Spotting Scope TriPod Recommendations (for a heavy Vortex)

[GS455]

I have an older, fairly heavy Vortex Skyline ED 20-60x80 (Angled) @ just under 6lbs.

Had it for years, the glass is clear and serves my purposes out to 500 or so yards. I'm looking for a lower height/profile tripod for use on a bench or occasionally shooting prone. The few I've tried have been too lightweight or unsteady for easy, reliable repositioning w/o wobbling all over the place. What are common mid-price options folks are using these days?

 

[RayDBonz]

If you can deal with Chicom stuff, the Sirui AM-223 compact tripod is pretty sturdy. They did a decent job with their intellectual property theft on this one.
A high-power spotting scope stand would also work.

 

[River44]

I’ve got a BOG. Found a place that’s makes a ball mount adaptor for the BOG , junked the jankey grips, and mounted a 55mm arca ball. Stable AF and roughy only a 300.00 investment which is way less than the price of some tripods without a ball mount

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Give us a call, 516-217-1000 and speak with Joel (our resident Tripod Guru) and he'll go over options and hook you up

 

[GS455]

I'll say one thing about Amazon, when you have an impulsive itch it can get scratched quickly. Ordered last night and already here this afternoon.

Amazon:
SIRUI AM223L Mini Video Tripod • with AT10 Fluid Head • Carbon Fiber Tabletop Travel Tripod • for DSLR Camera Video Camcorder • Leveling Base • Max Height 17” • Max Load 11lbs

Thanks to another forum member, this little guy is almost exactly what I was looking for. Compact, fairly light, range bag friendly, precision movement and absolutely handles the weight of this big ol Vortex w/o the least bit of wobble. Not sure how it will do prone, the legs will go flat, but probably not ideal. I’m guessing a Creedmoor style will be better for expert competition, etc, but this had a relatively low $ risk to try. I don't know if it's a low-end feature but the guide handle on my current cheapo, POS tripod will allow horizontal/vertical adjust by untwisting (convenient). This is thumbscrew adjust.

 

[GS455]

If you can deal with Chicom stuff, the Sirui AM-223 compact tripod is pretty sturdy. They did a decent job with their intellectual property theft on this one.
A high-power spotting scope stand would also work.

Curious who they knocked off. Bought one and ended up sending it back. Heavy duty table top form factor with multple leg positions was EXACTLY what I was looking for. Nice precision movement, no wobble and could handle the weight. But vertical adjustment knob was too finicky with no in-between from locked to free. Perhaps defective (seemed so).

Plus I'd really prefer a single twisting guide handle to loosen up and sweep the optic around.

 

[cake5150]

Curious who they knocked off. Bought one and ended up sending it back. Heavy duty table top form factor with multple leg positions was EXACTLY what I was looking for. Nice precision movement, no wobble and could handle the weight. But vertical adjustment knob was too finicky with no in-between from locked to free. Perhaps defective (seemed so).

Plus I'd really prefer a single twisting guide handle to loosen up and sweep the optic around.

Please update the thread if you find something that truly fits the bill. I'm looking for the same type of thing for my Bushnell LMSS/PVS-27 spotter setup. After adding MRD, LRF, and illuminator, it should be around 9 lb but I haven't weighed everything yet. The tripod I'm currently using isn't ideal for that much weight, so it's time to upgrade.