Need opinions on RRS 22iC Compact - Now a what RRS tripod thread

[Undrgrndprdcts]

To the folks that have or have had the RRS 22iC compact, is it one of the best do-all options available now? Primary uses are hunting and sniper matches, so weight and deployment speed are the 2 most important things. I understand it's shorter than the 22i, but should be just tall enough to shoot standing by the time you get a rifle on top of the anvil 30, and it wins in pretty much every other category. Thoughts?

 

[parshal]

I've been using a 22ic for the last year and a half in NRL Hunter and hunting. I'm 5' 8" and it's short for standing glassing even with some glassing heads on the anvil. It's usable at full height for standing shooting but I have to spread my legs fairly wide for comfortable height.

Splaying the legs out and kneeling glassing it's a good height with a glassing head on it (I use a Wiser PH-170). Flip the legs out one click and it's perfect sitting height. It's a bit low for low kneeling without lengthening the legs a bit.

By comparison, the 22i (ran this for a year) is perfect glassing height by just opening the legs. It's a tall low kneeling height splaying the legs out one click and that's a bit too tall for sitting. It's also one wide SOB like that.

The 22ic is 30" collapsed and the 22i is 38". Something right in the middle would be perfect (to me). The 34 with the first leg extended is perfect kneeling glassing and perfect sitting height with the legs out one click. It's a bit low for low kneeling especially if you're aiming level or slightly down but usable.

The inverted legs are faster to deploy and much faster to adjust height with the gun mounted.

 

[Undrgrndprdcts]

I've been using a 22ic for the last year and a half in NRL Hunter and hunting. I'm 5' 8" and it's short for standing glassing even with some glassing heads on the anvil. It's usable at full height for standing shooting but I have to spread my legs fairly wide for comfortable height.

Splaying the legs out and kneeling glassing it's a good height with a glassing head on it (I use a Wiser PH-170). Flip the legs out one click and it's perfect sitting height. It's a bit low for low kneeling without lengthening the legs a bit.

By comparison, the 22i (ran this for a year) is perfect glassing height by just opening the legs. It's a tall low kneeling height splaying the legs out one click and that's a bit too tall for sitting. It's also one wide SOB like that.

The 22ic is 30" collapsed and the 22i is 38". Something right in the middle would be perfect (to me). The 34 with the first leg extended is perfect kneeling glassing and perfect sitting height with the legs out one click. It's a bit low for low kneeling especially if you're aiming level or slightly down but usable.

The inverted legs are faster to deploy and much faster to adjust height with the gun mounted.

So what are you going to do going forward, continue to use the 22ic or switch to something else?

 

[ryodlsl]

I understand your concern regarding weight but if you're hunting and need to take a standing shot on a hillside with the rifle a little downslope from you, you might wish you had brought one of their "Long" models with you.

 

[Mr. F]

To the folks that have or have had the RRS 22iC compact, is it one of the best do-all options available now? Primary uses are hunting and sniper matches, so weight and deployment speed are the 2 most important things. I understand it's shorter than the 22i, but should be just tall enough to shoot standing by the time you get a rifle on top of the anvil 30, and it wins in pretty much every other category. Thoughts?

Get the 22i not the C is too short if you're above 5-10 for glassing and some standing rifle scenarios. The 22i is actually the do all between the two not the C.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

I bought one and sent it back. Too short for me. I’m 5’11 without shoes on and I couldn’t stand up and glass/range with it. I bought a TVC-33 instead and it’s perfect for everything I do. PRS, thermal hunting, and glassing.

 

[parshal]

So what are you going to do going forward, continue to use the 22ic or switch to something else?

I'm going to run the 22ic until I can find an inverted tripod where I can cut the legs to the height I want. I'm not spending RRS money to cut the legs, though. In the meantime, the 22ic does everything I need for hunting and NRL Hunter. Not so much for PRS.

All the other posts are quite accurate.

 

[Undrgrndprdcts]

I'm going to run the 22ic until I can find an inverted tripod where I can cut the legs to the height I want. I'm not spending RRS money to cut the legs, though. In the meantime, the 22ic does everything I need for hunting and NRL Hunter. Not so much for PRS.

All the other posts are quite accurate.

Have you used the TVC-33 mentioned above? It seems to check a lot of boxes and is on 3 leg sections instead of 4. I'm 6'+. I do like the 22i but 38" sucks for a lot of things. I'm still very undecided but I'd like to get something soon. It does seem that the 22ic is simply too short for me.

