Anyone here try one? The are made out of aluminum or carbon fiber. The aluminum model is pretty heavy but the carbon fiber model is only a pound lighter.

I don't think the head cents.

Any first hand experience?

When I first saw one last year I had to have the carbon fiber one.......................
I found that it is just too heavy for most hunting applications unless you have someone volunteer to pack it for you or strap it to an ATV, I mostly use mine now for close to the truck prairie dog hunting. on the upside it is a very stable platform

Have one I take to ground blinds and the like for my kids to shoot off of. It’s no lightweight even with the carbon fiber legs. Doesn’t cant

But it works great for the kids, and I use it as well for shooting steel at 700 yards( farthest I can shoot right now property wise).

Is going to Ohio with me this gun season for ground blinds

It’s worth the money in my opinion if you have a need for a tripod

I have one for open country coyote hunting plus I just bought the head and put it on a more compact tripod, both work great, the compact tripod has quick release head on it so I can swap in my spotting scope as needed.

What do they weigh??

I think the carbon fiber model is 7.5 pounds and the aluminum model is 8.5

My setup is 4 lbs, 4 ozs, but a tad more money than the DG:

Nice aalf. A tad ehhhh?

Yeah, I am trying to decide if I want to go cheap. There seems to be quite a jump in price to the next level. What are you using?

Setup is a Leofoto with a Hog Saddle top.

I think the tripod is this model:

https://leofoto.com/products_detail.php?id=227

Hog sure looks to be a good unit. BOG reeks of commie.


BOG FAQs
All of the products we manufacture are forged, machined, assembled, and sewn in the United States of America. (Berry Compliant)

​The tripod and ball head brands we carry are not manufactured in the USA.

[quote=aalf]My setup is 4 lbs, 4 ozs, but a tad more money than the DG:
]/quote]


Forgot to ask you. Do you have any thoughts on the utility of a cradle/clamp vs a ball head w/ Arca rail? Obviously, most any rifle works in the clamp.

On a side note, outside of European made uber dollar units, it's tough to locate non-MIC tripod heads or legs. I think I have found a possible MI Hong Kong, LOL. If anyone has any recent interesting finds from any non-coms please share.

For hunting I use one of these:

https://triclawps.com/collections/all

and Slik 340DX legs. The setup is strong and fairly light.

For competition I use Slik 700DX legs and a leveling base with QR Arca adapter. The Arca setup is more stable and compact than the cradle, but also less versatile (rifle needs Arca rail on the stock/chassis). If your hunting rifle has an Arca rail near the front action screw, then that setup is pretty awesome, but the cradle is pretty darn stable as well. I use the cradle and smaller tripod legs for hunting because not all the rifles I hunt with have Arca rails (most don't), and the setup is lighter and more portable with the smaller legs, but still plenty strong for sporter-weight rifles.

Jordan answered it pretty well, but I'll add a little......

A buddy and I did some farting around trying different things, mostly by testing deflection on a target at distance.

An arca rail with a leveling base is about the most stable with the least deflection. The downside is having to attach a rail to your stock, or multiple stocks, and depending on where it's bolted, can be in the way for carrying.

Not far behind, is the tripod with a leveling base, with the hog saddle on top. The leveling base will cover most "normal" situations for angles up & down. Most of the deflection comes from the rubber padding in the saddle. Really a non event in a hunting scenario.

My setup in the picture has the most deflection, but again, it's really a non event for hunting. Mine isn't tall enough to use standing, but I didn't want that anyway, as I bought it mainly for calling coyotes. I set the ballhead friction so the gun stays in place, but can still be easily moved in any/all directions to take a shot. I still have a habit of tightening the ballhead just when a coyote stops before taking the shot. Typically I have the gun pretty snug in the saddle, and pulled in tight with the right hand, and the left on the friction knob for quick adjustment if needed for a followup.

+1

I've played with all sorts of setups, including ball heads, leveling bases, etc, and the Arca setup with leveling base is the best I've found for pure stability. But the cradle/leveling base is very good too and is more adaptable. I do the same as aalf with regards to tensioning the base so that the rifle will stay in place but can still be moved without excessive effort. The only other thing I would add is that I use my support hand to pull the base/cradle in towards me with the rifle mounted on top, as that tends to dampen any vibrations or instability that come from an imperfect position.

Thanks Jordon and aalf. Information is golden!

I'd not seen the leveling bases. Have looked at some bowl type units but then you'd not have an adjustable center column.

I bought some hardware to (try to) replicate a HOG Saddle but so far it's sitting there awaiting further inspiration...


