If you are not familiar with the brand FAB Defense in airsoft, don’t worry, you may have already encountered their products in airsoft games. Their T-Pod Quick Release Foregrip-Bipod got some unauthorized copies made in China that were available to airsoft players. I did try this cheap replica though it was not comfortable to use and when retracting it back to a foregrip profile, it was not that easy that it takes time to do it right when it was designed to be quick thing to do. I gave it away and just went for the real deal and was happy with it.

In their quest for making products that can make weapons platforms stable when being used, they thought of creating a new bipod design that is unique and does away with the conventional way of installing the bipod --- at the front-end of the rifle. What they did is design the Podium Bi-Pod that is installed using the pistol grip and magwell areas for the rifle and is available for the Tavor, AR, and AK platforms.

According to FAB Defense, the Podium Bi-Pod “enables the operator to install a steady and durable bi-pod platform without adding front-end weight and saving valuable rail space.” Deploying the Podium is easier as it allows the shooter use the shooting hand without altering the grip and still maintains sight of the target when going prone with to get a more stable shooting position with the Podium.

To operate the Podium, the shooter just pushes a button at the pistol grip to deploy the legs of the Podium and when not in use can easily be retracted. Here is a quick video demo:

Indeed, the Podium looks a more convenient way to get a stable shooting position using a bipod and though noticing in the video about the magazine reload, the shooter will need to get used to putting a fresh magazine with the bipod legs deployed as it looks like a leg will get in the way for a quick reload so some adjustment in the style may be required.

As for the compatibility here are the models:

• AR-Podium- The model includes the AGR-43 pistol grip and the Podium bi-pod. Compatible with -16/AR-15, 5.56x45 lower receiver variants, with a standard magazine well.
• AK-Podium- The model includes the AGR-47 pistol grip and the Podium bi-pod. Compatible with AK-47/AKM standard models. (Coming soon)
• TAR-Podium - TAR 21 rifles including CTAR 21 / GTAR 21 and STAR 21 (not compatible with the X95).

While the Podium is easy to install, with no professional gunsmith help required, airsoft players may be able to install this in AR or AK Gas Blowback Rifles which are usually have the same dimensions of the real steel ones. But for AEG use, it may require some modifications to fit unless an airsoft weapons accessories maker takes a license to make one for AEGs.