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Tripod option for MPA chassis

mvaldez1783

Private
Minuteman
Feb 13, 2018
29
3
Los Angeles, CA
I'm looking into purchasing a tripod for a MPA chassis with a RAT system. My budget is between $400-500. I'm looking at the Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 Carbon Fiber Tripod with XPRO Ball Head with Top Lock Quick-Release System. Does anyone recommend something else? Any other tripod and ball head combo that has the same quality as the Manfrotto and cost less is a plus.
 
For a bit more money I'd suggest the Feisol 3372 tripod leg for $575 from B&H Photo. The Feisol is very high quality, made in Taiwan, which is not made in USA but it's not communist Chinese.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/848821-REG/FEISOL_CT_3372_Elite_Tripod_CT_3372_Rapid.html

I would add the Really Right Stuff Anvil 30 compact ball head which was made for shooting and is rock solid and is made right here in the USA

http://soar.reallyrightstuff.com/Anvil-30-Ballhead?quantity=1&custcol49=3

I bought my Anvil 30 with the Series 3 RRS adapter and it fits on the Feisol tripod seamlessly, but if you order the bullhead without adapter, it will thread on to the 3/8" stud thats in the Feisol OEM platform.

The Feisol with Anvil 30 will be $925

Here's photos of my Feisol 3472 (same as 3372 but with 4 leg sections) with a RRS Anvil 30 with series 3 adapter in this thread on post #57:

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/rrs-anvil-ball-head.6872843/page-2

At $925 the Feisol/RRS is more than the Manfrotto package that you're considering, which B&H sells for around $550, but the Feisol has larger diameter legs and a much higher weight rating at 66 lbs. compared to the Manfrotto at 19.8. The Feisol will be much more rigid combined with the RRS ball head.
 
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For a bit more money I'd suggest the Feisol 3372 tripod leg for $575 from B&H Photo. The Feisol is very high quality, made in Taiwan, which is not made in USA but it's not communist Chinese.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/848821-REG/FEISOL_CT_3372_Elite_Tripod_CT_3372_Rapid.html

I would add the Really Right Stuff Anvil 30 compact ball head which was made for shooting and is rock solid and is made right here in the USA

http://soar.reallyrightstuff.com/Anvil-30-Ballhead?quantity=1&custcol49=3

I bought my Anvil 30 with the Series 3 RRS adapter and it fits on the Feisol tripod seamlessly, but if you order the bullhead without adapter, it will thread on to the 3/8" stud thats in the Feisol OEM platform.

The Feisol with Anvil 30 will be $925

Here's photos of my Feisol 3472 (same as 3372 but with 4 leg sections) with a RRS Anvil 30 with series 3 adapter in this thread on post #57:

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/rrs-anvil-ball-head.6872843/page-2

At $925 the Feisol/RRS is more than the Manfrotto package that you're considering, which B&H sells for around $550, but the Feisol has larger diameter legs and a much higher weight rating at 66 lbs. compared to the Manfrotto at 19.8. The Feisol will be much more rigid combined with the RRS ball head.

Sounds like a plan. 900 seems a little steep for me but I'll probably do the whole buy once cry once deal. We'll see.
 
I can second the Feisol 3372. I run mine with a RES leveling base and I won’t use anything else
 
Another 3372 here. As m1match said, it's well worth spending a little extra for the Feisol and RRS base. Super solid platform.
 
Although I've never seen one, it's probably worth looking at the Patriot Valley Arms tripod, they've really making an effort to serve the precision rifle community and I trust that they wouldn't sell a bad product. With their ball head, their tripod/head package is $629 which is much closer to the price of the Manfrotto package that you were considering and their tripod looks much more suited to the needs of shooters than the Manfrotto.
 
I have a Manfrotto I got before all the shooting specific pods came into existence. $300 for the tripod, and a few bucks here & there I created a very solid setup for the money.

I got this Arca plate on Amazon...
https://www.amazon.com/Andoer-Unive...C_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=arca+plate

Removed all the extension stuff for cameras and direct mounted a swivel head from Kopfjager Industries.



It makes for a decent system for <$400

 
I have a Manfrotto 190CXPro carbon fiber tripod that I used for shooting before I got my Feisol 3472. While it works, the Manfrotto's legs are much skinnier than the Feisol so it's not nearly as rigid. Under the weight of a 16 to 19 lb. rifle, there's a fair amount of movement so your position isn't very steady. A fatter tripod like the Feisol is so much more rigid that making hits at range is almost as steady as prone.

My Manfrotto has been relegated to use for my spotting scope.
 
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I think I’m going to give the pig 0311 tripod and RRS universal leveling base a shot. $438 is the retail total on the setup. And both have weight ratings of 25+ LBS.
 
You can always use the Snipers Hide discount on my website "SnipersHide2018", and I support/sponsor Snipers Hide & lots of competitions around the US :)

Feisol 3372 $575.95
https://www.bisontactical.com/products/feisol-elite-tripod-ct-3372

I carry RRS, as well as Feisol, Sunwayfoto and have tried a lot of other manufacturers gear. Give me a call and you will reach someone who actually uses the tripods to shoot from, and can work with you to get the gear that matches your specific needs.
 
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