 

[parshal]

Yeah, I ran the 33 for a year. It's a perfect height standing (5' 8") and quick to deploy. I also have a 34 which replaced the 33. If I'm going to deal with the 33 length I might as well deal with the 22ic for Hunter style matches.

I think the 34 is the perfect all-around tripod. Short stow length and perfect standing glassing height at full extension. Extend one section and kick the legs out a click and you have perfect seated height.

 

[carbonbased]

I found out by accident that if your RRS is a little too short, adding their (spendy) long spikes adds a few inches.

If you’re not on soft ground, of course.

 

[Mudflap621]

Have you used the TVC-33 mentioned above? It seems to check a lot of boxes and is on 3 leg sections instead of 4. I'm 6'+. I do like the 22i but 38" sucks for a lot of things. I'm still very undecided but I'd like to get something soon. It does seem that the 22ic is simply too short for me.

With you being 6’ I’d say glassing it is going to be too short. I started with the 33 and had to buy a little Amazon extension to get my binos to height. I’m 5’10” and was running slc 15s with outdoorsman.

 

[Mr. F]

I think the 34 is the perfect all-around tripod.

[If you re 5'8"]

Worst leg set ever if you are above that in height.

 

[Undrgrndprdcts]

I'm starting to think 22i might really be the only option. I really don't want a 34L due to weight and 4 leg sections, and I've seen a lot of people sell and say they were unhappy with the 24L.

 

[carbonbased]

I own a RRS TFC-34 and a TVC-33.

If I had to do it over, I’d stick with the 33 (thicker leg diameter) for packing and the occasional lower-level work, and get the 22i for anything standing.

The wider apex on the TVC models really stiffens up the tripod as well.

 

[Undrgrndprdcts]

So is carrying a 22i on a pack for field matches doable/fine? I'm pretty sure I've seen this in some media stuff and I think a guy at Mammoth was. Not much different than sticking your rifle on there right?

 

[parshal]

It's long but incredibly doable.

 

[Undrgrndprdcts]

I think carbonbased is on to something with the 33 and the 22i. I still feel like the 33 would get a lot of use from me, and the best all around option. The biggest thing in question is standing glassing height may be slightly short, which is the least of my concerns.

 

[parshal]

I added an outdoorsmans bino adapter to get a little more height when standing.

 

[vanrichten]

I own a RRS TFC-34 and a TVC-33.

If I had to do it over, I’d stick with the 33 (thicker leg diameter) for packing and the occasional lower-level work, and get the 22i for anything standing.

The wider apex on the TVC models really stiffens up the tripod as well.

My other hobby is photography so I have a goofy amount of tripods. 5 at last count, 3x RRS and 2x Leofoto. One of the Leofoto is their rip off of the 22i. I set up 2 of the RRS with the ANVIL head. One TFC-33 and one TVC-33. The TVC is setup so I can change out the apex that holds the ANVIL and put in the center column. It's more crap to cart around but it gives the most flexibility out of everything I've tried so far.

Link for the RRS Center Column

 

[carbonbased]

The biggest thing in question is standing glassing height may be slightly short, which is the least of my concerns.

Yeah, I’m 5’10” and feel like I’m at the upper limit of easy glassing with the RRS 34 and 33. So I added RRS’s 3” spikes and a ballhead (always use a ballhead or pan head for glassing anyway).

Unless you’re glassing off of hot swampy peat moss or mud, the tripod spikes wont sink down unless you push them down. Plus, when actually shooting, you’ll find that pushed-in long spikes really anchor the setup. The tripod doesn’t do that recoil-bump thing nearly as much.

 

[Tex68w]

5'10" here and the 33 has been perfect for me. I tried the 4-section models and I didn't care for them. I have yet to play with a 22 or the new 13. I need to get a second more deployable setup.

 

[Bkultra]

5’11”, I own TFC-34 and choose that size to fit into a carry on bag when flying (may have to remove the anvil). I had zero intentions to glass off this tripod or I would have gotten the 34L...

Now with the Scout head and/or long spikes it is perfectly usable for glassing while standing . I'm also from the Midwest (flat), if you plan to shoot on uneven ground, or are >6”, it would be wise to go for the "L" version.

 

[LeftyJason]

5’11”, I own TFC-34 and choose that size to fit into a carry on bag when flying (may have to remove the anvil). I had zero intentions to glass off this tripod or I would have gotten the 34L...

