Backpacking tripods for windy days

[TradLife406]

Anyone know of a good glassing tripod for big spotters that can buck the wind? But yet light enough to pack in several miles?
My little 2 Vets Infil is great until I'm on a ridge in a 30+ mph wind.

Using my binos and a Zeiss 85. Mainly the issue is a the big spotter on the little tripod.

Looking at the Tricer JC or saying yolo and spending a grand on an outdoorsman or Really Right.

 

[Ishootgunssometimes]

Check out the innorel gt284c on Amazon. Pretty sure many bigger name brands rename it as their own and increase the price. I use it for my spotting scope and to shoot from. It has thick legs so it’s stable and not shaky but still rather light.

 

[hoooogan]

I like my Aziak Frontcountry. Good all purpose unit and I can shoot off it without worrying. Not too heavy either. Just over 3# with a ball head. Just used it for ~10 days on my hunt and I can't imagine using something else. But I'm a first timer with no real experience, so take this with a grain of salt.

Had my Kowa 553 and 10x binos on them.

 

[BBob]

Outdoorsmans, carbon or aluminum version depending on how deep your pockets are. Next step up from there weight and stability wise would be an RRS Ascend.

 

[Camera Land]

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Thanks for the support

Joel

516-217-1000

 

[nm.otter]

Hanging a jug of water or a lashed-up rock from the center column helps quite a bit. No center column? More lashing.

 

[BBob]

Hanging a jug of water or a lashed-up rock from the center column helps quite a bit. No center column? More lashing.

Instead of just hanging it leave the weight touching the ground a bit which I'm assuming is the way you're using a lashed up rock. Lashing to a stake in the ground works too.

 

[TradLife406]

Hanging a jug of water or a lashed-up rock from the center column helps quite a bit. No center column? More lashing.

I've thought about that. Usually I'm sitting and there's not enough room to hang my water off of there. But I could rig some guy lines.

 

[TradLife406]

Outdoorsmans, carbon or aluminum version depending on how deep your pockets are. Next step up from there weight and stability wise would be an RRS Ascend.

Thinking the outdoorsman standard to save weight. Looked at the rrs but it's a tad heavier. But maybe that's what I need. It's expensive but I'm basically hunting every day for the rest of the month. So I could justify it.

 

[BBob]

Thinking the outdoorsman standard to save weight. Looked at the rrs but it's a tad heavier. But maybe that's what I need. It's expensive but I'm basically hunting every day for the rest of the month. So I could justify it.

I have the first gen original OD aluminum and an Ascend. The OD for a slight weight penalty outshines tons of the common light carbons you see used around here. Beats the Slik’s and that other popular carbon one that S&S carries (brand escapes me at the moment). I’ve owned both and tested the OD against them and others and the OD wins. The Ascend takes it to another level and I primarily have it for the heavier optics. If it’s 15’s and a spotter I’m using the OD if wanting to cut weight.

 

[TradLife406]

I have the first gen original OD aluminum and an Ascend. The OD for a slight weight penalty outshines tons of the common light carbons you see used around here. Beats the Slik’s and that other popular carbon one that S&S carries (brand escapes me at the moment). I’ve owned both and tested the OD against them and others and the OD wins. The Ascend takes it to another level and I primarily have it for the heavier optics. If it’s 15’s and a spotter I’m using the OD if wanting to cut weight.

Almost wonder if the Ascend js worth the weight.

Today the wind was 40 or more. Looking at the extended forecast and there's supposed to be more of this. I try and find some sheltered areas where I can stand to sit and glass. Even in the more protected areas the wind is still 15-20.
Do the leg lock levers get hung up on your pack or anything?

 

[BBob]

Do the leg lock levers get hung up on your pack or anything?

I'll assume that question is for the OD. No not really, never had a problem. I do sort of twist it as it's going in or out of the pack to overcome any tendency for the levers to grab anything if that makes sense. I do the same thing with the Ascend. The Ascend is a very nice hunting tripod. I have the compact and use an OD Fluid head on it. I also don't need the full center column which helps the weight a bit. The 2-2.5" has been enough vertical adjustment to keep me happy when moving around when behind it. I generally don't stand and glass so I'm never in need of full extension of the full center column and don't need the full sized tripod. The Ascend center columns have convenient hooks at the bottom to tie it down or add weight in wind, the OD does not.