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Joystick rest????

bobinpa

Gold $$ Contributor
Out of curiosity, what are the main advantages of a joystick rest? I have never owned or used one, but recently I have seen them for sale and they aren't cheap. So why the expense? Is it really worth it?
I'm just looking for some feed back from those of you that actually use them.
Thanks
 
bobinpa said:
Out of curiosity, what are the main advantages of a joystick rest? I have never owned or used one, but recently I have seen them for sale and they aren't cheap. So why the expense? Is it really worth it?
I'm just looking for some feed back from those of you that actually use them.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Iam using my Seb Max rest for shooting both short range and midrange.
for me with the Joy stick, I am able to make changes in my shot placement very quickly and precisely with the seb max
the only set back, is this baby is a truck in terms of weight: but super stable
worth every cent I spent on it
good luck
khanh
 
bobinpa said:
Out of curiosity, what are the main advantages of a joystick rest? I have never owned or used one, but recently I have seen them for sale and they aren't cheap. So why the expense? Is it really worth it?
I'm just looking for some feed back from those of you that actually use them.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Hello Bob! I have shot F-Open since December of 2011. I started out with and old (and I mean old) Sinclair benchrest front rest. It did work! But at my age then (5 yrs ago) I was 57 years young! But the constant reaching forward to adjust the height, the windage etc..etc.. actually became so tiring that by the 3rd match I was actually having "fatigue tremors". My scores were not good to begin with, however, I knew that they were partially suffering from fatigue. Once I got a S.E.B. my scores IMMEDIATELY went up! Fatigue was a thing of the past! But let me tell you>>>you NEED a S.E.B. NEO, without a doubt, the finest front rest ever designed>>>period!
 
Another fan here...If you are competing, the cost is worth it IMO. If I was not competing and was on a budget, then the money would be best put on other equipment. If not competing and the cost is not a big budget buster, I would still have one; they are that much easier/more comfortable/quicker than a non-joystick rest. I shot from the Sinclair Comp (non-windage) rest and now have a SEB Neo and the Sinclair just can't compare. I'm not saying that it will make a mediocre shooter great. I'm also not saying a Sinclair (or comparable non-joystick rest) is not a great rest. But look at it this way...if you had the choice between a top of the line Lexus sedan and a Rolls Royce Ghost and could afford either....what would you be driving? They both will get you to your destination..but.....;).
 
The only advantage is to be able to get back on target quickly, say before a condition change. The big advantage is in FClass. All FClass shooters have short arms and can't adjust a conventional rest without getting out of your shooting position. With a coaxial rest you can make your adjustments while looking through your scope.
Short arms of course is a joke, you would have to have arms hanging below your knees to adjust a conventional rest while behind your rifle.
 
bobinpa said:
Out of curiosity, what are the main advantages of a joystick rest? I have never owned or used one, but recently I have seen them for sale and they aren't cheap. So why the expense? Is it really worth it?
I'm just looking for some feed back from those of you that actually use them.
Thanks
Click to expand...

To be more specific Bob, the joystick adjusts windage and elevation simultaneously as opposed to separate adjusters on a non-coaxial rest. In addition, the position of the adjuster, the joystick, can be varied (in a radial direction) to be easy to reach/move with fine control. Being able to adjust the point of aim in two axis simultaneously is where the speed that Nate refers to comes from. And Nate, just because I have arms long enough to reach the adjuster on a Sinclair rest while in position does not mean I am a freak....well...the third eye does suggest so...oh, nevermind...it does help read that extra flag however;). Seriously, at 5'6", I am one of those short armed 'belly benchresters':).
 
I don't think Butch will mind if I put in a plug for shadetree rests. I've been shooting them for years and they are an excellent product and relatively inexpensive. I wouldn't shoot a non-joystick rest. --Jerry
 
Its like driving a 1995 ford grand marquis versus a 2017 cadillac. Both will get you to your destination but one with much more comfort and style!
 
As butch and others have said they help you get back on target, or adjust your point of aim for conditions MUCH quicker than the multiple adjustment rests. The quicker adjustment time will allow you to the opportunity to get off more shots to beat, hold, or adjust for conditions..... once you get used to it.

For me there was a learning curve to it on proper alignment with the rear bag and how far the rest moved the POI in relationship to how far the joy stick was moved. So, yes they're worth it, but I'd recommend that you go on a honeymoon of sorts with it and have confidence in it before making the switch and competing. JME. WD
 
bobinpa said:
Out of curiosity, what are the main advantages of a joystick rest? I have never owned or used one, but recently I have seen them for sale and they aren't cheap. So why the expense? Is it really worth it?
I'm just looking for some feed back from those of you that actually use them.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Once you shot a coaxial front rest all your questions will be answered.
I shot off a SEB Max and consider it the one of the most important pieces of equipment I take to the range.
 
