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My new (joystick) bipod.

seb

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Hi guys,

I just finished a joystick bipod prototype today. It's my newest project/invention, i.e. a bipod with coaxial/joystick feature. --- As far as I know, there is no one that makes this type of bipod... so it's probably the only one in the world. (patent in process).
No, it's not for sale yet. It's still in prototype step. There is always a rough draft before the masterpiece ;). It will take months to perfecting the bipod. I don't want to sell a 'so-so' bipod, it must be the 'best overall' bipod -just like my other rests.
First test/trial will be in the European F-class C/ship in Bisley UK, next Nov 2-3...it's just a few days from now. I don't shoot the F-TR but the F-O in the match, however I will ask some fellow F-TR shooters at the range to test it for feedback.

Some photos here.... I need you input or critique please.

At lowest setting approx. 6" tall
IMG_5056.jpg


Another view...
IMG_5060.jpg


Upside down... the legs can be vary as I have several legs design, it's only the first model & a prototype.
IMG_5062.jpg


At the highest setting, approx 9" tall.
IMG_5053.jpg


It's relatively compact when folded, approx 2" thick x 5" wide x 9" long. The joystick is about 10" long, with collet type head.
IMG_5063.jpg


IMG_5067.jpg


The mini coaxial unit (it's 'the heart' of the bipod) works & weighs as expected..... probably exceeds my expectation.
IMG_5059.jpg


As usual to my front rests, this bipod can be used either 'up for up' or 'up for down', simply by reversing the unit & the joystick.

The MOA travel is approximately (effectively) 38 moa horizontally & 16 moa vertically.
(Full vertical travel is about 32 moa but the half top joystick motion would interfere with the rifle stock).
The shorter the distance between the rear bag & the bipod, the moa will be larger/wider. Vice versa, the farther apart between the rear bag & the bipod the moa travel will be narrower. (=Murphy's law).
It's not as much as my other rests, but for F-Class use it should be adequate. --- The finer the adjustment the better on the target & the smoother the joystick operation. It's like using a scope with 1/8 moa adjustment rather than 1/4 moa.

The only problem with this model, imo, is the total weight. It still weighs approx. 740 grams (26 oz +/-), with all metal construction. (most parts are made from alum aircraft grade 7000 series).
I aim less weight than it is now.... could be less if I use other legs design. The coaxial unit is only 340 grams (12 oz +/-).

The rigidity, easy & comfort to use, compactness etc, are already ok to my opinion.
It also has a built in uplift.

Any thoughts / inputs / critiques, please?

Cheers,
seb.
 
Seb, that thing is amazing. I want to go shoot F-class now so I can own one of these, heck ground hog hunting with one would be great.

Keep up the tremendous work.
 
I remember Seb floating this idea not very long ago and DAMN, look at that thing...the coaxial part is smaller than I envisioned. Very nice indeed.
 
6BRinNZ said:
Hi Seb - is the cant just controlled by the leg extensions?

Good question!

I have another legs design with rack & pinion system (i.e. for a quick height adjustment & more easy/comfort to reach), however it would make the whole unit heavier by at least 3 oz. The rack&pinion can be placed on the leg extension, or at the feet (i.e. vertically). --- But we need it (the rack&pinion) on ONE leg only if the legs are interchangeable from left to right (or vice versa) - thus it will work either for right handed or left handed shooter by interchange the legs only (in seconds).
So to answer your question....yes, the cant on this design (model #1) is controlled by the leg extension only.
It's still relatively easy to adjust the cant with the smooth/polished legs, however you need to reach/stretch-out your arm forward to reach the locking screw from prone position.
I also have other design that can control the cant from the head attachment, i.e. by a 'pillow ball' & then lock. (It can rotate also instead of just cant). But then again, the weight problem.

Each design has its own +/- . We cannot make a 'really universal' bipod/rest to satisfy all users. Horses for courses thing. What we can make is the 'best overall' only.

I might also add a mini leveler (that is easy to see from shooter's side) when the whole weight is ok.

I thanks you for the question, 6BRinNZ. It makes me think more about the 'cant factor' etc.

Cheers,
seb.
 
No worries Seb - don't take my question as criticism (I don't think you have)...your design is versatile (varmint as well as comp) and I find adjusting legs individually out varminting too cumbersome and slow.
 
