Best tripod and head combo for glassing

[huntcoop]

What are you guys using for a backpack tripod/head setup. Looking to sit and glass with binoculars. Love to hear what you're using as well as a pros and cons list.

[sheepaholic]

Sirui t25 I believe they are amazing light sturdy bought one from ebay

[Lastcar]

I just sold my Sirui T-025 with Manfrotto 49C ball head and got a Promaster XC525C with a Benro S2 head.

It added a bit of weight but is damn solid. I think I am around 1lb heavier, maybe a little less. I'll have to look it up on my gear list, where I also track weights.

But the glassing experience is exponentially better. Only used it on one 5 day trip and there was next to no wind, but so far so good. Since there was next to no wind I was using the center post raised while seated. Tried it out while standing as well, obviously not as stable but with the binos was good enough. With the spotter, it was so so. I am 5'8 and had another 3 inches or so I could have gone up.

The Sirui and Manfrotto head setup is pretty awesome too. So don't be afraid to check the Sirui setup out.

For me it was like going from great to really great. With little weight penalty.

http://blog.sandsarchery.com/ss-archerys-backcountry-ultralight-tripod-guide/

http://blog.sandsarchery.com/benro-s2-video-head/

I'll try to get some pics up.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee3/Lastcar_photos/546D467F-49C3-486A-B183-A060FB171D0C.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee3/Lastcar_photos/F37BA1B2-1922-4832-BEE9-FF76E0064A59.jpg


http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee3/Lastcar_photos/05F2D585-6316-45A3-AAAC-6B0F7692435E.jpg

[Weatherby Fan]

I'm using a Sirui K10 ball head and Slik Carbon Fibre 634 tripod, highly recommended by "sheephunter" on HBC

[the_longwalker]

I just sold my Sirui T-025 with Manfrotto 49C ball head and got a Promaster XC525C with a Benro S2 head.

It added a bit of weight but is damn solid. I think I am around 1lb heavier, maybe a little less. I'll have to look it up on my gear list, where I also track weights.

But the glassing experience is exponentially better. Only used it on one 5 day trip and there was next to no wind, but so far so good. Since there was next to no wind I was using the center post raised while seated. Tried it out while standing as well, obviously not as stable but with the binos was good enough. With the spotter, it was so so. I am 5'8 and had another 3 inches or so I could have gone up.

The Sirui and Manfrotto head setup is pretty awesome too. So don't be afraid to check the Sirui setup out.

For me it was like going from great to really great. With little weight penalty.

http://blog.sandsarchery.com/ss-archerys-backcountry-ultralight-tripod-guide/

http://blog.sandsarchery.com/benro-s2-video-head/

I'll try to get some pics up.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee3/Lastcar_photos/546D467F-49C3-486A-B183-A060FB171D0C.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee3/Lastcar_photos/F37BA1B2-1922-4832-BEE9-FF76E0064A59.jpg


http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee3/Lastcar_photos/05F2D585-6316-45A3-AAAC-6B0F7692435E.jpg

Thanks for the pics and the links. Been trying to sort this problem out for awhile.

[Bear Chaser]

Lastcar thanks for posting the reviews. Some good info there. I agree fully with their recommendation for twist lock rather than lever lock tripod legs. My hunting partner could deploy his 40 plus year old Vivitar tripod with twist locks and be glassing faster than I could even get done setting up the legs on the lever lock style tripod I previously had.

[Lastcar]

I just tried to find the weight of my Sirui and Manfroto ball head but had already deleted it.

But pretty sure it was just over 2lbs with the adapter plate.

I took out the bottom two leg segments to shave some weight. There is a post over Rokslide about how to do it.

They we're pretty thin and wouldn't have been used anyway. Would make things to unstable.

But again, I was content with the Sirui T025, just was little shaky with the 85mm spotter. I found mine without the stock head on EBay. I was going to replace it anyways, so I saved a few bucks.

If you have access to a mailbox in Blaine or Sumas Cameraland NY are great to deal with.

S&S are also awesome.

I couldn't find the Promaster or Benro head in Canada. Or at least not at a reasonable price. I'd have bought in Canada if I could.

That Slik 634 was on my radar too.

Another thing I added to the glassing arsenal is that chair in the one picture. It was as much about having it in camp as well. Only 1lb and seemed pretty great. Was a thread on Rokslide where guys were listing their glassing setup and this was a common item for about a 3rd of the posters.

Only used it on that 5 day trip. One thing I noticed classing is it lets the wind blow below you, which adds a little more chill, vs sitting on a foam pad on the ground. Got that one from REI as they have the exclusive rights to it for a year.

https://www.rei.com/product/109587/helinox-chair-zero

Not sure I care enough about sitting in a chair enough to pack and extra pound. Kinda a lightweight fanatic, but am loosening up on that.

[Useyourfeet]

I've been really happy with my outdoorsman medium. Started with their pistol grip and now the micro pan head. Really liked the pistol grip but I think the planner will be more effective in grid searching.

[huntcoop]

Great info guys, keep it going... thanks for the pics Lastcar, they are worth there weight in gold.

[300rum700]

Just picked up a Promaster XC525C to replace the on I left at the bottom of Quesnel Lake for $292 from Mcbain Cameras Boxing week sale, thats a smoking deal for an awesome tripod! I prefer it to the Sirui 025.

[Boner]

I went with the carbon fibre Swarovski CT101.

Excellent for glassing while sitting on a stump, or standing. I haven't packed it farther than a km or two, I know there's better choices for backpack hunting...It goes to the range more than any hunting activity.

I can't compare it to others. I like the head, and got used to using it without looking at it very quickly.

