LaRue LT666 QD Tripod Adapter

[Brabo]

Looking at getting a new tripod/head combo that I can use for photography/observation/rifle platform. Going with Manfrotto 055XPROB and I think a ball head (like the 498). I like the ball head over the 322RC2 grip head due to greater stability for holding a rifle. I can mount a rail on my McRee back near the mag well and was thinking of putting the LaRue LT666 QD adapter on that rail. With the RC2 plate, this would give me many QD options for rifle, spotting scope and camera.

Question is, will the LaRue LT666 fit any other QD heads besides the 322RC2? On their site it states it will only fit the 322RC2. On Manfrotto's site the plate used for any of the RC2 models is the same, the 200PL-14. If they all use the same connector plate, shouldn't the LaRue adapter fit any head with the RC2?

Has anyone successfully used the LaRue adapter on a Manfrotto head other than the 322RC2?

May still get a PRS saddle as well but the HOG saddle is too rich for my blood at this time.

 

[kft101]

Re: LaRue LT666 QD Tripod Adapter

Looking at the design of the LT666 where it connects to the Manfrotto heads, and the pattern in the bottom of the Manfrotto RC2 quick detach plate and how it fits in with the different heads, you can see that the sides are slightly different between the ball heads, and between the different joystick heads.

Take a look at the red circled side areas of the plate and receivers in the pictures below.

You can see that the 322RC2 has almost no side skirt where the RC2 plate goes in, and it is squared off in the front of the sides. So the RC2 bottom side skirt actually leaves a big gap between where its skirt begins, and the front of the receiver area. It looks like the LT666 was designed specifically for this side skirt profile.

Compare that to the pics of the Manfrotto ball heads, whose receivers have a top side skirt that goes to about halfway along the side of the plate adapter area. There is a lot less gap in the sides between the side skirts of the RC2 plate and the receivers. So the ball heads' fuller side skirts will collide with the LT666's full length side skirt metal.

Even the Manfrotto joystick receivers are not entirely the same. Take a look at the 327RC2, and you can see it has a small, angled side skirt at the front of the sides, which will also prevent the LT666 from working.

Long story short, it seems the Manfrotto RC2 plate receivers are not all the same. The RC2 plate itself was made to be able to use on all of them, but Larue apparently designed the LT666 specifically for the 322RC2's profile.

Of course, a more generic solution (don't even need a picatinny bottom section on your rifle) is to mount a flat-bottomed saddle (PRS, HOG saddle, PVC pipe) to the RC2 plate. That way you can use any head you wish.

 

[tmpohuski7]

Re: LaRue LT666 QD Tripod Adapter

He is right I purchase on from Larue and it did not fit on my RC2 head adapter but it did fit on my man 324 grip.