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Joystick Front Rest -- Recommendations?

rayporter said:
hey Dusty,
have you tried the new drop out bag from Edgewood yet, or know anyone who has.
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What bag are you referring to? I did not see a new bag in the Edgewood site.

Dusty Stevens said:
I have a shelf full of joystick rests but the hybrid X from 21st century is my choice.
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I have the Hybrid and have owned a Neo. I also own a Cicognani. I prefer the Hybrid X. Mine came set up with the three inch bag and it is not adjustable. I use the Cicognani 4 inch stocks for now since it is adjustable.
 
My first joy-stick rest was a Shade-Tree on a Grizley aluminum base. It was lite, fairly smooth, and handled my F-Class rifles well. I have lightened the friction slightly and still use it for Rimfire Bench-rest. I bought a Farley used from the Classified Adds on this website and still use it for F-Class and 600 yard Bench-rest. It is slightly smoother than the Shade-Tree with a heavy rifle and I feel it works for me. The one draw back is it is HEAVY. I am awaiting delivery of a SEB Mini X to deal with the weight issue for F-Class, but will keep the Farley for Bench-rest. I have handled SEB Neos and Lenz's belonging to other shooters and I think they are great, especially the Lenz's smoothness but not worth the extra cost compared to my Farley. Really any of the choices available will do the job and are priced for just about any shooter's budget. Best of luck.
 
1000 yard nats this year at RW&B I walked by (National champion)Seth Whooten as he opend the box on his new rest. Man, it looked like fricken artwork!~!!! Anyone know what it was?
 
@F Class John Thanks for your reviews on various products. I always find them very helpful.

You seem to be one of the very few that have actually used several of the new rest. I know that all of the new rest are marvels of engineering. Will you please answer the following question?

Which rest/joystick moves with the least force?

Which rest/joystick is the smoothest in your opinion.

Which rest, in your opinion is best suited for benchrest shooting?

I am particularly interested in the comparison between the Neo X, Raptor and Century 21Hybrid.

Thanks
Charles
 
Ccrider said:
@F Class John Thanks for your reviews on various products. I always find them very helpful.

You seem to be one of the very few that have actually used several of the new rest. I know that all of the new rest are marvels of engineering. Will you please answer the following question?

Which rest/joystick moves with the least force?

Which rest/joystick is the smoothest in your opinion.

Which rest, in your opinion is best suited for benchrest shooting?

I am particularly interested in the comparison between the Neo X, Raptor and Century 21Hybrid.

Thanks
Charles
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Thank you, I appreciate the kind words. I can honestly tell you that it's a real toss up.

  1. Which rest/joystick moves with the least force?
    1. I haven't been able to test them next to each other yet but I'll have my NeoX soon and will then be able to better evaluate NeoX vs. Raptor/Trex. When I get them I'll throw a scale on both to measure joystick movement. Keep in mind the raptor/rex uses a very light joystick that's only a few ounces (and you shouldn't add weight like a golf ball to it or it'll throw off the counterbalance) while the NeoX used a more conventional aluminum/golf ball handle with more heft. So if handle weight matters to how you drive a rest then consider that (I'm a person that likes the heft and larger grip).
  2. Which rest/joystick is the smoothest in your opinion.
    1. It'll sound like a copout but I found both of them really smooth just indifferent ways. I can't explain, all I can say is they both left me totally satisfied in how they allowed me to hold on target without whiplash. Vertical bridge adjustment is a little smoother for me on the NeoX.
  3. Which rest, in your opinion is best suited for benchrest shooting?
    1. I'm probably the wrong guy to ask for that as there are nuances to BR I'm not familiar with. I know that Rod has a sandbag option benchrest top for his, I think Seb is doing a multi-piece bag on the NeoX for BR. I can't speak to which one works better for BR but I'm guessing BR guys have their bag preferences for different reasons. Without them both in front of me I can't say for sure but I think the Trex/Raptor can go a little lower to the bench than the NeoX but again I won't know for sure until they're both in front of me at the same time. Raptor/Rex has a more direct counterbalance system so maybe it's an advantage for heavy gun use?? I'm not sure how people balance a rest when they're using both a light and heavy gun in the same day so not sure how relevant this is. But conceivably you could figure out settings for the Raptor for heavy and light and easily move the counterbalance screws when you swap guns so it's more tuned. The NeoX would be tougher to do that with I think.
  4. I am particularly interested in the comparison between the Neo X, Raptor and Century 21Hybrid.
    1. I think it a weird way it's unfair to compare the C21 to the other two rests simply because the the two are Coax and the C21 is something different. I actually really love how the C21 works and have shot of it but it's just a beast, heavy, awkward and isn't something I'd ever consider flying with since it needs it's own luggage. The c21 is NOT a fast rest to shoot off, so I'd never use one since I'm on the faster end of shooting and less of a slow methodical shooter. BUT for those that are slow and methodical it's the bees knees if you can swing all the downsides since you'll never lose your vertical if you do it right. Raptor folds up into a smaller footprint and is at least 3 pounds lighter than the NEoX so if that's your critical feature then maybe that helps make a decision.
  5. While you didn't ask, I will also say that Rod, Seb and C21 have all been very prominent in their support of the shooting sports so I don't have an issue supporting any of them.
In the end I think there are just going to be people love the feel of one or the other. Ferrari or McLaren, both are kick ass sports cars.
 
