Outdoorsman tripods anyone?

[Wetwoodshunter]

So, I have been seriously looking at upgrading my tripod for a antelope hunt that I have not quite drawn yet this year and Outdoorsman seems to be a top candidate.  Do any of you have any experience with them?

Is there anywhere that rents them and I could go that route instead of dropping serious cash if I don't like them as much as I anticipate?

I was thinking about going with a medium tripod with a full size pan head.

[whacker1]

I haven't found a more stable tripod out there yet.  I have the compact medium with a pistol grip head.  several friends have pan heads or micro pan heads.  no complaints from any of us.  The bigger the glass, the more important the outdoorsman becomes for stability.     you could call down there and ask them if they would take a return if you don't like it, I bet they would figure out a way to make something work. 

[jjhunter]

I had a medium with pistol grip for 8 or 9 seasons.  Switched to a tall with pan head to handle the BTX/95mm scope.

Best hunting tripod made IMO. 

[BULLBLASTER]

As said above they are the best hunting tripods out there! Light and compact but very stable and adjustable for glassing.

Only other one I would co spider now is a RRS, not much heavier but very solid shooting platform, more bulky to pack tho for sure and much more expensive.

[kentrek]

I only played with the compact medium but I think it was over rated to be honest...the plate system is a weak point for stability and much prefer arca style plates..also the stance needed to be wider...aluminum gets freaking cold...if using a smaller scope it's a mute point but if running a bigger scope stabilization while focusing is huge in my book

Before buying I'd consider looking at similar priced carbon tripods off bh photo....such as the enduro series

RRS is by far my favorite but alil more expensive...the RRS heads are worth every penny

Just my experience

[BULLBLASTER]

The outdoorsmans have a few leg angle settings that just takes a button to reach wider ones.

[Karl Blanchard]

Weak is not the word I would use to describe the plates. I was shooting off mine yesterday with an 8lb rifle.  Legs adjusted all the way out to give it a VERY wide stance. 

[ipkus]

Yeah, not sure about the leg angle comment, you can basically spread them flat to the ground.

I spent a lot of years and money trying to find the answer that wasn’t the Outdoorsman.  I now own one and quit looking.  The only negative is aluminum is cold, but that’s pretty easily dealt with.  I will say I prefer the pan head to the pistol head.  Have not tried the micro pan head.

[Karl Blanchard]

Yeah, not sure about the leg angle comment, you can basically spread them flat to the ground.

I spent a lot of years and money trying to find the answer that wasn’t the Outdoorsman.  I now own one and quit looking.  I will say I prefer the pan head to the pistol head.  Have not tried the micro pan head.

pan head all the way

[Craig]

I have a Silk tripod with a outdoorsman head on it. Awesome set up. Used it on a Colorado high hunt with a Sawovski 800 spotting scope on it and it worked great.

[nwhunter]

I have the medium tripod with pistol grip and love it. I live in Forks and am in Clallam Bay atleast once a week . PM me and I will bring it over and you can check it out..

[Wetwoodshunter]

I have the medium tripod with pistol grip and love it. I live in Forks and am in Clallam Bay atleast once a week . PM me and I will bring it over and you can check it out..

Awesome! I could also come out to Forks and check it out.

[kentrek]

Sorry guys just my thoughts  I was using a 95stx dual mounted with some binos so it is a heavier set up

On a side note if someone wants a smoking deal on a couple outdoorsmans plates shoot me a PM

[Ironhead]

I have the outdoorsmans medium and compact tripods with pistol grips on both and run an ATX 95 on one and 15x56 on the other.

[BULLBLASTER]

Sorry guys just my thoughts  I was using a 95stx dual mounted with some binos so it is a heavier set up

On a side note if someone wants a smoking deal on a couple outdoorsmans plates shoot me a PM

How smoking of a deal are we talkin? 

95 spotter and Binos is a load for the outdoorsmans for sure with glassing.

[huntnnw]

after owning a manfrotto tripod and fluid head its pretty hard to ever switch..yet to use a tripod or head as good

[MtnMuley]

after owning a manfrotto tripod and fluid head its pretty hard to ever switch..yet to use a tripod or head as good

Which fluid head?

[huntnnw]

501hdv

[MtnMuley]

I have a couple friends that use the 501, but pretty sure they've been discontinued and replaced with a 502. The 501 is pretty heavy isn't it?

[huntnnw]

prolly is if you are counting oz's, but I have never cared. Nothing more annoying sitting behind a spotter all day and have a head that doesnt pan smoothly, lock and stay.

[MtnMuley]

I agree.