Love my Vortex Razor 11-33x50 spotter, but what tripod?

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Oct 15, 2014
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Zuni, VA
The 50mm spotting scope is great for looking at animals out to about 1 or 2 miles. And the weight is fantastic for trimming ounces. But I'm having a hard time finding a solid lightweight tripod.

Since I have an angled spotter I should be able to use a shorter tripod. I've been using the Vortex SS Summit tripod and would like to see what other people have used to trim weight. It extends to 54" and weighs 1.8 lbs - which is more than the 50mm spotter.

When I'm using the spotter I'm generally going to sit down and get comfortable. It seems to me that 30-40" would be plenty of height.

Can anyone suggest a lighter tripod that will still provide stability? And maybe a better option than the ball head that comes on the Summit SS?
 
I've got the ss-p vortex tripod and like it much better than than the ball. I wonder if you can order it separate. I got mine from elknut. Maybe he can chime in. Hard to beat for the price.
 
I believe the ball head can not be swapped. The pan head version also weighs an ounce more then the ball head. Not sure about lighter versions but going any lighter and I would be worried how steady the whole rig is with even a slight breeze at a low height, but I'm no expert.
 
You can swap it out. I have a Vanguard PH-111V panhead on mine. Works great with the little 50mm Vortex. Take the hook off the bottom and turn the middle post over. New head goes on where the hook was.

Why don't you just take the ball head off and put the new head there?
 
You sure about that? :D

I'm obviously not sure about it! ;)

I figured it had to come off, but was working on it right before a hunt and couldn't get it to come lose so just flipped it. Honestly haven't even thought about looking at it again since it worked ok.

I'll delete my mis-information!
 
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I think that in general, ball heads are more compact and lighter than similar quality pan heads... it comes down to preference and style mostly.

I have the slik sprint mini II on my vortex 11-33X50 and love it. Packs very small, very light, and very stable. Cheap too. I HATED the ball head on this tripod when I was using my Zeiss 15-75X85 spotter, but for this little guy, it works AWESOME. I think amazon had them for like 85 bucks or something.

Joe
 
I'm Looking at jumping on the 11x33 bandwagon. I have a Sunpak UltraPRO 423 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Pistol Grip Ball Head. I think it will be stable enough, I'm thinking about cutting down the second and third flights on the tripod to suit the right height requirements- think I could get tripod less than 2lbs by doing this. Also planning on ditching pistol grip and purchasing Outdoorsmans Panhead or other high quality lighter weight option.

Has anyone found a nice case for Angled 11x33 also interested any digiscoping recommendations for a Olympus TG1.
 
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I'm obviously not sure about it! ;)

I figured it had to come off, but was working on it right before a hunt and couldn't get it to come lose so just flipped it. Honestly haven't even thought about looking at it again since it worked ok.

I'll delete my mis-information!

No worries, if I had not been on the phone with vortex assuring me it will come off I would have never known either, I thought it was gonna break before It came off the first time.
 
No worries, if I had not been on the phone with vortex assuring me it will come off I would have never known either, I thought it was gonna break before It came off the first time.

Any tricks to getting it off? Did you get after it with a tool or did you get it off with your hands? Might have to squirt a little Liquid Wrench in there.
 
Thanks for the help.

It sounds like nobody has found a lighter tripod to go with the little spotter. It looks like the Slik Sprint Mini II (1.72 lbs) is about the same weight as the Vortex Summit SS (1.8 lbs) so not much weight savings there. I was hoping that somebody had found a camera-sized tripod that would maybe cut some weight.

Last question: if I'm sticking with my Summit SS then what is the best way to attach my Zeiss Conquest binos?
 
I run the Summit SS with the Razor mini spotter, awesome combo, you'll forget you're carrying the damn thing. Look at the vortex uni-dap to attach your binos to the tripod. Pretty slick, only down side is you'll need another plate for the tripod. Most of the time, however, I just balance my binos on my hiking pole and it's works perfect.
 
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