Lightweight tripod recommendations
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LaHunter
Well-Known Member
My setup is the Promaster 525 carbon fiber tripod. It weighs about 2 lbs without a head and packs down to about 18". It has twist locks on the legs. I've used it for the past 5 years mule deer hunting in WY and have been happy with it. I do 95% of my glassing while sitting, so it's great for me. It is not ideal for standing. I currently have the Surui VA-5 fluid head on it and this is an outstanding head. My spotter is a Swaro 65 mm spotter, and the tripod/head combo are plenty stable for this size spotter. Slik tripods get good reviews also, they seem very similar to the Promaster. I think Slik makes tripods with both twist locks and flip locks, but not 100% sure.
Good Luck
Good Luck
claybreaker
Well-Known Member
I had (before it was stolen) a Vortex Summit SS? Its about 2 lbs, lifetime Warr., about $130. I liked it and will replace it with the same.
Be Safe,
Be Safe,
RRS or Leofoto. model will depend on what you want to do. I went with the leofoto 364. its a little heavier, but I use it for PRS and hunting where I can mount my rifle on it. you could go with one of the smaller lighter models if you just wanted to mount an optic on it. I tend to glass with binos and check with a scope. never did like spotting scopes
Recently purchased a BogPod system....the actual tripod is a little on the heavy side...but if used as a walking stick instead of packing, it isn't too bad...the quick switch head is the bonus for me...form binocular holder to spotting scope to a full gun rest or the front fork...all easily switched..and fast....another bonus is that the window mounts can hold all those accessories also...I bought extra pieces to mount the spotters and gun rests...leave one in each rig..and will be setting one up on the rzr door for the wife to shoot....
Caught it all on sale just right before Christmas for less than a small combo kit.........got lucky....
Caught it all on sale just right before Christmas for less than a small combo kit.........got lucky....
I have an older bogpod tripod that is just a shooting rest and thinking about upgrading so I don't have to carry another tripod for the spotting scope. Can you lock down the quick change head in place so it is stable?
I have put the spotting scope on it but just to checkout the setup....I run my binos on it more often....
It does lockup very tight...not the best at minute adjustments....
I will set it up again and do a re-evaluation on the spotting scope...let you know in a bit...
It does lockup very tight...not the best at minute adjustments....
I will set it up again and do a re-evaluation on the spotting scope...let you know in a bit...
Okay went thru with mounting again to refresh memory...
The quick change post/rod with the ballcatches is where any discernable movement would be...there is a slight gap inbetween
the mount and the tripod head...as I bought several heads..that gap varies minutely....but is it the rod lenght or the mount thickness...can't say which could be creating the slight wobble...
But....I think a very slim plastic washer could very easily tighten up that situation....I haven't tried it yet...
Here's a couple pics of the post...one pulled apart..the other pushed together....as you can see...very slight....as minimal as it is I doubt it would affect you in the field....it just bothers me knowing its there.....
The quick change post/rod with the ballcatches is where any discernable movement would be...there is a slight gap inbetween
the mount and the tripod head...as I bought several heads..that gap varies minutely....but is it the rod lenght or the mount thickness...can't say which could be creating the slight wobble...
But....I think a very slim plastic washer could very easily tighten up that situation....I haven't tried it yet...
Here's a couple pics of the post...one pulled apart..the other pushed together....as you can see...very slight....as minimal as it is I doubt it would affect you in the field....it just bothers me knowing its there.....
Attachments
Thanks for the time and the photos. Since I have not seen the components, only photos, I do not know what holds the connection between the gun rest or the camera base to the tripod. I see there is a stem that appears to have a couple small ball catches. Is there also a set screw that gets tightened? If not, what keeps the entire camera base from rotating on the stem?
It is a very "snug" fit....not really tight....
There are four balls compressing out..against the inside of the quick switch setup....
It turns without a lot of resistance but stays put enough to be able to set the sites with spotter, binos and rifle mount....
Wife ordered this one from Amazon somewhere....
The new tripods in store(sportsmanswarehouse) have the removable head..they didn't have any accessories...
I wouldn't just order it...I would make sure you have a good sense of it before buying it.....
I have camera tripods and small pack tripods...this one isn't the lightest you will find....but for me to use it as a walking stick and it is ready to have spotter shoved on....it is quick and easy.....truth be told...she told me she got everything at a "huge discount"..everything..including window mounts(4)....
I don't know.......I think she lied......
There are four balls compressing out..against the inside of the quick switch setup....
It turns without a lot of resistance but stays put enough to be able to set the sites with spotter, binos and rifle mount....
Wife ordered this one from Amazon somewhere....
The new tripods in store(sportsmanswarehouse) have the removable head..they didn't have any accessories...
I wouldn't just order it...I would make sure you have a good sense of it before buying it.....
I have camera tripods and small pack tripods...this one isn't the lightest you will find....but for me to use it as a walking stick and it is ready to have spotter shoved on....it is quick and easy.....truth be told...she told me she got everything at a "huge discount"..everything..including window mounts(4)....
I don't know.......I think she lied......
I live in Minneapolis, MN
Well....that's a little too far to checkout what I have....even in a flight...you have to go to Salt Lake City first...
You should have bass pro, cabelas and others with the system...
Shouldn't be too tough on you to go look...unless you spend too much money every time you go in....
I have found when I go to cabelas...I get disgusted by the lack of things in the store vs the sales magazines.....and I never seem to be able to hit it during a sale.........but I get to eat at Wendy's.....
You should have bass pro, cabelas and others with the system...
Shouldn't be too tough on you to go look...unless you spend too much money every time you go in....
I have found when I go to cabelas...I get disgusted by the lack of things in the store vs the sales magazines.....and I never seem to be able to hit it during a sale.........but I get to eat at Wendy's.....
