Tier-One ELR V2 and Evolution Bipods - Not all bipods are equal!

A bipod is an essential piece of equipment that significantly impacts stability and accuracy while shooting. They come in different sizes and configurations, each designed for a specific purpose, such as precision rifle shooting, target shooting, or use out in the field. When using a bipod in the field, the design may have limitations that become apparent on different terrain and in various conditions. Shooters have varying requirements for their equipment, depending on the type of shooting they do, and the calibre they are using. Factors such as weight, strength, height, mounting options, tilt, pan, footprint, and recoil management must all be considered.
Given their importance, therefore, I am happy that I bumped into Craig from Tier-One at this year’s British Shooting Show. He was quick to show me all the latest products, including, but not limited to, the ATAC and ELR V2 bipods, and after getting hands-on, I was keen to try one out!
He explained to me that his favourite model is actually the slightly older Evolution, so I ended up getting one of those and the new ELR V2 for review. So, here we are!

It’s good to share
The two bipods that are on test share a lot when it comes to their construction and the features that they offer. Firstly, Tier-One uses state-of-the-art CNC machinery to machine the bipods from solid billet 7075 series aluminium alloy, and this material is chosen because of its excellent strength-to-weight ratio. You also get extremely tight tolerances (within 3 microns!), meaning the bipods feel incredibly well-made, tight, precise, and durable. Basically, they feel awesome! 
Importantly, the build is complemented by black anodising throughout, which has been applied to an exceptionally high standard, allowing you to really see the quality of the product. Also, not wishing to compromise anywhere, Tier-One has used high-quality screws/fittings throughout that will not round off when adjusted!
Looking at the legs, and in keeping with current trends, both the bipods feature very snazzy carbon fibre ones. For me, I think they really add a lot to the aesthetics, while also saving a smidgen of weight. However, if you want to save just under £20 on the Evolution, then you can opt for plain aluminium. Personally, I would stick to carbon fibre!
Unsurprisingly, the legs come with feet, and as standard these are basic rubber ones. However, if you want to swap them because of the type of terrain you are on, then you can select, for example, spiked feet. To make swapping them easy, all you need is a rifle cartridge, as you can use the tip of the bullet to depress a spring-loaded stud that secures each foot. Nice!
Finally, both bipods share the same tensioning system, which, for those that don’t know, allows you to tighten up the mechanism that the bipod uses to tilt on uneven terrain. It takes the form of a knurled nut that can be done up to increase friction, and in case you need more leverage, Tier-One provides a very neat metal lever that slots over the knurled nut. This is then secured by two small Allen screws.
Now, it is here, specifically on the ELR bipod, that I found my one gripe, as with a big and heavy rifle attached, the leverage offered by adding the supplied lever was barely enough. You can, of course, fit an optional ‘Pod-Lock’, which provides much more leverage, and in reality, I think this is what a lot of shooters will do, as the additional leverage will ensure the mechanism is locked up tight for those long-range shots.

Getting attached
When asked what mounting system I wanted, I opted for their quick-release Picatinny system on both bipods. This was the obvious choice, as it meant I could use both pods on a wide variety of rifles, as more and more are coming out from the factory with pre-fitted Pic accessory rails. The high-quality clamp shows a solid lever with an integral locking catch on the right-hand side, and on the opposite side is a finger-operable knurled nut that allows you to alter the tension of the clamp to suit the Picatinny rail you are attaching it to, as not all rails are exactly the same width, which I always find annoying! Anyway, in use, it is simple and effective.
If you want something different, however, then Tier-One has you covered. The Evolution can be ordered with a Key-Slot, M-LOK, Blaser, or Picatinny system, while the ELR is offered with ARCA, Picatinny with tilt only, or Pic with pan and tilt. So, plenty of choice. Incidentally, you can also order a barricade stop for the ELR bipod that can be retrofitted, and 50mm leg extensions for the Evolution.

Leg controls
The legs on the Evolution and ELR both use the same controls, and they are the same titanium grey colour as the tensioning nut and lever, meaning they look particularly smart. Look to the top of the legs, where the hinge is, and you will find a sprung oval button that when depressed, allows you to fold the legs downward for deployment. For added versatility, however, the legs can be locked in at 47º or 90º, depending on your requirements. This is a huge bonus, as it means that the height that your rifle sits from the ground can be varied in more ways in order to achieve the optimal shooting position for that all-important shot.
Want to extend the legs? Then simply yank them downwards while the catches at the top of each leg ride over the detents within. To shorten the legs again, simply depress the sprung catch and close them up. Simples! A rubber O-ring sits at the top of each leg to prevent dirt and moisture ingress.

