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Tripod for Spotting scope

Jackalope33B

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 5, 2010
1,457
0
Sunny Florida
Just got my Vortex Razor 11-33x50 spotting scope today. I mounted it on a cheapo tripod and didnt like it. The tripod has to much wobble in it. What is out there that is descent and not a bank breaker? I have seen some tripods that sell upwards of $300-$400, and those are out of the question!
 
Manfrotto 190xprob, pick one up for around a $110, stick a cheap ballhead on it and you are good to go.
 
I've been using a Vortex Ridgeview for several years w/o issues. Not the lightest, but certainly stout enough as long as you're not extended all the way and have a good wind blowing. I have beat the crap out of it and it works well for my uses.
 
the manfrottos are the best, I agree. I just didn't know if you could get into one for $100 ish. I bought mine used off here, like the 99% of the rest of my stuff LOL.
 
A good tripod will bring out the best in your spotter.
I bought one of these a while back
Zeiss Manfrotto Carbon Tripod with Fluid Head On Sale!
It's awesome for what it is, a full size tripod.
I also have a cheap $30 tripod I use for my chrono.
Yesterday my Zeiss Diascope 85 T FL with the new Vario 20-75x eyepiece showed up, right as the sun was setting.
I scurried to get it setup on the Zeiss/Manfrotto tripod, and setup the (for sale here on the Hide) Vortex Razor HD 20-60x85 next to it on the other tripod.
The Zeiss was a little brighter in the waning light of dusk but the resolution was far better. I was spotting a small sign in a parking lot a few hundred yards away, and the lettering was sharp as a razor through the Zeiss but the image had that I-can't-quite-focus look that comes from lower resolution through the Razor.
Before I put the whole works away I mounted the Razor on the Zeiss tripod and guess what? The image through the Razor was just as sharp as through the Zeiss.
I could not otherwise detect any sway or vibration mounted on the cheap tripod, but it was there.
The fluid heads are the $hit, too. Having used one, I can't go back.


Joe
 
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Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 with either a Grip handle or Magnesium Ball head. Works great with my Spotter and Hog Saddle. Custom Gun Coatings painted it Desert Tan and did a great job. Light and sturdy.