Re: AICS - Rear bag or mono pod?
My observations based on personal experience as well as feedback from end users.
Fact, bean bags require muscle to maintain the desired sight picture, a monopod does not. And we are taught to use our bones to support, not muscle.
Fact, a monopod is not slower than a bean bag. First, most folks with such a opinion do not consider the time it takes to get the bag into position. But in the "real world" that time to retrieve, place and position the bean bag counts. And if starting the clock from the position of bag on the deck under the buttstock and the monopod deployed, the monopod is faster in obtaining multiple targets when used as a "lever" pivoting from front to back (which raises and lowers the muzzle) and as it is attached, there is no concern for keeping the rifle on the "support" when panning left/right which is the case with a bean bag. And for stationary targets, using the quick knob decreases time needed to acquire the target, as does holding on the target while spinning the knob till contact with the deck is made.
I could go on but I'm afraid I am showing my bias here.... for most shooters that enjoy choosing when and where they are going to shoot it is about comfort which translates to better shooting. For guys that don't have that luxury and have to carry their gear, the monopod makes sense, not to all of them but enough that it's becoming more and more common.
One fault of the monopod is it needs explained, the bean bag does not. We will be updating our website and plan to demonstrate the techniques described via video clips.
And to be clear, I have no problem with people that choose a bean bag over a monopod, we still enjoy shooting and that is paramount. And I have no problem with using a bean bag, in fact I made one and as I know several guys here that make them, I was careful not to copy their designs;