Edit: I just re read the original thread and noticed that you want to use binocs. I'm not sure what's needed (if anything) to convert.

[SR80]

Im using a promaster xc325c. Bascially the same as the 525c except its 3 leg sections versus 5. Only thing with mine is it doesnt pack down as small the 525c, which is ok because i can get it out and onto an animal faster. Lastcar saw mine when he had the toy sirui tripod and was so happy with it he left yogurt all over the legs of my tripod. :grin: Im using a vangaurd ph111v head on mine.

[Lastcar]

Im using a promaster xc325c. Bascially the same as the 525c except its 3 leg sections versus 5. Only thing with mine is it doesnt pack down as small the 525c, which is ok because i can get it out and onto an animal faster. Lastcar saw mine when he had the toy sirui tripod and was so happy with it he left yogurt all over the legs of my tripod. :grin: Im using a vangaurd ph111v head on mine.

Calm your tits, you pinko comie dingus.

Well, first I noticed it was 41 inches long strapped to your pack. I thought you brought two rifles.

Saving those 7 seconds to get one set of legs out to be able to glass up animals sitting down is certainly a disadvantage. Of course being a hobbit, I barely need any legs extended.

I prefer the shorter version, as it gives me more options to pack it inside the bag.

But yes, you do get credit for getting to move on from my super light tripod. Just like I shamed you into trying a quilt. Our lives have never been better! I can now see things, you sleep like a baby. What a time to be alive!

Well except for my snoring...but I never notice it as much as you do.

[Lastcar]

I've been really happy with my outdoorsman medium. Started with their pistol grip and now the micro pan head. Really liked the pistol grip but I think the planner will be more effective in grid searching.

I had been determined to get an Outdoorsman. But in time the weight and cost scared me away. But no doubt, they are very high-quality setup. I bet if it wasn't for the price there'd be way more of them out there. Which isn't to say they aren't worth their costs.

I had a boner for the pistol grip head for a long time. That actually sounds kinda awkward...

Never did get to try it but am glad I went with a pan head. I hear more opinions like yours about it. It is great but in the end kind of limiting.

You, SR80, myself and a few others should get together and have a gear geek out session around the Sheep Show in March. Get to check out other gear and see it first hand etc. Lots of things I've contemplated but never seen in person. Cause just when you think you are happy with your setup, something shiny creeps into your head.

Hopefully SR80 and I will have our new Stone Glacier packs by then too. He is so excited about them I expect him to wear it to the banquet.

[Useyourfeet]

Parking lot gear show and tell might save or cost us all a bunch of money, always nice to get to handle gear before spending the money and see what works and what doesn't. Those helinox type chairs are awesome, not sure I would backpack with mine but day hunting it seems to come along a lot.

[Lastcar]

The chair was never a thing on my radar. At 2.5+ lbs. Seemed nuts to me.

This a new model exclusive to REI for one year, maybe longer.

It is 1lb and packs up small.

On the fence about it. I kinda missed the connection with the ground. Humans don't spend enough time sitting in anything but a chair. Feels good to plunk er down on the ground from time to time.

Plus the wind blows under you, which can chill you down more and quicker if the weather is doing its thing.

At the end of the day it is adding 1lb to the pack and solves a problem I am not sure is a problem.


The real test of any piece of gear (other than safety gear) is how often does it make into the pack, how often does it come out of the pack, and how many times did you miss it when you didn't bring it.

Day trips or short distance multi-day trips it'd be reasonable to bring along. But still not sure it'll pass the test above.

We'll see how long it lasts.

[SR80]

Anyone wanna buy some kryptek?

[Carbonmatrix]

Outdoosman Compact medium with pistol grip panhead. Ive been running that for 4+ years and absolutely love it. You can get an attachment to use it as a shooting rest for your rifle.

[huntcoop]

Ok, another addition to the original, how/what are you using to attach/mount the binos to the tripod.

[Useyourfeet]

I used a vortex mount for awhile, finally bought the outdoorsman attachment and it is fantastic after you get over the sticker shock.

[Lastcar]

I used a vortex mount for awhile, finally bought the outdoorsman attachment and it is fantastic after you get over the sticker shock.

I've had the Outdoorsmen bino mount in my cart for 3 weeks. Every time I look at my cart it is still $84 USD. I can't figure out why it is taking them so long to fix the error and have it show $18.40.

Was using the Vortex adapter for awhile but it was a nightmare getting it in and out. You had to do it everytime you'd sitdown to glass.

Then moved onto the Zeiss which was more than the Outdoorsmen but didn't know about the Outdoorsmen then...it actually works well and is far easier than threading the Vortex style in every time.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1036798-REG/zeiss_2083_839_tripod_mount_adapter_for.html
(https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1036798-REG/zeiss_2083_839_tripod_mount_adapter_for.html)
If I knew I'd be glassing from the tripod often during the day I'd to leave the adapter plate on. Binos would slide in and out of my bino harness no problem. Didn't bother me freehanding them. Wasn't perfect but they were solid on the tripod.

Currently using this:

http://blog.sandsarchery.com/rapid-release-binocular-tripod-adapter/

http://www.sandsarchery.com/Field-Optics-Research-Rapid-Release-Binocular-Trip-p/forrapidrelease.htm

I guess if I bit the bullet I could sell that one and recoup part of the costs of the Outdoorsmen. The OD was out of stock when I ordered the other one, or I'd have applied the "buy once, cry once" rule.

Dang it...may have to do it. I'll post my Field Optics adapter up in the classifieds and then I am committed if it sells. :)

[charlie_horse]

I have the outdoorsmens panhead and i love it. I want to get the stud adapter for my Swaro el but between price and the fact that I have to ship them my binos to have the stud installed I am fairly hesitant.