Tripods..?

Photographers have the same need as you. My wife is big into photography…she prefers Bogen / Manfrotto. Gitzo is a huge name, but she does not like the way the legs lock (twist vs levers on the Manfrottos). A bunch that supports the shooting community is Really Right Stuff, good product, too. Like the glass conversation, you generally get what you pay for. In addition to a tripod, you will need a ‘head’ to go on top. You can mix and match these, like putting different scopes on different rifles. Consider the tripod for more uses than just the spotting scope - support binoculars, support a rifle, Labradar, etc. Aluminum will be cheaper and heavier than carbon fiber. For the money, buy used.

https://www.manfrotto.com/ (Bogen is another name you will see on Manfrotto)
https://www.gitzo.com/us-en/
https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/ Look at their SOAR, also they are made in Utah

An example of used Manfrotto…..
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?q=Manfrotto&searchType=USED&sort=PRICE_HIGH_TO_LOW
 
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I have had a couple of cheaper tripods for photography and chronograph use for many years that have worked well. Then I bought a used Zeiss spotting scope that came with a Manfrotto tripod with a quick release mount that beats the heck out of them all.
 
scotty said:
with a quick release mount
Click to expand...

Do research on quick releases…once you buy into one, it is expensive to change. We started with the Manfrotto quick release (and there are several…), then changed to Arca style (a strong standard in the photo community). It seems the rifle community is moving to Arca with gusto. Though Arca made the design…many make the mount (think Picatinny). Really Right Stuff (link above) and Wimberley are two reputable sources…there are many others. Again, used is a good source (search B&H and similar - link above)

https://www.arca-shop.de/en/
https://www.tripodhead.com/
 
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A simple direction - if you do not want to waste a lot of time - look for a used, aluminum Bogen / Manfrotto tripod in the appropriate height for your tasks with a three way head on it. Good used - probably $100-$150…
 
I use Bogen (Manfrotto) (strictly spotting) and Shadow Tech carbon fiber (for hunting and spotting).

Bogen is built like a tank, with similar weight :D Very stable for a spotting scope, great for range use and matches. I'll echo what rabid wombat said about heads and mounting, pick a system carefully. I've got both; Manfrotto and Swiss ARCA, they've both got their + and -.

IF you think you'll end up shooting off your tripod, go with ARCA!

IF the primary use is at your place, or another range with limited distance, you can save some cash. IF you're going to get into some distance, don't skimp, especially here in KS. The wind will make you miserable with a "less than stable" tripod.

Just let me know if you want to come over and see either. I've also got a prone mount (also works on bench) and a bench mount that you might be interested in looking at.

rabid wombat said:
A simple direction - if you do not want to waste a lot of time - look for a used, aluminum Bogen / Manfrotto tripod in the appropriate height for your tasks with a three way head on it. Good used - probably $100-$150…
Click to expand...

^

This is a great way to go!
 
Chuck R. said:
I use Bogen (Manfrotto) (strictly spotting) and Shadow Tech carbon fiber (for hunting and spotting).

Bogen is built like a tank, with similar weight :D Very stable for a spotting scope, great for range use and matches. I'll echo what rabid wombat said about heads and mounting, pick a system carefully. I've got both; Manfrotto and Swiss ARCA, they've both got their + and -.

IF you think you'll end up shooting off your tripod, go with ARCA!
Click to expand...

I like how you think. I use a fat tube CF Gitzo with a RRS ball head in combination with a long Arca plate.

I have a Bogen studio tripod built to handle a 8X10 view camera also converted to Arca but I would hate to have to carry it around.
 
I have a bunch of tripods but if I can I prefer to use this cast iron base ball and socket mount, for the most stability.

367C51DD-6968-4405-80E2-C5AD22CE66E5.jpeg
 
Shanghai McCoy said:
Any suggestions for something solid,adjustable and not too expensive? o_O
Click to expand...
. The not too expensive part is a killer so most of your boxes may not be checked. My grandparents always used to say that cheap is expensive because you buy again and again and again and......I use the Manfrotto 055B Pro for my Nikon 25-75X82 spotter. Even then sometimes depending on conditions you wish you could duct tape it to a Sherman tank. Can't imagine how much worse and less satisfying a lesser quality tripod would be with what I have. Glad I plunked down the money for it.
 
Something to help stability…hang a weight (like a range bag) from the tripod - mass helps. Be careful not to overload the tripod, or make things worse by a mass ‘swaying in the breeze’…..To prevent swaying, tether the bag laying on the ground to the tripod - basically putting a load on it without supporting the load. The higher the magnification, the worse the apparent movement in the scope…same as binoculars and rifle scopes…
 
I was at a precision rifle competition this weekend and the guy shooting next to me is into ELR.
We got into talking about spotting scopes and tripods.
He's running a RRS tripod and has a Swarovski STR 80 Milrad spotter.
He told me that he was running an Innorel RT90C for about 1-1/2 years shooting a 32lb rifle in 338 EnABLER off of it.
Now his shooting partner is using it with no complaints.
 
90% of carbon tripods under a certain price point are rebadged from a couple factories in China.
I don't think it's worth a 100% markup for a US replacement warranty on a Chinese tripod -- I like my innorel from aliexpress.

Slik has a classic aluminium model that is incredibly beefy and costs less than Chinese carbon, if you're not planning to hike around with it. Slik 700. Save money with the 700 and buy a nice manfrotto head.
 
I used the same model which Two Vets markets as their "No Name" tripod, and I actually really liked the integrated spike and rubber foot tips. I ended up winning a Leofoto LN-364c, which I do like more, and have used ever since, and I sold my "No Name" tripod. I also have a Leofoto LS-365C which I use for hunting and my son uses for spotting - it's a much smaller, much lighter tripod. I'm happy with shooting and spotting from all of these 3, but I would not buy anything less stable than these - which largely means I wouldn't buy anything lese expensive.

For a general purpose tripod, if I were to only have ONE of these, it would be the larger LN-364c, as it is taller and more versatile, AND the larger platform gives it both a wider stance but also a wider over-straddle width, so if I want to sit in a low folding chair with the tripod over my lap, it's easy with my big pod, and difficult, almost impossible, with my small tripod.

I DO lust after the RRS single pull model, as it would make life much easier for match stages where we have to deploy from completely folded on the clock (happens typically only ONCE per season at the matches I've shot).
 
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