Center Column or Not for Backpacking/Glassing/Shooting Tripod

[hereinaz]

Thats what I was hoping for

I like this ballhead better. It has a separate tension and then the handlebar for main tension. I can use the separate tension and set it to be able to nudge binos with my nose a little, and use the handlebar without having to loosen it.

I ran the Anvil 30 for a bit, and its great for shooting, but I liked this ballhead better for glassing. And, it didn't change shooting effectiveness.

Just an idea.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5ZCPYMT/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0C5ZCPYMT&pd_rd_w=yBIoo&content-id=amzn1.sym.f734d1a2-0bf9-4a26-ad34-2e1b969a5a75&pf_rd_p=f734d1a2-0bf9-4a26-ad34-2e1b969a5a75&pf_rd_r=2D3SZN8YD6NR7DB03X9Z&pd_rd_wg=lMnfz&pd_rd_r=4a3c1911-27b3-4ab3-992f-05b7fb94b2a2&s=photo&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

 

[hereinaz]

For me the first priority by a huge margin for a hunting tripod is glassing. I cannot deal with a tripod without a center column at all for glassing and I’ve tried. A pan head also far outweighs a ball head for me for glassing. I almost never need a tripod to make a shot either so there’s that but I can still effectively shoot off my column pan head equipped tripod if I wanted but I rarely do.

There are two distinct tripod uses, and you fall into the category that most of my hunting friends fall into: Tripods are for glassing, rarely shooting. I actually think most people don't want or even need a shooting tripod.

A few of us, and more as time goes on, are using tripods for both.

 

[JohnJohnson]

I ran the Anvil 30 for a bit, and its great for shooting, but I liked this ballhead better for glassing. And, it didn't change shooting effectiveness.

For those willing to carry an extra 7oz you can clip an RRS PT-Scout into the Anvil and have the best of both worlds.

 

[LostWapiti]

Anybody using the Fotopro X-Aircross 3 Lite? It is only 1.78 lbs with a center column and the head. Sirui also makes a similar model, the Traveler X-II. I'm a little skeptical of the leg design but also think it could be great. For me glassing definitely comes first but shooting is also a necessity as I have had a few shots now that I would not have been able to make without the tripod. Usually because of tall brush.

 

[bmart2622]

Does the Ma30 compare to the Anvil?

 

[LostWapiti]

If anybody is wanting a center column but worried about the extra weight or reduced stability, I just got the Slik 632 and it is amazing how stable it is and you can also remove most of the center column to save 2.2oz. I don't feel like I am sacrificing any stability with the tripod to have the center column.

 

[Geronimo2011]

I wouldn't say a center column is a no-go for shooting either. I have shot an elk each of the past 2 seasons at 500 off a 3lb tripod with a center column. Yes you loose a bit of stability. As everyone is saying, there is no right answer. I'm looking at some new tripods trying to trim weight. As with everything, it's all tradeoffs.

How much is your center column extended when you took those 500 yard shots?

 

[LostWapiti]

How much is your center column extended when you took those 500 yard shots?

Not extended at all

 

[zrodwyo]

Get a tripod with a quick detach center section. Sometimes I’ll run my tripod with center post and bring along a leveling head. I can pull out the center post and replace with a leveling head in less than 5 seconds.

 

[hereinaz]

Get a tripod with a quick detach center section. Sometimes I’ll run my tripod with center post and bring along a leveling head. I can pull out the center post and replace with a leveling head in less than 5 seconds.

What model? That sounds interesting to recommend.

 

[zrodwyo]

Leofoto LQ-284C.

It comes with an adapter that allows you to swap between center post and non-center post.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

Hey Rack, doing similar as didn’t have standing height as my main glassing set up is a 634 center and bottom legs removed is lighter/faster than 624...so I added this

Amazon.ca

Just playing with it now and if I want to stand comfortable to glass on level and being 6’ I need the center column. The kit comes with center and both spike and rubber feet. Column not needed for shooting at standing heights. The good news is it’s a stout column and easy to spin head off and column and spin head back onto tripod so you have options for range days and hunting etc. Wanted a good blind set up for chair and range day spotter set up so have a look at these. The new button auto leg locks are pretty slick.

The whole kit and caboodle is 3 lb 8.5 oz with rubber feet. Spike feet drop 2.0 oz off, the center column drops 5.5 oz off.

Should be able to configure easy for what I wanna do.

Built a quick tac plate from a cutting board to fit a sap run’n’gun bag and some 1/8” shot cord to pin it under for staying put for grab and go as my blind set up. But also tall enough without column to stand and bino off of with the sap bag on tac plate but spotter no or direct mount bino no.

So no experience yet with using in field but pleased so far. Wasn’t willing to jump to 324 weights as not putting heavy prs rigs on it, it’s heavier than I’m used to but should offer a lot of flexibility for whatever I want to do with it. I still likely wouldn’t take it mountain hunting and maybe i don’t become a tripod shooter but if so it will do, mostly wanted blind chair sit option and was tired of setting up short tripod for range work and not having standing height ability to range off of or spotter checks or watching others hits.

Good luck in your quest.