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Tripod help

UKMan

UKMan

Private
Minuteman
Apr 30, 2024
87
30
44044
#1
Been doing a lot of reading about tripods and the more I read the more unsure of what to buy.

What I will use it for:

Looking for a glassing platform for the range (Bino and spotter) but also the ability to clip into the arca or put a saddle mount on it during the fall/winter for coyotes.

Budget $500 and less. I am a hobby shooter but also like to make sure I am not buying low quality gear. I primarily buy Vortex and have been looking at their tripods but some of the Amazon brands sure look identical to what they make at a lower cost.

Thanks!
 
#2
I have an Innorel st384c that I like a lot. Not going to be as good a fat boy or two vets but it’s also half the price and works for the occasional weekend shoot. If I were to do it again, I would have got the rt90c or st424 (just a little bit bigger diameter legs)
 
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#3
Kfive73 said:
I have an Innorel st384c that I like a lot. Not going to be as good a fat boy or two vets but it’s also half the price and works for the occasional weekend shoot. If I were to do it again, I would have got the rt90c or st424 (just a little bit bigger diameter legs)
Click to expand...

Thanks, what head do you use with yours?
 
#4
I use the bowl head (I think that’s what it’s called) that came with it and a thread adapter to screw on my spotting scope (adapter was like 10 bucks). Or I just throw a bag on top of it with binos
 
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#6
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#7
UKMan said:
Been doing a lot of reading about tripods and the more I read the more unsure of what to buy.

What I will use it for:

Looking for a glassing platform for the range (Bino and spotter) but also the ability to clip into the arca or put a saddle mount on it during the fall/winter for coyotes.

Budget $500 and less. I am a hobby shooter but also like to make sure I am not buying low quality gear. I primarily buy Vortex and have been looking at their tripods but some of the Amazon brands sure look identical to what they make at a lower cost.

Thanks!
Click to expand...




this is what you want
 
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#8
adubeau said:
I have this:

www.eurooptic.com

Athlon Midas CF32 Carbon Fiber Tripod w/32mm Max Leg Dia, 44mm Ball Head, Spiked Feet, Leveling Head & Carrying Case 706007

FREE SHIPPING on Athlon Midas CF32 Carbon Fiber Tripod w/32mm Max Leg Dia, 44mm Ball Head, Spiked Feet, Leveling Head & Carrying Case 706007
www.eurooptic.com www.eurooptic.com

I use for NRL22 matches and my son wil lose on a occasion for photography , it works great for me, your mileage may vary
Click to expand...

Nice! Looks super similar to the top level vortex tripods for cheaper!
 
#10
You probably know this, but I think you’ll be happier/more effective/have longer-lasting gear if you buy top-ish end tripods and scopes and cheaper rifles (that are still accurate, like a Tikka).

Applies to soft rifle cases too. Cheap bags are a false economy when the zipper rips or the strap connection breaks.

But hey, everyone’s got a budget. Gotta work within your means. I’ve read good things about Innorel.
 
Last edited:
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#11
carbonbased said:
You probably know this, but I think you’ll be happier/more effective/have longer-lasting gear if you buy top-ish end tripods and scopes and cheaper rifles (that are still accurate, like a Tikka).

Applies to soft rifle cases too. Cheap bags are also a false economy when the zipper rips or the strap connection breaks.

But hey, everyone’s got a budget. Gotta work within your means. I’ve read good things about Innorel.
Click to expand...

carbonbased said:
You probably know this, but I think you’ll be happier/more effective/have longer-lasting gear if you buy top-ish end tripods and scopes and cheaper rifles (that are still accurate, like a Tikka).

Applies to soft rifle cases too. Cheap bags are also a false economy when the zipper rips or the strap connection breaks.

But hey, everyone’s got a budget. Gotta work within your means. I’ve read good things about Innorel.
Click to expand...

Completely agree I just can’t bring myself to buy a Really Right Stuff tripod. I try to buy the best I can within my budget but man over 1k for a tripod hurts alittle for a hobby shooter/hunter. So I am trying to stay within that $500ish range…which still sounds expensive to me for a tripod but from my research it is middle of the road.

Side note: I love buy refurbished Vortex optics on aaoptics on the higher end scopes to get awesome deals plus the warranty. Still think it’s the greatest deal within firearms.
 
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#12
look at the Leofoto legs.

I ended up with a set for a light tripod for around $220.
Using an Anvil on that. Its great and my cost was 1/3 of the same rrs. Would rather an RRS complete set up, but budgets……

Leofoto have some new heads out now that seem pretty slick.

I believe Frank said they are the OEM for several of the brands of CF tripods including Vortex I believe.

I also have the Innorel RT90 and its a beast.
Fine if you arent hiking a lot.
Like 7.5 lbs with legs and head I think.
Works awesome with leveling base, cheap tac table, and a bag.
 
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#15
powdahound76 said:
look at the Leofoto legs.

I ended up with a set for a light tripod for around $220.
Using an Anvil on that. Its great and my cost was 1/3 of the same rrs. Would rather an RRS complete set up, but budgets……

Leofoto have some new heads out now that seem pretty slick.

I believe Frank said they are the OEM for several of the brands of CF tripods including Vortex I believe.

