Favorite Bipod?

Bipods seem to require extra vigilence. I am constantly tightening the tips, constantly adjusting the thumb button spring tension. I suppose I have gotten used to doing it after losing a few tips. But the bipod gives me the ability to work solo, so I just deal with it.

Leica GSR2 (PN 555 720)

BUT, I mostly use a Leica GST6 (PN 560 138) as it is much more stable and sets up just about as fast.

Both of these are ONLY sized for Leica 1" diameter poles so may not work with your poles, never had to do ANY work on them in several years, replaced an older bi-pod that was always needing work.

SHG

I can tell you the worst - the Crain bipod that was sold to go with their alumilite and composilite prism poles. Bi-max or something like that.

What a POS

> Bipods seem to require extra vigilence. ....
I was just going over bipod maintenance with my crew people on Monday morning and none of them had never considered the possiblity. And 2 of the 4 have over 10 years field experience. Needless to say, most of the bipods we have here are beyond help.

> Seems like they are always falling apart (loose parts) or not properly working (thumb release).
Try applying some locktite to the threads.

I have a SECO, that has been used/abused for years. Cannot read the model number anymore, but it is orange and black. It has held up great with no maintenance. One leg seems to stick a little, but a light nudge with my foot and ready to go (will give it some TLC this winter).

Same experience as everybody else using Trimble and Seco, constant adjustment and watching for those points....but is that a salmon you caught thru the ice? Looks like a great fish!

Andy, I have to agree with that.

I've used several types and they all are short of being indestructible under ordinary usage in my opinion.

They are what they are and light enough to carry all day.

A necessary tool to use with a prism pole.

I actually use the three legged version because it is more stable. They are less likely to shift position and have hardly ever fallen over unless livestock was involved.

In reality and my choice, I have and use more actual tripods for tribrach setups than I do for pole setups.

B-)

the Seco carbon fiber bipods are nice and light, but seem to be no more durable than the rest. we have a handful of different ones, all seem to suffer from hard use.

> Same experience as everybody else using Trimble and Seco, constant adjustment and watching for those points....but is that a salmon you caught thru the ice? Looks like a great fish!
We use Seco too - constant tinkering. I like the looks of the Leica that Shelby posted, but our rods are all 1.25".

As far as the fish... thanks for asking. That is a Bull Trout caught here on a river in NW Montana two winters back - Rapala in open water.

Although I own one of the bipods you guys are talking about, I never use it. I find that a single brace stick (double if it's windy) is quicker, lighter and just as stable.

However, I *do* have a favorite bipod: the Seco unit with foot-long legs. As far as I'm concerned, it's a must for robotic work, enabling me to lay the rod down without damaging the rod, prism or data collector. It folds in and out quickly, and is pretty unobtrusive when folded up. And it hardly weighs anything. Highly recommended.

Don't get the Seco bipod with the double hinged legs (they swing in-out and side to side). That thing is a gangly PIA.

I prefer the Seco push-button tripod because you can leave it unattended if you want to.

Seco composite. Light and rugged. Very happy with it.

SECO for me, too. Same problem with the tips coming unscrewed. Field fixed with a piece of flagging embedded in the screw threads like teflon tape. Same problems with the legs sliding, too. I have to occasionally adjust the thumb release threaded rod to increase the lock friction.

Flagging is a wonderful stuff - I also fixed my finger when I nicked it betweem the hammer and a burr on a piece of rebar. The bleeding was getting messy, so I bound the finger in a piece of paper towel and wrapped it and my finger with flagging. It makes a quick a field dressing so I could keep on working.

Not sure that I could (or should) name a FAVORITE, but there were a few that really made an impression on me. Married a couple of them, probably should have married a few others too! So many legs, so little time.

Are we talking about the same thing?

o.O
Loyal

Probably every surveyor has used flagging at one time or another for a bandage.

Teflon tape on the threads will stop the points from unscrewing and falling off.

SECO does make a great bipod. I would also recommend checking out SI Preicision's Raptor Series. The machining is a notch or two better than the SECO series.

SI Precision Raptor Series Bipod

I used one for 2 decades. Just plain thumb screws. Very easy to tighten/loosen as required. I always took the time to plumb it with a plumb line. 12 station 4 mile loops typically less than 0.2 foot. One sec direct instrument typically adjusted 0.3 sec per angle. Day in and day out.

Since I paid for it, it was handled with care always, so it lasted forever.

All the gear suffers greatly by people who try to go too fast. Tossing the gear into the cubby holes is quicker than placing them back with care.

The attitude can infect the whole of the procedures. If you don't take the time to insure and prove a stable setup before you start logging data, I sure won't be certifying any of it.

If your current bipod has served a typical harsh life, something can be done. Dissassemble the thing. Inspect for wear. Only then will you know if it is just in need of cleaning and lube to correct the problems, or if replacement is required.

I just have not seen in hand any of the current bi-pods. I surely would look for the simplest design. It performs a simple function and does not need convolutions from inspired engineers to work very well for a long time. Extra durability built in so the crew can toss them about is of no value to me, and limited value to those who think that's a good thing.

Favorite Bipod? Would you use this?

Just wondering it's an alligator clamp prism tripod. I hate it but some I know swear by it....just wondering...