Imported carbon fiber tripod (RT90C)

That was the only hesitation I had... RRS tripod 4.5lbs, Innorel RT90C, 6.5lbs. I know that's basically 40% more weight, but not sure what the additional 2lbs really means, for $500.

Feisol tripods are similar... $575 for their tripods, and they weigh 4.1

Only thing I can see again is the 2lb differeence and $300ish.

I just placed an order for RT90C from Amazon but due to Covid19, might not get here until April... If anyone is looking to upgrade theirs, ping me :)
I’d give it 15-20 days and I reckon it will show up. I don’t doubt RRC is worth the money, it’s just they are not within my budget/what I’m willing to pay. I am Definitely going to consider RRC’s products for the hardware that sits on top of the tripod though.
 
Okay I changed my mind... decided to go with the Xiletu L404C instead for $250! I got to play with one at a match, the 2Vets 40 Mike Mike tripod, so I bought directly from aliexpress... hopefully it arrives one day. They do say a 60 day money back guarantee. I hope that's legit.

EDIT* Gave up trying to use aliexpress and went back and went for the RT90C.
 
Last edited:
So a cheap and quick mod to help the head be more useable is to remove the handle (requires removing the little clip seen in the photo) then place a #8 O-ring over the shaft and reattach the handle. I just left the retaining clip off. While this doesn’t make everything “ball bearing” smooth, it does improve the head by providing the ability to apply levels of friction to the movemeNt of the head before locking it down.
 

Attachments

  • 65FBBA26-7BDF-4EB1-BE60-CE7EF272BE10.jpeg
    65FBBA26-7BDF-4EB1-BE60-CE7EF272BE10.jpeg
    382.1 KB · Views: 128
  • 2DA8DE54-8ACD-434B-92B9-01633469EC3C.jpeg
    2DA8DE54-8ACD-434B-92B9-01633469EC3C.jpeg
    318.9 KB · Views: 136
Last edited:
@cdeiglmeier You have two options for using the Anvil with the RT90C/Comp 40/40 Mike Mike:

1. Thread the Anvil onto the standard plate with loctite and hope for the best when panning counterclockwise because you could end up loosening the Anvil. It's not like you're damaging anything. You'll just have to tighten the Anvil back down and maybe apply another drop of loctite, but if it happens during a match, you're essentially stuck with it until you can fix it.

2. Buy the plate from Midwestoffroad, tighten the Anvil down onto the plate so that one of the holes on the Anvil base aligns with the holes in the plate, toss a set screw in, and now your Anvil is securely fastened to the base without any concern that it'll break loose
 
@cdeiglmeier You have two options for using the Anvil with the RT90C/Comp 40/40 Mike Mike:

1. Thread the Anvil onto the standard plate with loctite and hope for the best when panning counterclockwise because you could end up loosening the Anvil. It's not like you're damaging anything. You'll just have to tighten the Anvil back down and maybe apply another drop of loctite, but if it happens during a match, you're essentially stuck with it until you can fix it.

2. Buy the plate from Midwestoffroad, tighten the Anvil down onto the plate so that one of the holes on the Anvil base aligns with the holes in the plate, toss a set screw in, and now your Anvil is securely fastened to the base without any concern that it'll break loose

Appreciate the help! Looking forward to using the Tripod and seeing how it does! This thread convinced me to buy one because it seems to be pretty damn good for the money.
 
  • Like
Reactions: canezach
I paid $500 for the PVA Comp 40 when they were first released and I recently compared it to an RT90C that a friend owns. It is almost identical in every way. There were some minor cosmetic differences, but if I had known about the RT90C back then, I would've saved myself $200!

Edit: I brought up this very fact at the start of the thread. I said the Comp 40 and 40 Mike Mike from Two Vets looked VERY similar to the RT90C, but that was comparing them to pictures of the 90C on websites and whatnot. In person, I couldn't tell them apart. I'm not necessarily upset, since I had my Comp 40 about a year or so before I ever saw the RT90C, but that $200 or $250 premium could've bought another 8 pound jug of powder!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: littlepod
Anyone know why RRS has removed their universal levelling base from its website? Is it no longer being sold?

I couldn't tell you, but if you're interested in a RRS universal leveling base, let me know. Mine will most likely be up for sale once my Anvil arrives, which will be the end of the month according to RRS
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: NiemiPT
So due to this thread, I ordered the Innorel RT90 and an Innorel ballhead. Upon arrival, I was disappointed. The twist locks were much harder to release, and required more movement than the Leofoto that I already have. The weight was also more than what I wanted. I also did not like the large diameter bowl. To me, it made the apex of the tripod far too wide. However, it did seem rather sturdy once set up. But I could tell that I'd waste half my stage just trying to deploy it on the clock.

