did look at those flat-tops as an alternative.
in my pack been using a 1# compact tripod, which is a short (sometime too short) sit-down deal and too light to be flat steady--but good for me as it is light to carry hunting. have/do carry a rifle monopod, which is better than nothing for impromptu glassing and also a lightweight tentpole type of crossstix that are kinda of clumsy with a bino but ok w/rifle
was interested to compare weight of MD's stix to said tripod as an alternative, and IIRC, they also were a sit-down type, compact