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F Class John said:
Thank you, I appreciate the kind words. I can honestly tell you that it's a real toss up.

  1. Which rest/joystick moves with the least force?
    1. I haven't been able to test them next to each other yet but I'll have my NeoX soon and will then be able to better evaluate NeoX vs. Raptor/Trex. When I get them I'll throw a scale on both to measure joystick movement. Keep in mind the raptor/rex uses a very light joystick that's only a few ounces (and you shouldn't add weight like a golf ball to it or it'll throw off the counterbalance) while the NeoX used a more conventional aluminum/golf ball handle with more heft. So if handle weight matters to how you drive a rest then consider that (I'm a person that likes the heft and larger grip).
  2. Which rest/joystick is the smoothest in your opinion.
    1. It'll sound like a copout but I found both of them really smooth just indifferent ways. I can't explain, all I can say is they both left me totally satisfied in how they allowed me to hold on target without whiplash. Vertical bridge adjustment is a little smoother for me on the NeoX.
  3. Which rest, in your opinion is best suited for benchrest shooting?
    1. I'm probably the wrong guy to ask for that as there are nuances to BR I'm not familiar with. I know that Rod has a sandbag option benchrest top for his, I think Seb is doing a multi-piece bag on the NeoX for BR. I can't speak to which one works better for BR but I'm guessing BR guys have their bag preferences for different reasons. Without them both in front of me I can't say for sure but I think the Trex/Raptor can go a little lower to the bench than the NeoX but again I won't know for sure until they're both in front of me at the same time. Raptor/Rex has a more direct counterbalance system so maybe it's an advantage for heavy gun use?? I'm not sure how people balance a rest when they're using both a light and heavy gun in the same day so not sure how relevant this is. But conceivably you could figure out settings for the Raptor for heavy and light and easily move the counterbalance screws when you swap guns so it's more tuned. The NeoX would be tougher to do that with I think.
  4. I am particularly interested in the comparison between the Neo X, Raptor and Century 21Hybrid.
    1. I think it a weird way it's unfair to compare the C21 to the other two rests simply because the the two are Coax and the C21 is something different. I actually really love how the C21 works and have shot of it but it's just a beast, heavy, awkward and isn't something I'd ever consider flying with since it needs it's own luggage. The c21 is NOT a fast rest to shoot off, so I'd never use one since I'm on the faster end of shooting and less of a slow methodical shooter. BUT for those that are slow and methodical it's the bees knees if you can swing all the downsides since you'll never lose your vertical if you do it right. Raptor folds up into a smaller footprint and is at least 3 pounds lighter than the NEoX so if that's your critical feature then maybe that helps make a decision.
  5. While you didn't ask, I will also say that Rod, Seb and C21 have all been very prominent in their support of the shooting sports so I don't have an issue supporting any of them.
In the end I think there are just going to be people love the feel of one or the other. Ferrari or McLaren, both are kick ass sports cars.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your forthright and thorough reply.

