Need a good, solid spotting tripod

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May 16, 2021
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I’m in the market for a good, solid spotting tripod. Weight is less of a concern than stability. It drives me nuts for a spotter to be shaking with the slightest wind. It needs to be solid enough to not shake (within reason) even when spotting from a standing position using a straight body spotter;I’m 6’ tall.

So far I’ve looked into fat boy, two vets and (RRS) tripods.

Are there others I should consider? Are the Tricers stable given their weight?


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huntnful

WKR
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Oct 10, 2020
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I’ve been on the search for this as well. And something with a center post for easy height adjustments, and doing it at the legs.

I’ve looked a good amount, and still not found “the one”.
 

CCooper

WKR
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Western OR
RRS 34L is the only tripod that has met my expectations for stability standing with a straight spotter. I have not tried their smaller series in all fairness, just went with the big boy. It's a little chunky though...
 
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Mike D Texas
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May 16, 2021
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I’ve been on the search for this as well. And something with a center post for easy height adjustments, and doing it at the legs.

I’ve looked a good amount, and still not found “the one”.

I’m mixed on the center post but that seems to be the main cause of instability and vibration on the ones I’ve tried so far.


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nad1967

FNG
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Feb 20, 2023
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RRS is simply amazing. I've tried other tripods like gitzo, leofoto, and even the vortex carbon tripod. None are as solid. Keep your eyes peeled, check FB marketplace, Craigslist, ans offer up. Hopefully luck will fall your way!
 

huntnful

WKR
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Oct 10, 2020
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I’m mixed on the center post but that seems to be the main cause of instability and vibration on the ones I’ve tried so far.


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I definitely agree. Especially added vibration for shooting stability. But it’s so nice when running optics off of it and having that faster adjustment. That’s just for me personally though. No doubt a tripod with no center post would be more stable though
 
Joined
Jun 12, 2019
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RRS 34L is the only tripod that has met my expectations for stability standing with a straight spotter. I have not tried their smaller series in all fairness, just went with the big boy. It's a little chunky though...
I also have a TFCT-34L and same. Obviously another perk is being able to shoot from it with almost prone-level stability. Both my father and I shot antelope at 360 yards from fully standing positions (no option to go lower) this year and I shot a coues at 380 from the sitting position last year.
 

huntsd

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Outdoorsman’s. Not going to be the lightest in just picked one up and like it way more than my carbon fiber
 
Joined
Jun 15, 2017
Messages
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Location
Wyoming
I’m in the market for a good, solid spotting tripod. Weight is less of a concern than stability. It drives me nuts for a spotter to be shaking with the slightest wind. It needs to be solid enough to not shake (within reason) even when spotting from a standing position using a straight body spotter;I’m 6’ tall.

So far I’ve looked into fat boy, two vets and (RRS) tripods.

Are there others I should consider? Are the Tricers stable given their weight?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Any interest in a Tricer BC? I'll probably be putting one up for sale soon. Its pretty good, but it just didn't quite jive with the rest of my "system"
 
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Mike D Texas
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May 16, 2021
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North Texas
Any interest in a Tricer BC? I'll probably be putting one up for sale soon. Its pretty good, but it just didn't quite jive with the rest of my "system"

I’m ignorant to this stuff, that’s why I was reaching out for advice.

If you have a 85mm straight body spotter is it tall enough to use when standing for someone 6’ tall and most importantly is it stable? Meaning little to no movement in the spotter from wind?


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CCooper

WKR
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Western OR
I also have a TFCT-34L and same. Obviously another perk is being able to shoot from it with almost prone-level stability. Both my father and I shot antelope at 360 yards from fully standing positions (no option to go lower) this year and I shot a coues at 380 from the sitting position last year.
I shot a bull at 650 last year seated with mine- brush was too high for prone. I regularly shoot steel out to 700 comfortably seated- past that I like to get prone. Full standing still gets tricky for me past 500 on steel. I carry it everywhere with me, just cut weight elsewhere. The 34L, Scout pan head, and Cinch bino adapter has been a great system for me the last couple seasons.
 
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Mike D Texas
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May 16, 2021
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North Texas
Just curious, where are you glassing that you can stand up ?

Mostly at the range. I have a field tripod setup.

I shoot out to a mile pretty regularly at Raton and the wind can get a bit sporty there at times. When I’m being spotter for someone else, I prefer to stand.


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sndmn11

"DADDY"
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Mar 28, 2017
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Morrison, Colorado
a stabilizing hammock thing helps a ton. I am exceedingly happy with my Manfrotto 055, but RRS is the only thing I have handled that is a genuine upgrade.

 
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