Joined yesterday.  Newbie fire suit is on in case this has been asked and answered a million times.   Search got zero return.

The issue:  QD Harris bipod rail mounting for 5.56 AR platform. 

I have several Harris bipods in different lengths. When putting a bipod on the front sling post of a heavy, scoped, bolt action gun, I intend it to stay there.  My Sako varmint rifle (6mm Remington) is set up that way.  QD is irrelevant. 

But, on a light tactical 5.56 AR platform, weight and maneuverability become important issues.  Most of the time, no bipod is needed.  When desired, it ought to be easily installed or removed in the dark or in a life and death tactical situation where every second matters and eyes need to be focused on the danger.

All the big name precision rail mount guys (LaRue, American Defense, etc.) make throw lever adapters for this purpose.  I have QD optic mounts from both companies.  They are outstanding, but high dollar.  Absolute repeatable return to zero is vital for QD optics. Both companies deliver in spades.    Their bipod mounts, however, seem drastically overpriced when you consider what bipods do.   

Am I missing something here, guys?  A bipod is not an optic.  It does not matter one hoot whether a bipod can "return to zero" when removed and replaced.  It works as long as it is easily mounted and removed and stays tight when in place.   So, why spend the high dollars for a level of precision manufacturing that seems completely wasted on a bipod mount?

There are many other good companies making such adapters, but virtually all of them are priced similarly to the LaRue and American Defense.  The ARMS #32, for instance, seems of lesser quality and is even pricier from most vendors.  These adapters are close to the cost of the Harris bipods, sometimes much higher.   Heck, you can spend $140 to quick release an $80-90 bipod.  Before you know it, your in Atlas territory.

I can't find anything under about $60 plus shipping, except for obvious Air Soft type crap.   I don't mind spending money for quality stuff when it matters, as I readily did on the optics mounts.  There ought to be something out there with a throw lever or push button that will lock the bipod up tight on a Picatinney rail without the precision and high cost of a QD scope mount.

What are you guys doing?  Or should I get the $85 LaRue LT-130 w/lever and be done with it?