Bipod Reviews
The Evolution Bipod from Modular Evolution, LLC is really a shooting support system. It is a modular bipod with removable legs, and is quickly adaptable into different configurations. It can be a short-legged bipod or a tripod-mounted shooting support system within a few minutes.
The Evolution bipod I used had 3 sets of legs, making it capable of extra short (8" - 11"), short standard (10" - 14") and sitting length high (22 - 29") use. I usually don't use a high bipod as I nearly always use a tripod for taller shooting positions. The bipod attaches to the rifle with another tactical ADM picatinny mount. There is even an adapter available that allows the ADM mount to be used with a tripod. I didn't try this option, but it would be very secure.
The Evolution bipod's lightweight carbon fiber legs are connected to the mount via a very secure quick detach mechanism. The bipod's leg length is adjusted via a spring loaded mechanism very similar to the mount attachment. I did find the springs a bit weak for deploying the legs to full extension unless the legs were pointed down so that gravity could assist.
The legs are moved and deployed with an Atlas type mechanism. This allows forward and rearward leg movement and 5 position locking as your situation requires. With the short set of legs extended to the 45 degree position, you can get your rifle down to about 4" above the ground. That's about as low as I've encountered with any shooting support system. Leg movement fore and aft is smooth through the bipod's full range. The Evolution system is very secure and locks up well. It is not as quick to deploy as some other leg motion and locking systems. A pod lock type friction device controls the rifle cant friction through about 20 degrees of movement and works very well. The mount that I reviewed does not allow for panning.
This bipod is very sturdy when loaded. This affords the shooter a stable platform for long shots and minimizing movement that would input errors when breaking the shot. At the range I found the versatility of the system to be a distinct advantage. The various leg lengths offer the shooter quickly adjustable options. The Evolution bipod proved steady in prone, sitting, kneeling and various improvised shooting positions. The flexibility of this bipod system greatly assists the shooter when moving between positions. It's much easier to change a set of lightweight quick detachable legs than it would be to carry additional bipods afield.
A very lightweight and sturdy platform, the Evolution bipod has a natural place on the range, in tactical shooting and in the field hunting. It's a solid, lightweight and durable bipod system, and there are several other accessories available to make the Evolution bipod even more versatile.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Versatile
- Smooth operation
Cons
- Spring tension for leg extension is light
- Lock up of quick detach fittings can be a bit finicky
A few words about my testing protocol. First, due to the time of year here in the vast frozen wasteland of northern Minnesota, I only have access to my backyard range, which limits my shooting options and range. I can only test the bipods by shooting at 90 yards here. I just don't have access to other longer ranges until the frost comes out of the ground. I really gotta move south!
I fired my rifle from various field positions with each bipod. A minimum of 30 rounds were sent with each unit depending on the limitations imposed by the characteristics of the unit. All bipods were shot from prone, over pack and other improvised shooting positions. The Evo Mod with the longer legs attached was also shot from kneeling and sitting positions.
I think the Evo is probably the most versatile and adaptable platform of the bunch. It is easily converted to different configurations and easily adapted for multiple uses. The range of leg lengths makes it usable on the range and in the field. Its light weight would keep it from becoming a heavy burden to carry in the field. I think the springs on the legs could have a bit more tension to them. The legs didn't spring out as smoothly as they could with more spring tension behind them. That may correct itself with more use as things get broken in and smoothed out.
Here's my bottom line - The Versapod would be my choice for purely a lightweight short hunting unit. Especially when backpack hunting. Its use on the range would be limited because of the lack of friction for limiting movement.
The Evo would be the best all-around range and field unit. It's lightweight, adjustable, adaptable to many uses, and it does them all very well.
The bipods presented here offer the shooter/hunter a wide variety of options they can use and adapt to their specific situations. Bipod selection is, like many other things in the hunting and shooting world, very personal to the shooter. I hope these reviews will assist readers with information they can use to decide on their own bipod purchases.
