Tripods

[7mmfan]

I got a new set of Leupold BX-5 Santiam 12x50 binos recently, and now I'm on the hunt for a tripod. I will primarily be using these on backpack hunts, so weight and size are definitely a consideration. Figured I would forego a tall tripod and settle on one that I would us while sitting or kneeling, as that's how I end up using my existing one anyway. Any good suggestions?

[Mtnwalker]

I've been plenty happy with the slik 624. I also wouldn't hesitate to try a Sirui if you find one with the specs you like, they seem quality for the price. Lately I've seen some smaller, sitting-only type tripods hit the market that have peaked my interest a bit like the black ovis ones, but not sure about the quality.

I am however on the hunt for a new lightweight pan head. Don't really want to spend the money on the Outdoorsmans, right now I'm using a Benro S2 and it gets the job done but it's not great. 

[Stein]

I was in the same boat and ended up with the Sirui 124 with VA-5 head.  It's 3 lb 14 oz, so I wouldn't call it light, but I can stand up and glass with binos and I'm 6'4".  The quality and versatility outweigh buying two different tripods, so I'll suffer the extra pound or so and just carry one for everything.

[HikerHunter]

The Black Ovis Treeline is a pretty good balance of cost, weight, and size if you don't plan on standing and glassing.

[MtnMuley]

I've tried tons of backcountry tripods and the one I pack most consistently is the Slik 634. Ultralight and compacts small. Bonus is,  you can use it standing as well. If you're primarily using it for binos, I'd go with a small ball head. Cheap, compact, and lighter than a panhead.

[7mmfan]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll take a look at a few of these.

[7mmfan]

Anyone with any experience with this specific model? Not tall enough to glass standing vertical, but I rarely do that anyway. However, I'm finding the sitting specific models aren't tall enough for me to kneel and use, which is how I use my current setup most of the time. This one allows for that. Also, if you buy from the Slic website and combo with their ball head, they discount the whole setup 20%. It's pretty good deal really.

https://slikusa.com/collections/carbon-fiber-leg-only/products/carbon-fiber-pro-cf-635-twist-locks

[BeerBugler]

I’d get a bundle that includes the VA-5 head. For a tripod, I use the T-004 most of the time. There are better tripods but I’ve been really happy with this setup and I’ve been really rough on it with no issues. Lots of good options for tripods. Less options for really good heads at a reasonable cost.

[MtnMuley]

Anyone with any experience with this specific model? Not tall enough to glass standing vertical, but I rarely do that anyway. However, I'm finding the sitting specific models aren't tall enough for me to kneel and use, which is how I use my current setup most of the time. This one allows for that. Also, if you buy from the Slic website and combo with their ball head, they discount the whole setup 20%. It's pretty good deal really.

https://slikusa.com/collections/carbon-fiber-leg-only/products/carbon-fiber-pro-cf-635-twist-locks

I've compared one to the 634 in person and while the 4" folded length is nice and .1 ounce overall weight is positive, I couldn't see any reason to not just go with the 634 and be able to stand and glass if needed. I've glassed sitting most of the time, but have started glassing from standing a lot more these days and actually prefer to in many situations.

[7mmfan]

Alright I'll ponder on this for a bit. One more thing I'm finding is a huge disparity in prices of Bino adapters. Leupold wants $90 for their post style adapter. It does have a quick release mechanism which is nice. I don't think I want the rubber strap versions unless someone can tell me why they are superior.

[Stein]

I use the Vortex, never seemed to want more.  It's super light, quick to use and even mounted on a plate I can fit it on the side pocket of my bino harness.

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-Sport-Binocular-Adapter/dp/B08SBY5KPR/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=B08SBY5KPR&psc=1

The one thing is that like many of that style, if you tip the tripod over there is nothing holding the binos onto the tripod.  I've never done it and it's not like staying on the tripod would protect them.

[7mmfan]

Alright, that's good info. There seems to be quite a few cheaper options out there in that category. I'll just fall middle of the road like I usually do.

[Antlershed]

I use the Slik 634 for Binos and spotter, and then a 834 for a shooting tripod. For a bino adapter, I prefer the Outdoorsman setup.

[Mtnwalker]

Alright, that's good info. There seems to be quite a few cheaper options out there in that category. I'll just fall middle of the road like I usually do.

If you can swing it I'd absolutely bite the bullet and drop the money on the Outdoorsmans setup (or the leupold which looks to either be a ripoff or made by outdoorsmans) I like saving money as much as the next guy but there are certain things that are worth the cash. I'd also recommend buying a separate QD plate for each piece of glass that will go on the tripod. 

[MtnMuley]

Alright, that's good info. There seems to be quite a few cheaper options out there in that category. I'll just fall middle of the road like I usually do.

If you can swing it I'd absolutely bite the bullet and drop the money on the Outdoorsmans setup (or the leupold which looks to either be a ripoff or made by outdoorsmans) I like saving money as much as the next guy but there are certain things that are worth the cash. I'd also recommend buying a separate QD plate for each piece of glass that will go on the tripod. 

If the Leupys he has can be used with the Outdoorsmans bino adapter I'd agree 100%. I run a short and tall Outdoorsman's on a couple pair of Swaros and I don't think it can be beat.

[jackelope]

I went with this tripod because it's tall enough for me to stand up and glass, but I can totally sit without any issues. The only reason I didn't get the Slik 634 is because of the max working height. I'm too tall for the Slik to stand behind.
I called Cameraland NY and talked to Joel. Told him what I wanted and went with what he recommended.

https://www.xc-m.promaster.com/3482

I'll add that I removed the included ball head and put this pan head onto it.

https://promaster.com/Product/2435

Seems like all the bino adapters I've seen will all attach to one of the quick detach feet you can get for tripod heads. I don't have experience with a ton of them though.