If the HOG is too cheap, there's the RRS.VYCE.
https://soar.reallyrightstuff.com/VYCE-Equipment-Support-Mount


Note: Triclawps Jordon mentioned is US made.

I also have two larger Innoral tripods for shooting off of, and they have bowl adapters that you use as a leveling base, with the adjustment handle on the bottom.

Like this:

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

Physical weight is your friend, as long as you don't have to pack it......

And if you want US-made tripod legs, you should be prepared to pay, but RRS is GOOD stuff.

Talking strictly hunting here.


So a leveling base with a cradle cannot be adjusted for cant like a ball mount with a cradle? That seems like a must have feature, no?

https://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/03/26/shooting-rest-hog-saddle-review/



Doug has these on sale:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...-on-sale-lowest-prices-ever#Post15319862

"So a leveling base with a cradle cannot be adjusted for cant like a ball mount with a cradle?"

Seems to me that the leveling bases go to like 15-17 degrees in all directions?

Yes.

Then maybe "bowls or half balls" have more tilt followed by ball heads?

Ball heads certainly have a wider range of motion, but levelling bases with 16+ degrees of tilt in any direction are more that enough. The tripod legs can be adjusted for a shot in the rare case that more tilt is needed.

The biggest advantage of levelling heads over ball heads is that they are much more stable.

This is decent for the price but I am not sure if leg cam locks are better.

https://www.nightgoggles.com/shop/shooting-tripods/tripods/night-stalker-shooting-tripod/

Been looking at this and mounting Arca rails on s couple of rifles.... But, back to thinking of a US made clamp. 66lb cap and 2" ball (that's what she said)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087RP5V5...ZYSMW&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

US made?


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


Here's your company:
https://www.amazon.com/Carbon-Tripod-Tripod-ARTCISE-Adapter-Fiber-40mm/dp/B087PHXNTN


Innorel's ballhead:
https://www.amazon.com/Profile-Head-INNOREL-N52-Panoramic-Camcorder/dp/B07ZYY7MQ4


Yours:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Profile-ARTCISE-Panoramic-Diameter-Camcorder/dp/B081TP7FSS

No they are not. Innorel, Arctice, Benro, all Chinky the best I have been able to tell. Had not seen the Innorel = Arctice...


SLIK might be Japan. Gitzo and most Manfroto Euro.

Hey, this looks like a really decent deal, whatcha think? Chinacom no doubt

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086X6RX5...b05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=#customerReviews

The Artcise and Innoral looks to be the same, just labeled different, and both MIC.

I have both the Innoral RT-90C and the RT-80C, and switch a Delow 55 ballhead between them.

I bought the 90C 1st, just for shooting off of, I wasn't worried about the weight. Then decided I might want to use one for hunting, and bought the 80C, which goes tall enough to shoot standing, but quite a bit lighter than the 90C. It weighs 6-5 with the 55 ballhead and Hog Saddle. The 90C weighs 5-13 by itself.

Anything with a center post is going to add a lot of defection to the rig, best to avoid if possible.

I have less money in three setups, than a guy would spend with one labeled RRS........

Thanks. Yeah, the center post is removable and no need to use it.

Is it configured to mount something to it otherwise?


GREAT info here. Aalf, you have me sold on avoiding a center column, THANKS.

Liking this. I will go long and far for flip lock legs. I have a few leg sets to consider before buying more. Slik is worth looking at for legs, per Jordan and prior photo experience, Japan, although not flip lock its a wingnut.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089ZZTD7...ZYSMW&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

The center post can be used as a mono pod. I do prefer the flip lock legs .
So the bowl configuration allows cant and a pig saddle can be put on the bowl? Leaning to that one MtnB

If fully collapsed and tightened, I haven't found the center post to cause any additional instability, but it can come in handy in certain scenarios. A saddle can be put on any standard levelling head or bowl.

What I am getting at, is anything that mounts on that tripod, mounts to the center post... There may be exceptions.

I have a pretty burly tripod by the name Ravelli. I, initially plan to use the legs and cut the center post off to about 6" or so, whatever gives my ability to go prone, once I determine what'll be on top. Getting more ideas and appreciate the inputs.

Aalf,

What leveling bases would you recommend to interface between the 80c and 90c and a hog saddle?

Thanks,

John

Tough for me to make a recommendation, as I don't use one, and have only fiddled around with my buddy's, which I don't recall what brand it is.

Either of the two tripods you mention come with the bowl adapters, which you can directly bolt the Hog Saddle to, with the full adjustment range of tilt & pan used in almost any possible shooting/hunting scenario.

