weight of the Valhalla is 13 oz for only the bipod - adding a pic mount adapter adds 3.8 oz. So you don't save any weight with the Valhalla (if that even matters). The Valhalla is ~$470 and the Atlas CAL is $240

The Atlas has a better lateral angle as well - meaning as you get higher the bipod stance gets wider, which means more relative stability. They both have leg notches for adjustments. The mechanisms to deploy legs are slightly different, but not enough to matter. The tripod attachment point for the valhalla (which requires their mount adaptor) seems pretty janky. I wouldn't attach to my tripod at the far forend of my rifle AND at the bottom of my bipod.

For other options, the next gen of the Ckye pod is coming out soon (probably), Elite Iron, or TBAC. I'd take every bipod listed in this post over the Valhalla - I just don't see any benefit to it.

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

Since you mention STURDY as a priority, I'd go with Elite Iron.

'Go big or go home' --huh? I like the Elite Iron.

What the hell --budgets are a fucking joke anyways when it comes to rifles.

That current Ckye pod looks great too, but unavailble. Any idea the price range of the next gen?

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Ckye. When they come available.

 

[Krob95]

'Go big or go home' --huh? I like the Elite Iron.

What the hell --budgets are a fucking joke anyways when it comes to rifles.

That current Ckye pod looks great too, but unavailble. Any idea the price range of the next gen?

I’d figure 600-650 for the new Ckye pods. I am (im)patiently waiting for mine to ship. But if you’re shooting square range and maybe a match or two a year. Get the Atlas Cal. I have one on my 280 and i love it.

 

[moaorbust]

I love my Altas BTs. Those have never failed me.

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

I’d figure 600-650 for the new Ckye pods. I am (im)patiently waiting for mine to ship. But if you’re shooting square range and maybe a match or two a year. Get the Atlas Cal. I have one on my 280 and i love it.

Messaged them earlier on the Ckye pods and got the reply --no price yet but they're hoping to have them by early Dec.

 

[Steel head]

Since you mention STURDY as a priority, I'd go with Elite Iron.

Elite iron bipods are awesome and amazingly compact when folded up.

 

[Lone star Shooter]

Atlas BT-65 Is solid. Get it with the ADM170 or Arca clamp. I did not want the panning option that the CAL offers.

 

[kriller134]

I’d figure 600-650 for the new Ckye pods. I am (im)patiently waiting for mine to ship. But if you’re shooting square range and maybe a match or two a year. Get the Atlas Cal. I have one on my 280 and i love it.

Any idea what they’re doing to update the ckye to justify the increase in price?

 

[superde]

Any idea what they’re doing to update the ckye to justify the increase in price?

Less play in the system, tooless cant tension adjustment, and pan can be locked out - IIRC.

 

[pmclaine]

Im just a kind of recreational shooter, takes classes on occasion.

I have an Atlas with ADM in a molle pouch attached to my shooting pack.

Its available to attach to any number of rifles with rail.

I get great utility out of one bipod and its not a burden to pack or store.

I cant say enough good things about it.

My only complaint....mine is pre PSR. PSR seems to have some revisions I might like but Im not bothered enough to change from what I have.

 

[JC Steel]

Get the Atlas CAL!

 

[b6graham]

atlas cal

 

[Steel head]

Get the Atlas CAL!

atlas cal

^^^^^^^

 

[ma smith]

An Atlas Gen2 CAl is 12.9 oz. The listed weight of the Valhalla is 13 oz for only the bipod - adding a pic mount adapter adds 3.8 oz. So you don't save any weight with the Valhalla (if that even matters). The Valhalla is ~$470 and the Atlas CAL is $240

Just to clarify a few points, I think the above analysis is not correct.

Valhala is designd for .MIL which uses MLOK not pic rail. This can be setup 400g installed. Adapter is 1.5 oz and ther is no 2oz pic rail segment needed nor the 4 oz pic rail adapter. (-->MLOK is -∆5 oz lighter than picatinny version)

Atlas is not QR, to get this...CAL NC is $240 x13oz with no mount, adding RRS QR is 2oz and $80, plus the weight of the pIC rail itself (2-3oz)=17-18oz total system (~500g, $320 total)

Sako style bipod is inherently more stable, but the legs etc need to have more material since they apex above the barrel, not below the stock/chassis forearm/etc. The Atlas is same technolgy as Harris style in terms of how the weapon sits on it like an A-frame not under it like the SAKO.