[7mmfan]

I'm on the shorter side, a little under 5'9" so the 634 would work just fine for me. The added height of the post bino adapters helps some too.

I definitely do not have the coin to drop on an Outdoorsmans setup. I'm sure it's nice but holy smokes. I think I'm fairly settled on the Slic 634 combo they are promoting on their site, but may upgrade to the VA5 head at some point.

[Mtnwalker]

I'm on the shorter side, a little under 5'9" so the 634 would work just fine for me. The added height of the post bino adapters helps some too.

I definitely do not have the coin to drop on an Outdoorsmans setup. I'm sure it's nice but holy smokes. I think I'm fairly settled on the Slic 634 combo they are promoting on their site, but may upgrade to the VA5 head at some point.

To clarify I was only recommending the bino adapter setup, not the tripod or head. I can't afford those either 

[7mmfan]

I'm on the shorter side, a little under 5'9" so the 634 would work just fine for me. The added height of the post bino adapters helps some too.

I definitely do not have the coin to drop on an Outdoorsmans setup. I'm sure it's nice but holy smokes. I think I'm fairly settled on the Slic 634 combo they are promoting on their site, but may upgrade to the VA5 head at some point.

To clarify I was only recommending the bino adapter setup, not the tripod or head. I can't afford those either 

Got it. I ponied up and got the Outdoorsman adapter. The blaze orange sold me. Got the Slic 634 with the combo ball head and a couple extra quick release plates on the way as well. Early birthday present 

[MtnMuley]

I'm on the shorter side, a little under 5'9" so the 634 would work just fine for me. The added height of the post bino adapters helps some too.

I definitely do not have the coin to drop on an Outdoorsmans setup. I'm sure it's nice but holy smokes. I think I'm fairly settled on the Slic 634 combo they are promoting on their site, but may upgrade to the VA5 head at some point.

To clarify I was only recommending the bino adapter setup, not the tripod or head. I can't afford those either 

Got it. I ponied up and got the Outdoorsman adapter. The blaze orange sold me. Got the Slic 634 with the combo ball head and a couple extra quick release plates on the way as well. Early birthday present 

If either of you two come over scouting this summer for your hunt, I'd be more than welcome to loan you any of the outdoorsmans heads or the VA-5 head through the end of your hunt and most likely sell you any or all of them at that point.

[7mmfan]

I'm on the shorter side, a little under 5'9" so the 634 would work just fine for me. The added height of the post bino adapters helps some too.

I definitely do not have the coin to drop on an Outdoorsmans setup. I'm sure it's nice but holy smokes. I think I'm fairly settled on the Slic 634 combo they are promoting on their site, but may upgrade to the VA5 head at some point.

To clarify I was only recommending the bino adapter setup, not the tripod or head. I can't afford those either 

Got it. I ponied up and got the Outdoorsman adapter. The blaze orange sold me. Got the Slic 634 with the combo ball head and a couple extra quick release plates on the way as well. Early birthday present 

If either of you two come over scouting this summer for your hunt, I'd be more than welcome to loan you any of the outdoorsmans heads or the VA-5 head through the end of your hunt and most likely sell you any or all of them at that point.

That's a great offer. I won't be scouting over there this year, my hunt was last year. Got me all excited that maybe I'd missed something and got that tag again!

[MtnMuley]

I'm an idiot

[7mmfan]

Well it all arrived. I spent a while playing with everything last night and familiarizing myself with how it all functions. I was a little nervous the Outsoorsman adapter was going to be too wide, since apparently my eyes appear to be narrow. But with the binos all the way in on the adapter it's just right. The tripod is light and sturdy,  definitely an upgrade from the Amazon basics POS I was using before. I feel ok now having my 4 year-old glass with them attached to something that I can control. All he wants to do now is go shoot a bear!

[2MANY]

I run a ball head on all my stuff.
Looks like a good rig you will really enjoy!!

[haftard]

I bought the vortex ridge view carbon. The tripod is great for what it is. However I would not buy another one and the head that comes with the tripod sucks. I upgraded to the wiser precision tripod head and it's great. Wiser precision also offers a contraption that uses a 3rd trecking poll to make a tripod. This would be a great ultra light option

[7mmfan]

I run a ball head on all my stuff.
Looks like a good rig you will really enjoy!!

Once I got the tension just so I was able to move it freely and still have it stay put when I took my hands off. Seems to be a great setup so far.

[Mtnwalker]

I bought the vortex ridge view carbon. The tripod is great for what it is. However I would not buy another one and the head that comes with the tripod sucks. I upgraded to the wiser precision tripod head and it's great. Wiser precision also offers a contraption that uses a 3rd trecking poll to make a tripod. This would be a great ultra light option

I just got a WP panhead in the mail yesterday. The jury is still out for me, it seems to be a well built little head and it's definitely a weight saver but there are a couple things I don't like about it

[7mmfan]

I bought the vortex ridge view carbon. The tripod is great for what it is. However I would not buy another one and the head that comes with the tripod sucks. I upgraded to the wiser precision tripod head and it's great. Wiser precision also offers a contraption that uses a 3rd trecking poll to make a tripod. This would be a great ultra light option

I just got a WP panhead in the mail yesterday. The jury is still out for me, it seems to be a well built little head and it's definitely a weight saver but there are a couple things I don't like about it

 I will say, the ball head is heavy. Dang near as much as the tripod. But it feels solid and sturdy.