What tripod for spotting scope in prone?

[targetterror]

What is everyone on this board using to support your spotting scopes in prone? I'm familiar with the various hipower specific scope stands (or designed for hipower I should say), but wondering what other options are out there.

I guess my main curiosity is that this board tends to focus more towards scope rifles off of bipods, not necessarily in competition, so you can plop a larger tripod next to you in the field without pissing off the competitor next to you. Or at least you could, but I'm not sure if such setups are better than the standard high power setups.

 

[jwoolf]

Re: What tripod for spotting scope in prone?

http://www.championshooters.com/store/product.php?productid=414&cat=283&page=1

because the scope stand makes a sort of "v" shape, you can get the scope REALLY close to you so you can sort of just lean over and not come out of your shooting position at all to use your spotting scope.

I've had one of these since I was 11yrs old and learned to shoot smallbore then, High Power with one of these scope stands with a unertal spotting scope. I still use it.

You can use it for prone, sitting, kneeling and offhand. Make sure and get enough 1' extensions and, you can use it offhand also.

This is the scope stand competitors use. You won't see any other type if you shoot the national match course or any other event where competitors don't use optics on their weapons.

EDIT: Sorry, you may be looking for something else. This is a competition scope stand. -- Sorry

 

[ORD]

Re: What tripod for spotting scope in prone?

You can get excellent tripods (see below) that will allow you to "ground" the scope 6" or so off the ground and put the scope in close proximity to you so you don't have to radically adjust your position to switch between shooting/spotting. Tripod that have a grounding ability to get them really low also tend to have a rather large footprint/radius with the legs even in the shortest setting. This is not an issue if you have ample space between you and the guy shooting next to you (if any). Scope stands take up a lot less room and are in some ways a little more portable to get into and out of the field. It really comes down to a matter of personal preference.

For a scope stand, I'd recommend any of the Ewing lineup that best suits your specific needs. I have used the Ewing Hi-power and sniper stands and both are excellent.

For a tripod, either the Bogen/Manfrotto 190XPROB (middle weight model) or the 055XPROB (heavy weight model) tripods with the head (go with a grip head) of your choice are both excellent options.

 

[Platypus]

Re: What tripod for spotting scope in prone?

Target Terror,

Another option and one I have used for decades is a camera tripod. Here is the link to our website Precision Rifle Solutions check it out and let me know if this is something that may fit your need. The advantage I have found is the ability to take a light weight, easily packed, sturdy tripod and apply it to several different task, from a shooting platform to observation platform or to run my camera or video recorder. The quick detach ball heads adjust easily but still hold the cradle or optics firmly in place this along with the addition of QD connector plates the tripod is quickly transformed between different roles. Plus with the connector plates you save wear and tear on the threaded connectiosn by leaving the connector plate on the different pieces of gear. The connector plates add minimal size increase to the equipment they are attached to so they do not typically interfere with how they fit in pouches or bags. With the medium and large models it affords me the flexability to go from about 6" to 43" or 63" depending on the model. The foot print is not as large as the Manfrottos and is easier to throw in a ruck or strap it to the outside of a pack, shooting/range bag, or butt pack. If you should have any questions please feel free to email [email protected] or give me a call at 281-541-1549. Hope this helps.

Danel

 

[Chiller]

Re: What tripod for spotting scope in prone?

Depending on your application the Vortex VOTRS might be worth looking at. They use Bogen/Manfrotto tripods

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: What tripod for spotting scope in prone?

http://www.ray-vin.com/tech/shc/headcompare.htm

Here is a good place to go and read about it.

 

[gliechty]

Re: What tripod for spotting scope in prone?

Here are a couple of different versions:

http://www.vortextactical.com/category/products

 

[ORD]

Re: What tripod for spotting scope in prone?

I always forget about Danel/PRS's offerings of the medium/large tripods, but that is another excellent option. I have been using one of his compact tripods for some time now and it is an excellent piece of kit.

The Slik tripods he uses for his builds are of very high quality, they are durable, the weight is not nearly as much as the Bogen/Manfrotto options, and they would make a great option for your spotting scope purposes.

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

Re: What tripod for spotting scope in prone?

I just received the "medium" tripod from PRS and it's versitle so that you can reduce the main tube size and lower the legs so that it's perfect for using your spotter at prone height but also is tall enough to use as a hunting tripod or shooting rest. No field testing yet but is a tube design and seems pretty tough.

 

[MudBug]

Re: What tripod for spotting scope in prone?

I've used this Slik Mini for awhile and liked it except that it didn't have a quick release head. So I ended up buying a new ball head for it w/ quick release.

It works really well, for prone. The main tube is in two pieces so you just unscrew part of it and the whole thing drops down real low.

It looks like they now sell a Slik Mini II that is the same thing but comes with foam on the legs and a quick release ball head. I wish they had that when I ordered mine. It's the same set-up (other than the foam) that I have now, except it costs a lot less than I spent having to buy a new head.

 

[Platypus]

Re: What tripod for spotting scope in prone?

Mudbug,

Thanks for the support. Slik quit making the medium that you bought awhile back and now offer in that size is the padded leg quick detach ball head. One of the features on your tripod that they discontinued with the improvement of adding the QD ball head is they did away with the screw feet that you can screw up and reveal the spike feet which I liked but they really did not consult me before the change. I am going to see what the price would be for a replacement QD ball head to buy it as a part and that may be an option for others that have the older model. A solution we currently offer is a QD adapter set that will screw on top of any standard triopd to allow for the use of connector plates on all your optics gear and SSP's (Sniper Shooting Platform). I have been pleasently surprised with the durabilty of the Slik products we use and sell and the only one I have ever messed up is the one that was run over by a 5 ton on a concrete roadway. Let me know if there is anything specific that you and others are looking for in a versatile light weight economic tripod capable of performing as a shooting platform and an optics platform.

 

[scotharr]

Re: What tripod for spotting scope in prone?

Ray Vin is the best for prone. next subject