Got a new spotter for Christmas. This is the most decent long range glass I've ever had. Need a good, sturdy tripod.

What do y'all have experience with?

Run gitzos. Expensive but good. Can be found on eBay reasonably cheaper. Don't cheap on the head as it's just as/more important than tripod

Take your pick of any camera tripod all the way up to really right stuff.

Look around Amazon. Search spotting scope tripod.

So many choices for different budgets.

But you really can't go wrong with Vortex



https://vortexoptics.com/more-products/tripods.html

Sirui CF tripod + VA-5 head

I have this, quite steady, easy to deploy, reasonably light, and the head is SUPER smooth and easy to lock down if you want to hold it on something. I use it with 10x binos while hunting.

I have the Outdoorsman's Tripod. I like it.

AggieMPH2005 said:

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I have the Outdoorsman's Tripod. I like it.

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They make great stuff. Love the heads when going ultralight

I use a fairly heavy Manfrotto tripod for the heavier glass as I like their quick-release mounting plates. For travel w/my Nikon 50mm scope, I just use a much smaller Surui to good effect.

If you are going to be using your tripod in extremely windy conditions, make sure you get a very sturdy (heavy) one, or at least one that will allow you to attach a counterweight to the bottom of the head tube.

C

NRH ag 10 said:

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Sirui CF tripod + VA-5 head

I have this, quite steady, easy to deploy, reasonably light, and the head is SUPER smooth and easy to lock down if you want to hold it on something. I use it with 10x binos while hunting.

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Gonna try this one. Had seen it highly recommended on Rokslide also.

Thank y'all. Will report back on my thoughts.

Maybe someone can educate me. Also bought good spotting scope and have no tripod. If I bought one like the siriu, can I also use that as a shooting platform for hogs on the ranch...dual use.? Is this what the swappable heads are for?

Yes you can. The popular qd platforms are arca Swiss, manfortto, outdoorsman etc. Buy a hog saddle or something of the like and mount qd plate that matches your head. Arca Swiss is becoming a popular rail platform for rifles so that would be a direct fit to an arca Swiss head.

DOG XO 84 said:

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Maybe someone can educate me. Also bought good spotting scope and have no tripod. If I bought one like the siriu, can I also use that as a shooting platform for hogs on the ranch...dual use.? Is this what the swappable heads are for?

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Yes, but it will not be as stable as some of the larger, heavier tripods regularly used for shooting sports. I have a triclawps saddle on a QD arca plate for my sirui. You have to pay a lot of attention when setting it up to keep everything level when using a pan head. I'm just getting into using a tripod as a shooting aid in addition to glassing use, but it seems like a ball head with a panning feature would be ideal for dual use.

In the blind, I use something similar to this
It works great.

Any good camera tripod will work at the range

Depends on price. RRS, Crux Ord, Manfrotto, and Slik are good placed to start.

In run a Slik and really like it, if budget is an issue check eBay or the used market, I was able to get mine a couple of years ago for 50% off retail and still looked practically brand new and functions flawlessly

Not sure how tall you are, but I'm 6'4" on a good day and most regular tripods are just too short for me when standing. They'll do it, but every joint is extended out as far as it will go.

My favorite tripod is the Tiltall. It's an oldy but a goody. Rock-freaking-solid and tall enough for me. It does not have any fancy quick releases, or carbon fiber geegaws or whatever. It's also a bit on the hefty side but you'll never have to throw it out and buy a replacement. Ever. You'll leave it to your kids in your will. It is the BAR of camera tripods.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1237245-REG/tiltall_tripod_te_01b_te_original_series_tripod.html/reviews

I recently bought a slik but now in market for head (mostly spotting scope and Swarovski eldx binos). Would like to also be able to quickly switch to a saddle for shooting. Any recommendations? Would like to stay light as possible for mountain trips.

Have a reaper and tripod set up for sale if anyone is interested. $525

https://texags.com/forums/50/topics/3165923

What base is it? I could possibly be interested in the base and head if you would sale separate? Just don't have any need for the tripod.