Man needs to grow a third arm to use those joystick rests properly.

Important that one arm/hand triggers the rifle with perfect and repeatable pressure from any finger touching the stock. A second arm, usually the left, must pinch the ears of the bag and maintain exact butt pressure against the shoulder or away from the shoulder as the case may be. Point of impact adjustment is also part of that second hand on the rear bag. It's position also seems top help with a repeatable light to nothing cheek touch on the stock to keep the head in repeatable position.

Now you can use that third arm to play with that joy stick and move the rest slightly if your second hand on the rear bag does not seem to be doing the job.

My take with the joystick is you lose feel of the rifle, control of what the rear bag is doing, and lose a fine feel of the shooting shoulder and cheek. Now I am talking benchrest usage, not F class or some "belly mode". My experience with those rests also dictates a heavy rifle that literally positions itself in both front rest and rear bag SOLID. Something that you can just push forward into a perfect, repeatable position. Without a hand on the rear rest you lose the fine feel I think you need to repeat from shot to shot.
 
bobinpa said:
Out of curiosity, what are the main advantages of a joystick rest? I have never owned or used one, but recently I have seen them for sale and they aren't cheap. So why the expense? Is it really worth it?
I'm just looking for some feed back from those of you that actually use them.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Bob,
I don't know how it is in PA or if you're into benchrest or F-Class, competition or not. There are lots of benefits to using a joy stick versus using two different knob adjustments. If you're competing and are not using a SEB Neo/Max you're handicapping yourself. Is it worth it? Well... that's the same issue each one of those users on the firing line had to make. The real answer is in their actions not what people say.

Kindest regards,

Joe
 
Joe R said:
Bob,
I don't know how it is in PA or if you're into benchrest or F-Class, competition or not. There are lots of benefits to using a joy stick versus using two different knob adjustments. If you're competing and are not using a SEB Neo/Max you're handicapping yourself. Is it worth it? Well... that's the same issue each one of those users on the firing line had to make. The real answer is in their actions not what people say.

Kindest regards,

Joe
Click to expand...


I think that is a misconception, if your rifle tracks there is no reason to make an adjustment at 1000 BR. at F class it doesn't matter. The long handle is advantage. There it is one shot at a time and the Neo will not stay on target recoil moves them so tracking is not an issue. The neo is slower than a conventional rest due to the feeding of the opposite port side, you have to let go of the handle. A good tracking light gun needs no or very little adjustment at all, so you throw a round in and push it back into battery and pull the trigger. with the Neo you will have to make an adjustment. They both have their place, for F class the Neo is king and 1000 yd. br story is still out. Short range score, Neo and Farley ...... Group i don't think it matters ..... jim
 
Bob,
I’ll address your question from the F-Class Open perspective. “Try it, you’ll love it”; a SEB Neo/Max in particular! I have used 7 different rests in the 17 years I have shot FC, including 4 other joysticks. Nothing compares to the SEB. All the members of Team Berger, Bartlein, SEB shoot Neo’s, quite naturally.

However, I must point out that we do, because our Team is important to us and we go into every team match with the intent to win and/or set a new record. Using the SEB joystick we are able to get a shot off extremely quickly once the coach gives us a place to hold. It is like…”1 right/bang”, just about that quick in most cases. The ability to quickly move the crosshair/dot to the exact point we want to break the shot can be a huge advantage in changing conditions. The SEB Neo/Max feel and lack of any play in the mechanism is amazing and has to be felt to appreciate it. Try one, I’m sure you’ll love it!
 
Where can you buy these rests? Was at the range a few weeks back constantly making those minute adjustments. First one side of the rest then the other. So, I see a fellow down a few spots and he has one of these joy stick units. His whole shooting motion was of course way more fluid. Now I have extra pennies and think I will try to get one.
 
Last edited:
nmkid said:
Where can you buy these rests? Was at the range a few weeks back constantly making those minute adjustments. First one side of the rest then the other. So, I see a fellow down a few spots and he has one of these joy stick units. His whole shooting motion was of course way more fluid. Now I have extra pennies and think I will try to get one.
Click to expand...
Contact Ernie Bishop.
 
Speed seems to be the answer. My only issue with mine was getting them set just right so they were still smooth, but the weight of the rifle didn't drop the front on me.
 
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