The only time you'd need them is in open country. Otherwise I rest against a tree. They make good shooting sticks . . . unless it's real windy. Not real portable though!

I personally like the Harris bipod(s). They attach directly to your rifle. Nothing "extra" to carry around. To read about them go to (I hope this is allowed):
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat20774_TGP&rid=&indexId=cat20774&nav Action=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&p arentType=index&parentId=cat20774&id=00058 25