Leofoto Tripod???

[TXHunt]

I've been doing a lot of reading on here about tripods that can do double shift for a spotter and to shoot off of and it seems like I kept hearing about Leofoto. So after doing more research on them it seems that the Summit (LM) and Ranger (LS) series are what most people choose. I'm looking at the Summit LM-364C and the Ranger LS-364C

Seems the Summit is rated for a little more weight 66lb vs 55lb but also weighs a little more 4.2lb vs 3.9lb. Looks like the Summit can take a video bowl that I don't see as an option on the Ranger. What does a video bowl do for a sportsman? Is that something that is beneficial to me as a hunter? Also, the Summit is almost double the price of the Ranger. I am a believer in you get what you pay for in most cases, is that true here?

Anyone on here care to give some feedback on either of them.

Here is the link to the Summit

LM-364C - Leofoto

Leofoto was founded at the beginning of 2014. It is located in Zhongshan, beautiful Pearl River Delta area in China. Leofoto team has been designing and manufacturing series of camera support systems by comparing and studying the high-end photographic accessories made in China and abroad and...

www.leofoto.com

Link to the Ranger

LS-364C - Leofoto

Leofoto was founded at the beginning of 2014. It is located in Zhongshan, beautiful Pearl River Delta area in China. Leofoto team has been designing and manufacturing series of camera support systems by comparing and studying the high-end photographic accessories made in China and abroad and...

www.leofoto.com

I forgot to ask, What head do you recommend for these?

 

[atmat]

Are you going to be doing much backpacking/long hikes with this? If so, both of those start to be on the heavy side.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I use a ranger ls-284 with bh-30 head. I really don’t want a lot of weight and while this tripod is very stable, it isn’t robust about to shoot standing from. I’ve messed with a mr q 324 from them and it was quite nice. Another friend has a much larger tripod that has a 75mm bowl from leofoto. All seemed high quality.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

I have no experience with any of these tripods but I can offer some insights.

Ball heads for shooting
Pan heads for glassing
A video bowl allows the use of leveling bases and center columns. Not necessarily needed by sportsmen but some like shooting off leveling bases.

I carry a Really Right Stuff TFC-34L MK2 with BH-55SCLR head. It is heavy but worth its weight.

 

[eric1115]

I don't have any experience with the summit, but the 364 ranger is one that I played with. I ordered a half dozen different tripods to compare side by side a few years ago, and ended up keeping the 324 CEX. It has a built in leveling base, and is at least as stable for shooting as the 364 with a 55mm ballhead in my estimation. Much better than the 324 with 40mm ball.

It does give up quite a bit to a good ball head for glassing, but MUCH less than I expected. I still need to get a panning clamp, as that solves one of the two major Achilles heels. The other is range of motion. ±15 degrees took some getting used to, and there were some frustrating moments in the mountains that first year. I've since learned to set up better, and rarely have issues now.

I love shooting off of it. Killed a deer this year standing at 400 yards, rock chucks at 200+, and seated I'm under 1 moa for 5 shots with no rear support. I don't know of any tripod in this price and weight range that is anywhere near this stable.

It's light enough and proportioned such that I very often extend one leg and use it as a pole, leaving both trekking poles on the side of the pack.

If you hate glassing off it, a micro pan head with an arca plate on the bottom would solve that.

 

[id_jon]

I have the LM323c. I've been very happy with it so far. I am almost positive that the LM and the LS series use the same legs, and just have different apexs. I swapped my bowl apex for the compact one like the ranger series. I think my tripod with head is like 3.8lbs, definitely heavier than what I used to use, but I will never go back to a light tripod. Especially if you use a spotter, a sturdy tripod is a must have to me.

I have a Outdoorsmans Jim White pan head, nice and light weight, and I will shoot with it too. Planning to get a RRS anvil30 eventually, but shooting off a pan head is not the worst thing.

 

[NSI]

I absolutely love my SA-324C and MA-30L head. I bought them as a direct knockoff to the RRS anvil series 2 system. It is beefy, light, and altogether impressive for less than 1/3 the price - I want to buy American, but not that badly. I don't take it deep into the backcountry but I'll take it on sub 4 miles hikes in. I shoot off it for PRS as well.
-J

 

[TXHunt]

Thanks for the replies. I found the LM-364c on sale for $460 so I ordered it. Also ordered the YB-75MC leveling head with quick lock level. All in I'm at $550. I know the 364 is not the lightest but I shake pretty bad so I'll deal with a little more weight to get a steady shot.

 

[magedon44]

Thanks for the replies. I found the LM-364c on sale for $460 so I ordered it. Also ordered the YB-75MC leveling head with quick lock level. All in I'm at $550. I know the 364 is not the lightest but I shake pretty bad so I'll deal with a little more weight to get a steady shot.

How is this system working out for you? I am considering going this route or maybe rrs.. heads spinning

 

[TXHunt]

How is this system working out for you? I am considering going this route or maybe rrs.. heads spinning

It is a great tripod but I hardly ever use it hunting. It’s very stable though when just target shooting. But for hunting i just find a way to get a rest without a tripod. I have gotten a Rudolph quad pod shooting sticks that supports both the front and back of the rifle. And even with my occasional hand tremors I can shoot every effectively at distance. And it’s very light. I shot an elk at 283 yards off the Rudolph sticks last week.