Tripod?
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Go cheap on a tripod at your peril.
Really Right Stuff. Buy once, as many as you need... and be done.
Really Right Stuff. Buy once, as many as you need... and be done.
Hi
We sell hundreds of tripods to hunters that are using them in the field. In the mid price range there are 3 great brands to look at: Promaster, Sirui and Slik. The Carbon fiber tripods are strong and light weight. The MAJOR advantage of the Promaster is the no fault warranty.
Give me a call to discuss the options
Joel
516-217-1000
We sell hundreds of tripods to hunters that are using them in the field. In the mid price range there are 3 great brands to look at: Promaster, Sirui and Slik. The Carbon fiber tripods are strong and light weight. The MAJOR advantage of the Promaster is the no fault warranty.
Give me a call to discuss the options
Joel
516-217-1000
I've been using a hog saddle 0311 tripod for a while now and it works well. But its my only tripod so I cant compare.
Slik works great for a budget. Just don't think you'll be shooting a rifle off it.
And really right stuff is insane with prices. Equivalent can be found elsewhere for half the cost.
And really right stuff is insane with prices. Equivalent can be found elsewhere for half the cost.
I had a Feisol 3372 w/ Sunwayfoto XB52, it worked just fine, the head had some horizontal play due to the QD locking mechanism. Switched to a RRS 34 Mk2 Series 3 w/ Anvil 30, the Anvil 30 is by far the best head youre going to get. However, I didnt really notice a difference in the stability of the tripod itself. The RRS is just so much more efficient at collapsing/extending the legs. If you have the money for $500-700 tripod now, save for the RRS another year if need be.
There is a good thread on innorel Tripods. Search for that. The rt80c and rt90c seem to be decent options for very little money (comparatively).
That is most American shooters for you. Complain about quality, complain about price, complain about china and other countries... but refuse to buy the best the world has to offer when it's made right here in our own country. Buy another boat. Buy another harley. Buy another SUV for the wife... but don't spend a few dollars more on a tripod.
Oh yeah, they bleed red white and blue as long as it doesn't cost them anything.
Why's that? I I've used my slik and pig saddle with great effect on stupid light and stupid heavy rifles. Unless I'm misinterpreting what you mean by that.
The sub $100 market isn't something I'd trust to handle a 20 lb rifle. Especially since the only ones I see are rated at 15 lbs.
I'm sure they have better ones, but I haven't used them.
4-5x the price is "just a few dollars"?
I've been burned by more than one "made in the USA".
I'd grudgingly pay double the price. But 4-5x is getting up there. When the tripod and head cost more than the rifles it's a little crazy for some carbon tube and brackets.
Consider the r&d for a rifle, the components and machining, vs the components for a tripod.
They found a niche. All we need is 1-2 other American companies to jump on board and we'll see what the market should be.
I've shot off a RRS, and it was awesome, but not any more awesome than my $300 solution.
I'll go be poor somewhere else now.
I recently tried out a 3 Legged Thing Tripod. They’re from the UK and are easy to use, light, fold up in a nice package, and they’re about $250. Carbon fiber with an Arca head. It holds 30lbs and it was pretty solid but obviously less compared to PVA or RRS. I was impressed.
There is a difference between being burned buying a cheap “Made in the USA” item and what RRS offers. The RRS tripod is amazing and worth every penny.
Nothing wrong with admitting you can’t afford a RRS but nobody should be posting that they’re overpriced. There’s nothing on the market that comes close to stability and quality.
There is a difference between being burned buying a cheap “Made in the USA” item and what RRS offers. The RRS tripod is amazing and worth every penny.
Nothing wrong with admitting you can’t afford a RRS but nobody should be posting that they’re overpriced. There’s nothing on the market that comes close to stability and quality.
Your Slik isn't comparable in design to a RRS, however, so the price comparison isn't really fair. The imported tripods that are similar in design (Leofoto, etc) are only ~half the price of a RRS, not 20-25% of the cost like you stated. Even then, having played with both (and owning a RRS), the RRS still wins on quality and stability.
As for tripod and head costing more than the rifle - it depends. I have a TFC-33 tripod with an Anvil 30 head on top, and that entire tripod rig costs less than the optic on my primary LR rifle. Even if I add in my binos, mount, and secondary ball head used for spotting to the cost of the tripod, my entire tripod rig just barely catches up to the cost of the scope on my rifle, and that's not even counting the rifle itself, bipod, etc. When you have a rifle that's worth north of $7k including optic and mounted accessories, a $1400 tripod doesn't sound quite so outrageous.
