3 Section vs. 4 Section Tripods...

[GiborChayil]

Total noobie when it comes to shooting from tripods. I am about to drop some serious coin on a RRS tripod. I am 5'7" and planning on purchasing the TFCT Tripod with Anvil 30. Going for Series 3, but I am wondering if I should go 3 section or 4 section. Any advice would be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[GiborChayil]

I would hate to make $65 mistake...

 

[fanninland]

I think it depends on how you intend to use it. If you'll be traveling a lot or hiking with it seems 4 section might hold some advantage over 3 section in compactness. But if that’s not a priority seems a 3 section would be better. FWIW I run the 22i w/Anvil for hog hunting and love it as it fits under back seat of truck and deploys very quickly with only 2 sections/3 collars to lock/unlock.

Either way can’t go wrong with RRS, I was hesitant to spend the coin but absolutely no buyers remorse, gamechanger for sure.

 

[b6graham]

22i would be my pick. Especially at your height

Two Vets QDT too is a nice beefy 2 section and you can run an Anvil30

 

[Dev L]

To me, the whole point of spending the money on a RRS tripod is to have a usable 4th leg section. I have cheap (in comparison) Chicom 4 section CF tripod I use for my spotting scope which is perfectly stable for any use with just three of the leg sections extended, but TOTALLY useless for anything but a GoPro or a point and shoot with no zoom when the 4th leg section is extended, even slightly.

Also, you have to consider what your packing size limits are. I need my tripods to fit within the bounds of my pack size. A 3 section leg for standing use for anyone over 6' tall becomes more cumbersome. If you just need to pull your tripod out of the bed of a truck or UTV to set up on hogs, a 3 section leg is certainly the more stable option.

 

[sleeplz]

Check rrs Instagram page, they are about to come out with something new so maybe it’s a good time to wait. If I were you, I’d go to a match and try them out with your rifle attached.

 

[ma smith]

Deploying a 4 part tripod requires 12 steps prior to shooting, thats a lot. ...

There is a reson IMHO why people are suggesting fewer leg segments...even a 2 part tripod has 3 leg adjustments then 3 step to get ready (unpack/deploy, atach, and level/lock) prior to trigger pulll)...

Now with 4 section you have (9) leg locks adjusted to depoly the tripod...and then the same 3 basic steps to deploy, attach, level/lock etc before pulling the trigger...12 steps

point being is its really worth trying out some differnt setups in person and see what works for your situation, your packing/hiking/stalking requirements, and even your OCD/complexity/simplicity preferences.

 

[LuvDog]

4 section only if size when packing is a concern.

Id always go with less sections for more stability otherwise

 

[LV Precision]

34L is preferable for PRS shooting. I'm 5'8, and the 34L has enough height that I can use tripod rear in a fully standing position. It also provides more height flexibility than the 22, which is harder to get into lower positions.

 

[LV Precision]

34L is also fast to deploy with experience. Deployment on the clock with a first round shot can be done in ~25 seconds with practice.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

TVC33. Less weight, three less collars to adjust/maintain/fail, increased stability at fully extended. And mine's perfect when all legs fully extended for viewing through binoculars. I'm 5'8".

 

[GiborChayil]

I just wanted to say THANKS for ALL the replies and insight!!! So here is what I ended up doing. A lot of this was based upon too MANY hours of researching and this gentleman's videos. . After much consideration, I have decided to go with the Two Vets RECON tripod with their Anvil 30 Bowl Conversion and the RRS Anvil 30. I think this will get me started in the my new venture of learning to shoot from a tripod!!! Cheers!!!

 

[GiborChayil]

I was really considering the QDT, but decided on the RECON, which happens to be a 3 section which is what I was leaning towards had I gone the FULL RRS route...

 

[Mr. F]

Deploying a 4 part tripod requires 12 steps prior to shooting, thats a lot. ...

Not with an RRS. You loosen all knobs (or the desired amount) at once with a quarter turn and them snug them a 1/4 turn back after you extend.

So even on a 4 section going full length, you do 1/4, extend and three 1/4 turn snugs. Thats it.

Or 2 knobs, extend and 2 snugs... IMO 4 sections is the way to go, you can elect to not use the 4th section...on a 4 section LOL not the other way around on a 3 section if that makes sense.

 

[mrtoyz]

Not with an RRS. You loosen all knobs (or the desired amount) at once with a quarter turn and them snug them a 1/4 turn back after you extend.

So even on a 4 section going full length, you do 1/4, extend and three 1/4 turn snugs. Thats it.

Or 2 knobs, extend and 2 snugs... IMO 4 sections is the way to go, you can elect to not use the 4th section...on a 4 section LOL not the other way around on a 3 section if that makes sense.

This

 

[1moaoff]

I just wanted to say THANKS for ALL the replies and insight!!! So here is what I ended up doing. A lot of this was based upon too MANY hours of researching and this gentleman's videos. . After much consideration, I have decided to go with the Two Vets RECON tripod with their Anvil 30 Bowl Conversion and the RRS Anvil 30. I think this will get me started in the my new venture of learning to shoot from a tripod!!! Cheers!!!

His trigger finger placement in the 2nd video was a bit distracting

 

[GiborChayil]

His trigger finger placement in the 2nd video was a bit distracting

Is this the guy that uses his middle finger for bolt guns and normal trigger finger for semis? In life I have learned to each his own, especially if it works for you!!!

 

[GiborChayil]

His trigger finger placement in the 2nd video was a bit distracting

Your avatar is distracting AF!!! In a good way...LOL!!!

 

[324matt]

For you guys that run the RRS 22i, what head are you running. IM between the 22i and the QDT. I want to have the most stable platform available. I think I'd prefer a leveling base over the anvil 30. It's really flat here in illinois, and I don't pan much.

The center section of the 22i is smaller than the qdt, where the level base or the ball head mounts. I'd really like a video bowl style level base with a 22i, but, I'd have to use the ta2-lb leveling base.

What is everyone's opinion on the difference in size of the apex?

 

[theLBC]

For you guys that run the RRS 22i, what head are you running. IM between the 22i and the QDT. I want to have the most stable platform available. I think I'd prefer a leveling base over the anvil 30. It's really flat here in illinois, and I don't pan much.

The center section of the 22i is smaller than the qdt, where the level base or the ball head mounts. I'd really like a video bowl style level base with a 22i, but, I'd have to use the ta2-lb leveling base.

What is everyone's opinion on the difference in size of the apex?

i didn't need the narrower form factor of the tfc, so i opened for the tvc because this might make the tripod potentially more stable, like a wider bipod.
i could be wrong, lol.

 

[GiborChayil]

I ended up going with the RRS Anvil 30 and the Two Vets 3 section Recon Tripod and Anvil Bowl. Very happy with this set up. Now I just need to learn how to use it.

 

[GiborChayil]

 

[superde]

For you guys that run the RRS 22i, what head are you running. IM between the 22i and the QDT. I want to have the most stable platform available. I think I'd prefer a leveling base over the anvil 30. It's really flat here in illinois, and I don't pan much.

The center section of the 22i is smaller than the qdt, where the level base or the ball head mounts. I'd really like a video bowl style level base with a 22i, but, I'd have to use the ta2-lb leveling base.

What is everyone's opinion on the difference in size of the apex?

I used to have the leveling base before the Anvil came out. The leveling base is more stable, and I miss it at times - especially the post underneath to quickly loosen and tighten the tension. The Anvil is 93% as stable and allows the tripod to fold up smaller, so I gained something and lost something.