Now with the Scout head and/or long spikes it is perfectly usable for glassing while standing . I'm also from the Midwest (flat), if you plan to shoot on uneven ground, or are >6”, it would be wise to go for the "L" version.

So everybody other than Frank?

Jk.

 

[parshal]

I have yet to play with a 22 or the new 13.

What is the new 13? Don’t see a reference to it on their site.

Never mind, google found it.

 

[carbonbased]

, if you plan to shoot on uneven ground, or are >6”, it would be wise to go for the "L" version.

Good point. I’m also from the Midwest, so I always forget about mountain shooting.

One thing you can do to add height that doesn’t add much weight is to buy a CF riser post for glassing (wouldn’t shoot off it!). Slap an Arca plate under it for fast install.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Leg-Assembly-Parts-Accessories/ci/399/N/4075788753?filters=fct_parts-accessories_2522%3Arisers

Kinda hard to search for, as a tripod riser can also include fancy cine setups. There must be more on BH than I found.

Edit: a riser is diff than a center column, btw. The riser doesn’t go through the platform and is more easily removable.

Typically, if you have a center column tripod, you’re stuck with it or it’s slower to switch over. And if you shoot off it with the center column installed, usually that sort of tripod isn’t as stable as a “platform” tripods due to the center column joint.

 

[carbonbased]

To further pile on…

TVC bowl vs TFC:
I don’t get along great with the Anvil. I am still trying to get used to it. My problem is that I shoot varmints, so need to pan A LOT.

The Anvil seems more ideal for, “Hey! There is the steel plate/elk/deer!” And (nearly) locking it in. Panning isn’t its strong suit, for me anyway.

So, for me the big downside of the 22i is even through it’s a TVC tripod, it doesn’t fit the 3 series video/leveling bowls. To get the bowl action on the 22i (and TFC pods) you need to use:

https://rrssoar.com/ta2usc/

I own one for my video setup and it’s not the same vibe or stability as it sticks up much higher than the bowl-type.

What might warm me up to the Anvil is foul winter weather. Trying to find land to shoot coyotes, and I’m sorta guessing that the inverted head and simplified control might make it more reliable in icy/snowing conditions than a typical ball head? Maybe, just maybe, more than even a leveling head?

I haven’t shot in truly wet icy conditions, just in cold and dry, and the ball heads and leveling head do fine there.

 

[vanrichten]

TVC bowl vs TFC:
I don’t get along great with the Anvil. I am still trying to get used to it. My problem is that I shoot varmints, so need to pan A LOT.

The Anvil seems more ideal for, “Hey! There is the steel plate/elk/deer!” And (nearly) locking it in. Panning isn’t its strong suit, for me anyway.

So, for me the big downside of the 22i is even through it’s a TVC tripod, it doesn’t fit the 3 series video/leveling bowls. To get the bowl action on the 22i (and TFC pods) you need to use:

https://rrssoar.com/ta2usc/

I own one for my video setup and it’s not the same vibe or stability as it sticks up much higher than the bowl-type.

What might warm me up to the Anvil is foul winter weather. Trying to find land to shoot coyotes, and I’m sorta guessing that the inverted head and simplified control might make it more reliable in icy/snowing conditions than a typical ball head? Maybe, just maybe, more than even a leveling head?

I haven’t shot in truly wet icy conditions, just in cold and dry, and the ball heads and leveling head do fine there.

I’m still getting used to the anvil as well. I do like that it is easier to loosen than the traditional video bowel. It annoys me to have to break my hold on the tripod to reach under the platform and adjust the vertical piece giving tension to the bowel to keep it in place.

I think the trick with the anvil is to position the tripod so that you can open the catch but still leave it tensioned and not floppy. Then just use your support hand to control the amount of tension so you can more easily pan. But as I said, I’m still getting used to it too.

Totally different than using a tripod for photography. There is a reason sports photographers don’t use a tripod. Monopod or freehand.

 

[carbonbased]

I’m still getting used to the anvil as well. I do like that it is easier to loosen than the traditional video bowel. It annoys me to have to break my hold on the tripod to reach under the platform and adjust the vertical piece giving tension to the bowel to keep it in place.

I think the trick with the anvil is to position the tripod so that you can open the catch but still leave it tensioned and not floppy. Then just use your support hand to control the amount of tension so you can more easily pan. But as I said, I’m still getting used to it too.

Totally different than using a tripod for photography. There is a reason sports photographers don’t use a tripod. Monopod or freehand.

