While there are many bipods to choose from, The leaders seam to be Harris, Parker-Hale and Versa-Pod.
Now let me step up onto my soapbox and tell my story.
About 3 years ago I bought a Springfield Armory SAR-8 HBCS. I wanted the Parker-Hale bipod but the $200-300 price tag caused be to look elsewhere. I found the Versa-Pod. It is designed very similar to the Parker-Hale.
A lot of people are critical of the Versa-Pod, because due to its swiveling design, it is prone to tipping when left unattended. People also claim that it is poorly constructed with cheap materials. I say otherwise.
My SAR-8 is a pig. It weighs in at just under 20lbs with a scope, full magazine and bipod. Thats a heavy load for any bipod. Over 3 years of use, I've had no problems at all with the Versa-Pod and it performed great. My only dislike was with the tipping issue.
Last weekend while finishing up 8 hours of prone shooting with my SAR, it tipped. Upon inspection I found that the spigot post in the handstop, that the bipod attaches to, had twisted loose inside of the handstop. I contacted the manufacturer ( KFS, Kengs Firearm Specialties ) and they told me they would replace it free of charge. Luckily there are here in Atlanta, so I drove over and they swapped out the part.
While explaining the tipping problem to them, They sugguested using thier Non-Canting handstop, and offered to replace my broken one with the new design. I decided to get one of each because the canting is useful on uneven surfaces. So I left with 2 new Handstops ( one of them free ), and a smile.
I say that this was great customer service. Free replacement of a 3 year old part. I would expect that on a $200-300 bipod, but its refreshing to see that I get the same level of customer service with a $65 bipod.
Stepping down off my soapbox
Chuck
[This message has been edited by chucko (edited September 02, 1999).]