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Author Topic: What tripod?  (Read 3819 times)

Offline JackOfAllTrades

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What tripod?
« on: December 24, 2012, 11:36:10 PM »
Non extendable legs, or only a short extension,  good feet. Light but sturdy.  Strong head that will support scope or camera and not break.
 
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Offline Bean Counter

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Re: What tripod?
« Reply #1 on: December 25, 2012, 07:01:07 AM »
Well I can't comment on others but I sure like my setup.

I have a Manfrotto 055 aluminum. Wasn't worth the extra $100+ to shed a pound for carbon fiber to me. Its pretty heavy, but very sturdy. I once took a nap while my heavy spotter sat out in the tough wind and the thing didn't flinch an inch.

I also think a good head is important as well. I have a 701rc2 which is more than I need for just my spotter alone but its rated for the extra weight if I ever want to DSLR on the spotter and digiscope on it. Very smooth and fluid for fine panning. Easy to take for granted on a long day of glassing.

Offline couesbitten

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Re: What tripod?
« Reply #2 on: December 25, 2012, 10:52:55 AM »
I'm using a Slik Sprint Mini, been very happy with it.
With the catching ends the pleasure of the chase. - Abraham Lincoln

Offline huntnnw

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Re: What tripod?
« Reply #3 on: December 25, 2012, 10:14:41 PM »
I have a manfrotto and a 701hdv head..head is important...kinda heavy but worth it..u have to have extended legs..or you will have fits trying to set up on a hill side or uneven ground..The best feature on a tripod is the ability to unlock from standard position and get the legs to move out almost parallel

Offline jackelope

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Re: What tripod?
« Reply #4 on: December 25, 2012, 10:24:52 PM »
I think its all relative to what glass you're putting on top of it. If you're running a ed50 or a little minox you don't need the same as if you're running a 80mm Swaro.
I am using the Vortex high country tripod with the head it came with. I agree with Shane, the legs that fold out are important.
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Offline JackOfAllTrades

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Re: What tripod?
« Reply #5 on: December 26, 2012, 08:39:35 AM »
Wow.. That Manfrotto looks like something to do survey work with. 5 pounds?
 
The Slick mini comes in at less than 2 pounds and compacts to 14 inches. With a ball head too.
 
The Vortex high country is also right about 2 pounds too, but doesn't colapse as small. Also has a ball head.
 
How are the ball heads holding up on those tripods?  With the ball head, is there a notched or self centering feature?
 
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If you never follow your dreams, you'll never go anywhere.

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Offline jackelope

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What tripod?
« Reply #6 on: December 26, 2012, 08:46:02 AM »
Vortex has no self centering function. I can almost stand up straight and use it though. You should have no trouble. I realize that is not an important factor to you but you won't always be on the ground using it. Having short legged tripod would be cool at the range but I can't see that being useful in the woods. Just my .03 I guess.
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Offline jackelope

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What tripod?
« Reply #7 on: December 26, 2012, 08:50:09 AM »
The legs that fold outwards is a must for me from this point on. Something else to consider. If we were closer I'd leg you take it and use it a while. Let me know if you're headed this way.
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline Bean Counter

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Re: What tripod?
« Reply #8 on: December 26, 2012, 09:48:17 AM »
Wow.. That Manfrotto looks like something to do survey work with. 5 pounds?
 
The Slick mini comes in at less than 2 pounds and compacts to 14 inches. With a ball head too.
 
The Vortex high country is also right about 2 pounds too, but doesn't colapse as small. Also has a ball head.
 
How are the ball heads holding up on those tripods?  With the ball head, is there a notched or self centering feature?
 
-Steve

Yep. Or telezoom photography. Or using it as a shooting stick.  8) Weight doesn't bother me if I get what I'm paying (spending the effort) for. Not going to lie: I do sweat carrying that setup, a rifle, and a backpack 1 to 2 miles away from the truck and up a tall mountain. But once up there, I glass all day and feel like I own the area.  While having good glass is important, Its nice being able to pan around all day without frustration. I can just nudge the handle with my thumb and move precisely from one tree to the next. If I bump it I'm not afraid its going to fall over. If anybody has an 80+mm spotting scope on top of a 2 pound tripod and head set up and can move it as smoothly and solidly as mine, I'd love to hear about it.

This last deer season I found my buddy and I venturing up four miles away from the trucks with that heavy spotter and tripod in hand. I'm thinking about investing in some 15x56 binos. For a longer hike I'd leave the spotter and 10x binos behind and just bring the heavy binos and rangefinder.  I can see an ultralight tripod or being handy in such a situation.

Offline coachcw

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Re: What tripod?
« Reply #9 on: December 29, 2012, 08:31:04 AM »
for those long hikes a set of 15x would be nice , I like to cary a trigger stick , they steady the binos and can make a decent walking stick too !

Offline huntnnw

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Re: What tripod?
« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2012, 09:49:35 PM »
my manfrotto doesnt look like u could do survey work with it

Offline jjhunter

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Re: What tripod?
« Reply #11 on: January 01, 2013, 03:29:47 PM »
I use a medium outdoorsman with the outdoormans pistol grip head.  I am going to order another medium tripod with their fluid head this month to accomodate my big spotter.  I use my tripod for strictly hunting applications and believe that it is the best hunting tripod available, taking everything into consideration.   

 


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