The 90C's only problem using the adapter can be with the extra bowl diameter over the 80, that the large knob on the side of the Hog Saddle can get in the way when you try to pan/tilt all the way on that side. I can't imagine trying to shoot that far out of shape where it would be an issue.

I've procrastinated for a long time on buying the saddle Jordan linked, want to buy that to save some weight over the Hog Saddle for packing when coyote hunting, then leave the ball head on the 90C, and use the included bowl adapter on the 80C.

90C with the Desmond DLOW 55:

This is what I use:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/886344-REG/Sunwayfoto_DYH_66i_Leveling_Base.html

Thoughts on weight ratings needed for an 8-9 pound rifle? Overkill +P+?

The 22 lbs models are plenty. They handle my 18 lbs match rifles without issue.

I just got an 80C tripod yesterday and the 52mm ballhead will be here today. Tripod is stout for sure.

You guys have some fancy tripods for sure.

I have had good luck out of the death grip for our hunting needs. I couldn’t piece together a tripod with a saddle for what I paid for it or I would have gone a different route for sure

It will be used in the morning by my nephew on the Tn youth hunt out of a blind

If I was shooting Comp or very weight conscious definitely wouldn’t get it. For a .75 mile walk in and out it’s not a issue.

If you check budsGun shop online they had the Best price for it I could find anywhere. Bass pro matched the price and I picked one up in person.

Thanks Jordan. Appreciate the input!

I think I’ll get one. I want to dump my cabelas points anyway now that they’ve turned into what they have. No further than we would carry it weight isn’t going to be a issue here either. I also think it would show me if I needed or wanted to invest in a better one.

Kaleb. Where you live in Tn? Could possibly let you check it out before you buy it. I’m in Maryville. Shoot me a PM if your close

Bass pro price matched budsgunshop online for me and that was the lowest price I found it at btw. Could have changed by now though

I mainly got it for my kids, but have also used it with success for myself. If I was a Comp shooter or at the level of aalf I would probably have invested more. But I’m not! Lol

Some photos I had on my phone of it and in use. Deer was my nephews first deer last fall

Cool.

I bet the same deal as the ballheadz, same company /factory... This one has flip locks.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B089ZZTD74/ref=sspa_mw_detail_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Triclawps on my wish list after much mind fornication. Under 11oz, USA and forever warranty.


Here's something for the elite. It's only $117...... Per month.




And a recommendation from PETA.

Very cool kevin! I’m in southern middle pretty good ways off but I appreciate it. I’m thinking it will work for us. A lot of the time I wouldn’t have to walk over a few hundred yards when we hid would be used.

Very nice setup, AALF.

MM

I ended up with these. Haven’t got a saddle yet, so haven’t had a rifle on it. But the legs seem very sturdy, and the ball head very smooth.

John

Tag

I ended up with a Triclawps that Jordan brought up. They say they went with the polymer as superior to aluminum and I think they are right on. I'll spare ya'll the view from the couch pics, but, it holds my heaviest rifle steady with eaze. Good chit man.


https://triclawps.com/products/triclawps-solo-saddle

Here’s a few pics of my Innorel setup. Works great with an MPA chassis.

John

John, what made you choose that model over the 80C or the 90C?

As others have likely said, skip the grip and direct mount everything. Much better setup.

ST344C’s load capacity is significantly higher than the RT80c and it’s not as big or heavy than the RT90c and carries nearly as much load.

John

Over the years I've used any numbers of shooting stix, bi-pods and tripods




I have the carbon fiber model DGBP.



It works well for what I do which is mainly stand hunting, consequently weight is not a factor. I'll set it up and leave it until I leave



I find it to be plenty steady for any type of rifle I employ



I recently purchased the ATN HD 4K pro night vision scope for night-time varming and hog hunting.



I can set it up with the rifle securely positioned toward a point of impact and use wi-fi to stream to my tablet.

Don't have to keep my eye glued to the scope. Makes a big difference at night.



ya!

GWB

GWB, that is badass.

So had an opportunity to shoot off my tripod today. From standing position with nearly fully extended legs, I had no trouble hitting 8” plates at 200, 300, and 400 yards, 12” plate at 600 and about IPSC sized at 700, which is as far as I was shooting today. Wind was quartering at 14mph. I’m pleased with the tripod setup.

John

an update of sorts......

Kyles'







The "Y"



Luv this spot cause its one of the few places on this ranch that one can get cell service.



I can kick back, set up both a camera and rifle with day/night vision. It is also one of the few places on this ranch where there is water (cistern).




















So sooner or later everything comes to water.

ya!

GWB