Tripod help for new Zeiss spotter

[WKCotts]

Just purchased a Zeiss 15-56x65mm spotter and have no idea what tripod to go with. Any advice? Will be spending most of the time packing this thing around so would like to keep it as light as possible.

Thanx

Eric

[pnbrock]

Someone help him I want the answer aswell. I have same spotter.

[yukon john]

Sky is the limit on tripods, honestly go to london drugs and find the cheapest style they have ( I forget the name) they go from 40-60 bucks depending on the size you want. Typically last 200+ days in the mountains during hard use and they are easy to use. Also very light and they have square legs as opposed to round, Ive found them a lot stonger.

[reloader60]

Try the Gitzo traveller, 1kg and very strong,also very expensive!!

[mod7rem]

I used an optrex from london drugs ($65) for close to 9 years, and yukon john is right, they are light and relatively tough. But the one thing they are not is stable. As soon as you get a little breeze it will vibrate and oscillate back and forth because there is so much flex and looseness. They are hard to pan with and sometimes you lose your target from the herky jerky movements. The best way to see the difference is to borrow a good tripod and use them side by side. Putting a good scope on a crappy tripod makes for a waist of good optics. I repalced mine with a Slik 624 carbon fiber and the difference in viewing is substantial. In 2009 I finally decided to upgrade after my brother and I watched a ram for 3 hours in a breeze trying to get a good count on him. We both had cheap tripods and just couldnt get a clear image with the wind even though it was relatively close. So the Slik I have been using since is a little heavier, a lot more money, but folds up shorter and is more compact and in my opinion well worth it for the performance.

[knightcc]

Go to S and S archery.com and check out their reviews of the SLIK model tripods for hunting specific applications. They have video reviews. Excellent site and advice.

[BiG Boar]

Here is the one I use. Its been awsome for me, it also swings over the pistol grip for a shooting rest.

http://www.skinnymoose.com/racktracker/2007/06/11/product-review-kk-tripod/

For heavier/bigger spotters, it sure is stable. Leg sections can be removed for the 1 or 2 back pack trips per year to make it even lighter.

[bigwhiteys]

Slik gets lots of great feedback from guys on here. I use a Manfrotto 718 SHB that I got off eBay for $99. 2lbs and change, and is sturdy enough for my Zeiss 85mm. If you go that route, make sure it has the metal locking plate and not the black plastic one... That cost me 3 months use while my scope was in for repair after it plunged to it's doom in the rocks.

[scuba]

i picked up a manfrotto 7322 cy carbon fiber for my swaro 80mm. $160 off ebay and weighs around 2.5 lbs. seems sturdy and light enough.

[BackPackHunter]

I spent a lot of time looking for a new tripod set up... Price, weight & quality was the most importation factors
If your going to be putting heavy video cameras on it too, I would go with a Gitzo
But if your just using it for the spotter; Slik all the way...
Lighter tripods do move in the wind, but I use a bag i put my sleeping pad in , hook it to the bottom and fill it with rocks...
It makes it very stable, and the lower to the ground you use you tripod the more stable it is...
I like to be on my a$$ when glassing I spend enough time on my feet when mtn hunting...

here is some links to some good gear....

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/569063-REG/Gitzo_GT0541_GT_0541_Mountaineer_6X_Carbon.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/720698-REG/Slik_611_615_Pro_624_4_Section_Carbon.html

for the head

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/527934-REG/Giottos_MH1104_330C_MH_1104_Pro_Series_II.html

add thees to all your camera's and optics for quick changing

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/562923-REG/Giottos_MH331_MH_331Quick_Release_Plate_for.html

hope this helps