Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Lightweight spotting scope tripod suggestions

I've got a Slik Sprint 150 for a lighter tripod, with the issue ball head.

I kind of like the ball heads for simplicity, but the issue ball head on the SS150 is kind of cheesy, but it is fairly light.

On my heavy tripod (Vortex Dakota), I put an Oben BA-126 ball head on it. Now that is nice.

I frikken love the mini Manfrotto 494 ball head.

Apply enough friction so that the scope won't move unless you want it to and it is awesome.

Subjective but no way I would go back to the old pan head.


And I've had good luck with a Manfrotto 190CX3 tripod(which is now discontinued).

I also prefer ball heads over pan or pistol-grip heads for extended glassing sessions- I like to have my hands on the actual scope to move it around where I'm looking. I've been pretty happy with Manfrotto ball heads.

Unlike Brad, I don't think I'd like that hammock at all. I like to position the tripod legs around my legs when I'm in a sitting position, so I prefer to hang a bag from the center column that I can fill with rocks for added stability.

Jordan, you explained exactly what I was thinking about 'holding' the scope when glassing. Set the friction, grip the scope body and it's uber smooth.


I also sit under the tripod and that's one nice thing about a full-size. Long legs give you plenty of room/setup options.

Same here with the ball head, set the friction with just enough to let you move the scope around as needed, but holds it where you let it go.

The Oben-126 has a 44mm ball, and rated 26 lb capacity. It handles the 65mm Razor (3 lbs) very well.

It's burly enough to rest a 16 lb heavy rifle on too, if you are so inclined.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/887574-REG/oben_ba_126_single_lever_ball.html

I also prefer ball heads; and I second the Manfrotto 494 ball head. IMO once you get to know your ball head ( if it is a good one) and learn how to set the tension for what you want it to do, they are very easy to use. I can set the tension for smooth motion and in a moment grab the main tension knob and lock it where I want it to stay. The 494 is effective for a light weight ball head and even works well with my 61 oz 82 mm spotter.

I have a Vortex High Country that I modified quite a bit for binos. Not horrible for $50 + the 16 Bore treatment.

Tripod Skullphuqq