Anyone Use Sirui Tripods?

[AlaskaEd]

I have a photographer buddy who has a Sirui carbon fiber tripod he backpacks with. It's damn light and seems pretty solid. He has nothing bad to say about it, but has never used it with a spotting scope. I had never heard of them before, and may look to replace my Vortex Summit SS-P with one.

 

[Jimbob]

I have been researching tripods lately and came across a few guys here using Sirui. If you do a search for tripods you can find many threads about guys discussing what they use. I think the 1205x or something is what most guys are using.

 

[JF0]

Check out the Gritty Bowmen Podcast on Tripods. It is pretty informative.
EPISODE 54: Tripods: “More Than Meets The Eye” — Gritty Bowmen

 

[twall13]

I don't have one of their tripods but will likely purchase one in the future. They make good gear at a decent price. I do use a Sirui K-10x ball head and really like it for glassing with binos and camera use. They have a variety of different heads but many of them should handle a large spotter without issue. I personally like their heads to keep everything in my system arca swiss compatible. If I had a spotter I might consider an Outdoorsman's panhead but for my current uses a ball head works well.

 

[wind gypsy]

I recently bought a T-0025x to strip down and use as a seated only ultralight option. I would not recommend it for anything beyond that. The pedestal is not adjustable and it does not compare in steadiness to my promaster XC 525c.

 

[Ozz08]

I've been using their carbon fiber 1204 something or other and k20 ball head or over 2 years now. It's been a pretty darn nice setup. The tripod came in at the exact listed weight (1.8 lbs if I remember correctly) and it's solid as a rock. The ball head is a little on the heavy side but it is smooth to operate and has a panning feature that works pretty well. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the packed size. It doesn't collapse down very well at all but I kind of knew that going in since I got the 4 section legs vs the 5 section. If I had to do it again I'd go with the 5 section legs and probably a lighter head but at the time I got it for a screaming price for the package from amazon. I'm happy with it.

 

[Boreal]

I used a Sirui 1204x with the Manfrotto 700RC2 head. It's solid, and lightweight. I put the short center column on it because I never extend the center column. Comfortable from seated to standing position. The carbon is great in the cold, doesn't freeze your hands. The head is somewhat larger than I was expecting. Took the extended handle off and it still is very easy to control. No regrets about mine.

 

[bbrown]

Been using the T-1005x for a couple years now - it's been solid and a very good value for an aluminum tripod. They offer the same design in carbon (T-1205x I think) it's like $150 more but saves .4lbs. I did a few mods to mine and shaved off a few ounces getting it close to 2lbs. I have looked several times at spending more money on a different set of legs but always come back to the minimal savings aren't worth the added cost.

For carbon tripods I think the Slik 624/634 are hard to beat for the cost.

 

[AlaskaEd]

Thanks for the inputs. The one I checked out is the T-024X. According to B&H online it weighs 2.1 lbs. I did see the T-025X in the store and didn't like how the center column isn't collapsible.

 

[Timberninja]

They make good tripods. The one thing I'll say is if you buy, make sure it's from a authorized dealer, and keep the receipt. Their customer service is strict to say the least.

 

[Beendare]

I've got the little taller one- 2.2# I think...not sure the model cost me about $250. Its rock solid with big binos and a 65mm spotter if you don't raise the center post all the way up.

I haven't compared it side by side to the Slik CF tripods...but I have to the slik sprint alu model....it is much better, IMO.