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Loose Atlas? The Atlas Tension Wrench is here...

Victor Co Heather

Victor Co Heather

Victor Company USA
Commercial Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 19, 2006
1,776
356
SOCAL USA
www.victorcompanyusa.com
Hello Shooters,

If you own an Atlas Bipod, you will want to read this.

In 2009, Atlas Bipod hit the market and revolutionized the way we look at bipods in a number of innovative ways. First, it gave the shooter the ability to be more adaptable to their shooting environment, with legs that could move and lock independently. It was also lightweight and quick to mount or remove if needed. But arguably it's most unique selling feature was it's ability to pan / cant quickly & smoothly with precision. It was a game changer.

Soon Atlas Bipods became the must have, high-end piece of kit for precision shooters. Kasey and his team did such an outstanding job with the design and improvements over the years, it was adopted by MANY professional special agencies/forces around the world.

However there was one issue that held back many competitive shooters from adopting the Atlas... it's tension knob would loosen under strings of fire.

Here's the problem: when the Atlas loosens up, the rifle wobbles on the high point. The legs twist and the recoil impulse can't push straight back anymore so your shots wander. And no matter how much you tightened up the tension knob with your fingers, it would work it's way loose.

BUT WE HAVE A SOLUTION...

The Atlas Tension Wrench. It features a simple, patent-pending design that allow you to tension the Atlas Tension Knob to the PRECISE amount of friction you need so your ATLAS WON'T COME LOOSE.

I know it sounds too good to be true. But this thing really works!

It's simple to use:

1. Stow the Atlas Legs.
2. Turn the ATW smoothly until it stops (DO NOT TURN PAST STOP)
3. Back off the tension slightly. (depending on how much resistance you want)

(The ATW is a wrench and does not stay installed on the Atlas.)
(You cannot use the ATW when the Atlas legs are deployed.)
(Use smooth movements and do not force the tension knob, you can break it!)

This is a must have if you own an Atlas Bipod, I guarantee it.

Best,

Michael Victor
Victor Co.

ETA: PLEASE NOTE WE DON'T MAKE ATLAS BIPODS.

For more info go to our website www.victorcompanyusa.com
We are working on video and will have one up soon.



 
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7070121
 
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rydah said:
Does this mean I can finally get it to lock out or get close enough to it it’s not an issue?

Because I’d much prefer to keep the stupid thing than sell it and buy something else just so it doesn’t torque under recoil into all sorts of stupid angles and need stupid amounts of resetting between shots.
Click to expand...
I bought one of the wrenches they had available after SHOT. When you tighten the knob until it stops, it ain't moving. Didn't realize that during one of my FPR matches and had to shoot a twenty round string at a wonky angle, lol.
 
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rydah said:
Does this mean I can finally get it to lock out or get close enough to it it’s not an issue?

Because I’d much prefer to keep the stupid thing than sell it and buy something else just so it doesn’t torque under recoil into all sorts of stupid angles and need stupid amounts of resetting between shots.
Click to expand...

Yes! You can lock it down and it won't move, unless you want it to.
 
I would have bought one at $30 but you weren't taking orders. At $40 it is a bit too pricey for me.
 
JHBearbait said:
I would have bought one at $30 but you weren't taking orders. At $40 it is a bit too pricey for me.
Click to expand...

I understand we all want to save a buck. All our ATWs are made here in the US, by skilled hardworking Americans. If you look closely, you will quickly realize the amount of machining that goes into each wrench, the $40 price is actually low.
 
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Cascade Hemi said:
I think I'd rather have a bipod that works as advertised than spend money trying to work around a rather obvious design flaw.
Click to expand...

Respectfully, the Atlas works as designed. The ATW is simply adding the next level of precise adjustment. There are many shooters that may not care if they can lock down their bipods.
 
Michael Victor said:
Respectfully, the Atlas works as designed. The ATW is simply adding the next level of precise adjustment. There are many shooters that may not care if they can lock down their bipods.
Click to expand...

So the bipod was designed to "loosen under fire"? Your first post specifically states this wrench is to address a deficiency in design. However, the $40 accessory wrench doesn't actually address the design.
 
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Michael owns an Atlas Bipod, they aren't his in the maker/designer sense.

Michael designed a tool to aide something can happen, but doesn't always happen. It is also highly dependent on user preference.

