title says it all. What head is on your tripod? I assume most if not all are running some kind of ball head.
What tripod head are you using?
- Thread starter 2ndamendfan
- Start date
As I am just starting to experiment with tripods I didn't know which way to go so I started with a manfrotto 055 3 section. Just received a Gemtune self levelling head ($50). It is rated to 15lb so should be good enough to try it out. If I like it I might go to something more substantial, if not I will try a ball head.
I tried the Gemtune. In my experience it did not lock up easily or tightly enough to hold the weight of a rifle.
RRS Universal Leveling Base. Very stable and locks up very tight. 15° of tilt in every direction, which is plenty for 99% of situations.
So you can use the leveling bases without also requiring a ball head? Would yall happen to have pictures of the components broken down in an order than I could tell how they assemble? Because from what I can tell just by browsing images it looks like a ball head would mount on top of the base rather than the rifle to just the base. And if one could eliminate the ball head entirely thats like 25% cheaper and in central/south texas there arent any mountains necessitating extreme angles that a ball head would serve.
Im assuming that the lever clamp versions eliminate the 3/8 thread attachment but the RRS website isnt loading any images for me when I click on the clamp stuff.
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The first one is the leveling base that fits in the tripod apex.
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/TA-3-Leveling-Base?custcol13=3&custcol15=2
The second one is the Universal leveling base mentioned in your quote.
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/TA-U-LC-Universal-Leveling-Base-with-Clamp
With most leveling bases you can opt for having a flat base on top, or a quick release mount.
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/TA-3-Leveling-Base?custcol13=3&custcol15=2
The second one is the Universal leveling base mentioned in your quote.
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/TA-U-LC-Universal-Leveling-Base-with-Clamp
With most leveling bases you can opt for having a flat base on top, or a quick release mount.
Yeah, I found them on the site at the links you provided but for some reason on my computer when I switch to the clamp platform type for the ta3 none of the images show up, just a little clip art non displayable thing.
The TA-3 has a extension below it that goes through the tripod center section. I assume that rather than having the threaded portion it would have the clamps like the U base pictured lower down. [IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","height":"248","width":"248","src":"http:\/\/www.reallyrightstuff.com\/assets\/images\/products\/TA-3-Leveling-Base.2%7C1-1.png?fcts=20170515121116&resizeid=6&resizeh=1000&resizew=1000"}[/IMG2]
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","height":"203","width":"203","src":"http:\/\/www.reallyrightstuff.com\/assets\/images\/products\/TA-3-Leveling-Base.2%7C1-3.png?fcts=20170515121116&resizeid=6&resizeh=1000&resizew=1000"}[/IMG2]
The TA-U-LC doesnt have that bottom extension. [IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","height":"267","width":"283","src":"http:\/\/www.reallyrightstuff.com\/assets\/images\/products\/TA-U-LC-Universal-Leveling-Base-with-Clamp.main-1.png?resizeid=6&resizeh=1000&resizew=1000"}[/IMG2]
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","height":"256","width":"272","src":"http:\/\/www.reallyrightstuff.com\/assets\/images\/products\/TA-U-LC-Universal-Leveling-Base-with-Clamp.main-3.PNG?resizeid=6&resizeh=1000&resizew=1000"}[/IMG2]
In looking at pictures of all the soar tripods they all have a threaded top that look like they would only apply to the U and that the 3 wouldnt be possible to mount through the solid tops.
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","height":"448","width":"476","src":"http:\/\/www.reallyrightstuff.com\/assets\/images\/products\/TVC-33-SOAR-Series-Tripod.main-1.png?resizeid=6&resizeh=1000&resizew=1000"}[/IMG2]
So how do all of these different parts actually assemble?
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I'm using this one..............http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/TA-U-LC-Universal-Leveling-Base-with-Clamp
I mounted this rail to the bottom of my Hog Saddle........http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/VR-...7.1496947586-1917845128.1496947586&lang=en_US.