Is there a diminishing return on cost vs benefit? Sure, but that goes for pretty much everything in long range (or most shooting disciplines, for that matter) - and that doesn't mean the RRS is horribly over priced like you claimed.
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Just because you didn't notice it was... from one time using it... doesn't mean it wasn't significantly more awesome.
People act like I haven't owned a bunch of lesser tripods...
I didn't just start with RRS. I gradually moved into it by buying cheap garbage incrementally more expensive each time and being unhappy with all of it. Finally I just went looking for the best in the world, and RRS is it.
If someone wants to claim they can't afford, or don't want to buy RRS... fine. No worries from me. Enjoy things how you want to. More power to you and all that.
When people make the claim that "so and so makes one just as good for half the money," well... that's just complete bullshit. Not true, by any stretch of the imagination. If you want to compare RRS to gitzo high end or other competitive brands... fine, lets have the conversation. Yet that's not what happens. People simply think because they ignore or don't notice the benefits... they don't exist... implying that people who do buy top end stuff are wasting their money. Well that is completely and totally false... and is mostly a justification system people use. They figure if they can convince themselves they don't want it, they don't have the pressure to acquire money to get it. Either that, or some other equally deluded mindset... because the truth is quite obvious. The more expensive stuff is nicer, almost always.
RRS is competitively priced at their position in the marketplace.
Some of us, started on center column Manfrottos.. Had to learn how to use the sling and practice a ton just to shoot moa groups and self-spot. As soon as we stopped practicing the groups and deployment speed sucked. I am sure that I waisted more $ in ammo practicing that I would have if at the time there was something like the RRS.. At the time there was also Getzo carbon, but they where almost 9lbs for the legs, similar to the weight of bigger lefoto today. Put a very good head on a 3372 or similar and you are about 30% of the complete RRS.
The problem is most people claiming they are using uber cheap thing or whatever, are either not really getting the kind of groups that long range precision is about or if they opted for one of those super heavy options, not caring the tripod for extended distances like a field match or long hunting treks. I have yet to see anyone shoot well at a field match, NRL or PRS match, with a light weight, cheap Chinese tripods.
Unless your shooting at very close range, the "good enough" for hunting is an oxymoron for most of use hunting at longer ranges. If anything, hunters should be shooting bug holes at the range, because adding in the speed, uncertain range (movement) and adrenaline really add up.
Seems like the people really claiming the uber cheap tripods are as good, usually with the added quote, "I shot off the RRS before" are not really using the tripods for long range precision.. Seems more so have it just as novelty or firing a few rounds from the range time to time..
There is a video I did thru the scope in the RRS/Feisol/Manfrotto comparison thread in post #114 showing the stability difference of a center column (usually used in the cheap offerings) as quick and dirty example. There is also a bunch of information as well as images of groups shot. If your reading this thread and don't think orkan or Hollywood 6mm are 100% correct, take the time to look at the thread. It is not bashing anything, hell, the Manfrotto is mine from when the Hog saddles were first released.
www.snipershide.com
I have seen over and over people show up with cheap tripods, only to struggle and either stop using them or buy a better one. Don't buy a tripod because you are 1/2 committed and think they are cool to have, it is just a waste. And if you do, don't be that guy that comes onto forums and tells everyone how they perform just like the a Getzo, RRS or 3372 with top end heads.
Next Month we are putting on a small 1 day Field UKD match. A tripod, or shooting sticks will be needed at every station to get over the grass, see through loops, deal with very steep FFPs or over a hill. I'll try to remember to poll anyone who shows up (if they do) with sticks or a cheap tripod and post their general results and thoughts about their gear post match..
PS
Siri helped me - hope she made sense
The problem is most people claiming they are using uber cheap thing or whatever, are either not really getting the kind of groups that long range precision is about or if they opted for one of those super heavy options, not caring the tripod for extended distances like a field match or long hunting treks. I have yet to see anyone shoot well at a field match, NRL or PRS match, with a light weight, cheap Chinese tripods.
Unless your shooting at very close range, the "good enough" for hunting is an oxymoron for most of use hunting at longer ranges. If anything, hunters should be shooting bug holes at the range, because adding in the speed, uncertain range (movement) and adrenaline really add up.
Seems like the people really claiming the uber cheap tripods are as good, usually with the added quote, "I shot off the RRS before" are not really using the tripods for long range precision.. Seems more so have it just as novelty or firing a few rounds from the range time to time..