A bipod that is designed to have a tensioning knob in order to loosen or tighten the pivot point on said bipod is, in itself, not a design deficiency.

Lastly, your opinion on this wrench or the bipod itself is cheapened because you do not own either, or so I assume.
 
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Apologies, I thought this was was someone from Atlas/Accu and didn't realize it was aftermarket. My point stands but is misdirected at the OP. I do have experience with the Atlas. Pardon me while take my shoe from my mouth.
 
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Cascade Hemi said:
I think I'd rather have a bipod that works as advertised than spend money trying to work around a rather obvious design flaw.
Click to expand...


Cascade Hemi said:
Apologies, I thought this was was someone from Atlas/Accu and didn't realize it was aftermarket. My point stands but is misdirected at the OP. I do have experience with the Atlas. Pardon me while take my shoe from my mouth.
Click to expand...

Funny, because I'd rather consumers read product descriptions. (I am the party to whom you are attempting to address.)
 
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My atlas is still plenty tight enough that it won't move unless I want it to.
Still needs some miles put on it to break it in I guess. Tightened with two fingers it's basically locked for normal use.
If and when I should ever need one of these thanks for the insite and effort to bring them to market.
 
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Take my money!

I placed my order on sight. This is an expensive hobby. If this truly solves this problem I am more than willing to pay the $40.
 
Some people will complain about anything. Is a cat tail for a scope fixing a design flaw, or providing an ergonomic solution?

I have a coworker who has terrible arthritis for his age and things like this are a godsend for him, which is why I'll be gifting him one.

Nice product, man, good luck with it.
 
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Dumb question I guess since I never thought to try it when I had an atlas because I never had a major issue with it, but if it's just a wrench to turn the knob and not a modification to the knob.....wouldn't a pair of channel locks work?
 
Sixfivesavage said:
Dumb question I guess since I never thought to try it when I had an atlas because I never had a major issue with it, but if it's just a wrench to turn the knob and not a modification to the knob.....wouldn't a pair of channel locks work?
Click to expand...
I had the same thought and then I asked myself if I really wanted to haul a pair of channel lock pliers with me in my bag. I decided it was worth $40 not to carry a big pair of pliers.
 
Sixfivesavage said:
Dumb question I guess since I never thought to try it when I had an atlas because I never had a major issue with it, but if it's just a wrench to turn the knob and not a modification to the knob.....wouldn't a pair of channel locks work?
Click to expand...

PLEASE DO NOT USE CHANNEL LOCKS!

Channel locks will do a number of bad things:

First the channel lock's teeth will gouge the tension knob, steel always wins over aluminum. The ATW will not.

Second and more importantly channel locks give you a much greater amount of leverage which leads to broken bipods. How do we know? Ask Kasey, he's had to fix them.

Our Atlas Tension Wrench is designed to put the exact amount of force needed to hold the tension screw tight without snapping it. The Tension screw CAN and WILL snap if you force it beyond it's design.
 
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Michael Victor said:
PLEASE DO NOT USE CHANNEL LOCKS!

Channel locks will do a number of bad things:

First the channel lock's teeth will gouge the tension knob, steel always wins over aluminum. The ATW will not.

Second and more importantly channel locks give you a much greater amount of leverage which leads to broken bipods. How do we know? Ask Kasey, he's had to fix them.

Our Atlas Tension Wrench is designed to put the exact amount of force needed to hold the tension screw tight without snapping it. The Tension screw CAN and WILL snap if you force it beyond it's design.
Click to expand...

I don't mean to shit on your product by any means and of course I don't advocate using steel tools on aluminum in this case, I'm simply getting at the fact that it just seems like there's ways to tighten this thing without NEEDING another tool so my point. Maybe I have unusually strong hands or maybe I do something different but I've not had mine loosen up drastically too often.

Remember, when in doubt....always tighten a fastener till it breaks then back to off a quarter turn, that'll be just right!
 
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Sixfivesavage said:
Dumb question I guess since I never thought to try it when I had an atlas because I never had a major issue with it, but if it's just a wrench to turn the knob and not a modification to the knob.....wouldn't a pair of channel locks work?
Click to expand...


Funny. We have no idea how many "channel lock hands" we have in the world but at some point all of them have owned an Atlas bipod and broke it! Seriously they claim "I was just using my hands and the knob broke off" we get it in-house and find opposing parallel lines in the knurling on the TENSION KNOB that look exactly like the "teeth" on the jaws of channel locks....

