The outdoorsman is a great setup although I would go medium compact over compact unless you only glass sitting on pretty much level ground.
$500 !.
If I had your money...I'd burn mine.
The OP said he was looking at the Outdoorsman. Burn your money please.
Southtex
Take a look at the Sirui tripods and also the Slik. I’ve got a Slik 624CF with the outdoorsman micro pan head and it’s been awesome.
