Lightweight Tripod/Head

[milldozer]

Looking for recommendations on a good, and more importantly light, tripod/head combo for backpack hunts.  I’m currently using a Slik Compact II, which is decent tripod with a poor head, but it is super compact, only weight 1 lb 5 oz, and hold my binos steady enough.  Are there any better options that can come close to this weight?  I can’t justify the cost of an Outdoorsmans.  Would like to keep the tripod and head around $300, and under 2 lbs total.

[Magnum_Willys]

I just stuck a manfrotto head on that same tripod. 

[kentrek]

That's pretty dang light...all my suggestions will put you up in the 2.5-3 pound range but to me its weight well justified..I'm always glassing in the wind and a shaky tripod sucks

On a budget I'd honestly buy a good quality head 1st then maybe next year upgrade the leggs...pending what your putting on it I'd look at the outdoorsmans micro pan, rrs bh30, benro s2

Then leggs to check out are induro, benro, outdoorsmans medium

[milldozer]

The outdoorsmans micro pan seems to be the ticket for weight at 7.5 oz.  Suckers cost $330 though. Yeesh.

[kentrek]

It's okay for small binos and spotters but when you get into the bigger objectives then it gets a little touchy

[jackelope]

I sent pretty much the same question to Joel at CameraLand NY a few months ago. I went with the first tripod and head he suggested. Don’t hold true to the prices without talking to him first. The tripod and head are both awesome and I’m using a giant 20-60x85 straight spotter on them. They’d be even better with a normal 65mm spotter.


“The best bet for small would be the Promaster X-CM 525C. It's a Carbon fiber tripod, more then tall enough, folds to 15", holds 17 LBS and only weighs 2lbs 13 ounces. It is twist locks, most of the better tripods are. These are fantastic and you get a 5 year no fault warranty.

I would suggest the Promaster SPCH 20 fluid head. The tripod comes with a ball head which is good when you want to keep it a little smaller.
The total for the set would be $314.99. Normally this is $359.98

The other suggestion would be the Slik CF633 with the same head. The legs are twist lock but Slik just redid their line, new models start with CF before the #, old have it after the #.
They are very reliable
The set with the Slik and the SPCH20 would be $299.99
The Slik folds to 21" and weighs 2lbs 14 ounces with the head

I am here today until 6:00

Joel
516-217-1000”

I’d suggest calling them and see what they suggest.  The prices and customer service from those guys are both top notch.

[milldozer]

Thanks for the info!

[jackelope]

Thanks for the info!

Forgot to add that I'm 6'4" and told Joel I wanted to be able to glass standing up behind my spotter, hence the "tall enough" comments.

[yakimanoob]

Your tripod with a better head is probably the best bet, as stated above.

FWIW, I've had fantastic results with the (relatively quite cheap) Vanguard VEO2 Carbon tripod with the stock head.  Take the ludicrously bouncy rubber feet off of it and BAM you've got a rock-solid rig.  Weight is directly related to stability so there's a trade-off with any light tripod, but I've been super happy with this one. 

I use Leupold BX-4 10x42s and a Nikon ED50, so not exactly the biggest glass on the market.  I imagine my tripod would not perform well with an 80mm spotter, but I don't have the budget for one of those anyway 

[huntandjeep]

Been using a Vortex Tripod SSP for a few years with a ball head from the Vortex window mount . It's worked OK ( although to short for standing ) . Wanted to upgrade and just talked with Joel at Cameraland and ordered up the Promaster X CM 525 C , and the SCPH 20 Head . They are having a heck of a deal right now for Rokslide members . Price is better then advertised and they are throwing in metal spiked feet also .

[jackelope]

Sweet! You’re gonna love it. I got the all terrain feet too with mine.