I don’t think your reply regarding which rest is smoothest is a cop out. I will ask, are they are equally fluid and properly responsive on vertical and horizontal adjustments? I have a Cicognani that is noticeably more fluid than the Neo or Max. This matters to me because at times, I have found myself over adjusting and going back and forth sort of fighting the rest to make fine adjustments.

When you say that the C21 is not “fast” to shoot off of, what are you referring to?

I look forward to your side by side comparison.
 
Ccrider said:
Thank you for your forthright and thorough reply.

I don’t think your reply regarding which rest is smoothest is a cop out. I will ask, are they are equally fluid and properly responsive on vertical and horizontal adjustments? I have a Cicognani that is noticeably more fluid than the Neo or Max. This matters to me because at times, I have found myself over adjusting and going back and forth sort of fighting the rest to make fine adjustments.

When you say that the C21 is not “fast” to shoot off of, what are you referring to?

I look forward to your side by side comparison.
Click to expand...
I'd rather wait until I have them both and can actually measure them without it being just 'feel'. It's been a few months since I've had the NeoX in my hand so it's not fair to say without comparing at the same time. I should have my NeoX shortly and then I can compare.

When you say that the C21 is not “fast” to shoot off of, what are you referring to?

The C21 uses an advanced mariner wheel system. There's a large wheel on the bridge for course adjustment, and then an arm with a knob that connects with a belt to the bridge for fine elevation adjustment and side to side control. So there's no way to quickly move your crosshair around. You can swing side to side quickly for wind calls but any kind of elevation change requires you to either turn the fine knob or course knob.
 
As for how light and smooth the Raptor is, here's test I did but it is only against the std NEO, not the X. I can't speak to it yet.
The difference is unreal and butter smooth! I shoot BR and there are a few little things I'd do differently for that game than Rod did, but it's like this...it boils down to about $15 worth of parts and a few minutes to make it like I wanted it. No big deal to me but I wish it was that way without needing those upgrades. I wouldn't let any of it be a deciding factor. Buy the one you want but don't be afraid of Rods rest. It's absolutely top flight and better than anything I've had my hands on yet.

New front rest

Dave, if that were the case there would not be any MINIs on the line but they are popular because they work and easy to transport to and from the firing line etc. I still offer my original T-Rex at 23 LBs which is approximately the weight of the NEO but has the footprint of a MAX. The new Raptor...
forum.accurateshooter.com
 
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marchx said:
Nobody uses such rests on a club match in my area. I saw a Seb mini x just one time at nationals last year. People here use f-class bipods.
So, frankly speaking I am not sure whether seb neo or seb mini x would be the way to go.
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You are comparing apples to oranges and F open class to F-TR. Different animals all together.
Dave
 
Thank you Ccrider for considering my new NEO-X for your ahooting needs!

Thank you John for providing us unbiased thought & finding!

I would love to know how my new rest compared to others, especially when done by people who use it, not by me.
Some people who do not understand with the basic of the joystick rest no matter what, nor how to adjust the tension (etc) for the best result, can be easily impressed by something new, like my new rest for instance. Someone can easily make a rest feels or looks smooth and the other looks rough only by changing/adjusting the tension etc. Real test apple to apple and side by side will be great!
 
F Class John said:
The C21 uses an advanced mariner wheel system. There's a large wheel on the bridge for course adjustment, and then an arm with a knob that connects with a belt to the bridge for fine elevation adjustment and side to side control. So there's no way to quickly move your crosshair around. You can swing side to side quickly for wind calls but any kind of elevation change requires you to either turn the fine knob or course knob.
Click to expand...
I thought this is what you were referring to. Just wanted to be sure. I can tell you that for shooting targets, the Century 21 Hybrid is not any slower than the Neo for me. Once you get your elevation set, there should really be no need for anything other than the fine adjustments that you do with the knob on the handle. And the fine adjustment knob allows for quick and very precise vertical adjustments, much more so than I could do with the Neos I have shot off of. The horizontal adjustment on the Hybrid is smooth and responsive.

I like the Hybrid and would not consider going back to the Neo or a Max. About the only thing I do not like about the Hybrid is that you have to change the top/bags for different stock widths, unlike the adjustable three way bag system on the Neo.

Also, I know that C21 has added some sort of speed screws that supposedly make the rough vertical adjustment quicker. I have not added them to my rest and am not sure that I can.
 
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