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Looking at tripods, help me make sense of this and choose....

Twisted

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 12, 2009
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NW Oregon
www.twistedfirearms.com
Tossing around the idea of picking up a tripod to shoot off of in those awkward positions. In the past I have always counted on my sling and whatever I could find to use to make it happen but thinking I need to at least give a tripod a try. See if the benefit is worth the extra piece of gear in my pack.

I'm looking pretty hard at the PRS tripods based on a lot of great feedback from shooters on here and I think I will want to go with the Large as I will be needing it more for standing and below so the height will be nice rather than way low and up to kneelingish. However, having the ability to get low would be nice and this is where I'm confused. The large tripod says is will go down to 6.7" which is great but looking at the pics how is that possible with that center post? Is my size reference just off because I'm used to full size camera tripods like my Manfrotto? Am I missing something?

viewThumb.jsp
 
Some tripods have a lever at each leg which allows them to open at wider angles and thus lower the top section,
and some permit you to reverse the center stem so it enters from the bottom and it can touch the ground with the center stem within the tripod leg triangles.
 
I have the large PRS tripod and it will go down as low stated. I've not used a Manfrotto but I can't imagine how it can be more stable and sturdy than the PRS.
 
The center post unthreads.

ETA: Here is a thread with some good info and pics.

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...t/63697-quick-tripod-comparison-pictures.html

+1 for the center post removal. I recently picked up the Large PRS model after a long hard look at tripods. For my needs, being light, portable ,practical and not cost a boat load were my criteria. The PRS fits those needs nicely I've found. The only additional piece I opted to get is the Alamo 4 star DLOC-M piece so that I can attach the gun/spotter.etc using a PIC rail. All said and done, I have a multi use tripod system that cost about $230 total and doesn't need a 2nd person to lug it all around.