Tripod & Head Help Please

Montana

Montana

Veteran member
Nov 3, 2011
1,103
399
Bitterroot Valley, MT.
Hi all... I'm looking at upgrading my tripod this year and would love some insight. Latest thread I found was from 2015 so I thought I'd get an update.
Goals are under $400 for legs and head. 3lbs, aware I may have to go 3.5 lbs in my price range. 65mm spotter. Medium height. 40% grid, 60% zoom in from glassing with binos. I don't attach binos to tripod.
Twist lock vs flip lock legs and why?
Type of head and why?
Thanks in advance.

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DRUSS

DRUSS

Very Active Member
Jun 22, 2014
537
157
nw oregon
I have a outdoorsmans micro head on my surui when backpacking but its a little to unstable in the wind. Have to rest my hand on it.I do use it with my 12x56 binoculars too. Have a CF Manfrotto when weight and size are not a problem. I believe my surui setup with head on it is a little over 2#
 
sneakypete

sneakypete

Veteran member
Aug 9, 2011
2,821
275
Oakdale Ca.
Is your spotter angled or straight? I prefer a ball head for my angled vortex 11/33/50 razor. I have a high country tripod, it's not the best but it works.
 
Montana

Montana

Veteran member
Nov 3, 2011
1,103
399
Bitterroot Valley, MT.
I missed that one.. straight. Is your tripod twist or lock legs? Pros cons? I've always had lock and can't really imagine anything else but interested in hearing different thoughts.

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DRUSS

DRUSS

Very Active Member
Jun 22, 2014
537
157
nw oregon
Mine is twist on surui but locks on my others. I like locks better but twist seem to be More compact in my pack. They seem to hold my 65mm good and my 12x56 binos. Tougher to use with cold hands obviously.

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mcseal2

mcseal2

Veteran member
Mar 1, 2011
1,171
195
midwest
It's expensive but I love the Outdoorsmans compact medium tripod and pan head. The micro will be my next purchase. If you use it as your shooting rest while rifle hunting also it cuts some weight compared to a bipod or sticks. I have a Promaster 525T tripod also with the Outdoorsmans adapter for when I want a taller tripod. At times me and my hunting partner use both, then the micro and pan will both be used. The pan has a big lever that can be used with big gloves, and once the levers are set right it can be used very well for grid glassing. l leave the horizontal one a shade looser, then bump up when needed with the vertical for another horizontal grid. It's hard to get used to the 2 lever system but great once you adjust.

Either are a one time purchase you will use for a long time.
 
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Montana

Montana

Veteran member
Nov 3, 2011
1,103
399
Bitterroot Valley, MT.
mcseal2 said:
It's expensive but I love the Outdoorsmans compact medium tripod and pan head. The micro will be my next purchase. If you use it as your shooting rest while rifle hunting also it cuts some weight compared to a bipod or sticks. I have a Promaster 525T tripod also with the Outdoorsmans adapter for when I want a taller tripod. At times me and my hunting partner use both, then the micro and pan will both be used. The pan has a big lever that can be used with big gloves, and once the levers are set right it can be used very well for grid glassing. l leave the horizontal one a shade looser, then bump up when needed with the vertical for another horizontal grid. It's hard to get used to the 2 lever system but great once you adjust.

Either are a one time purchase you will use for a long time.
Click to expand...
Twist or lock legs?

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mcseal2

mcseal2

Veteran member
Mar 1, 2011
1,171
195
midwest
The Outdoorsmans is lever lock and I like it better. The Promaster is twist lock and it works fine too. It just sometimes needs wiped down when hunting in blowing sand/dirt conditions to keep working well. Hunting Wyoming antelope we had extreme wind and everything was covered in grit. The twist locks didn't want to lock as well in that.

Another feature of the Promaster that can come in handy is one of the legs is removable for a hiking pole. If you don't pack those anyway it can be nice packing out meat. I haven't used it to much, I usually pack them, but I've loaned it out and it works ok.
 
Mark

Mark

Member
Jun 30, 2013
114
0
So Cal
I'm running a SLIK 634 Pro CF tripod and a Gitzo GH1720QR pan-head. The set up was over $400 but I'm super impressed with it.

Do you want a fluid pan-head or do you like the feel of the Outdoorsman pan-head? I tested those and think they are rock solid I just prefer the feel of a fluid pan-head.

Vanguard makes some good options that will keep you under $400. I've used those and while not nearly as stout as the set up I listed above they are good for the $.
 
jmwyoming

jmwyoming

Active Member
Feb 28, 2013
240
111
58
Lost springs wy
I use the vortex summit ss-p. It is a pan heads very smooth horizontal and vertical adjustments. folded length is 14 inches, extends to 54 inches. weighs 2 pounds. I use it on my vortex razor 16-48. rock steady tripod
 
E

ElkHunter2016

New Member
Mar 5, 2017
8
0
PA
Hello Montana,

i have been considering upgrading my tripod as well. Currently using a compact lightweight Al monfrotto that I like, but recently went elk hunting with a guide that used a full size tripod to glass while standing up. I felt this was a real advantage when the animals were moving and have been researching tripods since. I have not purchased it yet, but I am leaning towards the Oben CT-3451, price on Amazon is less than $250 and it has max height of 61.3 in and only weighs 2.5 lbs. Anyone else try Oben?

https://www.amazon.com/Oben-CT-3451-Carbon-Compact-BE-113T/dp/B00HCQEUQU/ref=pd_cart_vw_2_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ET5N92F77PGCNJW1K568
 
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