Joystick Front Rest -- Recommendations?

[marchx]

It's rather expensive piece of gear, so I certainly don't want to make the wrong decision. I never had any of those rests in my hand. I just once saw one guy shooting of a SEB Mini-X. That's all. So, I have completely zero/null experience with these kind of rests.

I am looking at:
SEB NEO- quite pricey, but this is what most of top competitors use
SEB Mini X- it's cheaper. Is NEO worth the extra money?
NOTA- very interesting joystick support
Lenzi- most expensive of all. No idea whether it's the best product.
Rest Cicognani mod. CCX- looks ok (Italian design)

​

and budget version:
Caldwell bottom +Shadetree joystick top- No idea whether it gives me the added value needed to compete on par with the top guys. I am afraid that 2 years after spending 600$ for this combination I will buy SEB/NOTA/Lenzi anyway.

I will be using it for F-class open and short range Benchrest.

 

[jr600yd]

Look at the Farley front rest

 

[AndyTaber]

I have the Shadetree top on a custom made base, my friend has one on a Sinclair base. Have never felt the least bit hampered with this setup. At our last mid-range f-class match there were several other Shadetree tops. I don’t think there is any problem with this setup. The Shadetree is a quality top.

 

[mike a]

It's rather expensive piece of gear, so I certainly don't want to make the wrong decision. I never had any of those rests in my hand. I just once saw one guy shooting of a SEB Mini-X. That's all. So, I have completely zero/null experience with these kind of rests.

I am looking at:
SEB NEO- quite pricey, but this is what most of top competitors use
SEB Mini X- it's cheaper. Is NEO worth the extra money?
NOTA- very interesting joystick support
Lenzi- most expensive of all. No idea whether it's the best product.
Rest Cicognani mod. CCX- looks ok (Italian design)

​

and budget version:
Caldwell bottom +Shadetree joystick top- No idea whether it gives me the added value needed to compete on par with the top guys. I am afraid that 2 years after spending 600$ for this combination I will buy SEB/NOTA/Lenzi anyway.

I will be using it for F-class open and short range Benchrest.

2years you say! I’ve had my Shadetree for about 2 years and will be upgrading to a Neo. So there you go. F-Open. Cheers Mike

 

[jimmymac]

IMO, a front rest is nothing to skimp on. I liked my Farley. I really like my NEO.

 

[jimmymac]

…I will add that I believe the Lenzi top on the NEO is an upgrade. Not a huge fan of the NEO top.

 

[Big Mc]

It's rather expensive piece of gear, so I certainly don't want to make the wrong decision. I never had any of those rests in my hand. I just once saw one guy shooting of a SEB Mini-X. That's all. So, I have completely zero/null experience with these kind of rests.

I am looking at:
SEB NEO- quite pricey, but this is what most of top competitors use
SEB Mini X- it's cheaper. Is NEO worth the extra money?
NOTA- very interesting joystick support
Lenzi- most expensive of all. No idea whether it's the best product.
Rest Cicognani mod. CCX- looks ok (Italian design)

​

and budget version:
Caldwell bottom +Shadetree joystick top- No idea whether it gives me the added value needed to compete on par with the top guys. I am afraid that 2 years after spending 600$ for this combination I will buy SEB/NOTA/Lenzi anyway.

I will be using it for F-class open and short range Benchrest.

Shadetree and Caldwell have worked for me at club matches. Not a SEB but a really good setup. Just my two cents Tommy Mc

 

[USMCDOC]

i put a Rodzilla top on my Mini..

 

[bmx]

Ive been using a Shadetree top on a Caldwell base for many many years and have not had any type of issues with it. Its one of the first ones Butch built and has paid for itself many times over

 

[dthomas]

I really like the rodzilla rest

 

[FNSafari]

Very tough to beat a Farley and you can find them used from around $800. Good luck getting a Lenzi. A fellow shooter waited 17 months. Covid in Italy sank their production and delivery times.

If you have a Farley and want the cat's arse conversion contact Dave Short in PA he does a great job in modifying the rest into a silky smooth affair.

 

[R.Morehouse]

I think the Lenzi is a great rest. Of the Seb's ( I have had them all at different times) I like the Mini the best for the rotating top, ease of transport and set-up. I have been getting use to the 21st Century design and purchased an upgraded Sinclair Comp recently that is a knob turner. With a real good tracking gun I think knob turning is a good option for what I shoot. Looking at the Rodzilla video's, I think if I get another Joy Stick rest in the future I will try one of those..............Best of luck with your purchase.

Regards
Rick

 

[fx77]

Liked Farley...moved on
Liked Seb Original...moved on
Very happy now with Lenzi for bench rest stock

SEB Mini , have it too, is great for rounded stocks in my experience.

 

[Lbart]

I had an 'original' SEB rest until he came out with the NEO. I got one of the Neo's ASAP when that happened. I prefer the NEO to the Mini, but I am getting weaker as I age. Even my rifle is getting heavy to carry to the line. I may have to go to the Mini -X pretty soon

 

[caihlen]

I have a Farley and a Seb mini. I like the mini a lot and use it exclusively. I might try and sell the Farley.

 

[joshb]

I put a Shadetree top on a Sinclair cast iron base. It works for me!

 

[CarlGeorge]

I had a Shadetree on a Bald Eagle. It's a really good combination.

I wanted something that could handle my heavy gun more smoothly at 1,000 yds. I got a Mini-X and it is fantastic. I now see why 1/ the ability to adjust for uneven ground and 2/ a rotatable top are such attractive capabilities. Plus - it's not a tank that has to be lugged around.

 

[RV6]

Who is Dave Short that does the Farley rest??
Thanks

 

[RegionRat]

Just a suggestion... but the best way to decide on these kinds of front rests is to get your hands on them and see which one (or ones) you like the best. Going to a well attended club match should be an opportunity to get your hands on several of the ones the OP and posters have mentioned. YMMV

 

[marchx]

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.