You want to more tension on the Atlas than the TENSION KNOB will allow, AND you don't want to buy this tool, AND you have channel locks, AND you don't need your channel lock pliers for anything else, just cut the grips/handles down to 1.5" TOTAL length so you can't get more than 2 fingers on them and you should be fine.... sarcasim.
 
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Kasey said:
Funny, because I'd rather consumers read product descriptions. (I am the party to whom you are attempting to address.)
Click to expand...

And yet here we are. My experience with the Atlas bipod is that it couldn't be tightened and it would come loose. I'm certainly not the first, and judging by this thread there appears to be a large enough market to sell $40 wrenches to work around it. I get it, I'm just a nameless, faceless person that said something less than flattering so I'm easily dismissed. I'd actually like to buy one of your bipods or I wouldn't have bothered saying anything in the first place.
 
Cascade Hemi said:
And yet here we are. My experience with the Atlas bipod is that it couldn't be tightened and it would come loose. I'm certainly not the first, and judging by this thread there appears to be a large enough market to sell $40 wrenches to work around it. I get it, I'm just a nameless, faceless person that said something less than flattering so I'm easily dismissed. I'd actually like to buy one of your bipods or I wouldn't have bothered saying anything in the first place.
Click to expand...


Sorry, I’m not buying your “nameless, faceless story as I’ll accept objective criticism from any corner. But I won’t accept baseless opinions. FACT, we never made a claim the TENSION KNOB will LOCK the Atlas. It simply adds or reduces TENSION. This was the concept, the design executes this. And frankly I don’t understand what anyone wants a bipod to give pan and cant that is then locked. As if moving to “lock” it won’t change sight picture.... if you got what you want, work that trigger!

Sincerely, even the Atlas CAL uses a Pod-Loc to add TENSION. The use of “Loc” instead of “Lock” should suggest theres a difference. My observation is that even when hand tight as much as I can, I can still force movement in the CAL. Meaning “Loc” not Locked.

If you want to suggest we make a pan and cant Atlas that locks, feel free to do so. But know that was not our objective with the Atlas V8 or PSR.

And not to put too fine a point on it, the Atlas is being fielded buy some of the finest units to carry weapons here and around the world. Guess it comes down to use and application.

Last, this in no way takes away from what Victor Co is doing. We talked about it and I have zero issue with this product. They make great gear, just got a 10/22 stock that totally exceeded my expectations.

Would love to have your business but don’t want you disappointed based on your expectations that exceed our claims.
 
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It is issues like this one that prove to me that I could not be Mr. Kasey or Victor. You both are so good at taking what is said and politely responding where I would just tell them to F-off and point them at a competitor I don't like.

I've said it multiple times for all to read, this wrench is a hell of a product for those who are looking for an answer to this problem. Its not a design problem or a flaw. I love my Atlas and am looking at purchasing a second one at the moment. Great products and Companies need to know what they are doing matters.
 
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Cascade Hemi said:
And yet here we are. My experience with the Atlas bipod is that it couldn't be tightened and it would come loose. I'm certainly not the first, and judging by this thread there appears to be a large enough market to sell $40 wrenches to work around it. I get it, I'm just a nameless, faceless person that said something less than flattering so I'm easily dismissed. I'd actually like to buy one of your bipods or I wouldn't have bothered saying anything in the first place.
Click to expand...

I'm a bit confused by your post you state that your experience with the Atlas and then at the end say you don't own one but would like to.
 
This should have came with my bipod. Can I ask for one now?
 
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Cascade Hemi said:
And yet here we are. My experience with the Atlas bipod is that it couldn't be tightened and it would come loose. I'm certainly not the first, and judging by this thread there appears to be a large enough market to sell $40 wrenches to work around it. I get it, I'm just a nameless, faceless person that said something less than flattering so I'm easily dismissed. I'd actually like to buy one of your bipods or I wouldn't have bothered saying anything in the first place.
Click to expand...

So you don't own one but "have experience with one" what does that mean? You tried a rifle that had one on it? Somebody loaned you one? How do you know it wasn't a knockoff?

Typically when I see people bitch about stuff like this it usually comes out they had a $60 knockoff and don't understand why dealers charge $250. This is why. The cheap shit either doesn't work, breaks, or both.

