Question About the RRS Versa Ground Pod (Tripod) and Leveling Base

[Longshot231]

I am thinking about getting the RRS Versa Ground Pod and a leveling base with ARCA clamp. After using my Two Vets tripod in the prone position and discovered how much easier it was to use than a bipod, I thought about getting a much shorter tripod.

Here's my Vudoo on the Two Vets tripod for use in the prone position. I found it much easier to aim the rifle with this method than pivoting around a bipod. There are also times when I would have to lift the front end of the rifle to shoot at another target with a bipod. Whereas, pivoting around the tripod was much easier.

Does anyone have any experience with the ground pod and/or leveling base? If so, what do you think?

Here's a picture of the ground pod and leveling base.

https://rrssoar.com/tvc32g/

https://rrssoar.com/ta3/

 

[Mr. F]

I am thinking about getting the RRS Versa Ground Pod and a leveling base with ARCA clamp. After using my Two Vets tripod in the prone position and discovered how much easier it was to use than a bipod, I thought about getting a much shorter tripod.

Here's my Vudoo on the Two Vets tripod for use in the prone position. I found it much easier to aim the rifle with this method than pivoting around a bipod. There are also times when I would have to lift the front end of the rifle to shoot at another target with a bipod. Whereas, pivoting around the tripod was much easier.

View attachment 8664705

Does anyone have any experience with the ground pod and/or leveling base? If so, what do you think?

Here's a picture of the ground pod and leveling base.

https://rrssoar.com/tvc32g/

https://rrssoar.com/ta3/

The RRS leveling bases are solid head option. I used a couple of their older versions a ton, still have them for general/random stuff.

Things to know tho…

They do well in the dust but they not do well in the rain or slush/snow. Water gets on the joint and they seize pretty good, become hard to use as gun support pretty quickly. And they retain the moisture so water goes in, sun comes out and you still have the issue for a while longer.

The new ones offer 20° of tilt from level i believe. Better than my units which are i think 15° from level. Night and day compared to an Anvil setup, depending on the use pretty common to have to kick a leg out to get the desired tilt.

Other than that, solid gear, i like em a lot. Might get the new version in the future

 

[Longshot231]

I just saw that the ground pod at RRS is out of stock. However, I was doing some more searching and might have found another alternative.

This option is a fraction of the cost of the RRS ground pod and ball head. What also has my attention is the ball head of the Sunwayfoto tripod. It's construction will allow me to spread the legs out and get lower to the ground. It also uses a single lever to lock and release the ball head to adjust the rifle.

The T3620CS-D model looks like it might be the one that will suit my needs.

https://sunwayfoto.com/products/sunwayfoto-t3620cs-carbon-fiber-tripod-for-rifle-with-heavy-duty-construction-360-ball-head-arca-swiss-plate-for-hunting-shooting-glassing-and-outdoors-load-40kg88lbs?variant=44298362060958

This review is for a taller tripod but what interests me is the ball head features. I have reservations about using the taller tripod for coyote hunting. There have been times when the coyotes approach me from my six o'clock position and I have to swing the rifle around. So if I'm positioned with the locking lever at the 9 o'clock position and I need to move from pointing the rifle at 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock the locking lever will now be at the 3 o'clock position. So I would have to lock and unlock the lever with my trigger hand!

I don't have that problem with the Two-Vets tripod and ball head. However, I would not have to worry about that problem on the ground in the prone position. I could still use the Sunwayfoto product for hunting prone but in a situation where I'm not concerned with the game sneaking up behind me.

Thoughts?