Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Tripod survey

I know it's been talked about and I've poured over 20 pages with the search function. I would like to know what is your favorite tripod and head. Those of you who carry it on your back for miles...I am particularly interested in what you like. I'm looking for one that will give good service, not weigh too much (2-3 lbs), and work whether I'm sitting on my arse, a chair, or standing (I'm 6'1"). With both high power bins and spotting scope. Thanks for the help.

Whip

I started 20 years ago with a Slik 100, light but the plastic head flexed and vibrated.

Next was the Velbon Chaser EFL4, heavier but sturdier. It is similar to the present Velbon Sherpa.

Thinking the Velbon was too heavy and the 153Q head wearing out, I tried the Slik Sprint Pro, but found the legs too flexible.

Picked up the Velbon LUXi-F from Doug at CameraLand and put a Bogen/Manfrotto 700 RC2 head atop it. Legs are still stiff enough for 15x binos and makes a light package to sit under. This is what I am packing now.

Make sure the leg angles are adjustable.
For standing, you will likely want a taller and heavier setup than what I mentioned above.

I have a Slik 340EZ. I like it. Its not the lightest 'pod at 3.5#, or the shortest 19" folded. but it is very sturdy. Its a fair trade off in the mind. A little heavy/ big for steady viewing.

I still have my old Velbon chaser EL. But the head on it now is the Jim White head.
I agree with Doug that the 153Q head wears out quick. However my buddy Duwane Adams swears all you have to do is shoot liquid graphite into it and it will last. As far as I know he still has the Chaser and the 153Q. I got tired or the head breaking on me. was smooth tho.

The other day I was a best buy and seen they had a graphite tripod. Felt sturdy and was light, but I'm not about to spend $200 for a tripod.

Like the above, I must agree. Either get a Velbon or Slick. If you want to save some weight, maybe look at the jim white heads as well.

Kique

Thanks for the input everyone. Kique, I was looking at the Velbon and, at the present time, Cameraland is out. It looks very nice though maybe a bit heavy for my needs. I finally got some big eyes and I've got time to decide on a tripod. Anyone else?

manfrotto 728.- It handles my Zeiss 85mm Diascope.Its about the minimum to handle it. A little less then the BL titanium.
You have everything- and want a lifetime investment then get the Gitzo Carbon Fiber.


Sincerely Thomas

The Manfrotto 055CXpro3 would be tall enough for you to stand behind, reasonably light at 3.6 lbs and heavy at $400.

Red Rabbit,
I really like the Manfrotto 700RC head you mentioned, and am looking hard at the Velbon tripods. I'm thinking that being able to stand behind it is now losing importance as few pods out there meet the height requirements and 95% of the glassing I do is on my arse or sitting in a chair. Thanks for your input.

Whip

This depends on exactly what your use for a tri- pod is. I have several tri-pod's and heads for them and to me Bogen-Manfrotto is the place to start.(might not be the lightest, but the most stable I have found).
The most stable set-up I have is the Bogen-Manfrotto 3221 tri-pod with a 701rc2 head (excellent for video-camera ,bino and spotting scope use but horrible for backpacking because of weight).
My lightest set-up is the Bogen-Manfrotto 3001bd with a 486rc2 ball head. great for backpacking and bino use, but sucks for spotting scope and video camera use.
The popular pistol grip 3265 is great for spotting scope use and is passible for bino use but is unuseable for video-camera use.
so you have to determine what is most important to you or buy multiple unit's for a specific purpose.
B

I have the Outdoorsmans med. Won't work for standing, but this thing is rock solid. Hard to beat with their pistol grip. Try out the large for standing, it should work. It's pricey, but it's bomproof and does not vibrate. The company also stands behind their product. Anything wrong with it aand they will fix it. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, this thing is backpacker light.