Decent cheap tripod? <$100

[cornfedkiller]

Anyone have any suggestions of a decent tripod that's cheap? I'm talking under $100 - and the cheaper the better. Right now I use a tripod that was probably $25, and although the tripod itself is alright, the head is junk.

I do a little filming, but its mainly from a turkey blind, so I dont need the worlds smoothest fluid head because I dont move the head THAT much, but it would be nice if the little video I do take while moving the camera wasnt completely choppy.

I also use my tripod for glassing, mainly in my yard, out the window, a field edge, at the range, etc, so I don't need the most rugged, lightweight tripod - I'm not taking it on a trip out west any time soon - and by the time I can afford that, I can afford a nicer tripod.

A friend of mine uses a SLIK Compact Alloy tripod and head that can be bought off amazon for $80, and he says its incredible for the price, but it has a 3-position leg angle adjustment, which Im not sure I like because sometimes in the blind, I want to be able to pick exactly what I need for a leg angle, not just one of 3 settings.

I see plenty of other ones on there like ZOMEI, but I know nothing about the heads on them. Every once in a while I see a vanguard one on Camofire for $85 or so, but again, I know nothing about it.

 

[dotman]

If you can find a carbon fiber 47 rocketfish I highly recommend it. Going strong after three or four years of use and around 2lbs. I bought mine at Best Buy for $40 when it was discontinued. It is very similar to a Slik 624.

 

[CLICKBANGBANG]

I think there is a Manfrotto BeFree in the Classifieds for $100. That's what I'm using.

 

[cornfedkiller]

Do I need a new tripod, or just a new head?

Would I still have issues if I put a decent head on a cheap tripod?

 

[cornfedkiller]

I think there is a Manfrotto BeFree in the Classifieds for $100. That's what I'm using.

And I don't think I want a ball head.. Do I? (Don't know anything about them.. What are the pros and cons of a ball head?)

 

[dotman]

Ha, I run an outdoorsmans micro pan on my rocketfish so yes you can. Amazon has one for $80 or something. The ball head that comes on the rocketfish is ok but I'm not a fan of ball heads.

 

[cornfedkiller]

Ha, I run an outdoorsmans micro pan on my rocketfish so yes you can. Amazon has one for $80 or something. The ball head that comes on the rocketfish is ok but I'm not a fan of ball heads.

Have a link to that panhead on Amazon? I can't seem to find it.

 

[Mtslackcountry]

The outdoorsman micro is almost $300 so cross that off the list....

 

[cornfedkiller]

And sorry for all the questions, but does that rocketfish have fully adjustable legs, or just a few positions to choose from? I can't seem to tell from pictures.

And what about the 65"? I see plenty of them for sale..

 

[dotman]

Have a link to that panhead on Amazon? I can't seem to find it.

Sorry meant the tripod.

 

[dotman]

And sorry for all the questions, but does that rocketfish have fully adjustable legs, or just a few positions to choose from? I can't seem to tell from pictures.

And what about the 65"? I see plenty of them for sale..

Yup fully adjustable twist lock legs, very similar to the slik 624 with twist locks my buddy has. My buddy has a Vanguard PH111 pan head he would probably sell, I can ask him if interested.

The 65 is probably pretty good, just heavier.

 

[johnandersonm777]

Manfrotto BeFree for $100 and it's good. You may try. Thanks.

 

[cornfedkiller]

Sorry for all the "stupid" questions - I'm pretty new to the tripod thing, and especially glassing off one..

I bought a Vanguard PH-111 after the suggestions of you guys on here (thanks!), and I've started looking into tripods and also the cheap tripod I have at home, which I will probably use for a little while. Do all the heads come off of the tripod? I cant seem to figure out how to take the head off my tripod at home. And if I buy a tripod, is there anything I have to look for or make sure it has, or are all the heads interchangeable?

 

[dotman]

The head should just unscrew, may take a little force. Most tripods have either 1/4 threads or 3/8. The vanguard head has 3/8 female so if your tripod has 1/4 male you'll need to get an adapter. It isn't always standard and I think the slik brand uses 1/4 threads. The rocketfish I use has 3/8 and the vanguard will just screw on it without an adapter.

 

[cornfedkiller]

Is this where it unscrews from? If so, does the little dial with the dashes and numbers stay with the head, or does it stay with the tripod?

 

[dotman]

That should be where it would unscrew, not a clue on what will remain as I don't have that exact setup. If it is a really cheap tripod the head may not be removable.

 

[yak]

I've used a Vanguard Espod CX203AP w/ PH23 Pan Head for several years now. Works great. Its pretty heavy (70.4 oz), but I'm not willing to invest significant $ into a tripod at this time. I think I found it at Sportsmans Warehouse for ~$70 a few years back. Hope this helps.

 

[dacd4134]

I just bought the Vortex Summit SS-P from Optics Planet for $103 (regular $129), if that's something you might be interested in. I used the chat function to "request a deal" and then combined their 10% off 4th of July coupon code.

Vortex Summit SS-P Tripod Kit, Black ST-5 28% OFF ST-5 | Free 2 Day Shipping


Edit to add: If you weren't aware, you can always negotiate w/ Optics Planet on pretty much anything. A buddy and I got a pair of Razor HD 16-48x65 spotters for $800 each a few months ago by talking with them.

 

[Trick]

Camofire always seems to have smoking deals on good quality tripods. Call them up and see if they have anything in your price point.

 

[Copen1822]

Dacd4134, is the head removable on the vortex?

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