For the Innorel ball head- N52. That was a complete no go. Once a rifle was mounted, I could easily move the rifle around and pan left and right with the knobs cranked all the way down. So I returned it.

I then tried a Colorado Tripod Company Highline ball head. Once again- absolute no go. I mounted a rifle and the head could be easily shifted with the knobs fully locked down. Returned that one too.

At that point I gave up and returned the RT90 as well. Then called RRS. I bit the bullet and ordered a new TVC 22i and Anvil 30. Now I could not be happier.
 
So due to this thread, I ordered the Innorel RT90 and an Innorel ballhead. Upon arrival, I was disappointed. The twist locks were much harder to release, and required more movement than the Leofoto that I already have. The weight was also more than what I wanted. I also did not like the large diameter bowl. To me, it made the apex of the tripod far too wide. However, it did seem rather sturdy once set up. But I could tell that I'd waste half my stage just trying to deploy it on the clock.

For the Innorel ball head- N52. That was a complete no go. Once a rifle was mounted, I could easily move the rifle around and pan left and right with the knobs cranked all the way down. So I returned it.

I then tried a Colorado Tripod Company Highline ball head. Once again- absolute no go. I mounted a rifle and the head could be easily shifted with the knobs fully locked down. Returned that one too.

At that point I gave up and returned the RT90 as well. Then called RRS. I bit the bullet and ordered a new TVC 22i and Anvil 30. Now I could not be happier.

I almost did exactly what you did, but right now I have the Innorel RT90 coming to pair with the RRS TA-2U-LB. We'll see how it goes and if the legs are that hard to twist.. I hope not. The setup would have cost me around $550... which would be less than half of the RRS setup.
 
The current batch of Anvil Adapters have been spoken for via going threw my old messages. And individuals have been contacted.
Thank you

Bnanaphone
LA260
Canezach
Cdeilgmeier
Greyswandlr

Waiting on Russ for the last confirmation. But there ready to go F&F PayPal or can add fees 80$ raw with hardware or 90$ carakoted black ( delays shipping)
 
Last edited:
Well I got mine... and I'm happy to say that the column locks are really smooth and slick. Works fantastic.


I know you probably haven't shot it yet but I'm assuming you've gotten behind it and dry fired. How does it feel stability wise? How tall is it with only 2 of the leg sections extended? I've heard the with the 3rd leg section extended it gets wobbly but with only 2 of the 3 extended it's as stable as they get.
 
The current batch of Anvil Adapters have been spoken for via going threw my old messages. And individuals have been contacted.
Thank you

Bnanaphone
LA260
Canezach
Cdeilgmeier
Greyswandlr

Waiting on Russ for the last confirmation. But there ready to go F&F PayPal or can add fees 80$ raw with hardware or 90$ carakoted black ( delays shipping)

[email protected]

Money sent! Thanks!
 
I know you probably haven't shot it yet but I'm assuming you've gotten behind it and dry fired. How does it feel stability wise? How tall is it with only 2 of the leg sections extended? I've heard the with the 3rd leg section extended it gets wobbly but with only 2 of the 3 extended it's as stable as they get.

I've shot off of mine often. Both standing and sitting/kneeling. Extremely solid platform to shoot from. Probably my preferred method of shooting now. I'm 5' 9" w/ my shoes on. I extend the two sections fully and the last section is about 6" extended. The thinnest leg on this tripod is almost as thick as the thickest on the RT80C. And one reason I returned the 80C for a 90C. The 80C was usable and would be a better choice if you need to pack and haul it. The 90C IS the tripod to have IF you only shoot square range matches.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: cdeiglmeier
I bought the PVA Comp 40 when they first came out. I later discovered they were identical to the RT90C but $200 more

Yep... I was ordering the Xiletu L404C from aliexpress because that is the exact model as the PVA Comp and the 2Vets 40 Mike Mike. While browsing the Aliexpress store link, I noticed everything said Innorel, and linked me right to the RT90C.

Weight of Tripod + The center piece w/ hook = 5.8 lbs. Weight of RRS-TA-2U-LB = .75 lbs. Total weight 6.55 lbs.

I know you probably haven't shot it yet but I'm assuming you've gotten behind it and dry fired. How does it feel stability wise? How tall is it with only 2 of the leg sections extended? I've heard the with the 3rd leg section extended it gets wobbly but with only 2 of the 3 extended it's as stable as they get.

On dry firing. Exactly what Jeff said. I'm 5'9, and with shoes, I have 2 legs fully extended, and the bottom leg about 6". It's nice it can go up more for a perfect spotting height through my binos.

