Compact Tripod?

[bhol]

Just bit the bullet on a Swarovski STM 65 HD and am now looking for a compact, light tripod for back pack hunting. What tripod and head do you guys suggest for back country hunting?

 

[Len Backus]

We have one in the LRH Store that Andy uses.

 

[ZSteinle]

I use a manfrotto 4 section carbon fiber. Super light and compact. I also use a grip ball head that I love.

190 Carbon Fiber Tripod With Q90 - 4 Section 190CXPRO4 - 190 Series | Manfrotto

 

[marioq]

Dolica Premium Lightweight Traveler 60" Carbon Fiber Tripod/Monopod with Ball Head Bundle CX600B502D/S

look at this one... I KNow nothing about it but it sounds nice

 

[westcliffe01]

Ball heads on High magnification optics will drive you nuts. It is virtually impossible to make nice incremental adjustments on a ball head and the center of gravity is all wrong too. Serious wildlife photographers use a gimbal type mount, it resolves the center of gravity issues by moving the center of rotation sufficiently high that the optic is always stable.

Like this

Jobu Design BWG-J3K Jobu Jr.3 Gimbal Kit with Swing-Arm BWG-J3K
You add a mounting rail for your optic, that allows the best axial position to be found so that it is perfectly balanced.
That particular model = $329

How high do you need the spotter deployed ? Yes, the carbon fiber tripods are pricey..

 

[mtnwrunner]

Velbon ultra maxi m with the outdoorsman squeeze head. Very compact, whole system about 3 pounds, easy to use and stable.

Randy

 

[moombaskier]

Good choice on the spotter! +1 on avoiding ball heads. Well at least similar quality to leupold compact. Don't make the mistake I made by buying a quality optic then try to get by with a cheap tripod and head. Get the best you can afford to get all you can out of your spotter.

 

[Sully2]

I use a Bogen 3020 tripod that extends UP to eye level when standing...and goes flat to ground when laying down!

 

[bruce_ventura]

For a true backpack weight (1.45 lb) tripod that works very well from a sitting position, look at the Slik Compact XL. At about twice that weight (2.85 lb) the Slik Sprint Pro EZ is hard to beat for the price (about $120, IIRC).

 

[silvercreekguide]

SLIK tripods are great for the price but the Outdoorsmen tripod that Len has here is even better. it is made for hunting and packing. They are a bit more spendy but well worth the price! They are made in Payson, Arizona and are great to deal with if anything happens to the tripod.

So if you are on a bit of a budget go for the SLIK and if you have the extra money the Outdoorsmen is the ticket.

Mike

 

[bruce_ventura]

... They are a bit more spendy but well worth the price!... So if you are on a bit of a budget go for the SLIK and if you have the extra money the Outdoorsmen is the ticket.

If Len sells it then no doubt it is good quality. Starting at over $650, though, the Outdoorsmans tripods are in a different stratosphere of price!

 

[bhol]

Yeah, I've read alot of good things about the outdoorsman setup.. Has anyone used the promaster T525P?

 

[mildot1960]

I have just bought one of the micro tilt Tripods that is alot like the Militiary M15 type tripod they are better than a camera tripod and are way better than the cheap ones that they supply with scopes, you can pick them up for around 40/45 Dollars and heres the best bit when you crank the zoom right up they are rock solid when you have to focus them, for along while I could never use my scope up above 20/24 and now I can run it right up to the top and the glass is crystal clear right to the edges and the adjuster on the tripod is very smooth, Its made a world of differance,

hope this helps

John

 

[X-man]

There are ball heads and there are ball heads