Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
Trusted by SOCOM snipers and PRS pros, the MDT CKYE-POD is rock solid and heavy. Here is the verified, field-tested path to shave 17.9 ounces with R3D carbon legs and the LRT Fat Trimmer while keeping stability, cant, and speed.
Few pieces of shooting equipment have earned the reputation of the MDT CKYE-POD. It is trusted by top-tier Special Forces snipers, PRS and NRL competitors, and precision rifle shooters worldwide. The CKYE-POD is known for speed, adaptability, and rock-solid stability. It is also heavy and expensive, which is where modern innovation has stepped in to help.
This review includes verified weights, measured data, and practical performance insights. It also explains how two upgrades, the LRT Manufacturing Fat Trimmer and the R3D Carbon Legs, reduce nearly one pound of weight while maintaining full function.
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CKYE-POD Overview: Why This Bipod Owns Difficult Terrain
MDT offers three standard sizes of CKYE Pod, as shown below.
| Specification | Standard (Single Pull) | Double Pull | Triple Pull | Hybrid Triple Pull (R3D + Fat Trimmer) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lateral Leg Positions | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Width Leg Positions | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Maximum Height | 15.5″ | 18.5″ | 37″ | 41.75″ |
| Minimum Height | 5″ | 5″ | 6.75″ | 6.75″ |
| Weight | 1.47 lb | 1.68 lb | 2.35 lb | 1.26 lb |
| Cant Adjustment | Knob | Knob | Knob | Knob |
| Cant Range | 170° | 170° | 170° | 170° |
| Pan Range | 360° | 360° | 360° | None (Pan removed by Fat Trimmer) |
| Material | 6061-T6 Aluminum with Stainless Hardware | Same | Same | Carbon Fiber Legs with Aluminum/Steel Hardware |
| Mount Options | ARCA, Picatinny, or ARMS-17 | ARCA, Picatinny, or ARMS-17 | ARCA, Picatinny, or ARMS-17 | ARCA, Picatinny (Dual Head) |
| MSRP | $599 | $799 | $999 | ≈$1,040 (Single Pull + R3D Legs + Fat Trimmer) |
The CKYE-POD provides independent leg articulation, three width settings, and both cant and pan adjustments. Each leg can pivot, lock, or extend to nearly any angle, allowing shooters to maintain stability across uneven terrain. The result is unmatched positional flexibility for both competition and tactical applications.
Why Top Shooters Choose It
The CKYE-POD is the preferred choice of top-tier shooters because it is engineered for precision and control. It allows rapid leg position changes, wide cant range, and dependable lockup under load. Special Forces snipers use it for the same reasons PRS professionals do: it delivers consistent accuracy and stability no matter the terrain or shooting position.
The only real drawback has always been the weight and price. The triple pull’s extra range and adjustment options come at the cost of over two pounds total mass. For long-range hunters, competitors, snipers, or anyone hiking gear between stages, that matters.
See Also: The Pinnacle of Bipods: CKYE-POD Gen 2 Bipod with RRS SC LR Mount Reviewed
Drop Ounces First: LRT Fat Trimmer Explained
MSRP: $117
Weight Saved: Approximately 3.5 oz
Function: Removes the pan feature while keeping full cant control
The Fat Trimmer replaces the CKYE-POD’s head plate and removes the pan feature that most shooters never use. The cant adjustment remains functional, and ARMS-17 compatibility is retained, allowing continued use of RRS, Area 419, or MDT-style clamps.
You can retain the big silver MDT Cant tightening knob or save more weight and use the LRT bolt that comes with the kit. I chose to remove it and had no problem getting good tension with the new bolt.
The fat trimmer modification reduces weight, moves the bipod closer to the rifle, and simplifies the entire setup. Honestly, it’s how it should come from the factory. I’m likely going to get a couple more and replace all of the heads on my CKYE Pods.
Verdict: The Fat Trimmer is the best starting point for anyone looking to shed ounces without changing the core mechanics of the CKYE-POD.
Go Carbon: R3D Legs Add Height and Kill Weight
MSRP: $325
Collapsed Length: 12″
Extended Length: 40″
Weight (each): 0.276 lb
System Savings: About 14 oz total
Compatibility: Fits all CKYE bodies and accepts single pull factory feet
The R3D Carbon Legs replace the CKYE’s aluminum legs with high-strength carbon fiber. They are longer and significantly lighter. Installation is straightforward, and the legs fit any CKYE-POD body, whether single, double, or triple pull. If you don’t already own a CKYE pod but want to get one and do the R3D mod, I’d suggest buying a single pull, as you can reuse the feet, and it’s the cheapest option.
Twist-Lock Mechanism
Each leg joint uses a quarter-turn twist lock.
- Twist the outermost leg three-quarters of a turn to unlock all three joints.
- Twist it back three-quarters of a turn to relock.
- Twist any leg individually to unlock only the joints above it.
The system sounds complex at first, but it quickly becomes intuitive. It is very fast in use.
Height and Rigidity
The R3D Carbon Legs collapse to 12 inches and extend to 40 inches, giving more usable height than even the factory triple pull. At normal extension, rigidity is excellent. There is minimal flex at full height under heavy rifles, which is acceptable for both PRS and field applications.
Amazingly, even though the legs are longer than the Triple Pull legs, the minimum height stays almost exactly the same (6.75 inches) if you use the Fat Trimmer, as it removes some height from the head area of the bipod.
