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Fair chase

Private
Minuteman
Mar 10, 2021
87
24
Kentucky
I’m looking at upgrading tripods to one I can shoot with or run my spotter.
RRS tvc 33 and the two vets recon is kind of where I’m at right now .
Probably going with a leveling head , although the anvil 30 is tempting.
I’m thinking the leveling head would work better with a spotter .
So what if any are the differences between the Leofoto yb-75 mc , and the RRS TA-3 heads.
 
Hmmm Chinese knock off vs real thing.

willing giving money to Chinese who knock off american IP and resources or buying it from the creator.
 
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I personally have the TFCT-33 with the Anvil. I went back and forth for a while on whether to get the versa apex and leveling head, or go with the dedicated Anvil apex. Being able to set up prone with the tripod is pretty much what steered me to the dedicated Anvil apex, as the Anvil's locking lever is above the apex. Prone with a leveling head would have been next to impossible to use the tension/locking handle underneath. Another plus of the dedicated Anvil apex is a smaller packed diameter and more magazine clearance.
 
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If you buy the RRS Versa you can have a leveling base and a Anvil 30. I think the Anvil is probably the most versatile head on the market.
 
Doesn't look like it.

There is a thread that details using a Chyna made tripod with an Anvil. I looked into that route myself but decided to buy the Versa/A30.
 
It's the one you commented in yesterday. Where they refer to a "Midwest plate."

Post #1206

 
Have you used a spotter on the anvil ?

my first experience using an RRS was with a spotter on the anvil 30. It’s a great setup. I currently have a tripod similar to the comp40 that I’ve had to repair because one of the leg stops broke.

my next and hopefully last tripod will be an RRS with Anvil 30 apex.
 
I don’t have a comparison with RRS (because I can't afford one anyways) but I can compare to 3 of Field Optics Research tripods. I am 6 weeks into using my Radian tripod with leveling head and also had the chance to play with 3 of Field Optics Research tripods for a day. I don’t want to ramble but just some quick observations of all 4.
Radian’s tensioner handle length is to long where it doesn’t allow the tripod’s legs to be at its widest and lowest angle (this only applies to the Radian with leveling head). Radian’s bowl is smooth but not as smooth as the Field Optic’s bowl. Radian’s bowl has no lubricant while the Field Optic’s tripods’ bowls have a clear lubricant applied. The Radian is also the tallest of the 4.

PRO39: This tripod is a beast. She’s easily the most sturdy of the 4 but she’s heavy and long when collapsed.
PRO32: Perfect compromise between all 4 I tested. Based on street value pricing this is the tripod I should of bought.
FBT5436C: Very compact and lightweight. Perfect for backpacking trips. The least sturdy of the 4 tripods so I am VERY surprised of its 95lbs weight rating (Vortex is 44lbs).

Cons of all Field Optics: The tensioner handle is short and its aluminum body is small so there’s less room to grab and twist. The Radian’s tensioner is much easier to grab and twist by far. The picatinny clamp on the Field Optics leveling heads may not work on all setups because the picatinny clamp is below the ARCA clamp and the ARCA’s jaws may interfere with wider handguards or chassis. To make it work I would need a spacer on my rifles’ picatinny rails. Hope this helps. Any questions please let me know.
 

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I don’t have a comparison with RRS (because I can't afford one anyways) but I can compare to 3 of Field Optics Research tripods. I am 6 weeks into using my Radian tripod with leveling head and also had the chance to play with 3 of Field Optics Research tripods for a day. I don’t want to ramble but just some quick observations of all 4.
Radian’s tensioner handle length is to long where it doesn’t allow the tripod’s legs to be at its widest and lowest angle (this only applies to the Radian with leveling head). Radian’s bowl is smooth but not as smooth as the Field Optic’s bowl. Radian’s bowl has no lubricant while the Field Optic’s tripods’ bowls have a clear lubricant applied. The Radian is also the tallest of the 4.

PRO39: This tripod is a beast. She’s easily the most sturdy of the 4 but she’s heavy and long when collapsed.
PRO32: Perfect compromise between all 4 I tested. Based on street value pricing this is the tripod I should of bought.
FBT5436C: Very compact and lightweight. Perfect for backpacking trips. The least sturdy of the 4 tripods so I am VERY surprised of its 95lbs weight rating (Vortex is 44lbs).

