Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: deadyote on July 27, 2015, 06:14:00 PM

Title: which tripod?
Post by: deadyote on July 27, 2015, 06:14:00 PM: So I bought a vortex razor hd 20-60-85 spotting scope and have been looking at tripods for it, but can't figure out which one is the best. A buddy has a vortex summit ss which I think is not enough for my spotter. I'm trying to save as much weight as possible because i will be using in the backcountry. What would you recommend?
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on July 27, 2015, 07:28:55 PM: i have the same scope and im in the same process...ive been looking at some of the vanguards
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: scottcrb on July 27, 2015, 07:31:26 PM: heard great things about these if money isnt an issue
http://outdoorsmans.com/collections/outdoorsmans-tripod-system
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: thinkingman on July 27, 2015, 10:26:12 PM: Subbed for same.
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: huntnnw on July 27, 2015, 10:44:38 PM: buy a good one! I have a manfrotto and fluid head
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: X-Force on July 27, 2015, 11:08:10 PM: If money wasn't an issue I would go with a slik 624 or 634 CF with a manfrotto 700rc2 mini head. Right under 3lbs of tripod and head
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: WoodlandShooter on July 28, 2015, 01:23:48 PM: Vortex or Manfrotto. Cant go wrong there.

while yer at it, get a PIG or HOG saddle!!
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: Bean Counter on July 28, 2015, 01:39:18 PM: you can spend anywhere from $150 to $800 on a tripod and head. The cheaper you go the likely the heavier the tripod will be, and the less weight the head will support, or smoothly it will pan with a heavy spotter on it. Find out how much your spotter weighs, and look at the head capacity--you don't want to needlessly overspend in this category. Some of the more expensive heads out there are meant for us fauxtographers for camera specific issues and you dont need to go blowing money on that crap, either. $300-500 could get you into a really good rig.
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: maximus on July 28, 2015, 01:39:58 PM: Just bought the Promaster XC525c for the Razor HD 65 scope. Both are in the mail, so unfortunately I cannot give a review yet.
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 28, 2015, 04:13:29 PM: I've been rocking the outdoorsmans medium tripod and outdoorsmans pan head for a couple seasons now. There is no better on the market for weight/strength/function in my opinion.

Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: Netminder01 on July 28, 2015, 05:07:46 PM: I have the same scope and elected to purchase a Vortex tripod as well. I think it's the ProGT from 2-3 years ago which I really like. It's heavier than I'd like which would prevent me from going deep with it but for most of the hunting I'll be doing this year, it should be fine if weight is not going to be a big factor. Compact and flexible for glassing and sturdy enough for me to digiscope with my DSLR.
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: xXLojackXx on July 28, 2015, 07:45:02 PM: Love my Oben CT 3531, check them out. Carbon fiber, very lightweight, sturdy, compact, fluid head, twist lock legs, removable leg for use as a monopod, and only $280.
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: Bean Counter on July 28, 2015, 07:49:42 PM: Is that the one that B&H puts on sale now and then? I
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: elkaholic123 on July 28, 2015, 07:57:07 PM: I have a Benro carbon fiber C0580F, very light but sturdy for my Swarovski spotter
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: deadyote on July 29, 2015, 10:39:23 AM: Thanks a ton everyone. Now I just need to pick one. I figure if I paid for the scope I need to pay for the tripod so I can use it correctly.
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: sirmissalot on July 29, 2015, 10:51:05 AM: You definitely need to spend the money on a good head and tripod to use on a good spotter. I'm going to try out a cheap but very light tripod this weekend, but I have a couple carbon fiber ones with monfrotto fluid heads and like them a lot. Heavy is good when you're glassing so there is a balance there, but lugging a 3lb "lightweight" tripod around seems excessive to me on some of my longer hunts. I go back and forth on the issue though.
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 29, 2015, 04:23:31 PM: One thing to consider about fluid heads, if you end up looking at one, is they have a temp rating on them. They can freeze so if you are possibly using it in cold conditions you may want to look at a different head. This is the reason I did not get one.
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on July 29, 2015, 07:51:23 PM: What type of head do you guys reccomend?
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 30, 2015, 11:14:50 AM: Quote from: deerhunter_98520 on July 29, 2015, 07:51:23 PM
What type of head do you guys reccomend?
I have used a few different pistol grip style, but eventually went back to a traditional pan head. Individual locks for tilt and pan work best for me as I am mostly a grid glasser. I steer clear of anything with key components that are plastic. Plastic flex's, and flexing creates a poor image which causes eye fatigue. I went with the Outdoorsmans pan head. It's spend but has absolutely been worth it!
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: huntnphool on July 30, 2015, 11:28:15 AM: Love my pistol grip Manfotto :twocents:
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: lamrith on July 30, 2015, 11:41:42 AM: Quote from: BLRman on July 30, 2015, 11:14:50 AM
Quote from: deerhunter_98520 on July 29, 2015, 07:51:23 PM
What type of head do you guys reccomend?
I have used a few different pistol grip style, but eventually went back to a traditional pan head. Individual locks for tilt and pan work best for me as I am mostly a grid glasser. I steer clear of anything with key components that are plastic. Plastic flex's, and flexing creates a poor image which causes eye fatigue. I went with the Outdoorsmans pan head. It's spend but has absolutely been worth it!
Plastic also likes to squeek right when that big buck comes into the area.
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: jjhunter on July 30, 2015, 03:39:22 PM: I prefer the outdoorsman medium tripod and their pistol grip head. I do 90%+ of my glassing off the tripod with binoculars and the pistol grip is as slick as they come. It also easily handles my 80mm spotter when I need greater detail.
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on July 30, 2015, 04:46:28 PM: I've never used a pistol grip before...are they easier to scan with and adjust over a pan head? I have just a cheaper tripod right now and I have to really tighten it down so it won't slowly creep under the weight of the scope
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: huntnphool on July 30, 2015, 05:12:35 PM: Quote from: deerhunter_98520 on July 30, 2015, 04:46:28 PM
I've never used a pistol grip before...are they easier to scan with and adjust over a pan head? I have just a cheaper tripod right now and I have to really tighten it down so it won't slowly creep under the weight of the scope

Mine is a Manfrotto 222 like this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Manfrotto-222-Joystick-Head-/291482821924?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ddbae524 but I think some Chinese versions of this are out there too.

One hand operation, I own both types and much prefer the pistol grip type for my spotter and binos. :twocents:
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on July 30, 2015, 05:18:44 PM: And it holds the spotter pretty secure?
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: huntnphool on July 30, 2015, 05:20:46 PM: Quote from: deerhunter_98520 on July 30, 2015, 05:18:44 PM
And it holds the spotter pretty secure?

I hike with my Swarovski spotter attached and on my shoulder, no issues so far.
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on July 30, 2015, 05:28:51 PM: Nice..I'll have to check it out...I was already thinking of trying one out
Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: grundy53 on August 10, 2015, 06:00:59 PM: Quote from: Netminder01 on July 28, 2015, 05:07:46 PM
I have the same scope and elected to purchase a Vortex tripod as well. I think it's the ProGT from 2-3 years ago which I really like. It's heavier than I'd like which would prevent me from going deep with it but for most of the hunting I'll be doing this year, it should be fine if weight is not going to be a big factor. Compact and flexible for glassing and sturdy enough for me to digiscope with my DSLR.
I'm thinking about getting a vortex tripod. I'm glad to see that you like it. One question though. Did it come with the head? I couldn't tell from
their website.

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Title: Re: which tripod?
Post by: deadyote on August 15, 2015, 12:55:59 PM: So my buddy and I went out this week and I used his Vortex Summit SSP. POS!!!! The screw in the plate that attaches to the spotter broke in half when I hand tightened the spotter to it. That is going back to the store for sure. Even my buddy was surprised. I think I'm going to order the oben that LoJack suggested. It gets great reviews and has a higher load capacity. I'll let you all know how that works out.