It felt really super stable. I put my rifle/head on an older tripod and it was super wobbly. I was able to move onto different targets and dry fire and didn't feel any issues. This rifle sure is beefy and a large footprint. 6.6 lbs vs like 5lbs of a RRS setup.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cdeiglmeier
[QUOTE="littlepod, post: 8373184, member: 75736"
On dry firing. Exactly what Jeff said. I'm 5'9, and with shoes, I have 2 legs fully extended, and the bottom leg about 6". It's nice it can go up more for a perfect spotting height through my binos.

It felt really super stable. I put my rifle/head on an older tripod and it was super wobbly. I was able to move onto different targets and dry fire and didn't feel any issues. This rifle sure is beefy and a large footprint. 6.6 lbs vs like 5lbs of a RRS setup.
[/QUOTE]

Ok, I'm 5'11" so might need to go up a little higher to shoot standing but that's good to hear that it was pretty stable extended that far. How heavy is your rifle that you put on it? Mine's a hefty 22-23lbs. Just wondering if that makes any difference in stability/instability.
 
[QUOTE="littlepod, post: 8373184, member: 75736"
On dry firing. Exactly what Jeff said. I'm 5'9, and with shoes, I have 2 legs fully extended, and the bottom leg about 6". It's nice it can go up more for a perfect spotting height through my binos.

It felt really super stable. I put my rifle/head on an older tripod and it was super wobbly. I was able to move onto different targets and dry fire and didn't feel any issues. This rifle sure is beefy and a large footprint. 6.6 lbs vs like 5lbs of a RRS setup.

Ok, I'm 5'11" so might need to go up a little higher to shoot standing but that's good to hear that it was pretty stable extended that far. How heavy is your rifle that you put on it? Mine's a hefty 22-23lbs. Just wondering if that makes any difference in stability/instability.
[/QUOTE]

That rifle is only 17 lbs. I ordered some MDT weights and it'll probably be at 19-20 once I get the weights in. The TA head locked down really good. Also I saw no vibration from the legs as I was doing panning on 1/4" targets at 30 yards in my backyard.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cdeiglmeier
Ok, I'm 5'11" so might need to go up a little higher to shoot standing but that's good to hear that it was pretty stable extended that far. How heavy is your rifle that you put on it? Mine's a hefty 22-23lbs. Just wondering if that makes any difference in stability/instability.

That rifle is only 17 lbs. I ordered some MDT weights and it'll probably be at 19-20 once I get the weights in. The TA head locked down really good. Also I saw no vibration from the legs as I was doing panning on 1/4" targets at 30 yards in my backyard.
[/QUOTE]

I have an Anvil30 coming for it with @midwestoffroad adaptor so I'll see how it goes once I get everything!
 
I'm 5'10" barefoot and I've shot standing behind my Comp 40 with a RRS leveling base. No problems with stability. Slightly larger wobble zone than kneeling, which is slightly more wobbly than seated. You should have no issues finding a stable shooting position. I've shot standing with everything from an AIAX, Desert Tech SRS, to a Bighorn in an MPA Comp chassis
 
I wanted to save money too. But if I added up all the money I've spent on tripods and ball heads over the last 3 years- I could have just bought a RRS in the first place.

and that’s what is so great about this forum. You can share your experience of what works and what doesn’t and help us poor new shooters out. Save us some time and money.
 
  • Like
Reactions: littlepod
and that’s what is so great about this forum. You can share your experience of what works and what doesn’t and help us poor new shooters out. Save us some time and money.

My advice would be to ask yourself: "Do I really need a tripod to shoot off of?" If you HAVE to shoot off one- then treat it like a good scope- save up and just get a good one (RRS with Anvil 30). Some matches out west may require one, but I've yet to shoot a match in the SE where you HAD to have one. If you just WANT one, maybe to hold glass and occasionally shoot from, then sure go the budget route. But don't try and justify the "just as good as" tripod, because it's not. RRS is the standard. This is coming from someone who has purchased and tried almost every brand of tripod available. All I can say is I wish I would have just gone RRS from the start and not tried to tell myself that the others were "just as good for less money."
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shawn1492
My advice would be to ask yourself: "Do I really need a tripod to shoot off of?" If you HAVE to shoot off one- then treat it like a good scope- save up and just get a good one (RRS with Anvil 30). Some matches out west may require one, but I've yet to shoot a match in the SE where you HAD to have one. If you just WANT one, maybe to hold glass and occasionally shoot from, then sure go the budget route. But don't try and justify the "just as good as" tripod, because it's not. RRS is the standard. This is coming from someone who has purchased and tried almost every brand of tripod available. All I can say is I wish I would have just gone RRS from the start and not tried to tell myself that the others were "just as good for less money."

