Thanks. I'm probably going to do a DIY off a survey pod.
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I have a Vortex High Country with the ball head thats in your price range. It's ok at best. Not overly stable when legs fully extended but I rarely use it this way. It is however super light and nice for packing.
The ball head is great with my bino adapter but I find with my 65mm spotter, I cant find that sweet spot its either to loose or too tight.
It generally suits my style of hunting as I use my binos most of the time and switch to the spotter to really pick an area apart or get a better look at an animal. Its an ok budget tripod at best
It is always better to save a little and get better gear. I ended up getting the Field Optics Research tripod package. While the wait was a bit, the thing is awesome. 2 legs remove to use as walking poles, came with the handles as well in set, with carry bag, head.
I was looking for a good carbon tripod that would have a good height, but was light, small, and still rated to carry weight. I intend to shoot off it as well. Quick set up to place spotter, look see determine if legal, quick change to mount rifle and have a great platform to shoot from. Paid in the $380 US range for the bundle, but worth it.
I think Nightforce makes a similar one with 2 removable legs, but is not rated as much for weight carry capacity.
A few months research went into this one, but I think I came out ahead.
I’ve been using the Vortex Summit SS for 4 years. I use it a ton both hunting in the fall and bird watching in the spring. I can’t speak for any of the really high priced tripods, but for $200 this one performs well and is still in good shape after many days in the field. It works really well with binos and also holds my 15-45x65mm spotting scope.
I’d definitely recommend it for your price range.
Promaster all the way, direct copy of the gitzo mountaineer at a fraction of the cost. Sirui are more compact and marginally cheaper, promaster is much more stable and robust.
Fluid head is the way. I have a cheaper fluid head ($170), and it's so much better than a ball head imo. Smooth scanning with a spotter.