I also have the Innorel RT90 and its a beast.
Fine if you arent hiking a lot.
Like 7.5 lbs with legs and head I think.
Works awesome with leveling base, cheap tac table, and a bag.
Click to expand...


Interesting about them being the OEM! Definitely not moving a lot so zero concern about weight. Thanks for the input!
 
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#16
I’d rather have less rifles and have a top tier rifle and tripod. Instead of buying a bunch of low or mid tier stuff.


Supporting leofoto just supports chicoms who blatantly rip off American inventors like RRS

0456EFCA-8C81-4235-BE38-F9F648F275B1.jpeg


FD3ECC3F-AD41-4264-8992-B765378B9C73.jpeg


A good tripod is so stable people call it “standing prone” because it’s very close to as stable as prone
 
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#18
I first bought an Innorel RT-90C. It is very stable and sturdy, but it is also heavy and does not fold "flat." It folds into a cone shape with dead space near the top. I replaced it with an "Artcise," which is plenty sturdy for a heavy rifle, and much lighter and more compact than the RT-90C. I've had no problems from either of them. I don't baby them, but I don't beat the shit out of them either or use them every day, or even every week. I hate buying Chinese products and would love to sport a RRS. But the economics are what they are based on how I use tripods.

I usually just use a bag on top, sometimes with a tac table and sometimes without.
 
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#19
As a dude that mainly uses ZCOs & Tangents, with many custom rifle builds, I'd happily trade out most of that stuff for a good tripod set-up. I shoot using my tripod a lot, so I'm biased, but it's one of the better shooting related purchases I've made. You can get by pretty cheap if you are only glassing, but once you throw shooting into the mix, I think it's worth it to spend the extra money on the better set-up.

Regardless, I’d avoid a clamp/saddle for shooting. Get an Anvil30 or plan to use a good shooting bag on top of your head or tripod apex or tac table.

The Leofoto legs that I've used were noticeably less stable than RRS. Leofoto is the OEM for Vortex, Athlon, Revic, and others. If that is truly all you can afford, they are better than nothing. But I think you'd be well served to work some overtime or sell some other stuff and get a set of RRS legs.
 
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#20
Secant said:
As a dude that mainly uses ZCOs & Tangents, with many custom rifle builds, I'd happily trade out most of that stuff for a good tripod set-up. I shoot using my tripod a lot, so I'm biased, but it's one of the better shooting related purchases I've made. You can get by pretty cheap if you are only glassing, but once you throw shooting into the mix, I think it's worth it to spend the extra money on the better set-up.

Regardless, I’d avoid a clamp/saddle for shooting. Get an Anvil30 or plan to use a good shooting bag on top of your head or tripod apex or tac table.

The Leofoto legs that I've used were noticeably less stable than RRS. Leofoto is the OEM for Vortex, Athlon, Revic, and others. If that is truly all you can afford, they are better than nothing. But I think you'd be well served to work some overtime or sell some other stuff and get a set of RRS legs.
Click to expand...


All makes sense to me, thanks for your input!!
 
#23
NateVA said:
I think it's fair to criticize Leofoto's unethical business practices as it relates to their serial copyright infringement on RRS. Even if people choose Leofoto due to prices it's something they should be aware of.
Click to expand...


I didn’t even read the thread beyond the first post I can see why he’s butthurt now.



Not everything’s about you

Just because something is an uncomfortable truth. Doesn’t make it any less true
 
#25
My video bowl/leveling head RRS (TVC-33) is more stable than my RRS TFC-34 due to the wider apex. But, the trade-off is packability.

For varmint shooting I suggest trying a panning base on top of the leveling head. I find it easier to use than the Anvil when you’re panning and acquiring multiple targets over a longer timeframe.

Don’t have to constantly lock down the setup, and locking (if even needed) is smoother, requiring less effort. Tend to not bump the reticle off-target as much. Often I don’t even lock before the shot.

Gotta make sure your rifle is balanced, however! Otherwise there is much gnashing of teeth.

The panning base allows differing tension between the pan and the tilt (tilt being adjusted by the lever underneath the leveling base).
 
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#26
I'm using RT90C and RRS Anvil 30. It's a very nice setup to shoot off of, but it is heavy. Doesn't matter to me since I don't carry it around, but if I were I would look at something lighter.
 
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#27
I have a Chinese (sunway or leofoto) 2 section with the adjuster at the top. I really like it, makes deploying so much easier.
I've been eyeing up a Fatboy Elevate 2 section but haven't pulled the trigger yet.
 
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#28
If you really need to stay within your budget, leofoto has been blowing out tripods on ebay for cheap ($200-300. That is probably your best bet. I picked up a 3 section model as a loaner and light hunting tripod.

My main tripod setup for matches and glassing is a 2 Vets QDT with a RRS Anvil, which has been excellent even while experiencing a lot of sand and use. I've shot a lot of hogs off the anvil head as well and its hard to go wrong with one.
 
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#31
Secant said:
. . . The Leofoto legs that I've used were noticeably less stable than RRS. Leofoto is the OEM for Vortex, Athlon, Revic, and others. If that is truly all you can afford, they are better than nothing. But I think you'd be well served to work some overtime or sell some other stuff and get a set of RRS legs.
Click to expand...

Are you comparing similar tripod configurations, standard or inverted legs, for both brands of tripods? Were both tripods rated for the same weight?
 
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