Hey guys,

Looking for a solid tripod for a 80mm ish spotter. As per the norm cost is a factor unfortunately. Will be used for bird watching and nature observation

Any advice?

Not sure if this is in your price range but is light weight and sturdy, Silk CF634!

https://www.amazon.com/INNOREL-Professional-Birdwatching-44pounds-Adapter/dp/B07JYZW9RF

Give a price range so we know WTF you're asking.

Shadow tech, tripod, well worth the money and not hurt in price. check it out.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I’m looking to spend less than $400 Travis

Manfrotto...

Best advice. Call Doug at Cameraland and give him your perimeters.

Spence

I have a CF Promaster from Doug, very happy with it so far, i use it for both my swaro 65mm spotter and leica geovids.

Next question is whether weight is a concern. Weight is your friend for spotters, more so for standing use.....

manfrotto exactly. I have a Man 190XB and Bogen similar model.

190XB = $170

486RC2 Ball head which is no longer avail.

this looks like a replacement MHXPRO-BHQ2 XPRO - $170

total $340

I have the 190 XDB and 492 ball head.

It's not light, if that is a factor.

And I'm assuming you need to be able to stand when using it.

I bought a camcorder Tpod from Doug years ago for my big Kowa. Rock solid on windy days

Weight is not a factor...thanks again everyone

Get this bad boy then if you aren't worried about weight:

https://www.amazon.com/INNOREL-Professional-Top-Level-Birdwatching-88pounds/dp/B07J3BCFQ9

One of the best all around tripods is the Sirui T024SKVA5. It comes with the popular VA5 fluid head. As we posted here we are giving 15% off to Forum members and you get 15% rebate off that price from Sirui as well. This is a compact tripod, Carbon Fiber, light weight.
Here is a link to see it

https://cameralandny.com/shop/sirui...0137-4014-00163ecd2826?variation=1947226

Call me with any questions

Joel
516-217-1000

Shadow tech tripod for $ excellent buy for money.($150) Brownells, review are good. We use ours for birding and range use, shooting off of it with a cradle. The head is not included with it. OD green from the factory. Perfect!

Got any that aren't made in China?

We have some Manfrotto and Gitzo. Give me a call to discuss

I have gotten three Manfrotto tripods with a fluid drive video head, MVH500AH and they are the real deal. Got one for a friend at Joel's advice and then got one for myself after seeing it. Then bought another for the guy I usually moose hunt with. Unbelievably smooth and puts the scope EXACTLY where you want it ever time.

Joel can tell you which tripod I got... Had the tripod with a simple head, a ball head, and eventually the fluid head. It makes a huge difference.

I have the simple head, Manfrotto 700RC2, sitting here... a very functional head, but not in the class of the fluid drive. This is with hundreds of hours of serious use looking for moose, Kodiak bear, and other critters.

To be clear, the third fluid drive is in my hand ready to be delivered in the next week or so. I used the ball drive for a couple years and passed on to my buddy after getting my fluid drive and he is using it now.