Help Putting it All Together - Tripod Kit + Rails for Spotter, PLRF, Trimble and Kestrel

[gehrm]

Hi, after years of piecing this together, I think I will finally have my complete LR kit together. I have a Spotter 45, Vectronix PLRF 15C, Trimble 900L with FFS and a Kestrel 4500. I saw some older posts from a member in SoCal and another one in Europe who posted photos and specs of their setups, but I'm wondering if there are newer products on the market to consider to get everything working in tandem?

I thought Sphur was going to make an accessory rail for the Hensoldts, but I wrote them and it seems it is not offered.

Specifically, I'm looking for recommendations on:

-Tripod
-Tripod head
-Mount to co-witness the PLRF and the Spotter (is Ashbury the only game in town on this one?)
-Any other recommended accessories?

As always, thanks for the advice and photos appreciated!

 

[Sheldon N]

I would call Michael at Really Right Stuff in their SOAR division. He could help you build an awesome setup that would meet your needs. RRS offers a whole array of rails, clamps, etc that would work, plus their tripods and heads are the best out there.

 

[gehrm]

Thanks for the suggestion. Will definitely reach out to them!

 

[Devildog]

Really good advice, Micheal was very helpful when I was looking, the RRS gear I got is second to none! Not sure if this helps with the Kestrel mount but it's worth looking at https://www.triadtactical.com/Badger-Kestrel-Mount.html

 

[ZiaHunter]

Nice setup and have something similar. Have two rails mounted to a Spotter 60. One has 1x red dot attached to it and the other a Terrapin attached with a APO electro optical mount. The APO mount is pricey but works beautifully and based on what you have invested already it will be the least expensive item. The spotter, red dot and Terrapin are all co-witnessed. Replacing the Terrapin with a 25C so it will interface with FFS. Don't go with anything but a gear head for the tripod mount. Trust me I learned the hard way.

 

[northern50]

If you have something in mind and want me to machine some parts out of aluminum let's talk. I anodize everything when done, died black or OD green.

 

[gehrm]

Awesome, thanks a lot for all the advice!

 

[Barn Side]

I’m in the same boat, my set up so far is Trimble 900L with FFS, a Kestrel 4500, APO Electro-Optic Rail Grabber Mount, APO TACT-3 Qel Tripod, Hensoldt Spotter 60 & Vectronix PLRF 10C w/ cable.
I will be contacting Triad Tactical shortly for the Badger Kestrel Mount.
This has cost me heaps, but I’m hoping it will all be worth it once I have it all going.

 

[gehrm]

Barn Side - how do you like the APO tripod? I've been looking at one of those as well.


I had a bit more time this weekend to do some research. Does anyone have experience using either the Badger Ordnance SORIS or LaRue Tactical SPOTR rail systems? I know the LaRue is means to work with the Leupold Spotter, but seems flexible enough it would work with the Hensoldt.

Consensus seems to be that the APO electro-optical mount is the best solution so far.

Much obliged!

 

[Barn Side]

Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to use it yet.

 

[anarchist]

APO TACT3-S, Leupold spotter, APO TIM, APO Electro-Optic Rail Grabber, Trimble 900L wth FFS, Vectronix 10C. With all of this stuff on there, it definitely gets top heavy. I'm on the waiting list for a APO Q tripod. The Trimble is attached via a RAM Mount. There are probably much better solutions out there. I've upgraded the Vectronix to the 15C since this photo was taken. I also have the SEV72 interface cable with remote trigger. That is an essential piece of kit.

 

[gehrm]

Nice setup, anarchist!!

Dumb question for you, but what is the advantage of the Q TACT over your current S model?

thanks for sharing!

 

[anarchist]

Nice setup, anarchist!!

Dumb question for you, but what is the advantage of the Q TACT over your current S model?

thanks for sharing!

The only difference between the QEL and the SEL is the Q has a captive base plate. The EL part is the key. This indicates the fine motion elevation control that helps bring the reticle on target. I currently have the S model, which is amagnetic so it won't interfere with the compass on the 15C. Without the fine motion control, it's a pain to make small corrections in the reticle lay. I've also got the Tactical Tripod with the fine elevation adjustment. Not as Gucci as the APO, but it works just as well. It has a lower center of gravity due to the different leg design. You can invert the spotter on this tripod.

http://tacticaltripod.com/

 

[MilDot1960]

The only difference between the QEL and the SEL is the Q has a captive base plate. The EL part is the key. This indicates the fine motion elevation control that helps bring the reticle on target. I currently have the S model, which is amagnetic so it won't interfere with the compass on the 15C. Without the fine motion control, it's a pain to make small corrections in the reticle lay. I've also got the Tactical Tripod with the fine elevation adjustment. Not as Gucci as the APO, but it works just as well. It has a lower center of gravity due to the different leg design. You can invert the spotter on this tripod.

http://tacticaltripod.com/

I must admit that is a sweet setup you have there, Thanks for posting it.

John.