Tripod recommendations in the $200-ish range for backpack hunts?

[fillthefreezer]

Thevweight hook is money. Small cinch sack with local rocks. The benro s2 and msnfrotto 700rc2 are relatively affordable options to try. Both are highly regarded. I love my Manfrotto.

[biggfish]

Lightweight tripod and stability don't mix. You sacrifice the stability for weight savings making the system top heavy, breathing on it could cause some shake. The counter weight hook it there for a reason. Beyond that a tighter head might help, don't have any experience with vortex tripods so I can't speak to their head quality. Find a durable weight bag that can handle a few pounds and experiment.

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[Bigshooter]

Unless stepping well beyond this budget, I find the slik634 mandrotto 700rc2 combo VERY hard to beat

This is the combo I have eyed for years... and am to cheap to make the switch. When my Manfroto Element finally falls apart this will be the replacement.

I hate with a very strong passion how the legs are extended and collapsed with this tripod.  I do not like how you have to twist the collars to loosen and then tighten them back up.  It feels like it takes for ever and I always seem to have one not tight enough and end up screwing around with it for a few mins to get it how I want it.   

[yakimanoob]

Alright, y'all have just about convinced me to try getting a better head and a weight bag, so, follow up questions:

1) what are your thoughts on video (a la the S2 and 700rc2 mentioned) vs panning ball heads (e.g., the Sirui B-00 or the Joby Ballhead 5K)?

2) what do you use for a weight bag?   

[shallowforks]

many might scoff at this but vanguard has a carbon tripod called the veo thats just over 40OZ with a decent ball head included in that weight. its in the $200 range. best weight to $ ratio ive seen

[banishd]

Check out kdc granite peak tripod. VERY lightweight and has review on rokslide.

[biggfish]

The ball heads I've worked with are great if you set it and leave it. If you are going to do a lot of scanning through whatever you have sitting on top a pan head is the best in my opinion.

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[fillthefreezer]

I wouldn't even consider a ballhead personally

[fillthefreezer]

I hate with a very strong passion how the legs are extended and collapsed with this tripod.  I do not like how you have to twist the collars to loosen and then tighten them back up.  It feels like it takes for ever and I always seem to have one not tight enough and end up screwing around with it for a few mins to get it how I want it.   

I agree with you to a point. At this point I think a lot of it is muscle memory for me. The new flick lock version is very tempting though..

[kentrek]

I prefer panning ball heads....check out the go hunt guys and see there tripod comparison..

If you bump up the price a bit I'm loving the RRS BH 30 head....awesome for grinding and fast scanning

[Magnum_Willys]

Slik Compact II with MANFROTTO 496rc2 and Swaro 25-50 is 5# total.  Works.  Looking for Carbon option to reduce weight further. 

[Mtnwalker]

I have a Sirui t025x and a Slik Pro624 set up side by side on my table as we speak. The Slik is definitely a little bit sturdier due to the neck on the Sirui always being extended, but I like everything else about the Sirui better. A quarter twist and the legs slide right out on their own, everything is very smooth and tight. The Slik takes a little more effort to get the legs in and out etc. Also the Sirui is much more compact and a good half pound lighter. I’m supposed to be sending one of them back but I may just drag my feet until it’s too late to return them.  Slik seems better for a spotter but Sirui looks sweet for those deep ounce counting trips.

[colersu22]

I use the benro S2 head and love it, it is a huge upgrade over the ball head my tripod came with and it’s an affordable option and easy enough to swap onto your tripod.  I know it is outside your budget but I use a promaster xc525c and it is a way more stable than the vortex summit as-p I use to have.

As far as your weight question, I carry Nalgene bottles for my water so when I’m glassing and it is windy I just set a full Nalgene on the weight hook.

[jackelope]

What happens when don’t have a full nalgene?

[ian_padron]

What happens when don’t have a full nalgene?

Pee in it, problem solved