Looking for economical tripod for “observing”

[Cold_Bore_88]

I have been using my RRS 34L for a few years now. Constantly changing and re- attaching my rifle, STR80 and Terrapin. This switching around get really old, as you can expect.

I looked at getting one of the Abel Tables or Grayops AMPs. After you get one of those and all the required attachments/additional heads, your looking at the cost of a new tripod almost.

This caused me to consider just getting a new “lower” cost observer/secondary tripod.

Anyone have any recommendations? Doesn’t have to be CF. How about those Hog Saddle tripods? Manfrotto, Feisol, patriot valley, leofoto, Crux?

 

[Dthomas3523]

I’d imagine any and all of those work. I’m running mine on a leofoto. Pretty “cheap” comparatively speaking.

 

[KYpatriot]

Thanks for asking this Cold Bore I am looking to do the same thing. I mostly shoot prone but I want to setup an observation tripod as well. What are you putting on yours? Id like to get a leupold mk4 spotter, a terrapin (plrf5 not the new terrapin x) and a kestrel on there. Do you already know how you will set it up?

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

I’d imagine any and all of those work. I’m running mine on a leofoto. Pretty “cheap” comparatively speaking.

View attachment 7119403

Any idea what model you are running?

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

Thanks for asking this Cold Bore I am looking to do the same thing. I mostly shoot prone but I want to setup an observation tripod as well. What are you putting on yours? Id like to get a leupold mk4 spotter, a terrapin (plrf5 not the new terrapin x) and a kestrel on there. Do you already know how you will set it up?

Currently running an Anvil-30 ball head, Swaro STR80 and TerrapinX.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Any idea what model you are running?

364c.

But the 324 would easily do what you want.

 

[KYpatriot]

Dthomas can you cowitness the terrapin with the binocs using the mount it is on? Is that one of those apo cowitnessing units?

 

[Dthomas3523]

Dthomas can you cowitness the terrapin with the binocs using the mount it is on? Is that one of those apo cowitnessing units?

You can, but because I have an RRS mini ball head under the terrapin.

Plate is a Gray Ops plate. It has two independent arca clamps. Here is what it currently looks like:

 

[TacT-MecH]

I picked up an Innorel RT-90C on Amazon for $257. Its carbon fiber, is rated for 88lbs, comes with a flat plate and 75mm bowl and half ball, spiked & rubber feet, and a padded, zipper case.

The RT-90C(left) replaced my SLIK pro 700 (right)

 

[TacT-MecH]

Here is a thread discussing some more economical tripod options.

Imported carbon fiber tripod (RT90C)

Before I get e-buttfvcked by you guys has anyone tried the Innorel RT90C tripod? It's carbon fiber with 40mm tubes. Max height is about 63" and low about 7" and can support 80+ pounds. They are going for $290 or so imported from China. Yes I'm all about supporting vendors and keeping money state...

www.snipershide.com

 

[FUNCTIONAL]

For majority observation id say go with the $125 one from hog saddle. I hang my pack stuffed with my bags and ammo from it and it never left me wanting for a spotter tripod. If i was doing more shooting off it regularly id opt for a more sturdy tripod. For spotting though its more than adequate.

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

You can, but because I have an RRS mini ball head under the terrapin.

Plate is a Gray Ops plate. It has two independent arca clamps. Here is what it currently looks like:

View attachment 7119497

View attachment 7119498

Thanks DThomas. I was looking at the same setup. In fact, I have the same binos and outdoorsman attachment I run in lieu of the spotter sometimes. Great binos for spotting.

Do you know if the RRS heads and bases work on your leofoto?

 

[Mxridr]

I like my leofoto 3442 super light. But I also shoot a field match where you hike a couple miles. Very nice at the end of the day.

 

[Kwe1982]

I use a Benro, that I picked up amazon.
Benro Mach3 3 Series Carbon Fiber Tripod (TMA37C) About 325.00

With a BOG-POD bono rest

 

[KYpatriot]

You can, but because I have an RRS mini ball head under the terrapin.

Plate is a Gray Ops plate. It has two independent arca clamps. Here is what it currently looks like:

View attachment 7119497

View attachment 7119498

Thank you.

 

[KYpatriot]

So I just saw this setup while looking at the hog saddle website. Has anyone used something like this or know what parts these are. If it works well this looks like what I need. Compact, looks sturdy, like I could leave everything together and pull the entire head our of a pack and mount on a tripod without cowitnessing everytime or is that a pipe dream?

Looking at the rangefinder mount this doesnt look like it has the capability to cowitness. Looks more like direct mount to the rail.

ETA: Badger SLICK mount. Its direct mount so some adjustable interface is required for cowitnessing the laser.

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

View attachment 7119560
So I just saw this setup while looking at the hog saddle website. Has anyone used something like this or know what parts these are. If it works well this looks like what I need. Compact, looks sturdy, like I could leave everything together and pull the entire head our of a pack and mount on a tripod without cowitnessing everytime or is that a pipe dream?

Looking at the rangefinder mount this doesnt look like it has the capability to cowitness. Looks more like direct mount to the rail.

ETA: Badger SLICK mount. Its direct mount so some adjustable interface is required for cowitnessing the laser.

That looks like the Spuhr.

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

View attachment 7119560
So I just saw this setup while looking at the hog saddle website. Has anyone used something like this or know what parts these are. If it works well this looks like what I need. Compact, looks sturdy, like I could leave everything together and pull the entire head our of a pack and mount on a tripod without cowitnessing everytime or is that a pipe dream?

Looking at the rangefinder mount this doesnt look like it has the capability to cowitness. Looks more like direct mount to the rail.

ETA: Badger SLICK mount. Its direct mount so some adjustable interface is required for cowitnessing the laser.

Correction: Badger

SNIPER LIGHTWEIGHT INTEGRATOR COMBAT KIT - (S.L.I.C.K.) - TAN

P/N 306-94T

www.badgerordnance.com

 

[D46Infinity]

I run the slick mount. Right now it’s only for mounting my pvs-30 in front of the Leupold. It works well for all my needs. I plan to get a mawl c+ in the future.


I mount my terrapin on a precision shooting solutions universal tripod plate as I like to keep it in my pack when not being used. I may buy a terrapin X later and consider a different mounting option but right now I keep my range finder and spotter separate.

 

[KYpatriot]

I might just run the slick mount. The advantage to cowitness would be quickly finding and ranging multiple targets but I think for the extra cost of a ballhead or the $500apo device I can just range then adjust the spotter slightly. No big deal.

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

Check out the RRS FAS and CL II Dual Mounts. Much simpler designs.

 

[NineHotel]

Check out MeFOTO, and its copies.

MeFOTO Travel Tripods | Compact Tripods in all your favorite colors!

The best tripod is the one you can take with you. MeFOTO offers three sizes of travel tripods in all your favorite colors.

www.mefoto.com

My Bogen 3021 with Gepe gimbal stays home except for serious birds in flight work now.

These guys took over for (i forget who) and I have the predecessor to this one.

Tactical Tripod Fixes Leupold M4 Prone Problem

Check out http://tacticaltripod.com! Prone comfortable USA-made tactical tripod can sight-in Leupold M4 or Bushnell mil-hash reticles with MOA-type clicks via its micro-adjuster knob.

tacticaltripod.com