Oh yeah, I didn’t explain the pan thing real well.

Since I pan so much, I like a different tension between the panning motion and the up/down motion. Otherwise, as I pan I find I twist the legs back and forth a little because of a relatively high tension I need for the up/down motion.

Solution: On top of my leveling head I have attached a panning head.

I set the tension lighter for panning on the panning head, and heavier tension on the leveling head for up/down. Thus, I don’t “twist-load” the tripod when I pan.

This helps accuracy as you don’t want any twist in the tripod when shooting (just like in a bipod).

It also simplifies shooting as I don’t have to constantly adjust the leveling head’s tension (lighter for panning and then heavier for shooting).

With the anvil, you have one tension setting (just like using only the leveling head). The only way around this is to add a panning head on top of the anvil…which I might do.

Before the leveling head or Anvil I used an Arca Swiss B1 ballhead on my narrow TFC-34. It has separate panning and up/down tensions settings like my current setup. The leveling base+panning head setup is still superior because the TVC video bowl type tripods are more stable due to:

1. the gun being lower in relation to the tripod’s apex. Not sure if saying it has a lower center of gravity is correct?
2. having a wider apex that stiffens the whole thing up more

ANYWAY, if I add a panning head to the anvil and use it on my TFC-34, it’ll have the same disadvantages 1 & 2 (remember it has a narrow apex).

If I add the above combo to my stiffer TVC-33 (or if I buy a 22i), it’s still higher than the leveling head+panner. The only advantage the Anvil might potentially have is maaaybe more reliability in poor weather. Jury is out on that one. Not many parts on a leveling base to go wrong?

The 22i would be nice in deeper snow.

 

[jbuck88]

I have the 34L and 14L ascent, I'm 6'2" my friend has the regular 34. I cannot glass off of his without crouching down with my straight spotter, or binoculars. Angled spotter is zero problem though.
I like that his 34 packs smaller then mine, and if I didn't like a straight spotting scope I would probably get a 34 over the 34L.

I've been tempted to grab a 22ic for the kids and wife to shoot off of, but just can't talk myself into spending the $$$ since it wouldn't work for me at all.

 

[vanrichten]

Oh yeah, I didn’t explain the pan thing real well.

Since I pan so much, I like a different tension between the panning motion and the up/down motion. Otherwise, as I pan I find I twist the legs back and forth a little because of a relatively high tension I need for the up/down motion.

Solution: On top of my leveling head I have attached a panning head.

I set the tension lighter for panning on the panning head, and heavier tension on the leveling head for up/down. Thus, I don’t “twist-load” the tripod when I pan.

This helps accuracy as you don’t want any twist in the tripod when shooting (just like in a bipod).

It also simplifies shooting as I don’t have to constantly adjust the leveling head’s tension (lighter for panning and then heavier for shooting).

With the anvil, you have one tension setting (just like using only the leveling head). The only way around this is to add a panning head on top of the anvil…which I might do.

Before the leveling head or Anvil I used an Arca Swiss B1 ballhead on my narrow TFC-34. It has separate panning and up/down tensions settings like my current setup. The leveling base+panning head setup is still superior because the TVC video bowl type tripods are more stable due to:

1. the gun being lower in relation to the tripod’s apex. Not sure if saying it has a lower center of gravity is correct?
2. having a wider apex that stiffens the whole thing up more

ANYWAY, if I add a panning head to the anvil and use it on my TFC-34, it’ll have the same disadvantages 1 & 2 (remember it has a narrow apex).

If I add the above combo to my stiffer TVC-33 (or if I buy a 22i), it’s still higher than the leveling head+panner. The only advantage the Anvil might potentially have is maaaybe more reliability in poor weather. Jury is out on that one. Not many parts on a leveling base to go wrong?

The 22i would be nice in deeper snow.

It sounds like you need to use a ball head like the BH-55 instead of bowel or the ANVIL. Independent adjustments for pan as it has a built in panning on the bottom and then you just have the adjustment on the ball itself to tighten for elevation.

 

[carbonbased]

It sounds like you need to use a ball head like the BH-55 instead of bowel or the ANVIL. Independent adjustments for pan as it has a built in panning on the bottom and then you just have the adjustment on the ball itself to tighten for elevation.

That’s where I started from, a B1 ballhead with its nice panning on top of a TFC-34.

But a TVC-33 + leveling bowl + panning head (w/integrated Arca clamp) is better. This is my current setup, and it’s more stable than a ballhead.