It clamps into the lever plate on the leveling base. I also have a rail adapter on my spotting scope, which clamps into the leveling base. RRS makes quite a few rifle plates that will clamp directly to the leveling base, eliminating the need for a Hog Saddle. I had one on my DTA, and it worked extremely well, but I also like the versatility of the Hog Saddle.
All you need is the leveling base with the clamp, then a rail mounted to whatever you want to attach to the leveling base.
Here is a pic of my Desert Tech attached to the RRS leveling base, using their DTA adapter plate. It's tilted all the way forward, so it will show how much tilt is available from the base.
I will also mention that I'm using the Universal base on a Feisol carbon tripod. I really like the paddle adjustment on the Universal base. I can have my off hand holding the upper portion of the tripod leg, and adjust the paddle with my thumb. I never have to move my hand from shooting position to make an adjustment to the tension on the base. With the TA-3, you will need to move your hand to make an adjustment, the move it back to your firing position. Not a big deal, but it is something to keep in mind.
Ahhhhhhhh, I see the whole picture now. In that case I will probably just go with the U as dirthead1 did as it seems a little more universal: from a last resort bottom level sunpak all the way up to the RRS. And he makes a good point with the paddle tension being handy.
Now if I get that I would naturally go with the KRG plate for my chassis [IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","height":"291","width":"291","src":"http:\/\/www.reallyrightstuff.com\/assets\/images\/products\/KRG-Whiskey-3-X-Ray-Chassis-Plates.1-01.png?resizeid=6&resizeh=1000&resizew=1000"}[/IMG2]
Is the vyce/hog saddle the best method for a variety of older wooden/non barricade manners stocks or are there cheap adapters out there I could afford to outfit 10 rifles with?
Now if I get that I would naturally go with the KRG plate for my chassis [IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","height":"291","width":"291","src":"http:\/\/www.reallyrightstuff.com\/assets\/images\/products\/KRG-Whiskey-3-X-Ray-Chassis-Plates.1-01.png?resizeid=6&resizeh=1000&resizew=1000"}[/IMG2]
Is the vyce/hog saddle the best method for a variety of older wooden/non barricade manners stocks or are there cheap adapters out there I could afford to outfit 10 rifles with?
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That KRG plate works really well.
The hog saddle is a great option for non plate adaptable stocks. However more and more people are adapting their stocks to work.
If you do end up with a 3 series RRS tripod I would highly recommend the TA3. It's quite a bit more stable than the TAU and it's really not difficult to use at all.
The hog saddle is a great option for non plate adaptable stocks. However more and more people are adapting their stocks to work.
If you do end up with a 3 series RRS tripod I would highly recommend the TA3. It's quite a bit more stable than the TAU and it's really not difficult to use at all.
RRS BH55 here as well. Can also just use the RRS leveling base if desired.
Amazingly smooth adjustment with both. For that price though it's expected!
Amazingly smooth adjustment with both. For that price though it's expected!
I'm looking for a decently priced adaptor to use on my current tripod and head.
Mainly looking to see if I will like it before investing in the good stuff. Weight is not a concern for my needs.
I'd like a rail mount option rather than a clamping saddle.
Is the ADM BT65-L mount posted earlier in this thread my best option?
Or maybe someone has something similar they want to get rid of?
Pic of what I already have:
Mainly looking to see if I will like it before investing in the good stuff. Weight is not a concern for my needs.
I'd like a rail mount option rather than a clamping saddle.
Is the ADM BT65-L mount posted earlier in this thread my best option?
Or maybe someone has something similar they want to get rid of?
Pic of what I already have:
I'm a photographer, so I already have a nice ball head and tripod. I just use those for shooting and/or for spotting scope when the situation calls for it. I prefer the Markins ballheads over RRS. But looking at their website now, seems like they've raised their prices considerably. They used to be cheaper than RRS. But now they're more expensive. In that case, I guess I'd go with RRS now, if I were buying new.
