Outdoorsman Tripod and Heads

[USMC22]

Can anyone weigh in on how the outdoorsman tripod and camera head compare to SLIK 624/824 CF Pro Tripods and Manfrotto Tripods and Heads. I’m looking to get a setup for running Binos. I’ve got SLIK tripod(s) already.

Mainly looking for a fluid head. If the outdoorsman setup is where it’s at I’ll pick that up or add a Manfrotto 128RC to my setup.

 

[Napperm4]

In my experience - I prefer carbon over aluminum. Outdoorsmans tripods are tough and steady sure, but there’s a lot of options out there that offer the same. I ditched the compact medium in favour of my slik 634 and have no regrets.

I still have the regular pan head, I like that it has the quick mount system and I can easily flip it between a couple tripods and the window mount. It’s nice to be easily compatible with the bino mount also.

It locks down pretty decent with my 95mm swaro.

That’s where the advantages really stop for me. It’s not a fluid head per se. While it’s pretty smooth when wide open with the binos there’s no real way to feather the lock. It’s either open and free moving, jerky and annoying or locked.

While it does lock down pretty good there are very few benefits I’ve seen to the vanguard p111 and the benro S2 that I’ve used previously. If you’re looking for a fluid head for video or better panning (my biggest use) I’d save the money and go a different route if I was to do it again.

I’ve been pretty tempted by the surui v5 (I think is the model) that’s being touted these days all over the place.

 

[HellsCanyon]

I have the same feelings on the outdoorsmans as the poster above. They lock down solid and are smooth when wide open, but a controlled smooth panning motion is very hard to achieve.

I’ll be shopping for a new pan head here before scouting season comes up. I’ve used the medium outdoorsmans tripod and it’s rock solid. Though a bit heavy for my needs. Used a slik and then a Sirui tripod the last 3 seasons and it was fantastic. It had a fatal encounter with a truck tire so I replaced it with a field optics research tripod and I saved 4 oz and it’s working great so far. Doubt I’ll upgrade or see a need the next few years.

Mike


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[USMC22]

I would run the Slik all day. The carbon tripods are more forgiving in the field they just take spills and falls much better in my personal experience.

Which head?

 

[Camera Land]

The best bet's would be the Promaster XC525C on special for $199.99, regularly $299.99. Carbon Fiber, 9 layers of carbon, great ball head and for members here a lifetime no fault warranty. Also the Sirui N1204SKVA5, very sturdy and it comes with the VA5 head that everyone loves. Normally This is $494.99, members pay $429.99 and then get $100 back from Sirui

Feel free to call me

 

[1shotgear]

Which head?

I us a VA-5 Ultra-Compact Video Head it weighs a little more but for how much nicer it is to have on the hill it is worth every oz.

 

[USMC22]

Leaning toward the VA5, anyone else want to weigh in for it or something else? Any Manfrotto 200pl setups?

 

[HellsCanyon]

I us a VA-5 Ultra-Compact Video Head it weighs a little more but for how much nicer it is to have on the hill it is worth every oz.

What’s it weigh? And can it double up as a rifle rest with a 10.5 lb rifle?


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[Salmon River Solutions]

I just picked a used VA-5 up, I'll use it this weekend bear hunting. its called "compact" but its only compact when you compare it to very large video camera pan heads. Weight isn't too bad tho. I just used an outdoorsmans panner last weekend so I will post back up here the comparison after this next weekend.

 

[Camera Land]

The VA5 is a great head and starting today we are giving 20% off on all Sirui heads and tripods. I will be posting promotion shortly
Normally it's $164.99, with the discount it would be $131.99

It's lightweight and extremely well built. Arca Swiss as well

Give me a call

 

[Camera Land]

What’s it weigh? And can it double up as a rifle rest with a 10.5 lb rifle?


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It weighs 1.3 LBS

 

[1shotgear]

View attachment 100477

What’s it weigh? And can it double up as a rifle rest with a 10.5 lb rifle?
View attachment 100480
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It is a little on the heavy side for some coming in at a pound but the bearings are smooth as glass and the head is holds up to 10.5 pounds. I do us this as a rifle rest as well working in pair with my Sirui ET-2204 Carbon Fiber Tripod it works really well for me. I would say that it will hold a 10 pound rifle just fine depending on the tripod but with this set up it is rock solid. Here is how I orientate it for the standing. The tripod is not put up all the way but you guys and girls get the idea.

 

[HellsCanyon]

View attachment 100477
It is a little on the heavy side for some coming in at a pound but the bearings are smooth as glass and the head is holds up to 10.5 pounds. I do us this as a rifle rest as well working in pair with my Sirui ET-2204 Carbon Fiber Tripod it works really well for me. I would say that it will hold a 10 pound rifle just fine depending on the tripod but with this set up it is rock solid. Here is how I orientate it for the standing. The tripod is not put up all the way but you guys and girls get the idea.

Is it 16 oz with the base plate? a flat lb is not heavy in my book. When you're getting close to 1.5 lbs it's getting up there but 16-24 oz for head/baseplate is very doable for me. Thanks

Mike

 

[1shotgear]

Is it 16 oz with the base plate? a flat lb is not heavy in my book. When you're getting close to 1.5 lbs it's getting up there but 16-24 oz for head/baseplate is very doable for me. Thanks

Mike

16oz without base plate the plate is maybe another 2 or 3 oz.

 

[Tberg]

View attachment 100477
It is a little on the heavy side for some coming in at a pound but the bearings are smooth as glass and the head is holds up to 10.5 pounds. I do us this as a rifle rest as well working in pair with my Sirui ET-2204 Carbon Fiber Tripod it works really well for me. I would say that it will hold a 10 pound rifle just fine depending on the tripod but with this set up it is rock solid. Here is how I orientate it for the standing. The tripod is not put up all the way but you guys and girls get the idea. View attachment 100483

View attachment 100486

Would you recommend the VA5 for use as a rest with a 8# rifle and a shooting saddle like the Triclawpse solo? https://triclawps.com/products/triclawps-solo-saddle

 

[back country]

The best bet's would be the Promaster XC525C on special for $199.99, regularly $299.99. Carbon Fiber, 9 layers of carbon, great ball head and for members here a lifetime no fault warranty. Also the Sirui N1204SKVA5, very sturdy and it comes with the VA5 head that everyone loves. Normally This is $494.99, members pay $429.99 and then get $100 back from Sirui

Feel free to call me

I'm potentially interested in this combo...I looked it up on camerlandny.com but I don't see anything about the $100 back from Sirui. How would one take advantage of that if one were to purchase this?

 

[Camera Land]

We supply the rebate form with the purchase

 

[Camera Land]

Actually with the sale we have now thru Saturday that tripod with the VA5 is $399.99 and then you get the $100 back

Call us to order, not available on our site

 

[back country]

Actually with the sale we have now thru Saturday that tripod with the VA5 is $399.99 and then you get the $100 back

Call us to order, not available on our site

Can I call you at the number listed in your signature?

 

[Camera Land]

Yes, 516-217-1000. I am here today until 5:30