What tripod?

[JackOfAllTrades]

Non extendable legs, or only a short extension,  good feet. Light but sturdy.  Strong head that will support scope or camera and not break.
 
What are the ones that have lasted you?
 
-Steve

[Bean Counter]

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.

[couesbitten]

I'm using a Slik Sprint Mini, been very happy with it.

[huntnnw]

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

[jackelope]

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.

[JackOfAllTrades]

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
 

[jackelope]

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.

[jackelope]

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.

[Bean Counter]

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.  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.

[coachcw]

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 !

[huntnnw]

my manfrotto doesnt look like u could do survey work with it

[jjhunter]

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.