Cons of all Field Optics: The tensioner handle is short and its aluminum body is small so there’s less room to grab and twist. The Radian’s tensioner is much easier to grab and twist by far. The picatinny clamp on the Field Optics leveling heads may not work on all setups because the picatinny clamp is below the ARCA clamp and the ARCA’s jaws may interfere with wider handguards or chassis. To make it work I would need a spacer on my rifles’ picatinny rails. Hope this helps. Any questions please let me know.
I have the PRO 39 and some experience with the PRO 32, these tripods are a really good deal for the money. I'm currently running the anvil 30 on the PRO39 with a flat top adapter. This combo is pretty slick, super stable and just enough taller than the RRS TCFT-33 that I can glass at standing height (I'm 6'). Side by side, if there is an edge in stability, it goes to the PRO 39 over the RRS 33. It's definitely a heavier tripod but for 60% of the money I don't expect it to beat one on every metric. The PRO 39 opens a little wider on the first notch which I find makes it a lot more stable in the wind, less apt to get blown over with my bino's attached.
 
Just buy the RRS TVC-3 and anvil 30. I've been down a couple if these roads and this is the setup. If you don't like it, it will sell quickly for a little use tax and shipping. I opted for a Versa and Anvil 30 conversion kit so I could switch if needed/wanted. You can always add a Versa apex later if you get the TFCT/Anvil
 
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After you put together the Pro 39 with the anvil and an adapter are you not in the same price point as the TFCT -33
 
After you put together the Pro 39 with the anvil and an adapter are you not in the same price point as the TFCT -33
Full retail you’re still several hundred below But FOR is considerably more willing to deal on the mil/le individual officer side than RRS. Plus there are other methods of getting a decent deal (promo codes through supporting Koshkin for one). Toss in not having to pay full retail and being in my shoes I already had the anvil 30 and I just couldn’t ever come up with RRS money. I have nothing against RRS and have a decent amount of time with their tripods but just haven’t been able to upgrade to one. I will say I’m not the biggest fan of the RRS leg locks, for that money I don’t like the fact that they come apart when extended at times as well as the annoying little scraper that floats down during extension. I’m just happy that there seems to be an option out there that is at least mostly US made by a company that has so far been responsive to questions, I tried talking to RRS several times in the past couple months and never got to a live person, I’ve spoken with several folks involved with FOR, even had them follow up with me this week to ask my opinion on my 39 after getting some time with it. I think they are on the right track to become a contender in this market. Competition benefits us all in the long run.
 
Two Vets were also responsive to questions when I spoke to them
 
Just buy the RRS TVC-3 and anvil 30. I've been down a couple if these roads and this is the setup. If you don't like it, it will sell quickly for a little use tax and shipping. I opted for a Versa and Anvil 30 conversion kit so I could switch if needed/wanted. You can always add a Versa apex later if you get the TFCT/Anvil
If you have a RRS TFCT/Anvil 30 what additional options does adding a Versa apex kit later on give you?
 
Versa allows you to use any standard Ballhead that screws to a single 3/8" stud, basically almost all gear made initially for photography, whether repurposed for shooting or not.

You can also use the corresponding leveling bases, and center columns with the versa apexes.

Versa stands for versatile; the TFCT is made purposefully and only for the Anvil so it can pack easy.

@7mmSTW apology for the communications. I suck at it at times.
Running the SOAR Division solo up until this year, traveling, shooting, designing, R&D, answering the phones, emails, and cases, is challenging, with adding in my minimum military service and trainings sometimes I am damn near impossible to reach. Trying to get better, wish people would leave emails and voicemails, I mostly always respond to those at night when I have time or at the hotel after a match.
I did finally hire an employee and its starting to feel lighter. Hopefully we/I can continue to improve and help you out in the future if needed.
 
If you have a RRS TFCT/Anvil 30 what additional options does adding a Versa apex kit later on give you?

Versa allows you to use any standard Ballhead that screws to a single 3/8" stud, basically almost all gear made initially for photography, whether repurposed for shooting or not.

You can also use the corresponding leveling bases, and center columns with the versa apexes.

Versa stands for versatile; the TFCT is made purposefully and only for the Anvil so it can pack easy.

@7mmSTW apology for the communications. I suck at it at times.
Running the SOAR Division solo up until this year, traveling, shooting, designing, R&D, answering the phones, emails, and cases, is challenging, with adding in my minimum military service and trainings sometimes I am damn near impossible to reach. Trying to get better, wish people would leave emails and voicemails, I mostly always respond to those at night when I have time or at the hotel after a match.
I did finally hire an employee and its starting to feel lighter. Hopefully we/I can continue to improve and help you out in the future if needed.
He answered exactly why. (y)
 
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