Another thing... the tripod can make or break the set-up. I am 6'4" and tripods do not come in my size. The angled is more comfortable to use standing up. Serious glassing does not usually involve standing up.

Hanging weight from the bottom of the tripod stem on the hook usually provided makes the whole thing a lot more stable.

The idiot idea of stabilizing the legs down low does not work anything like as well because it allows everything above the weight to vibrate in lightweight tripods. The hook puts the weight in the right place pulling in the right direction.

Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.