Evolution
So, I have covered all the shared features, but now it is time to look specifically at the Evolution. Firstly, I would consider it primarily a hunting/field bipod that can also be used on the range as a secondary purpose. It’s not lightweight, but it is not heavy either. Its biggest feature is its configuration, which is certainly different! The theory behind this design is that the barrel of the rifle rides between the hinges of the bipod, completely changing the centre of gravity and altering the way the rifle behaves during recoil. Another way of looking at it is that the rifle is ‘within’ the bipod rather than ‘on top’ of it. Because of this, the rifle jumps less, and it feels like a larger percentage of the recoil is sent directly backwards. To me, this makes it sound like an ideal companion to a lightweight rifle that is chambered in something hairy, maybe with the word ‘magnum’ in its name.
There are limitations to this design, as the bipod must be mounted at the very tip of the forend, otherwise, it will foul the U-notch, which measures approximately 57mm/2.2” at its widest point. All this means is that you will probably have to source an extended Pic rail, as most standard ones are not long enough. Good news though, as Tier-One offer a few to choose from. Also, because the legs now sit on either side of the barrel, the width of your rifle will be significantly increased, possibly making it hard to fit in a gun bag/case. This means that you will have to attach the bipod each time, which may annoy some people.
Within the U-notch are sealed roller bearings that are impervious to dust and water, and these allow the bipod to tilt to quite a significant angle. Due to the layout, the tensioner, as discussed earlier, is positioned on the front of the bipod, meaning you have to reach quite far to get to it. However, you soon adapt to this, so no biggie.
The Evolution tested came with 230mm legs (180mm also available), and with the legs positioned at 90º, the Picatinny clamp will sit 135mm/5.3” above the ground. There are seven detents positioned approximately 13mm/0.5” apart, and the legs can be extended to increase this height to around 230mm/9”, which is very impressive. Fully retracted, the legs offer an 11” footprint, increasing to 14.5” fully extended. This is impressive.

ELR V2
I don’t often find myself getting excited about bipods, but I was genuinely looking forward to trying the ELR V2. It’s clearly aimed at the PRS/long-range shooting community, and it can definitely be described as ‘beefy’, weighing in at 706-grams. The legs, for example, have a whopping 20mm diameter (compared to 17mm on the Evo), with bigger sprung tabs as well. With the detents within also being larger, the whole bipod gives off a ‘not messing around’ vibe.
The configuration of the bipod is normal, in that it can be attached to any Picatinny accessory rail. Just be sure the rail is fitted securely! It is at this point, however, that the ELR’s party piece comes to light, as there is a push-button for each leg at the rear of the bipod, and these allow the shooter to significantly increase the footprint of the bipod for maximum stability! There are three stages, with Stage 1 being a weird one, as you can actually deploy the legs parallel to each other! So, with the height of the bipod being measured from the base of the Picatinny clamp to the ground, and with the legs fully retracted, the rough height/footprint measurements for each stage are 260mm(10”)/63.5mm(2.5”) at Stage 1, 228mm(9”)/285mm(11.25”) at Stage 2, and 140mm(5.5”)/444mm(17.5”) at Stage 3!
For the record, the leg height detents are approximately 22mm(0.8”) apart and there are four of them, and with the legs extended fully and set at Stage 3, the height/footprint measurement is a truly astounding 177mm(7”)/609mm(24”)!
In use, the ELR quickly proved that not all bipods are equal. I’m sorry, my trusty Harris can do one! Yes, there is a slight price discrepancy, but the ELR will 100% improve accuracy and precision down range. I know this because it was attached to the Tikka Tact A1 that I was using recently at Orion Firearms Training to smash steel plates, and it made that job a damn site easier!

Conclusion
Well, both the bipods tested are very different, and both prove that different can be good. The Evolution is not too heavy, offers a decent range of adjustment, and changes a rifle’s recoil characteristics. The ELR makes it easier to extract performance from a long-range rifle, with weight, adjustability, and a huge footprint. Also, both are made in the UK to the highest standards, and not a single component is sourced from China. Good stuff!