Tripod Recommendations?

[TheTexasTom]

Lost the tripod I had for the past 30 years. Any recommendations for a good value on a sturdy full size tripod to use for a spotting scope?

 

[benenglish]

For use off a bench or standing up? Straight eyepiece or angled?

 

[baboon]

Champion's Choice

 

[benenglish]

Stands are best used by competitors who need both low and high scope placement. OP specified a tripod so I assumed he didn't need to replace a stand.

If that's incorrect, I hope the OP will clarify.

 

[PhulesAu]

B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders throw your scope on the scales. I'd recommend something that will handle 3 -5 pounds over, just from a stability standpoint.

 

[benenglish]

B&H is a place I can give the highest recommendation. If they have what the OP needs, they're one of the 2 or 3 places I'd suggest to get it.

For a bench-top mount of a scope with an angled eyepiece, Really Right Stuff has had some wonderful items, though they seem to have discontinued the particular desktop mount I'd buy.

For a stand-behind-it tripod set up, I generally prefer 2-section legs. They tend to be sturdier though often too short. That's not as true as it once was but I don't care; I'm so old I still like wooden tripods.

I'm not going to make specific recommendations; tripod and head selection is way too personal a task to take advice from anyone. I firmly believe that people need hands-on experience to make a satisfactory choice.

 

[TheTexasTom]

For use off a bench or standing up? Straight eyepiece or angled?

I would like like to find a standing up tripod. Have a decent table top tripod. Spotting scope is angled, so don't need a tripod over 60 inches. Really just looking for something to mount the spotting scope, and new to using one so open to experienced suggestions.


Thanks for the input!

 

[Army 1911]

Get a MAnfrotto. The point of a tripod is to hold something steady and it generally takes a heavier tripod for a specific item than most realize.

 

[dubbleA]

Another vote for a Manfrotto. Add a pistol grip ball head and you're in business.

 

[benenglish]

Really just looking for something to mount the spotting scope...

Add a pistol grip ball head...

Good ball heads are expensive. If the only job of the tripod is to hold a spotting scope, the OP doesn't even need a 3-way head. A 2-way will work fine and be sturdier and of higher quality for less money.

2-way heads are a bit hard to find these days but for this application it would be worth the effort to look.

 

[TheTexasTom]

Thanks all. Have one on order from B&H