6BRinNZ said:
No worries Seb - don't take my question as criticism (I don't think you have)...your design is versatile (varmint as well as comp) and I find adjusting legs individually out varminting too cumbersome and slow.

Hi mate, I like & appreciate critique/critism instead of compliment... that's the way I (can) learn.

seb.
 
mshelton said:
Seb, that thing is amazing. I want to go shoot F-class now so I can own one of these, heck ground hog hunting with one would be great.

Keep up the tremendous work.

Thanks you Mshelton....seb.
 
Kings X said:
I had one at the Texas State Mid Range match last March. Still a protoyype also.

Dear KIng X,
Thanks you for your reply.
I'll be very happy to see your bipod....how it looks like.
Best Wishes,
seb.
 
Killshot said:
I remember Seb floating this idea not very long ago and DAMN, look at that thing...the coaxial part is smaller than I envisioned. Very nice indeed.

Thanks you Killshot.... seb.
 
Hi Seb
Congratulations,Wow!!!Your bipod is just awesome,so "flashy" too...As to your quest against weight,have you thought about carbon fiber,if you want to sitck with aluminum, instead of rectangular section legs maybe triangular will do,it might also be a solution for rigidity...The leg locking bolt heads might just be as efficient(if not as good looking)being just tee shaped(polished of course),with minimum tee bars.I mean take the weight out from where you don't really need it for rigidity and precision.Make sure the tolerances in dimension of those sliding legs are so tight that lightly screwing the blocking bolts will work,use industrial nylon(at the tip of the blocking screws) to avoid marring the aluminum.Just my two cents mate.
 
Clod-NC said:
Hi Seb
Congratulations,Wow!!!Your bipod is just awesome,so "flashy" too...As to your quest against weight,have you thought about carbon fiber,if you want to sitck with aluminum, instead of rectangular section legs maybe triangular will do,it might also be a solution for rigidity...The leg locking bolt heads might just be as efficient(if not as good looking)being just tee shaped(polished of course),with minimum tee bars.I mean take the weight out from where you don't really need it for rigidity and precision.Make sure the tolerances in dimension of those sliding legs are so tight that lightly screwing the blocking bolts will work,use industrial nylon(at the tip of the blocking screws) to avoid marring the aluminum.Just my two cents mate.

Thanks you Clod. Carbon fiber is nice & light but I more prefer all metal when possible. This is an interesting project for me, btw...seb.
 
Hi Seb,

I have accumulated a large number of bipods and have had the opportunity to test these for myself in F T/R rigs and competitions. I would also add my name to the many that can see the advantages of using a joystick on a bipod.

I have a few different bipod designs that have a changing base width as the legs are extended. I find this design feature a compromise for the stability of the bipod. Its not a deal breaker but it does change the feel of using the bipod when lowering or raising the height at ranges that have differing mounds. I also notice that on some bipods with the legs forming two sides of a triangle like your current design that they are a little height limited. Ranges like Raton in New Mexico and plenty of downunder ranges in my homeland of Australia require lots of height adjustment to overcome mounds that drop away from the shooter or are pot-holed and overgrown.

I have found that the Sinclair design bipod with the straight dropping, vertical height adjusting legs as optimum for stability as the width between the legs is constant. I find that the torque generated by the use of heavy bullets used in F T/R is also more repeatable when the leg width is constant. Constant bipod leg width combined with lots of height adjustment and a joystick control sounds like a great step forward in design providing of course you can keep the weight under 1kg.

Final words, the bipod you have as the prototype is a step forward for the F T/R shooter as is without any changes. Having said that, I hope you find my observations worthy of consideration. If it is at all possible to achieve a constant width between the two legs and still achieve light weight for vertical adjustment then this would be an ideal combination.

Ian
 
Thanks Ian. Your input is much appreciated!
The one you mention will be the model 2 or 3....no worries.
I must leave to the UK in a moment, I'll report how the prototype works after the Europeans.
Cheers,
seb.
 
Seb, the cant adjustment on the head would certainly be worth the few extra ounces. Shooting off the grass we always have an uneven surface issue and the adjustment on the head rather than the leg would be a tremendous advantage. My expedience with leg adjustments for cant has not been pleasant.

The Sinclair cant adjustment has been heaven sent.

Beautiful piece of work by the way!!!!!!!!!!!

George
 

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