Tripod question, is it worth a damn ?

[n2ishun]

I just *happened* across a very stout construction type tripod.
If it matters, it's a Spectra precision.
It was on the side of the road and probably fell off the back of a truck or trailer ?
In great shape and it's a beast, very strong.
The top post is threaded 5/8x11 for I guess a laser or some other type leveling optic?

Would anyone think it would be worth it to convert to a rifle mount ?
Is there a readily available way to convert the top stud that anyone knows about ?
It's aluminum if that matters, there is no model number on it that I can find....but this appears to be the unit ..

Spectra Heavy-Duty Elevating Aluminum Tripod (2162)

The Midwest's leading provider of land surveying and measuring equipment, tools, and field supplies. Over 40 years of sales, service and repair experience.

www.karaco.com

It has a HUGE amount of adjustment, way more than any dedicated shooting tripod I've ever seen....so that tells me to try and make it work as a rifle tripod.

 

[n2ishun]

Looks like an adapter is common...

Tripod Adapter 5/8×11 to 1/4×20 – Alpine

alpineindustries.com

 

[newguy2k3v2]

Someone is gonna be pissed when they get where they’re going. It adjusts very tall but will the legs spread out to drop to sitting and kneeling positions? For free99 I’m sure you can find some use for it.

 

[rio laxas]

I just worked through something similar. I am just beginning to learn to shoot from a tripod. I have 3 surveying tripods that I use professionally, so I figured I would try and make one of those work until I can afford a dedicated shooting tripod.

I needed two things in order to mount a RRS Anvil 30 to my NEDO tripod. The first is a SECO part number 5182-002, which is an antenna adapter plate. It is a 3.5" disk that covers up the large opening in the tripod. It's actual use is to mount a GPS radio antenna to a tripod, but it works just fine for this as well. I had one of these already for my GPS equipment, but I wanted to see if I could find a fender washer that would fill the same role for cheaper, and was not able to locate one.

The second is NEDO part number 061837, which converts from 5/8x11 to 3/8x16.

I put the plate on top of the tripod, the thread converter on top of the plate, and my Anvil 30 on top of the thread converter. So far it seems to work fairly well from standing.

For the tripod in the original post, the antenna plate likely would not be needed.

 

[Makinchips208]

Stealing: the action or offense of taking another person's property without permission or legal right and without intending to return it; theft

I would prop it up for the owner to find, or if valuable enough I’d notify police or post to local Craigslist or marketplace, etc.