There is a video I did thru the scope in the RRS/Feisol/Manfrotto comparison thread in post #114 showing the stability difference of a center column (usually used in the cheap offerings) as quick and dirty example. There is also a bunch of information as well as images of groups shot. If your reading this thread and don't think orkan or Hollywood 6mm are 100% correct, take the time to look at the thread. It is not bashing anything, hell, the Manfrotto is mine from when the Hog saddles were first released.
RRS Leveling heads- RRS TVC-33 & Feisol 3372 + Anvil 30 comment
My intent here is to add a few images comparing the setup of the RRS TVC-33 with the TA-3 to the TA-3 used on the 3372 and add a couple of comments about the TA-UL on the 3372 and 3342. Plus, a quick note after a ton of time on the RRS Anvil 30, my overview of the different RRS head options...
www.snipershide.com
I have seen over and over people show up with cheap tripods, only to struggle and either stop using them or buy a better one. Don't buy a tripod because you are 1/2 committed and think they are cool to have, it is just a waste. And if you do, don't be that guy that comes onto forums and tells everyone how they perform just like the a Getzo, RRS or 3372 with top end heads.
Next Month we are putting on a small 1 day Field UKD match. A tripod, or shooting sticks will be needed at every station to get over the grass, see through loops, deal with very steep FFPs or over a hill. I'll try to remember to poll anyone who shows up (if they do) with sticks or a cheap tripod and post their general results and thoughts about their gear post match..
PS
Siri helped me - hope she made sense
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I also started with a center column CF manfrotto - and the difference in stability and flexibility for building a position between the Manfrotto and RRS is night and day. I'm sure the Anvil is a solid part of that, as well, but it doesn't change the fact that there's a huge difference in performance.
I realize that RRS is a hard price to swallow for a lot of people - I was one of them. I actually won my TFC-33 legs off a prize table, otherwise I would have probably ended up with the cheaper import legs to replace my Manfrotto. Now that I have time on the RRS, though, and I have played with Leofotos belonging to friends, I can safely say the extra cost on the RRS is justified and well worth it.
I'm another that started with the Manfrotto legs, Manfrotto ballhead, and Hog Saddle. At the time, it was decent, but like @Diver160651 said, I spent a lot of time and money practicing with that combination, wrapping the sling around the legs ("candy cane") or using carabiners on my belt to hook the sling to me. My first higher end tripod was the Feisol 3372, which was a huge improvement, but what really increased my stability was buying a RRS leveling base and switching over to dovetail rails on my rifles. I no longer needed to use the sling to steady the rifle and my groups off the tripod tightened up immediately. I currently use the PVA tripod, and I've carried that during several field matches. I will likely be buying a RRS tripod. I am under no illusions that the Comp 40, while very good, is at the same level as the RRS stuff.
Edit: While we're on the subject, can anyone explain the difference between the RRS TFCT 33, 34, and 34L tripods? is it just 3 section legs, 4 section legs, 4 section long legs? And if I already have a RRS leveling base, is there any benefit to switching to the Anvil 30? I forgot @MPHReallyRightStuff posted on here
Edit: While we're on the subject, can anyone explain the difference between the RRS TFCT 33, 34, and 34L tripods? is it just 3 section legs, 4 section legs, 4 section long legs? And if I already have a RRS leveling base, is there any benefit to switching to the Anvil 30? I forgot @MPHReallyRightStuff posted on here
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Started out with a precision rifle solutions tripod and the cradle made by Danel Jenkins. I had a Silks, a couple of Manfrottos and heads, a PRST with a RRS levelling base. Presently have a RRS 24 with a levelling base, pricey yup, but does the job. Figured the rifle and scope is close to 4 if not 5, if i run the ar, scope and pvs-22, again its 5 or 6, so the RRS earns its place.
@canezach ueah you have it right about the differences in the legs.
33&34 are pretty close to the same extended size. 34 packs down much smaller though.
34L is the tallest 3 series we have while still being about the same packed size as the 33.
Tfct apex only comes with the option for the Anvil ballhead. Depending on how old your legs are you could just switch them from the versa apex you have if you wanted options instead of buying anew. Leveling base is great for most shooters. It’s strong and it can pan, you just have to keep your hand on the handle. I really enjoy the Anvil. My uses with rifles and spotters are all over the place and terrain. So the more articulation is a must for me. Also it is technically much stronger in turns of how much it is rated for in torque since you can readjust it yourself. The leveling base feels more secure for the newer shooter because the cog is lower in the apex so it minimizes Self induced movement.
33&34 are pretty close to the same extended size. 34 packs down much smaller though.
34L is the tallest 3 series we have while still being about the same packed size as the 33.