There are tradeoffs involved, the sako is more expensive usually harder to OEM

Sako-style bipods
Valhalla - MLOK 400g $500--ish
Elite IRON - 675g $700?-ish
Sako Bipod - 750g (for reference) $500-ish

Harris style bipods
Atlas CAL+ QR - 500g -- $320

 

[Powder_Burns]

Atlas BT-65 Is solid. Get it with the ADM170 or Arca clamp. I did not want the panning option that the CAL offers.

CAL doesn’t pan.

 

[J-Ham]

BT-65 IS the CAL...

 

[Secant]

Just to clarify a few points, I think the above analysis is not correct.

Valhala is designd for .MIL which uses MLOK not pic rail. This can be setup 400g installed. Adapter is 1.5 oz and ther is no 2oz pic rail segment needed nor the 4 oz pic rail adapter. (-->MLOK is -∆5 oz lighter than picatinny version)

Atlas is not QR, to get this...CAL NC is $240 x13oz with no mount, adding RRS QR is 2oz and $80, plus the weight of the pIC rail itself (2-3oz)=17-18oz total system (~500g, $320 total)

Sako style bipod is inherently more stable, but the legs etc need to have more material since they apex above the barrel, not below the stock/chassis forearm/etc. The Atlas is same technolgy as Harris style in terms of how the weapon sits on it like an A-frame not under it like the SAKO.

There are tradeoffs involved, the sako is more expensive usually harder to OEM

Sako-style bipods
Valhalla - MLOK 400g $500--ish
Elite IRON - 675g $700?-ish
Sako Bipod - 750g (for reference) $500-ish

Harris style bipods
Atlas CAL+ QR - 500g -- $320

Spartan's website says the Valhalla was designed from input by hunters and military. Honestly, it doesn't matter if they are targeting .mil or hunters or PRS or airsoft - the specs/functionality speaks for itself.

Spartan's whole niche is "lightweight". The Valhalla is 13 oz, a pic adapter is 3.9 oz, and an M-Lok adapter is 1.3 oz. At least half of Spartan's marketing is showing the use of the pic rail. Regardless, the lightest configuration per Spartan's website is 14.3 oz for the Valhalla using the M-Lok adapter.

The 2-screw (pic mount) gen2 CAL is 12.87 oz, the QR pic mount CAL is 14.57 oz, and the No Clamp is 12.65 oz. An atlas M-Lok adapter is $30 and weighs 1.135 oz. As you mentioned, RRS/Gray Ops/ADM also have additional mounting clamps that generally weigh a couple ounces and cost somewhere in the $70 - $125 range.

So in terms of weight, you might be able to save an ounce going with the Valhalla, and that's being very generous and likely comparing apples & oranges. In terms of cost, you could buy the no clamp atlas ($240), M-Lok attachment ($30), ADM quick mount for pic rail ($65), and an RRS pro clamp for arca/pic rail ($70), and you'd still be about 15% less than the Valhalla.

Pulling the legs off of the Valhalla is a gimmick, and attaching the tripod underneath the Valhalla is a gimmick. They both cant (Atlas has 30 degress, while valhalla lists 10 degrees either side with limit screw), both can lock cant, both have "quick adjust" leg notches, both can add leg extensions, atlas has more aftermarket clamp options, atlas has better leg angle (wider when taller equals more stability), atlas has more feet options, atlas is cheaper, and atlas is basically same weight (maybe a hair lighter)

If the Valhalla was priced competitively with the Atlas, then yeah it's another option. If the valhalla maintained it's price point and was able to be 4 or 6 oz lighter than the Atlas, then yeah it's another option. But the reality is you save no weight, you pay more, and there's really no increase in functionality/stability/etc. with the Valhalla, and arguably the Atlas has more options.

