Tom, very nice review!
I've been using the
Leapers UTG Heavy Duty
Recon 360 Bipods for a long time, and really enjoy them!
You brought up some nice points in the pros / cons. My only gripe w/ mine are that there's no quick release..
Other than that, I haven't had a single issue with any of them. [And I think I've owned/used around ten]
I throw kickstands on just about all of my rifles. Air & Powder.
I've used handfuls of different bipods over the years, and to date, these are one of my all time favorites.
As mentioned, I use them on my powder rifles:

Here are 2 Ruger 10/22 custom builds..
I shoot both of them out to my club's farthest target range at either 300 or 350 yards..
The Recons work perfectly to help me plink out to those distances time and time again!
[Pre-loading is a bit odd at first, but after a while, it became 2nd nature & no prob at all]
Features to cost ratio - I still think they're the best bang for the buck.

Sam -