Outdoorsman Medium vs Compact Medium Tripod

[Solitude]

Looking for real world experience and opinions between these two tripods?

I see the specs on height and weight per the web page. I am not looking to stand behind either tripod, but simply sit and glass.

I have a shorter Slick tripod with two flip lock leg extensions and a current Manfrotto medium height tripod with single flip lock leg extension.

I find myself packing in more often than not with the shorter tripod, but enjoy glassing more with my current medium height tripod due to the fact I only need to adjust one flip lock per leg when setting up the tripod in a rush.

The main reason I am looking to upgrade is due to the fact the angle on my current tripod legs the legs are locked and do not adjust outward......I see the benefit after a few years behind the glass.

What's your guys real world opinions (any and all are appreciated) on the Outdoorsman Medium vs Compact Medium for primarily a pack in style hunt? If it matters, I mount both my Binos and spotter.

http://outdoorsmans.myshopify.com/collections/tripods

 

[jbra]

I'm also interested in this.

 

[littlebrotherC]

Subscribing to this conversation.

 

[beetlespin]

I ended up ordering the Medium compact and just got back from a mule deer and antelope hunt with it. I found it to be the best tripod i have ever used. The size is great in my EMR II and the height is perfect for backpacking situations. The medium looked nice but I keep hearing how great the medium compact was so I went with that one. I have not seen a Medium in person. Best of luck!

 

[jbra]

My concern with the medium compact is when using it in steep terrain, will it be tall enough? I also don't understand why the compact is significantly more expensive than the medium? I'm assuming its made from the same components and material.

 

[neverquit]

I have had both and currently only own the med compact.

I hunt in Arizona in every terrain we have. For ever species we have. I love my compact. But I like small and light and I don't like to glass standing. It's been great. About 2 months ago I added the micro pan head. The whole thing hangs in the compression straps for my nomad.

I can answer any specific questions you might have it can provide pictures of it that maybe the website doesn't show in detail

 

[Solitude]

Neverquit,

A couple specific questions:

1. Do you feel there are any advantages of the medium over the medium compact?

2. With the medium, did you need to extend the legs to use it or just flip them out? Assuming you needed to extend the legs (1 lock per side) with the medium compact how do you typically adjust it (1 or 2 flip locks per side) when you sit down to glass.

3. Is the medium compact tall enough to easily clear your lap when sitting? I assume so, but figured I would ask.

4. Earlier in the thread the question was asked if its tall enough on steep terrain. I understand why the question was asked and am curious if your experiences.

Other than weight and overall compact height, what are the main advantages and or trade offs?

Thanks for your input in advance.

Curious what you run on top of your micro panhead?

 

[neverquit]

1
The compact is just that more compact. It packs away better and is lighter

2
With the med I would extend each leg out about 3 inches( I'd normally leave them there during a trip) with the compact I leave the center section out about 2 inches. When I sit down I extend the first section all the way, then level for uneven terrain from there. While out actively hunting I leave it that way and fold the legs in a hook one thru a compression strap while on the go.

3
As adjusted above yes

4
I hunt some pretty nasty stuff and I've never had an issue

I use swaro 12x50EL with the outdoorsman stud and adapter

 

[dashj7]

Is the medium compact with the micro pan head to small for and 85mm spotter? and second question a little off topic...12x50el vs 15x56 swaros. advantages and disadvantages with that tripod setup.

 

[Solitude]

Dashy7
Not sure if you listen to podcasts....but Jay Scott Outdoors has a pretty good discussion on the 12 versus 15 power tripod mounted binoculars question. Personally I do not have enough experience with the two so I do not want to comment. Others however might???

 

[neverquit]

I've never mounted a spotter but a call to the outdoorsman and they would be able to say for sure.

I have run the 12 and the old 15 and the new 15s. I'd say it's a good set for all 3 but the 12s have the outdoorsmans stud. It's mounted towards he front of the binos making them alittle back heavy. With out the perfect adjust ment of tension they want to fall backwards. I have it figured out now but it's nice to know his ahead of time in case it's a deal breaker. I'll try to take a few pictures maybe a video to show what I'm talking about.

 

[dashj7]

Thanks, I just got into them and will listen to them. My gut is telling me SLC but the 12x50 probably fits me better. I hunt South Texas 365 but try to go out west once or twice a year. I love the high country mule deer thing. 15s might be a little much. I borrowed some 10x50 Ziess that were awesome. I dont have a ton of money and only want to buy once.

 

[fire652]

I just went through the same thing. I ended up buying the medium. saving 5 inchs of packed length and 5 ozs diid not warrant spending extra money. I opted to add in the center extension post. my whole set up weighs in at 3.5 pounds. I can sit the majority of the time. What I like about this set up is that I can do anything needed. If I need to save weight then I also have a vortex ss tripod. I like this tripod but the overall quality is no where near the outdoorsman. However, with my outdoorsman head I am right at 2.2 pounds.

 

[ZachB]

Contemplating between micro vs standard pan head and also medium vs compact medium.

 

[Bigolmuley]

I have both. Bought medium first. Then compact after a few back country trips. Hands down the compact is better all around. I have a micro pan and pistol grip. I mostly am running 10x42 EL range and ATX 65 when packing in with micro. If closer to truck I have 15’s with pistol and ATX. 10 in Bino case.
I use compact 90% of time. Use medium when I have my daughter or a buddy to use.
With compact I slide out 2 lower legs fully out and then middle legs down about halfway. 3rd lower leg all the way out. The 2 legs I fold out to the 2nd position out and 3rd leg to 1st position out. I sit crossed legged and put 3rd leg in between my legs. Then raise center post to what I need.
I also use a small chair sometimes, and compact works as well.
For the size and weight, it’s worth the money. But once, hurt once. Funny how often we all do that.


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[ZachB]

I have both. Bought medium first. Then compact after a few back country trips. Hands down the compact is better all around. I have a micro pan and pistol grip. I mostly am running 10x42 EL range and ATX 65 when packing in with micro. If closer to truck I have 15’s with pistol and ATX. 10 in Bino case.
I use compact 90% of time. Use medium when I have my daughter or a buddy to use.
With compact I slide out 2 lower legs fully out and then middle legs down about halfway. 3rd lower leg all the way out. The 2 legs I fold out to the 2nd position out and 3rd leg to 1st position out. I sit crossed legged and put 3rd leg in between my legs. Then raise center post to what I need.
I also use a small chair sometimes, and compact works as well.
For the size and weight, it’s worth the money. But once, hurt once. Funny how often we all do that.


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You ever run a 95 or anything bigger than a 65 on the micro head and the compact?