 

[ma smith]

Spartan's website says the Valhalla was designed from input by hunters and military....

IT may not be perfect/cheap etc...but I can see why they brought it to market... hopefully it doesn't suck.

The only other SAKO style 450g bipod previousl was RPS titanium bipod tha is $1,000+import licesnse from Finland.

RPS Bipod MkIII TITANIUM – Rifle Precision System

www.rifle-precision-system.com

Sayin "muh atlas weighs same" OK but Atas mounts in an inferior position.

Valhalla isn't mounting to (under) the pic rail, its mounting to the Versapod spigot...see this modified pic rail that eliminates the adapter altogether...

Lastly, the upgrade in cost is only "muh ∆$150" so isn't really crazy talk if you already paid that over the Harris.

 

[Secant]

IT may not be perfect/cheap etc...but I can see why they brought it to market... hopefully it doesn't suck.

The only other SAKO style 450g bipod previousl was RPS titanium bipod tha is $1,000+import licesnse from Finland.

RPS Bipod MkIII TITANIUM – Rifle Precision System

www.rifle-precision-system.com

Sayin "muh atlas weighs same" OK but Atas mounts in an inferior position.

Valhalla isn't mounting to (under) the pic rail, its mounting to the Versapod spigot...see this modified pic rail that eliminates the adapter altogether...

Lastly, the upgrade in cost is only "muh ∆$150" so isn't really crazy talk if you already paid that over the Harris.

LOL. A few clarifications for this post:

Using quotes to reference statements that weren’t made and phonetically spelling words that weren’t used makes you come across overly emotional.

Trying to clarify or argue basic facts such as the manufacturer’s listed weight and price makes you sound like a dipshit.

Saying “Sako style” bipods are hard to OEM and therefore more expensive means jack shit to the consumer. Nobody cares if a mfg can’t figure out how to make a product.

Just saying something is superior or inherently better doesn’t make it so. Your inability to follow up with any fact or even supposition makes you sound retarded.

Assuming that a couple hundred bucks is the deciding factor for members on this site is cute. Many of us will spend five digits on gear each year just to check it out. Few of us will waste a dollar for gimmicky trash.

 

[Nik H]

Sturdy = Elite Iron

 

[ma smith]

Sturdy = Elite Iron

this place only rates atlas, didn't you get the memo

 

[Flywheel]

I mean... I don't know what your purpose is, but I'm happy as a pig in ya know with my TBAC.

 

[ma smith]

Saying “Sako style” bipods are hard to OEM and therefore more expensive means jack shit to the consumer. Nobody cares if a mfg can’t figure out how to make a product.

Altering the pivot point takes more material (by math) so its harder to do lighter (by math) all other thing eqaul. The higher pivot point is exactly what all these Sako offer, and what a certain segment of the market want. BTW, Atlas does a quasi-undersling mount in Model 5H. Take a look...

 

[Andrew07]

Hard to beat a atlas cal if you want sturdy

 

[Nik H]

this place only rates atlas, didn't you get the memo

That is definitely wrong. This site was and continues to be an outspoken supporter of Elite Iron

 

[ma smith]

That is definitely wrong. This site was and continues to be an outspoken supporter of Elite Iron

Cheers its was definitely sarcastic! I'm just puzzled that Atlas people seem to think they are faultless. Its mgmt dont believe that -- they are continually improving Atlas, which means they pay attention and fix little things/faults.

 

[shooter65]

Atlas

 

[Kasey]

Cheers its was definitely sarcastic! I'm just puzzled that Atlas people seem to think they are faultless. Its mgmt dont believe that -- they are continually improving Atlas, which means they pay attention and fix little things/faults.

LOL, while I had to read this twice to make sense of it, that is, those that buy/use Atlas bipods think the Atlas is faultless, yet that is not the case as B&T Ind. LLC,, the makers of the Atlas bipods continues to improve them. I get it, but mayhaps, these consumers have a belief in an American company that does not steal others manufacturers Intellectual Property rights (Patents), that stands behind their products and supports the consumers AFTER the sale. We do things a bit different here as we are thankful to be part of the firearms community and understand our success depends on the consumer which we support. Literally.