Spartan vs Viper Sticks?

[WiltshireStalker]

So I currently have a set of Viper Sticks, love them and pretty happy with their performance. However, in the winter they get so bloody cold and just suck the heat out of your hands. Secondly, a little heavy (I have the alloy ones with the 5th leg) and last I have just moved over to the Spartan bipod. So this has led me to be looking at either upgrading the Viper's to the carbon version or make a switch across to the Springbox Spartan sticks. Just wondering if anyone has made the switch (in either direction) and could give me some insight. I would love to get my rifle on a set but struggling to find a stockist around me (Hampshire).

 

[User00057]

I can only express my experience from the carbon viperflex and don’t notice any coldness on the hands but I also wear some form of gloves all year.
I have the Spartan bipod and am really pleased but wouldn’t want the springbok quads as it limits your front rifle moment I presume with it being locked in the magnetic post. Also just putting it into the post can make a bit of noise.
With the Viperfelx you get a fair amount of side to side tracking from the wide front rest

 

[takbok]

Carbon tubes are a big upgrade over aluminium for not making your hands cold.

 

[WiltshireStalker]

Cheers Dazrc, I know the carbon makes a huge difference with the temperature of them. The magnet noise is a genuine worry as I know the bipod can be a little noisy too! I've been told that the lateral movement is actually more on the Spartan given the wide rear rest, i think quoted 20m at 100m of latteral.

 

[WiltshireStalker]

Carbon tubes are a big upgrade over aluminium for not making your hands cold.

Yeah, definitely want that upgrade, i think at one point last year my hand was stuck to the ally ones!

 

[User00057]

Cheers Dazrc, I know the carbon makes a huge difference with the temperature of them. The magnet noise is a genuine worry as I know the bipod can be a little noisy too! I've been told that the lateral movement is actually more on the Spartan given the wide rear rest, i think quoted 20m at 100m of latteral.

Oh that’s good. But I still don’t like the magnet idea. I’ve had my bipod make a loud click when I’ve not concentrated and hold between my fingers. It’s not so bad with bipod but with the sticks you have the whole weight of the rifle to ease into it carefully.I also would want to know how easy they come off the rifle when you lift it as in are you going to lift the front legs off the ground with it ?
Don’t get me wrong I think Spartan stuff is really good and wouldn’t be without my bipod but just don’t see the need to add it to a set of sticks. That’s my personal opinion though and as anything some will have had great experience with it.

 

[kevtherev]

Oh that’s good. But I still don’t like the magnet idea. I’ve had my bipod make a loud click when I’ve not concentrated and hold between my fingers. It’s not so bad with bipod but with the sticks you have the whole weight of the rifle to ease into it carefully.I also would want to know how easy they come off the rifle when you lift it as in are you going to lift the front legs off the ground with it ?
Don’t get me wrong I think Spartan stuff is really good and wouldn’t be without my bipod but just don’t see the need to add it to a set of sticks. That’s my personal opinion though and as anything some will have had great experience with it.

Don’t bother with a bipod just use a haggis man.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

I can only express my experience from the carbon viperflex and don’t notice any coldness on the hands but I also wear some form of gloves all year.
I have the Spartan bipod and am really pleased but wouldn’t want the springbok quads as it limits your front rifle moment I presume with it being locked in the magnetic post. Also just putting it into the post can make a bit of noise.
With the Viperfelx you get a fair amount of side to side tracking from the wide front rest

Can you imagine trying to feed that pin into the spartan hole with a stag in front of you

 

[nun_hunter]

I rate the Springbok system highly. I never really got on with quald sticks or the previous Spartan tripod as I find them too restrictive. The rubber yokes give plenty of stability and yet allow much more flexibility.

With a small bit of practice mounting the rifle to the magnet doesn't make a sound and I personally like that fact you can lift the rifle to reposition it and the sticks will come too. It's just a small movement of the front hand to pop the magnet out of you want to lift the rifle out though.

I've read a few reviews and been with people demonstrating mine and they have not liked the fact the wide yoke is at the rear as it got in the way. I haven't found this to be the case so it may be something you need to test for yourself.