Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: sagerat on November 22, 2016, 12:22:53 PM

Title: Which tripod?
Post by: sagerat on November 22, 2016, 12:22:53 PM: The tripod I'm using for my spotting scope is terrible. Are there any decent ones available for around $100 or less? Or do I need to get a 2nd mortgage on my house to fund an outdoorsmans?
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: Bean Counter on November 22, 2016, 12:26:03 PM: No, you cannot find a kick ass one for $100. Plan on spending $300 and up. Consider it an invesmtent: do you want to spend more or less days filling your tag so you can get back to earning money at work?
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: Bean Counter on November 22, 2016, 12:27:23 PM: and its probably as much or moreso a problem with the head as the tripod legs itself. Cheaper heads have less weight rating and bearings for smooth and precise panning.
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: sagerat on November 22, 2016, 01:48:47 PM: Looking for decent not kick ass
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: sagerat on November 22, 2016, 06:24:32 PM: So I need to start saving my money I guess?
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: High Climber on November 22, 2016, 06:28:40 PM: What size spotter you have?
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: sagerat on November 22, 2016, 07:07:19 PM: It's an old Bausch & Lomb 15-45x60. I actually like the scope, but the tripod I'm using is junk.
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: High Climber on November 22, 2016, 09:16:35 PM: The vortex sst works fine for me. About $120 I think. Decent to pack, leaves a bit to be desired in panning and stability in the wind but definitely serviceable. Fairly lightweight and expands enough for me to use standing up with an angled spotter. I don't think it work well with a larger scope but never tried it.
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: actionshooter on November 22, 2016, 10:57:59 PM: OK, without a doubt, the outdoorsmans is the *censored*, but this isn't bad for the money. Been using one for a couple of years.

https://www.amazon.com/SUNPAK-620-423-CFT-PX2-Sunpak-Tripod/dp/B004H1M4IY/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1479883936&sr=8-16&keywords=sunpak+tripod
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: Reidus on November 22, 2016, 11:02:34 PM: Vortex summit ss-p if you want to stay around $100. I like the promaster xc525c. Its about $300. Really solid and you can use it standing up....as long as you're not too tall.
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: Antlershed on November 23, 2016, 08:19:19 AM: Check out the Slik Carbon Fiber tripods for a sub $300 tripod that will work great.
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: Bean Counter on November 23, 2016, 08:44:08 AM: Quote from: sagerat on November 22, 2016, 06:24:32 PM
So I need to start saving my money I guess?

Pretty much, unless you want to repeat your initial lesson :chuckle:

Another question: how far do you travel from your truck? If you're only going to be 10 yards from your truck, you can save some cash by buying a quality made aluminum tripod instead of a more expensive carbon fiber tripod. As another poster pointed out you also need to buy one tall enough for you. Be sure to add in the height of your chosen head and the scope itself. Better to be an inch more than you need than having to constantly squat.

I bought an Manfrotto 055 (my particular model is discountinued) and 701rc2 head almost ten years ago. The head is still going strong but I've abused the tripod up and down the Rocky Mountain west and will replace the legs in the next few years. Manfrotto doesn't give the same ridiculous level of customer cervix that we've come to expect from the optics companies. You're on your own for wear and tear from Manfrotto and the parts are an absolute rip off >:(

I have a heavy 82mm scope so I absolutely cannot get by with a cheaper head that is only rated for lighter weight as it will make the panning spastic. I can use my pinky for minute adjustments as I glass the hills from 2,000 yards away and pick apart every blade of grass.

hth
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: sagerat on November 23, 2016, 10:44:19 AM: Actually I get more than 10 yards from my truck, thanks for of the input. I'll be checking into all of these.
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on November 24, 2016, 10:14:13 AM: I have the vortex pro Gt for my razor 85 and it works great :tup:
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: Jason on November 24, 2016, 10:19:00 AM: I've been using the Vortex High Country for about 4 yrs now and it's not bad for an inexpensive tri-pod. It's light weight, fits in my pack easily and is fairly steady.
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: T-Dozzer on November 24, 2016, 07:58:00 PM: I use a promaster that was a demo on camera lands website. Its under 2lbs, 48 inches fully extended & 11 inches compact. Think it was around $120ish. Works great. I like flip locks better though.
Spend more on your head. That's what matters more for me. I use an outdoorsman, but you can find other ones that will work great.
Title: Re: Which tripod?
Post by: Bean Counter on November 27, 2016, 05:49:21 PM: http://www.canonpricewatch.com/blog/2016/11/deals-on-carbon-fiber-tripods-from-165-from-adorama-and-bh/