Aziak ridgeline vs Aziak Backcountry/wiser BT20

[Tex_Miller]

I ended up going with a ridgeline based on this thread and the shooting one.

To deal with panning I picked up a spartan magnaswitch adapter since I already have their attachments on my optics. Pretty simple and light.

I plan to pick up an srs arca plate eventually for my rifle but I can use the spartan bipod mount I already have for now to shoot with. I look forward to seeing how it works out shooting and glassing.

 

[Ajsomp]

Some updates- ran my tripod and spotter yesterday at the range running a Horus HoVR spotting scope with tremor reticle (great for the range and spotting shots and milling targets, not my favorite for backcountry use)

Backcountry/wiser combo was great. I would occasionally switch out the spotter with either a lightweight hunter plate from gray ops or a mini plate pro with heavy bag. I did shoot off the tripod with the bag or plate/mollinator combo and with my tikkas it was no issues shooting seated or kneeling. I had the center column installed so I can’t speak to prone, but I have no doubt it would would just fine if needed.

Overall, I’m happy with the set up for how I plan to use it. Fast to swap between binos and spotter, easy enough to shoot off with a mollinator thrown on top or pushing the binos forward and using that as a makeshift rest. I have a late season Colorado mule deer tag I’m looking to fill this year and possibly cow elk in Wyoming. I can’t see myself carrying a heavier tripod combo again unless it’s Coyote/pig hunts in SE NC where I’m still hunting or set up.

 

[flyfisher117]

I believe I saw something about Aziak coming out with a ball tilt head too!

They are releasing a panning head.

He has also been talking about releasing an accessory for the front country ball head to add a panning handle to it. I’m anxiously waiting for that ha.

 

[salcedo57]

Anyone have any more thoughts after using the Ridge warden some more?

 

[JustinD]

How does the Aziak compare to the RRS from a quality standpoint? I understand they’re totally different price brackets. But I’ve tried the Tricers and they feel very cheap.

 

[4090Sharps]

How does the Aziak compare to the RRS from a quality standpoint? I understand they’re totally different price brackets. But I’ve tried the Tricers and they feel very cheap.

For the tripods, I think Aziak feels cheap in comparison to RRS, but high quality compared to something like the Aoka tripod. The Aziak Backcountry is a great combo of value for price, weight, and stability, but RRS is far more rigid (and generally heavier).

 

[SawtoothSportsman]

Some updates- ran my tripod and spotter yesterday at the range running a Horus HoVR spotting scope with tremor reticle (great for the range and spotting shots and milling targets, not my favorite for backcountry use)

Backcountry/wiser combo was great. I would occasionally switch out the spotter with either a lightweight hunter plate from gray ops or a mini plate pro with heavy bag. I did shoot off the tripod with the bag or plate/mollinator combo and with my tikkas it was no issues shooting seated or kneeling. I had the center column installed so I can’t speak to prone, but I have no doubt it would would just fine if needed.

Overall, I’m happy with the set up for how I plan to use it. Fast to swap between binos and spotter, easy enough to shoot off with a mollinator thrown on top or pushing the binos forward and using that as a makeshift rest. I have a late season Colorado mule deer tag I’m looking to fill this year and possibly cow elk in Wyoming. I can’t see myself carrying a heavier tripod combo again unless it’s Coyote/pig hunts in SE NC where I’m still hunting or set up.

How’d the hunt go?
Are you still satisfied with your tripod setup?

I’m looking to pick one up during the Black Friday say.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

For the tripods, I think Aziak feels cheap in comparison to RRS, but high quality compared to something like the Aoka tripod. The Aziak Backcountry is a great combo of value for price, weight, and stability, but RRS is far more rigid (and generally heavier).

Why wouldn’t it be for 5 times the cost.

 

[Ajsomp]

How’d the hunt go?
Are you still satisfied with your tripod setup?

I’m looking to pick one up during the Black Friday say.

Sorry - got buried in other notifications. Short answer - yes. I wouldn’t change my set up. I still don’t primarily shoot off the tripod so if that’s your top priority, I’d see what some of the other guys have to say. But it’s been good for my use case and while I appreciate the RRS tripods, my use case doesn’t warrant the cost per use.

 

[benconfused]

I have the Ridgeline and I went with it for simplicity. For me I’m sitting most of the time for shooting or glassing and really don’t need a center column for extra height.

@mtnbound any post season feedback on the Ridgeline? I remain torn between the Ridgeline and Backcountry. My use case is glassing with binos, no spotter. Shooting is 2ndary whenever the time and opportunity presents itself.

 

[MT Freezer]

Have you tried or compared these Aziaks to any with inverted legs? I'm looking for a tripod for the same scenario as you, and inverted seems much more convenient, but I have yet to use one myself.

 

[bojangles808]

bump also looking at this combo to shoot off of in a pinch. @Ajsomp any updated thoughts from last season

only the Backcountry comes with a long center column and the Ridgeline does not is that correct?

 

[Ajsomp]

bump also looking at this combo to shoot off of in a pinch. @Ajsomp any updated thoughts from last season

only the Backcountry comes with a long center column and the Ridgeline does not is that correct?

For the backcountry - I like the center column options (comes with a shorter option to run as well). I personally like the backcountry paired with the wider precision head. I spend more time glassing than shooting so that’s what made the most sense to me. I also don’t clip in to the tripod to shoot, so that’s not a consideration for me. And it’s still ridiculously lightweight in comparison to what I used to carry.

The ridgeline is a great lightweight set up and in theory you could pair it with a lightweight ball style head and get the same experience without the center column.

Just have to ask yourself how light are you wanting to go and what do you primarily want. If you want lightest setup possible, go ridgeline.

 

[bojangles808]

For the backcountry - I like the center column options (comes with a shorter option to run as well). I personally like the backcountry paired with the wider precision head. I spend more time glassing than shooting so that’s what made the most sense to me. I also don’t clip in to the tripod to shoot, so that’s not a consideration for me. And it’s still ridiculously lightweight in comparison to what I used to carry.

The ridgeline is a great lightweight set up and in theory you could pair it with a lightweight ball style head and get the same experience without the center column.

Just have to ask yourself how light are you wanting to go and what do you primarily want. If you want lightest setup possible, go ridgeline.

Thank you I prefer a shorter column so it looks like that the Backcountry should work for me. It's for like 90% glassing and 10% shooting

 

[WCT3]

For the backcountry - I like the center column options (comes with a shorter option to run as well). I personally like the backcountry paired with the wider precision head. I spend more time glassing than shooting so that’s what made the most sense to me. I also don’t clip in to the tripod to shoot, so that’s not a consideration for me. And it’s still ridiculously lightweight in comparison to what I used to carry.

The ridgeline is a great lightweight set up and in theory you could pair it with a lightweight ball style head and get the same experience without the center column.

Just have to ask yourself how light are you wanting to go and what do you primarily want. If you want lightest setup possible, go ridgeline.

Which Wiser head are you using?

 

[Ajsomp]

BT-20 Ridge Warden Ball Tilt Head

CURRENT BACKORDERS, ANTICIPATED TO SHIP WITHIN 3 WEEKS. The BT-20 Ridge Warden "Ball Tilt" head is the brain child of a "what if" question. What if there was a head that worked great for glassing and shooting? We answered that question with the Ridge Warden. The Ridge Warden is essentially a...

www.wiserprecision.com