Really appreciate the input and advice. Just wonder if you have any thoughts on the standing vs shorter tripods and why the standing? Do you have any suggestions for the short versions and if I may what head did you get with it? Thanks againI have used a Slik 634 for my 85mm spotter, and for the most part, it has been pretty darn good. It only weighs 2.1#. However, if there is much of a breeze, maybe 10mph or so, I get some shake/vibration in the image of the scope. I can usually mitigate it by trying to sit so I block the wind from the spotter. I would put some weight on the center column hook so that I could stabilize it that way, but I have the older style 634 that didn't have that center hook.
I did recently buy a new tripod to "upgrade" while using my spotter, but I don't have it yet. It is a Sirui R2204. With the mail in rebate Sirui is running right now I went ahead and bought it. The Slik 634 was a 22mm diameter leg with a 8# capacity weighing 2.1#, and the R2204 I just bought is a 28mm diameter leg with a 33# capacity weighing 2.9#.
I considered the weight gain worth it to have a little bigger tripod for stabilizing a big scope. Worth noting is that both of these tripods are tall enough for me to stand and glass with my binos at (62"+). If you don't care about standing and glassing there is a whole plethora of options out there for lightweight tripods that will stabilize a larger spotter in the 1.75-2.5# range.
Also, Semper Fi and welcome to the forum.