Picking the right tripod

[maho7090]

Hey all,

I'm new to hunting and new to this forum. Looks like a lot of years experience here though, so I wanted to pose a question. I went on my first hunting trip for mule deer last year and learned two things with respect to optics in the backcountry. 1) a bino harness will save you from neck strain 2) a tripod would help for extended flashing. Bino harness - check. Tripod - ?

Are there any light and reliable tripods you folks are using? I know Outdoorsmans is popular but the price tag is a little steep. Any comparable options out there?

Thanks!
JM

[northwesthunter84]

I picked up a Sirui Carbon fiber with a video head this year.  Really like it so far.  Twist lock legs, low weight/strength and small pack down size was the major selling point for me.  Cost was under $200 for the tripod.

[Mtnwalker]

Here’s a quick comparison I did last year when I was shopping. These are 3 of the more popular alternatives to the outdoorsman

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,230547.0.html

[yakimanoob]

FWIW - I've really enjoyed my Vanguard VEO2 235CF.  Definitely a budget-class tripod, and the rubber feet it comes with are absolute trash (they might as well have put the dang thing on springs).  But if you throw those away and let it sit on the steel caps, it's solid as a rock, quite durable for its class, and sub 3lbs.  Oh, and it's typically findable for $110 or so. 

Happy hunting, as it were. 

[BeerBugler]

I just spent a couple months buying stuff, testing and returning. After a few weeks with my new set up I couldn’t be happier. I picked up the Sirui tripod with VA-5 fluid head on go hunt. You can get the head and aluminum version for $200! Or the head and CF version for $300. I knew this was the head I wanted (retails for about $170), I went with the aluminum t-004x because at that price it was basically free. If I want to upgrade the tripod at some point I’ll have the head I want and a good back up tripod. That being said, this tripod is awesome. Goes all the way from flat to standing, very sturdy and well made. The VA-5 is a well documented performer and is silky smooth definitely on the bulky side but to me it’s worth the features.