My KDC Granite Peak experience

[Redwing]

What glass are you putting on it? More specifically what does it weigh?

For reference, my pic has EL Sworo’s 8.5x42. I used it for 7 days glassing for moose in Newfoundland (without the panner). No problems for me.

Cool, thanks for the feeedback. I'll be using 10x42s and a 50mm spotter. I have a specific high country hunt in mind for this one, where I'd love to save the weight of my full size tripod, hence the small spotter. So, light glass but windy country.

How tall are you?

6'2"

 

[ChrisAU]

Cool, thanks for the feeedback. I'll be using 10x42s and a 50mm spotter. I have a specific high country hunt in mind for this one, where I'd love to save the weight of my full size tripod, hence the small spotter. So, light glass but windy country.



6'2"

Thanks, I got the 33" and hope its fine for all uses for me, I'm 5' 10-11.

 

[willfrye027]

I would not recommend it in windy country. I go bird watching about once a week and usually bring my kdc along with full size tripod. When it’s windy the kdc drives me nuts and that’s just with 10/15 binos not even a spotting scope.

 

[chippewawarrior]

What all is in this set up?
It looks like it's: KDC Tripod, Outdoorsmans panner, KDC rapid release shoe and Outdoorsmans bino adapter?

33” KDC, OD panner, KDC shoe, KDC OBA, OD bino adapter, 2 reducers & a 1/4-20 stud.

 

[chippewawarrior]

I would not recommend it in windy country. I go bird watching about once a week and usually bring my kdc along with full size tripod. When it’s windy the kdc drives me nuts and that’s just with 10/15 binos not even a spotting scope.

In windy conditions I use the water bottle balancer and it seems to work fine for me. Obviously, it depends how hard the wind is blowing, how open your spot is, and how vulnerable/exposed you really are? If it’s that windy and I’m that open, I’ll set up my tarp as a windbreaker and that usually does the trick. If the wind is in your face, I’d try the balancer. If that’s not working, it’s pretty fracking windy. In that case, I would balance my binos on a trekking pole and use my hands for stability for as long as I could stay warm.

 

[willfrye027]

In windy conditions I use the water bottle balancer and it seems to work fine for me. Obviously, it depends how hard the wind is blowing, how open your spot is, and how vulnerable/exposed you really are? If it’s that windy and I’m that open, I’ll set up my tarp as a windbreaker and that usually does the trick. If the wind is in your face, I’d try the balancer. If that’s not working, it’s pretty fracking windy. In that case, I would balance my binos on a trekking pole and use my hands for stability for as long as I could stay warm.

I put my other binos in their case and hung it from the string. It started catching the wind and made it shake even more. I think it was blowing around 15-20mph that day. It just couldn't compete with my full sized tripod even though its a pretty crappy one. Personally I will be using the kdc for backpacking only, and only then if its not too windy of an area or glassing will not be critical. Don't get me wrong its a great product but it definitely does not handle much wind, in my experience.

 

[tdhanses]

I put my other binos in their case and hung it from the string. It started catching the wind and made it shake even more. I think it was blowing around 15-20mph that day. It just couldn't compete with my full sized tripod even though its a pretty crappy one. Personally I will be using the kdc for backpacking only, and only then if its not too windy of an area or glassing will not be critical. Don't get me wrong its a great product but it definitely does not handle much wind, in my experience.

Use a Nalgene bottle or rock next time. But yeah we can’t expect a 7oz option to be as stable as a 2lb option.

 

[chippewawarrior]

Use a Nalgene bottle or rock next time. But yeah we can’t expect a 7oz option to be as stable as a 2lb option.

Agreed. I only use the KDC on backpack hunts or when I’m flying to a destination to save on weight. Otherwise, I use an Outdoorsmans. Although, last time I went Caribou hunting I took the Outdoorsmans so that I had a sturdy stable shooting platform. Each has its place in my kit.

 

[mcseal2]

I just got in one of these KDC tripods and put the Outdoorsmans panner on it. I got the 33" model.

I am waiting out a light rain before checking cows so I went out under my carport just now and tried it out with my Kowa 55mm spotter. I have a whitetail buck's skull hung on the fence in front of my house at 750 yards I use when evaluating glass. Right now the wind is 20mph according to my phone.

My quick 5 minute initial evaluation is that it's good for a quick look at something. Even on 15x the image had plenty of jump with the 20mph crosswind. That said I could count the points on the buck and tell none were broke with this set-up. For me that's enough for say a late season elk hunt. I would pack the extra weight of my usual set up if I planned to spend hours glassing off the tripod with a spotter or 15x binos though. It sets up much faster than any other tripod to get a quick look at a critter without any adjustments. I won't use the individual leg velcro straps, I'll just put a rubber band around the whole thing. Just pop the rubber band, release the legs, and it's extended. That takes a lot less time than individual locks on each leg section of other designs.

