Atlas Clone bipod review

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Tominco

Tominco

Member
Apr 1, 2015
2,936
346
Colorado, United States
The latest in the series - The Atlas CLONE bipod review and testing. 

PLEASE! Do not take my reactions to this bipod personally! For some shooters, this is all they can afford and I certainly can appreciate that. I would never judge or look down upon anyone for having one of these! My goal with this review is to show you how the bipod acts and expose any potential issues that you may run into if you are considering purchasing one of these.

While I am biased about this, I also tried to let the bipod speak for itself. I may joke around and laugh quite a bit at it but, I put this through the same tests I put all the others through.

This is a long one guys. It was originally 35+ minutes long! I cut it down quite a bit to shorten it up but still leave all the information in there. So, if the video seems a bit choppy, that’s why.

This bipod was disappointing pretty early on. It also broke pretty quickly and I was forced to alter (fix) it in order to continue with the review. The poor design is apparent in many ways. But, it’s not all bad. Some of that low quality actually lends itself to making the bipod quick and easy to use in certain situations. The most impressive feature, other than the price, was how little slop there was in the leg extensions. Less than a true Atlas!

This might be the right bipod for you. But it isn’t for me. Some of you are very passionate about these stating that you can make them almost, or just as good, as a true Atlas. GREAT! I’m truly happy for you! Please feel free to post your tricks in the comments of the video once it (eventually) posts up on youtube. Links to how-to video for modifying these are also welcome.

Hope you all enjoy!

Happy Shooting!

Tom

1574430069_516264955dd7e575b1b448.64452503_Screen Shot 2019-11-22 at 6.36.26 AM.png
 
@bucketboy - Thank you for the offer. I'd prefer if you post what size they are, where to get them, and where to put them for everyone else to see. I don't need this bipod and don't want to modify it any more for testing purposes.
Click to expand...

Here you go, a post I did a few months ago on airgun forum 



1574549787_2799074055dd9b91b5a3998.25329262_C8201116-57AD-44D2-9DED-E15345FB9B2B.png



and these are a few replies after sending some out for a small donation to the forum.



1574551458_5744012875dd9bfa2a84f07.29393716_82BD1F57-9A4E-4587-BAA0-72F54321E587.png

 
  • Like
Reactions: Tominco
Upvote 0
Dang Tom, judging by the abuse you dished out to that thing, you really do hate em. The rough treatment, and the fact that it still sort of held together actually kinda makes a case for it. 

Would be interesting to see a video with you yanking and jerking and pounding on the adjustments and putting your whole body weight into it (like leaning against the rail on the porch), with the real one. But, fair's fair, so I wanna see the porch shaking through the camera with each forceful blow like it did in this video. Also would be interesting to see how the real one moves around smoothly with a really roughly drilled washer stuck in the mechanics. 


 
Upvote 0
Nah.. I don't hate. I just disagree. ;) Regardless of my opinion, I tried to let the bipod speak for itself. 

Sorry about the shaky video. I'm working on a solution for that. Sometimes it's exaggerated and sometimes I can suppress it. 

I didn't treat this any more harshly than any of the other bipods in the testing series. Basic functionality is tested first. Then, I start to stress the system. I do this on purpose. I want you to see how the bipod acts for basic functionality and then I want to see how it reacts to being stressed. After that, I push it harder. It's a series of tests that increase in intensity as I progress through the video. If your style of shooting does not stress the system, then only the first part (bench) and final thoughts apply to you. 

The real Atlas has already been recorded. I discovered a significant weak point with the system. But, I tried to test it to the same standard I put them all through. No more, no less. Fair's fair, like you said. The clone simply would not have made it through the testing without the washer being added. It was necessary in order to retain basic functionality. The Atlas did not require any modification in order to make it through testing. And, yes, I did a butcher job on that washer! LOL! 

I have taken @bucketboy up on his offer to send me some upgrade parts for the clone and sent him some Tomcat Airguns decals in trade! If they make a significant difference, I'll consider making a followup video about modding clones to work. 

I think the clone makes a case for itself but, I don't think it's because it made it through the test (only after being modified). I think it's strong points are the lack of slop in the leg extensions and (oddly enough) the ineffectiveness of the leg collar locking system. If I had known it wasn't necessary to use the collar from the start, it would have altered how I used it at the bench. But, then again, that wouldn't have portrayed an accurate representation of using the bipod as it was designed. Of course, It's strongest positive is its price point. 

I just checked my raw footage. I do have some camera shake with the real Atlas. After a real quick look, It looks to be similar to the clone. I'm putting 1/2" thick pads of foam under my tripod feet, on the deck, to combat the shake. Sometimes, I simply forget them. lol! Atlas should be out in... Jan (I think).

Cheers!

Tom
 
Upvote 0
Tominco

"I think the clone makes a case for itself but, I don't think it's because it made it through the test (only after being modified). I think it's strong points are the lack of slop in the leg extensions and (oddly enough) the ineffectiveness of the leg collar locking system. If I had known it wasn't necessary to use the collar from the start, it would have altered how I used it at the bench. But, then again, that wouldn't have portrayed an accurate representation of using the bipod as it was designed. Of course, It's strongest positive is its price point."

I believe that the fact that it made it through the test AFTER being modified is the strongest positive for the clone. The lower initial cost is then just a bonus. If an inexpensive modification can make the clone function acceptably for most users while the price including the modification is still a fraction of the name brand, that seems like a major positive point to consider. Agree that the Atlas is better made and generally superior. Agree that the cloning issue is/can be a problem. Still glad I saved the money on the clone.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu