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

[millerwheeler]

Vortex high county  modified take off 1 sections of legs I paid less than 100 off of eBay

Isn't the high country a step below the Summit SS?  Looks like MSRP on vortex's website for the high country is $110 vs $180 for the Summit SS-P.

Yes I stand corrected,  and the summit ss  is actually what I meant , and some.say it's unstable small.bag with rocks in it sturdier it right up

[yakimanoob]

I actually may get rid of the Summit at this point.  I played with adding 2.5, 5, and 10lbs to the weight hook and tested how quickly the vibration went away after tapping the eyepiece.  Honestly, the weight didn't seem to make much of a difference at all, and I was pretty disappointed with the flex in the legs and neck even with weight on it. 

It's a wonderfully small and compact tripod, don't get me wrong.  But I may bite the bullet and buy a better quality unit.   

Actual weight of the Summit SS-P on my kitchen scale was 2.25lbs (just the tripod, head, and quick-release plate). 

[BULLBLASTER]

If your going to get a new one check out outdoorsman. It’s a major step up in price but imo is in a class of its own for weight and stability.

[mburrows]

If your going to get a new one check out outdoorsman. It’s a major step up in price but imo is in a class of its own for weight and stability.

This will be my next gear upgrade for sure.  Borrowed a friends out glassing a couple weekends ago and now my entry level nikon tripod setup feels like a kids toy compared to the outdoorsman set up.  Crazy expensive but worth it if your going to be glassing a lot.

[biggfish]

I actually may get rid of the Summit at this point.  I played with adding 2.5, 5, and 10lbs to the weight hook and tested how quickly the vibration went away after tapping the eyepiece.  Honestly, the weight didn't seem to make much of a difference at all, and I was pretty disappointed with the flex in the legs and neck even with weight on it. 

It's a wonderfully small and compact tripod, don't get me wrong.  But I may bite the bullet and buy a better quality unit.   

Actual weight of the Summit SS-P on my kitchen scale was 2.25lbs (just the tripod, head, and quick-release plate).

Are you using it with the center post fully extended? The design of most tripod with extended post are not the most stable as there is very little support. The weight will stabilize the legs, but with post fully extended its like trying to hold up a bat vertically with only two fingers around the button. If you do decide to go with something else I strongly suggest trying them out in person with whatever optics you having the most problem with. I'd look for somethings with a fixed post or a much shorter extension than the summit.

Sent from my LG-US701 using Tapatalk

[colersu22]

What happens when don’t have a full nalgene?

Then I can’t glass anymore.  Kidding aside I normally drink out of the Nalgene while I’m glassing since it’s easy to grab.  If I was in a situation that I didn’t have the water for weight I probably just hang something else on the hook like my kill kit, lid or the whole pack depending on the height.  I am using the tripod with 10x42 or 15x56 bino’s 90% of the time and only use a 65mm every once and awhile so reality the tripod is rock solid pretty much all the time.  If I was using an 80mm or 95mm all the time then I would probably think about carrying a mesh bag like was mentioned before.

[yakimanoob]

@biggfish, I tried both--column up and down.  I ordered a Vanguard VEO 2 carbon fiber tripod, basically just to test it next to my summit.  At $150 and Amazon's return policy, it seemed worth the risk and learning experience.  I'll let you know what I think when it gets here. 

If I'm not happy with it, I'll return it and save up for the Sirui ET-1204 or comparable $250-class tripod. 

[Buzz2401]

I was not impressed with Vortex tripods.  Went with a Manfrotto carbon and am super happy.  It is still heavier then my old vanguard but much more stable.  Haven't had the pleasure of trying a Outdoorsman but heard they are the bees knees.

[yakimanoob]

The Veo 2 235CB arrived today.  Right out of the gate, it's a HUGE improvement over the Vortex Summit SS-P, and considering it costs $150 (at the moment) and the Vortex retails for $130, the Veo is far and away a better choice.  (given that compactness isn't your main goal, I guess.  The Summit is pretty tiny).  Measured on my kitchen scale, the Veo 2 comes in at about 1150g (right on spec) and the Vortex is 1050g (notably heavier than spec).

I'll post more later as I have more time to test it, but I will say I've already dumped the rubber feet that come on the Veo.  They're way too squishy and cause an obvious wobble.  There are metal endcaps with female threads under them, so I'll be getting some better feet, or I'll make them if I need to. 

Certainly keeping the Veo for this season.  I may upgrade down the road, but for now this was an obvious come-up. 

Cheers!

[yakimanoob]

It occurs to me that since I have his old Nikon ED50 and I took the recommendation for the Veo tripod, I am now apparently @shallowforks understudy in the glassing department