I'd say it's a nice option to have but it might not be the only option you want to have. My other tripod/head set up weighs close to 3lbs though, this one has it's place. I'll review it more as I use it more.

 

[Steve O]

All you guys that are having all this “jumpy” vision with the KDC, it is a lot more sturdy than you think it is. It’s made for you to lean your arms and/or legs on to steady it. The more you make it part of you, the steadier it gets. I’m going to pick up one of those panning attachments.

 

[mcseal2]

I'll give that a shot. Maybe some pressure will reduce the vibration. I agree it's seems pretty sturdy and able to handle some pressure. I just got mine in and tried it for the first time today. I did not touch it at all while looking through the spotter and it was getting the 20mph crosswind hitting it.

 

[willfrye027]

Without wind you can get it perfectly steady pretty easily--same view as with my full sized tripod (with 15x binos, haven't tried a spotter with it yet)

 

[grizz_bait]

I'm thinking about buying the Granite Peak but can't decide if I want the 33 or 42 inch version. I'm 6'1" and often glass from steep hillsides. Seems like the 42 inch version would be the way to go? Any drawbacks to the longer version besides a small increase in weight?

 

[ChrisAU]

I'm thinking about buying the Granite Peak but can't decide if I want the 33 or 42 inch version. I'm 6'1" and often glass from steep hillsides. Seems like the 42 inch version would be the way to go? Any drawbacks to the longer version besides a small increase in weight?

after my last elk hunt I decided my 27” was too short for me at 5’ 11” and got KDC to send me new bungee cord and a 6” section to add to each leg to make mine 33”. The way the legs work I don’t think you’ll ever wish it had shorter legs, but you will find yourself wanting taller legs on steep hillsides.

 

[chippewawarrior]

I'm thinking about buying the Granite Peak but can't decide if I want the 33 or 42 inch version. I'm 6'1" and often glass from steep hillsides. Seems like the 42 inch version would be the way to go? Any drawbacks to the longer version besides a small increase in weight?

When I bought mine, the 42” was not an option. The 33” works perfect for me.

 

[slatty]

I'm happy with the KDC after a year of use now but it is what it is. I have come to sorting my hunts into different optics categories as you all do as well.
1) Always in the pack (whitetail, elk, very late season): KDC tripod, binos, 50mm spotter. This is base kit
2) Likely want to glass a little more (scouting, bears, elk): proper tripod, binos, 50mm spotter
3) Need to glass hunts (high country, mule deer, goats or sheep): proper tripod, binos, big scope

I really like the KDC and it works well for me. It sets up really easy and snugs right around you when you're seated, easier to adjust to your eyes than a standard tripod. It's not as steady though and that's fine if you don't quite need that for your hunt. Keep in mind i'm not trying to sort out a 360 bull from a 320, i'm a meat hunter and I am generally asking simple questions from my optics. It is so much lighter and smaller than a standard tripod, it's a treat on some days for sure.

 

[Middleofnowhere]

I'm thinking about buying the Granite Peak but can't decide if I want the 33 or 42 inch version. I'm 6'1" and often glass from steep hillsides. Seems like the 42 inch version would be the way to go? Any drawbacks to the longer version besides a small increase in weight?

I would recommend the 42”. That is the length of the legs, not the height. When the legs are opened up wide, the head is much lower. the legs are not retractable, so you adjust height by making wider...
I found myself wanting taller when glassing downhill.

these little KDC tripods are game changers for 8X and 10x optics. My big 12x50s are pushing the envelope (imho) on this KDC, although much better than using your knees.

 

[JeffRaines]

I am also happy with this tripod after using it for awhile.

You’re right - it’s not a replacement for the big tripod. However on hunts where weight is at a premium and you’re not bringing the big scope it’s nice to have a featherweight option that works better than arms on knees.

 

[grizz_bait]

Does the Outdoorsman's tripod adapter screw directly onto the KDC tripod?

 

[ChrisAU]

Does the Outdoorsman's tripod adapter screw directly onto the KDC tripod?

The bino adaper will yes. Anything with a 1/4-20 female will thread right on. I have an Outdoorsmans quick release adapter coming this week to add to my Outdoorsmans panner (with a 3/8” to 1/4” reducer) to use on my KDC when I want, that way I can use the Outdoorsmans bino adapter in quick release mode as well as have the Outdoorsmans QR plate on my spotter. The panner is sweet.