Installation
If you’ve done it before, you could probably do both legs in less than 5 minutes. If you haven’t done it before, it will likely take you 10 minutes, but it’s relatively easy and requires only an allen wrench and a pair of pliers.
Hybrid Build Recipe: Full Function at 47 Percent Less Mass
The custom hybrid build combines the R3D Carbon Legs, the LRT Fat Trimmer, and a dual ARCA/Picatinny head.
| Configuration | Components | Weight | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory Triple Pull | Stock aluminum legs and factory head | 2.378 lb | Baseline |
| Hybrid Build | R3D Carbon Legs, Fat Trimmer, and Dual Head | 1.26 lb | −17.9 oz (−47%) |
This configuration retains full cant adjustment and independent leg articulation (everything except panning) while cutting nearly half the total mass of the original triple pull.
Verified Weight Comparison
All weights below were measured on a calibrated scale.
| Configuration | Weight (lbs) | Difference from Stock Triple | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CKYE Triple Pull (Stock) | 2.378 | Baseline | Maximum range and features |
| CKYE Double Pull | 1.718 | −0.660 | Balanced option for competition use |
| CKYE Single Pull | 1.592 | −0.786 | Simplest and lightest factory setup |
| Factory Triple-Pull Leg (each) | 0.774 | — | 12.38 oz per leg |
| R3D Carbon Leg (each) | 0.276 | −0.498 | 4.42 oz per leg |
| Hybrid Build: R3D Legs + Fat Trimmer + Dual ARCA/Pic Head | 1.26 lb | −1.118 lb (−17.9 oz) | Fully functional hybrid setup (20.16 oz) |
Replacing the aluminum legs with R3D carbon legs saves nearly eight ounces per leg. Adding the Fat Trimmer removes another three and a half ounces from the head. Together, the result is almost eighteen ounces of weight reduction without giving up stability, cant, or adjustability.
Real Field Use: Faster Deploy, Same Lockup, Less Fatigue
In actual field use, the R3D-equipped CKYE feels dramatically lighter without losing any stability. You keep the same minimum height and gain additional inches in maximum height. The twist-lock system operates smoothly. Adjustments are simple and precise: grab, twist, and lock. This system is now light enough to hunt with. It’s also substantially quieter than the original legs to deploy if that matters to anyone. In a high-speed situation, the triple pull could likely be deployed slightly faster than the Hybrid, but not by much.
Carbon fiber also improves comfort in cold weather and resists corrosion.
Summary Chart
| Upgrade | Purpose | Weight Change | Cost | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRT Fat Trimmer | Removes pan feature | −3.5 oz | $115 | Keeps cant and trims front-end weight |
| R3D Carbon Legs | Replace aluminum legs | −14 oz | $325 | 12–40″ range and significant mass reduction |
| Hybrid Build | Both upgrades combined | −17.9 oz (47% lighter) | ~$440 | Nearly half the weight with full function |
MDT CKYE-POD Final Thoughts
The MDT CKYE-POD remains the finest bipod available to professional marksmen. It has earned its reputation through real-world reliability and unmatched versatility. With the LRT Fat Trimmer and R3D Carbon Legs, the CKYE-POD becomes something even more refined: lighter, faster, and more practical for modern competitive and tactical shooters.
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As the Editor-in-Chief of GunsAmerica, Hunt365, Decoding Darkness, and Suppressor Academy, True Pearce brings a rare blend of legal expertise, competitive shooting credentials, and deep hunting knowledge to the forefront of the firearms world. A former professional sponsored 3-Gun and Multigun competitor with multiple championships and titles, True’s shooting career began in long-range and tactical sniper matches—and he still burns powder in precision competitions, now branching into Hunter NRL.
A certified firearms instructor who has trained over 10,000 students face-to-face, True has also served on both sides of the courtroom as an attorney and currently as an elected Prosecuting Attorney. He has prosecuted and defended high-profile self-defense and firearms cases, giving him a unique, real-world perspective on the Second Amendment.
Outside the courtroom and off the range, True is a true western outdoorsman. A lifelong hunter and rancher, he rides and hunts off his own string of horses and pack animals, chasing elk, mule deer, wolves, coyotes, and anything else in season. He’s a longtime reloader, producing both precision rifle ammo and, back in the day, handloading over 40,000 rounds of 9mm and 5.56 annually for competition.
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Experience:
– Professional Shooter – Sponsored 3-Gun & Multigun competitor with multiple titles and a foundation in long-range and sniper/tactical matches.– Firearms Instructor – Certified instructor with over 10,000 students trained face-to-face.– Elected Prosecuting Attorney – Attorney with real-world experience defending and prosecuting self-defense and gun-related cases.– Hunter & Rancher – Horseback hunter with a working ranch, passionate about elk, deer, predator, and backcountry hunting.– Reloading & Ballistics Expert – Precision reloader and former high-volume competition handloader.– Optics Authority – Known for his deep knowledge and unrelenting standards in optics, thermal, and night vision gear.– Outdoor Creative – Avid photographer, guitar player, and outdoorsman with a sharp eye for gear and storytelling.– 2A Advocate – Committed to protecting the Second Amendment and educating Americans about their rights and responsibilities.
This stuff is getting ridiculously expensive… Imagine spending $600-$1000 on a bipod… And then adding on another $400-$500 worth of parts to save a little weight. At some point we have to stop spending this kind of money on this stuff so they can lower these prices down to earthly proportions lol.
Think of how light it would be to carry around two sticks attached with a shoe string!