Tfct apex only comes with the option for the Anvil ballhead. Depending on how old your legs are you could just switch them from the versa apex you have if you wanted options instead of buying anew. Leveling base is great for most shooters. It’s strong and it can pan, you just have to keep your hand on the handle. I really enjoy the Anvil. My uses with rifles and spotters are all over the place and terrain. So the more articulation is a must for me. Also it is technically much stronger in turns of how much it is rated for in torque since you can readjust it yourself. The leveling base feels more secure for the newer shooter because the cog is lower in the apex so it minimizes Self induced movement.
I have rrs and feisol , prefer the feisol , bought the rrs because of the following on here but just dont see how it's worth 2x the money, I always intend to buy us made but the price has to be somewhat in line, a hundred bucks more , sure ,did i spend the money on the rrs, sure ,will all the rrs guys disagree ,sure, is it better than the feisol , I cant see how other than the us manufacture.
Joel is cool - but you really need to SEE thru the scope and see the targets.. A better and more practiced shooter, will have a smaller offset on even a cheap tripod.. but are you the guy that is already that good? Probably not, if your are, you’re already on one of the higher $$ offerings.
Just a dirty non-scientific look thru my night vision on my pest control PCP. Shown to show the difference in stability 350 yards at 14x NOTE that my match gun is way better balanced, heavier and way less shaky in general.
I purposely mounted the gun and unmounted without much technique to show how the vibration, the time it takes to settle or how wind might vibrate the gun. (remember wind causes a lot of issues with vibration.)
I ran 9 steps to show instability, both the same (times below are only for the RRS video)
1. Turned on to see how much vibration takes to settle. Please pay attention to the test in this area. All I did was press firmly on the scopes power button. I did not touch the gun in any other way..
2. Mounting gun, getting comfortable with NPA. 0:12 –o:15
3a Moving to target - holding the tripod loaded on the target (note you can free recoil and be dead still on the target but I was purposely trying to show realistic shake if your loading the gun) 0:16-0:20
3b Deciding on target 0:21-023
3c Holding target 0:34-0:26
4. On mounting the gun 0:27-0:29
5. 1st of 2 Tapping HARD on the Butt stock sideways to show how long it takes to settle 0:30
6 2nd of 2 Tapping HARD on the Butt stock sideways to show how long it takes to settle 0:36
7 Mounting the Gun 0:40
8a Moving to a new Target 0:41-0:46
8b Setting on Target 0:47
9. Un-mounting the gun 0:50
RRS with Anvil 30 stability 1 of 3 comparing Manfrotto Takes :50 to complete even taking extra time, not sure what I was really planning on doing. Also going super slow even though the gun settled.
RRS Anvil test
RRS with Anvil 30 stability 2 of 3 comparing Manfrotto Takes 1:46 to complete.
Manfrotto with center column UP set to RRS Height. NOTE the first few seconds of this video as all I did was press the power button on the NV just like all three tests, holly smokes, there is a HUGE difference!!
RRS with Anvil 30 stability 2 of 3 comparing Manfrotto Takes 1:02 to complete
Manfrotto center column lowered all the way lower than RRS Height. Again, NOTE the first few seconds of this video as all I did was press the power button on the NV just like all three tests.
Note that my cheap carbon fiber tripod a lot of people are saying works just as good, was too close to the manfrotto to warrant posting..
PS you tell me with your adrenaline running and in a hurry, what tripod would you rather stand behind..
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Look up the bog pod death grip tripod. $150 for the metal one and a little more for the carbon fiber. I won't say it has a precision rifle head on it but for hunting, damn it works.
Pros. Price. Solid. High load capacity. Large knobs for field use. Carbon or aluminum.
Cons. No leveling head. Weight.
This unit does everything I need it to do for hunting coyote at night. Don't over look it be sure of the price. It supports my 20lb comp rifle when I tried it.
To mount my spotting scope in it I pinch the window mount in the jaws. Now i never need to take the window mount off. Win win.
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As someone that works in the American manufacturing sector, I second this. I had the guy at my local Cabelas optics counter tell me it really didn’t matter where something was made. For many of his customers, I reckon that’s true.
I’ve recently found a company making tripods right here in Washington state, Tactical Tripod. Anyone heard of them?
I have been running leofoto lately. Heavier than RRS but cheaper too I have a few left for 530 bucks. I'm 6 foot 5 and 230 pounds and I can hang from mine. It's also taller than I am. I'd wouldn't look past leofoto if your looking for strong quick deploy and super stable tripods
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