I'm looking into getting a new bipod for a 5.56 and I have come across Harris and many Harris clones. In your experience, is a Harris bipod worth the money or will a Harris clone do the job?

I was looking into something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0035L35A8/?tag=2ahawaii-20

Since it will probably just be your bench gun, just get the cheap one.

I have that UTG one.  Nothing wrong for what I do. 

Dam, when I bought it a couple years ago, it was $20.  You can still find it for $25 i'm sure.

We sell both the Harris and clones.  Shooters Ridge is the same thing.
They are now the same company the SR is half the price.
The new packaging is the same. just different cards in the clamshell.
I am testing out the RST Harris Clone right now.  Didnt have time to run it through the mill this weekend
Hopefully use it mor before the Gun Show.

oops!

Sorry, but I have only used Harris bipods. But if Shooters Ridge is the same thing for half price I would think it would be worth the few extra dollars to get the Shooters Ridge over other lesser price ones.

I have that UTG one.  Nothing wrong for what I do. 

Dam, when I bought it a couple years ago, it was $20.  You can still find it for $25 i'm sure.

I bought the same one two weeks ago from Amazon for $25, shipping included.  Can't say how well is it compared to others because I've never previously used a bipod but the UTG I purchased is very sturdy and works well. There are a couple of younoob videos of it if you're interested. It's certainly enough for my usage and cost a fraction of the way-over-priced stuff that's out there.

If you get the Harris with the cant feature, replace the lock nut with the lever style nut.  Makes a big difference.  Allows you to get the most out of it.  Of course shooting off the bench, don't really need that.

In addition to the cant feature, get the notched legs.  The sliding type legs are more adjustable, however, it is a PITA to get it to stay where you want them.  I've had the cheepo caldwell for 3 years now and it has served well enough for coarse shooting situations.

For real solid stability off a bipod, do not expect world class, repeatable, groups with the cheepos or even a Harris.  They are OK for plinking and such, but for real stability you need to spend much more for something with more quality.

Wait, Harris is mediocre?  Heavies, why didn't you say anything?  You've been spotting for me since I built my rifle and you never mentioned that before.  If you had, maybe that coulda  saved you some math skills on Saturday.

Wait, Harris is mediocre?  Heavies, why didn't you say anything?  You've been spotting for me since I built my rifle and you never mentioned that before.  If you had, maybe that coulda  saved you some math skills on Saturday.

I thought you knew.  Hehe. Harris works the way it is designed. It is light weight, compact, quickly deployed, tactical; it is not really made for pure target shooting, and neither is the rifle you are shooting. There are more ridged tactical type bipods out there, but the cost goes north of $200. What you got works and is appropriate on the rifle you use. I wouldn't worry about it.

BTW, Harris bipods just went on sale this morning @ Midway.  Just got the email.

Before you buy from Midway check for pricing from Amazon. Prices are about the same and you won't pay shipping.

We will have some smoking deals at the Gun Show if you can wait.

Thanks for all the input guys, this really helped in furthering my research. I hadn't even thought about cant.

Since it will probably just be your bench gun, just get the cheap one.

This will primarily be a bench gun but it will also be the gun I take with me if I ever have to bug out.

For real solid stability off a bipod, do not expect world class, repeatable, groups with the cheepos or even a Harris.  They are OK for plinking and such, but for real stability you need to spend much more for something with more quality.

How much more? $300-400?

We will have some smoking deals at the Gun Show if you can wait.

That's exactly what I'm waiting for, trying to get all my research in now so I know what I want to get. You guys also gonna have the magpul angled fore grips?
I'm also researching optics and AR mounts/risers+rings....might need to start a new thread for that.