I don't doubt it that RRS is the cream of the crop, it's just that there's a $ comparison. I shoot out of my scope everyday, it's essential, but I don't own a NF ATACR 7-35, nor a ZCO. I own an Ares ETR. It only cost $1050 vs $3000. Do I have any thoughts that the Ares ETR is better? Nope. But it is good enough for me to enjoy it and compete in matches.

I think there's a threshold where things are decent enough to go and shoot with. My old photography Manfrotto tripod that has a weight limit of 10lbs. I can tell you right there, that thing was not good enough to shoot off of. This RT90C, at least the copy I have, I'm sure they have tons of shitty QC from China, but mine seems pretty smooth and solid.

I might outgrow my gear where that is the limiting factor but I'm not there yet. Same reason I'm not running a 6-10K custom rifle either... I just shoot my lowly Tikka T3X.
 
I don't doubt it that RRS is the cream of the crop, it's just that there's a $ comparison. I shoot out of my scope everyday, it's essential, but I don't own a NF ATACR 7-35, nor a ZCO. I own an Ares ETR. It only cost $1050 vs $3000. Do I have any thoughts that the Ares ETR is better? Nope. But it is good enough for me to enjoy it and compete in matches.

I think there's a threshold where things are decent enough to go and shoot with. My old photography Manfrotto tripod that has a weight limit of 10lbs. I can tell you right there, that thing was not good enough to shoot off of. This RT90C, at least the copy I have, I'm sure they have tons of shitty QC from China, but mine seems pretty smooth and solid.

I might outgrow my gear where that is the limiting factor but I'm not there yet. Same reason I'm not running a 6-10K custom rifle either... I just shoot my lowly Tikka T3X.

I'm not telling anyone what to do with their money, just giving my personal experience. But yes, you certainly can get by with lower cost options. You can probably beat a lot of people in matches that bought high end stuff but don't know how to use it.
 
My days of being able to travel to major matches are probably over, so I shoot a majority of my matches in Colorado and New Mexico. The Sporting Rifle Match in Raton has one stage where you're required to shoot from sticks of some sort, but you also must carry your tripod through the entire match, which involves walking from stage to stage over two miles or so. I sling my rifle across my chest, toss my pack on, and I actually carry my tripod in hand. I picked up a tripod sling from Fehu Outdoors and it makes it so much easier to carry. If you guys are going to be carrying your tripod for any extended distance, I'd recommend looking into their sling. It has a velcro loop that goes around all three legs so you can cinch them together, grab the sling, and head on your way.

 
I've had my RT90C and Desmond DLOW-55 for 5 months now. I've used it at least twice a week in the field since I bought it. I thought I would just update the group that it's been working w/o any issues. Each time it is used, the legs are extended and collapsed and I haven't experienced any slipping at all. So far so good.

High-angle & clouds.jpg
 
Well shit. Looks like I ordered my RT90C from Amazon and it said "Sold By Innorel Official Store" Which I assumed was the US warehouse.......Guess not. Checked my tracking it says it's coming from China. Might not see the tripod for a month or so haha

But on a side note has anyone compared this tripod to the Leofoto 404c?
 
Guys, I'll second what @opus56 has reported. I've used my tripod for over two years with the RRS leveling base. I've shot at least two matches a month, typically field matches where I've carried the tripod in the elements, plus range trips, and I've used the tripod in every match, if not several times a match. I figure I've deployed the tripod at least 200 times. My legs have never slipped as long as I've tightened them down correctly and my locks don't feel gritty or dirty. I tend to wipe the legs down with a rag before collapsing the legs, so that's probably helped a bit.
 
The current batch of Anvil Adapters have been spoken for via going threw my old messages. And individuals have been contacted.
Thank you

Bnanaphone
LA260
Canezach
Cdeilgmeier
Greyswandlr

Waiting on Russ for the last confirmation. But there ready to go F&F PayPal or can add fees 80$ raw with hardware or 90$ carakoted black ( delays shipping)
This thing is Solid! Fits better than the factory plate. Verry happy with the plate. Awesome job @midwestoffroad !!
IMG_20200313_194013195.jpg
IMG_20200313_193257150.jpg
 
That rifle is only 17 lbs. I ordered some MDT weights and it'll probably be at 19-20 once I get the weights in. The TA head locked down really good. Also I saw no vibration from the legs as I was doing panning on 1/4" targets at 30 yards in my backyard.

I have an Anvil30 coming for it with @midwestoffroad adaptor so I'll see how it goes once I get everything!
[/QUOTE]
I am ready to hear your feedback about this Anvil on this setup! I'm debating doing that versus just breaking down and buying a RRS tripod with the Anvil.