Help me improve my spotting scope set up

[Loper]

What are you hunting for? Are you counting points? That could impact a suggestion. Definitely suggest a tripod/head upgrade but not sure if a spotter upgrade would be worth it. I haven’t used your tripod setup in particular but this year I made a major upgrade to my tripod setup and realized low quality tripods don’t even support binos well compared to good ones

I’ve been hunting elk for the last 5 years. I’m not counting points.

What tripod/head did you have and what did you upgrade to?

 

[Marshfly]

Put a VA5 on the Summit. I like the summit legs actually. Light and quick to use. They work great with a Sirui VA-5. I had ZERO issues with that setup confidently and securely holding my Kowa 77 before I bought a heavier tripod. Worked fantastic.

Also, upgrade your binos. The first step is ALWAYS to upgrade your binos.

 

[NickyD]

I’ve been hunting elk for the last 5 years. I’m not counting points.

What tripod/head did you have and what did you upgrade to?

I don’t know the quality of your spotter, but hunting elk I would think it would be acceptable. They’re so big and contrast well against most backgrounds I rarely use a spotter when hunting elk. I’m also not counting points with elk as well.

I was using a benro tripod I got through maven (don’t remember the model) and have a cheap vortex tripod. It’s older and also don’t know the model. I thought both were acceptable for their respective purposes until I experienced a high quality tripod.

I upgraded to RRS 22ic with an anvil 30 head. I got it so I can confidently shoot off of it but i immediately realized how much better it was for optics. Wind doesn’t impact it at all even with my 85mm spotter. I don’t need to have to worry about getting the tripod setup perfectly to provide max stability. I’ve gone back and used my other tripods while scouting and only then did I realize the hardly noticeable movements. I think those movements lead to fatigue and not optimizing the quality of the optics. I don’t know if it’s enough to actually miss animals, but it definitely inspires confidence in my setup.

I definitely splurged on it knowing I was skipping over many other quality tripods and I’m sure there’s tripods 1/3 the price that would provide effective stability.

 

[Loper]

Put a VA5 on the Summit. I like the summit legs actually. Light and quick to use. They work great with a Sirui VA-5. I had ZERO issues with that setup confidently and securely holding my Kowa 77 before I bought a heavier tripod. Worked fantastic.

Also, upgrade your binos. The first step is ALWAYS to upgrade your binos.

Thanks for your input. I have a Vortex SS-P. I’m now thinking I might just stick with the same tripod but upgrade the head. My hunting partner has the Sirui VA5 and said he likes it. It seems that is a very popular head as it is often mentioned in the research I’ve been doing the last few days.

I upgraded my binos last year and they are significantly better! One of my hunting partners tried to buy them off me while we were in the field.

 

[Loper]

I don’t know the quality of your spotter, but hunting elk I would think it would be acceptable. They’re so big and contrast well against most backgrounds I rarely use a spotter when hunting elk. I’m also not counting points with elk as well.

I was using a benro tripod I got through maven (don’t remember the model) and have a cheap vortex tripod. It’s older and also don’t know the model. I thought both were acceptable for their respective purposes until I experienced a high quality tripod.

I upgraded to RRS 22ic with an anvil 30 head. I got it so I can confidently shoot off of it but i immediately realized how much better it was for optics. Wind doesn’t impact it at all even with my 85mm spotter. I don’t need to have to worry about getting the tripod setup perfectly to provide max stability. I’ve gone back and used my other tripods while scouting and only then did I realize the hardly noticeable movements. I think those movements lead to fatigue and not optimizing the quality of the optics. I don’t know if it’s enough to actually miss animals, but it definitely inspires confidence in my setup.

I definitely splurged on it knowing I was skipping over many other quality tripods and I’m sure there’s tripods 1/3 the price that would provide effective stability.

Thank you for the insight.

This fall I didn’t have a hard time spotting elk. In fact I spotted all of them with my binos. My existing spotter isn’t too if the line by any means, but it is t complete garbage either. I just can’t help but wonder if I had a better spotter if I’d use the spotter more and find more animals.

If I had a big 85mm Swaro, I’d probably be investing in a RRS or comparable high end tripod. However for now, I’m thinking about that Tricer or Aziak tripod (or other options anyone throws out) and will 100% be getting a better head

 

[rayphoto]

what did you decide to do? I have a Kiowa 66S which is a great scope but I’m constantly wishing I had a good set of binos instead for the ease of use and versatility.

 

[Marshfly]

Thanks for your input. I have a Vortex SS-P. I’m now thinking I might just stick with the same tripod but upgrade the head. My hunting partner has the Sirui VA5 and said he likes it. It seems that is a very popular head as it is often mentioned in the research I’ve been doing the last few days.

I upgraded my binos last year and they are significantly better! One of my hunting partners tried to buy them off me while we were in the field.

Sounds like you are in a good place then. I'd do the VA5 upgrade and see how that works out first. You will need a thread adapter to make it work so order that when you get the head.

The Vortex head just unscrews if you tighten the handle hard and unscrew it. It's on there pretty good but it will come off.