Mike Trenholm is an avid hunter, shooter and pilot. He is a retired law enforcement officer pilot with near 40 years of military and police experience including over 30 years as a police firearms and marksmanship instructor. Currently semi retired, Mike enjoys hunting all over the world with his wife and German Shorthair pointers. He also still spends a lot of time both conducting and receiving firearms training on both long guns and pistols. He works part-time as Pro Staff for a German rifle maker and Swedish ammunition manufacturer. Spending as much time as possible flying his Super Cub and enjoying the view from above in a much more leisurely manner is another way he enjoys spending his time
The Evolution bipod I used had 3 sets of legs, making it capable of extra short (8" - 11"), short standard (10" - 14") and sitting length high (22 - 29") use. I usually don't use a high bipod as I nearly always use a tripod for taller shooting positions. The bipod attaches to the rifle with another tactical ADM picatinny mount. There is even an adapter available that allows the ADM mount to be used with a tripod. I didn't try this option, but it would be very secure.
The Evolution bipod's lightweight carbon fiber legs are connected to the mount via a very secure quick detach mechanism. The bipod's leg length is adjusted via a spring loaded mechanism very similar to the mount attachment. I did find the springs a bit weak for deploying the legs to full extension unless the legs were pointed down so that gravity could assist.
The legs are moved and deployed with an Atlas type mechanism. This allows forward and rearward leg movement and 5 position locking as your situation requires. With the short set of legs extended to the 45 degree position, you can get your rifle down to about 4" above the ground. That's about as low as I've encountered with any shooting support system. Leg movement fore and aft is smooth through the bipod's full range. The Evolution system is very secure and locks up well. It is not as quick to deploy as some other leg motion and locking systems. A pod lock type friction device controls the rifle cant friction through about 20 degrees of movement and works very well. The mount that I reviewed does not allow for panning.
This bipod is very sturdy when loaded. This affords the shooter a stable platform for long shots and minimizing movement that would input errors when breaking the shot. At the range I found the versatility of the system to be a distinct advantage. The various leg lengths offer the shooter quickly adjustable options. The Evolution bipod proved steady in prone, sitting, kneeling and various improvised shooting positions. The flexibility of this bipod system greatly assists the shooter when moving between positions. It's much easier to change a set of lightweight quick detachable legs than it would be to carry additional bipods afield.
A very lightweight and sturdy platform, the Evolution bipod has a natural place on the range, in tactical shooting and in the field hunting. It's a solid, lightweight and durable bipod system, and there are several other accessories available to make the Evolution bipod even more versatile.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Versatile
- Smooth operation
Cons
- Spring tension for leg extension is light
- Lock up of quick detach fittings can be a bit finicky
A few words about my testing protocol. First, due to the time of year here in the vast frozen wasteland of northern Minnesota, I only have access to my backyard range, which limits my shooting options and range. I can only test the bipods by shooting at 90 yards here. I just don't have access to other longer ranges until the frost comes out of the ground. I really gotta move south!
I fired my rifle from various field positions with each bipod. A minimum of 30 rounds were sent with each unit depending on the limitations imposed by the characteristics of the unit. All bipods were shot from prone, over pack and other improvised shooting positions. The Evo Mod with the longer legs attached was also shot from kneeling and sitting positions.
I think the Evo is probably the most versatile and adaptable platform of the bunch. It is easily converted to different configurations and easily adapted for multiple uses. The range of leg lengths makes it usable on the range and in the field. Its light weight would keep it from becoming a heavy burden to carry in the field. I think the springs on the legs could have a bit more tension to them. The legs didn't spring out as smoothly as they could with more spring tension behind them. That may correct itself with more use as things get broken in and smoothed out.
Here's my bottom line - The Versapod would be my choice for purely a lightweight short hunting unit. Especially when backpack hunting. Its use on the range would be limited because of the lack of friction for limiting movement.
The Evo would be the best all-around range and field unit. It's lightweight, adjustable, adaptable to many uses, and it does them all very well.
The bipods presented here offer the shooter/hunter a wide variety of options they can use and adapt to their specific situations. Bipod selection is, like many other things in the hunting and shooting world, very personal to the shooter. I hope these reviews will assist readers with information they can use to decide on their own bipod purchases.
Mike Trenholm is an avid hunter, shooter and pilot. He is a retired law enforcement officer pilot with near 40 years of military and police experience including over 30 years as a police firearms and marksmanship instructor. Currently semi retired, Mike enjoys hunting all over the world with his wife and German Shorthair pointers. He also still spends a lot of time both conducting and receiving firearms training on both long guns and pistols. He works part-time as Pro Staff for a German rifle maker and Swedish ammunition manufacturer. Spending as much time as possible flying his Super Cub and enjoying the view from above in a much more leisurely manner is another way he enjoys spending his time
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