I have 5 Atlas bipods, 3 different models, used in multiple states and matches over ten years and have never had any issues with tension that I thought needed a wrench to fix. I do have a couple with lots of use that I will periodically snug up the knob before I shoot, so maybe the lever would cut down on that chore a bit, but it's more piece of mind than an issue.

Point being, it's not a design flaw, it's wear and tear. Which if you'd actually bought one and become a customer they would bend over backwards to help you out. You aren't even a customer but you're whining about things that don't even affect you.

They'll survive without your hypothetical business, so take your hypothetical problems with a product you don't own elsewhere.
 
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LawnMM said:
So you don't own one but "have experience with one" what does that mean? You tried a rifle that had one on it? Somebody loaned you one? How do you know it wasn't a knockoff?

Typically when I see people bitch about stuff like this it usually comes out they had a $60 knockoff and don't understand why dealers charge $250. This is why. The cheap shit either doesn't work, breaks, or both.

I have 5 Atlas bipods, 3 different models, used in multiple states and matches over ten years and have never had any issues with tension that I thought needed a wrench to fix. I do have a couple with lots of use that I will periodically snug up the knob before I shoot, so maybe the lever would cut down on that chore a bit, but it's more piece of mind than an issue.

Point being, it's not a design flaw, it's wear and tear. Which if you'd actually bought one and become a customer they would bend over backwards to help you out. You aren't even a customer but you're whining about things that don't even affect you.

They'll survive without your hypothetical business, so take your hypothetical problems with a product you don't own elsewhere.
Click to expand...

And yet this thread exists. I've shot on a bunch of Atlas bipods over the years. Ownership is not a requisite for experience.
 
You a little slow, or what?

This thread is to promote a tool that can make adjustments easier. Nobody's marketing it as a "fix" for a problem or "must have item" your bipod is useless without.

You don't even own what you're complaining about, yet you act like your "experience" is on par with those that do.

Ever shot a 1911? Bet if I throw the frame and parts at you that you ain't putting it together unless you own one and bothered to learn. My father got to ride in the pace car at a NASCAR race, guess that means he can run laps with Earnhardt Jr. I shot an AX338 at a Mile Target, I must be on the same level as Brantley and Tubb.

It not just your lack of ownership, it's your obvious lack of understanding and experience. Nobody's buying what you're selling.
 
My Atlas has the old style version one knob. I'm an old guy with I suppose average hand strength. By tightening my Atlas down bare handed I couldn't get it tight enough to suit me. I wouldn't dream of trying channel locks, I've bitched up enough die lock rings with those. I solved the problem by simply putting on a pair of work gloves which allowed me a better grip and gave me more tension.
I don't shoot competition anymore so throwing a pair of gloves in my range box isn't a big deal.
I think the wrench is a great idea, and being an owner of Victor's viper skins I'm sure its a well made product and serves a obvious definite need so if you have the problem and can't get my glove idea to work I'd suggest buying one.
 
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My friend who really got me into long distance shooting is the guy who designed this neat little tool. He's a really great guy, and an excellent shot. We just went out to the desert on Friday and he showed me the tool, how it works, and how he designed it.

As soon as I saw this thread, I got so excited. I couldn't be happier for him.
 
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Got one the other day. Nicely fabricated. I have the Type 2 Atlas. The wrench does not seat fully about the 5 lugs when the bi-pod legs are deployed or seated completed. The more vertical the legs, the less engagement of the wrench with the forward lugs. That means I have to return the legs to the fully horizontal position to adjust / re-adjust knob tension. Perhaps a modification of the wrench in the style of a flare nut wrench
would be a consideration......might have to put the band saw to mine. Also looking a a QD connection for the wrench up front on the rail .......will post some options.

Illustrated here, both the spring loaded detents had to be pulled downward to allow some engagement of the forward lugs.
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I was going to stow the tool in my DOPE card pouch on the stock, it most likely would get lost in the hustle. Cobbled together Blue Force cannabilized sling QD button, Sig low profile QD socket, 31/64" drill, 1/16" roll pin, JB weld and AlumaBlack. The QD socket has 4 locking detents at 12,3,6,9 so the wrench could be held in any of those positions. Next phase, consider fine lanyard and take the tool to the band saw.



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