I just got a 50mm and an 86mm spotting scope and I'm shopping for an older Zeiss 15x60 or a similar set of binoculars with the Meopta Meostar 15x56 looking like a good option at the moment.
Tripod threads on this site for optics seem to be pretty old and out of date with most being rifle related. Being able to mount a HOG SADDLE to an appropriate tripod would be nice but, I also don't want one too heavy or big to throw in a travel bag for a car or airplane trip.
I'm not sold on carbon fiber legs for durability and cost reasons but, they are an option. I'm also initially thinking 3-sections but, realize 4 may be needed for airline transport. I'm 5'6" so, the tripod doesn't need to go super tall but my friend is 6'2". The little 50mm spotting scope is basically half a bin but, the 86mm is a lot longer so stability issues are probably close to those of a rifle. Head weight needs to be at least 4Kg capable with 5.5Kg being better for rifles with suppressors but, thermal scopes do get heavy. What I don't want is a tripod built for a 10# rifle and 5# thermal scope for a 2.5# or 4# set of binoculars or spotting scopes.
What is good these days at various price points? I want quality without breaking the bank so, cheap Chinese knockoffs are not attractive but, a $500 professional video tripod isn't realistic either. What is a good sub-$200 option or a ~$350 option and what does the higher cost get me? Heads and attachments are an open question at the moment and I'm thinking a simple screw base isn't viable, even for my DSLR.
TIA,
Sid
Tripod threads on this site for optics seem to be pretty old and out of date with most being rifle related. Being able to mount a HOG SADDLE to an appropriate tripod would be nice but, I also don't want one too heavy or big to throw in a travel bag for a car or airplane trip.
I'm not sold on carbon fiber legs for durability and cost reasons but, they are an option. I'm also initially thinking 3-sections but, realize 4 may be needed for airline transport. I'm 5'6" so, the tripod doesn't need to go super tall but my friend is 6'2". The little 50mm spotting scope is basically half a bin but, the 86mm is a lot longer so stability issues are probably close to those of a rifle. Head weight needs to be at least 4Kg capable with 5.5Kg being better for rifles with suppressors but, thermal scopes do get heavy. What I don't want is a tripod built for a 10# rifle and 5# thermal scope for a 2.5# or 4# set of binoculars or spotting scopes.
What is good these days at various price points? I want quality without breaking the bank so, cheap Chinese knockoffs are not attractive but, a $500 professional video tripod isn't realistic either. What is a good sub-$200 option or a ~$350 option and what does the higher cost get me? Heads and attachments are an open question at the moment and I'm thinking a simple screw base isn't viable, even for my DSLR.
TIA,
Sid