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Spotter Set Up Plate

jda2631

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 10, 2009
874
482
Mississippi
Looking to start putting together a spotter set up. Made my mind up on getting a RRS TFCT-34L with Anvil 30. I want to put binoculars and range finder on it. Possibly mount a kestrel as well? What plate is everyone using to mount binos and range finder their tripod?
 
Grayops AMP

 
Those all look great! Keep them coming, just trying to get an idea for what all is out there. This will be my first tripod, so haven't ever looked into the plates for them before.
 
here’s my setup.
OPTIC MOUNTING PLATFORM by Henderson Precision.
D0BB1E8D-68C0-43C8-B30F-055C826233F4.jpeg
988BB2AF-7574-4859-8C2D-309F4BF1DBF8.jpeg
 
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Just for the record, you can buy sheets of 1/4” HDPE plastic sheets for literally nothing, and make whatever you want. I’ve made some tables for the top of a tripod before, and just screw or bolt on whatever hardware you need.
 
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Honestly, I do not use my Swaro ATX and SLCs ever at the same-time. And even though my Leica and SLCs are aligned, seldom use them that way either. Never do I actually use my Kestrel as in my picture. I do use it often to compare glass side by side. Guess I am saying a lot of this stuff looks cool, mostly.

Amp, Abel Table are good choices.

Able Table has more options and a few bucks cheaper.

Below is an image of Serge with the Able Table. Well, actually two configurations @hic28
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I started out with a thin sheet of marine plywood, tried long ARCA rails, but the above offerings are worth the few bucks.
 
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Yep, old post. I was wanting L shape design of the gen 1. It allows more room to get spotter/bino and LRF lined up. Ended up finding one in the PX.
ooops, sorry....didn't notice the date. My bad...glad you got it.

Do you like it? Happy with it?

Looks more compact than the OMP Gen 2.

Any gripes or desired improvements?

Looking to do a spotter/bino and LRF set up.
 
ooops, sorry....didn't notice the date. My bad...glad you got it.

Do you like it? Happy with it?

Looks more compact than the OMP Gen 2.

Any gripes or desired improvements?

Looking to do a spotter/bino and LRF set up.

I like it a lot and happy with my setup. Most didn’t like L shape and wanted more of a table setup thus the change. My gen 1 plate is setup 100% for spotting. I believe the gen 2 is a more compact setup.

The plate is exactly what I wanted but I might be in a the minority.

Henderson, GrayOps, Mub, and Able Table are all great. The ability for the Henderson to use Small Rig accessories is a plus.
 
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$40 for a cheap (but sort of heavy) geared head

E2S52rC.jpg

the biggest issue with these setups is not the stuff on the plates or rails; but how the heavy off-centered loads balance and the difficulty in keeping the horizontal plan level when adjusting the elevation.

While I Love the anvil and ball heads they are rough spotting with heavy loads. Really think about a good Pan Tilt when going bonkers with multiple glass on a spotting table or bar.

This way you don't lose control and can isolate the pan from the elevation. See the bottom picture.
Swaro ATX85 SWARO 15x56.png


tripod 553c.jpg
 
I just found after a 4 year search/ wait my Leupold Mark 4 12-40x60 spotter with a TMR reticle inside. I’ve been wanting a multiple optic setup for my tripod.

On the cheap and myself being self reliant and crafty. I repurposed an old Gen 1 MDT XRS forend I had laying around. 1 of 2 and cut it down and mounted my manfrotto plate to it. It’s paint is drying right now but I’ll post a picture tomorrow of my set up in the daylight when it’s dry.

I also plan on using my second forend I have for a scope leveling base to verify tracking and such.