Wiscgunner
WKR
I got one of the Tricer HK kits recently and thought I would share my experiences. I currently have a Feisol 3342 with their long spike feet and RRS Universal leveling base. I have had this tripod for quite a few years now and am very happy with it.
However, I have been rather inverted-curious when it comes to tripods the last few years. After shooting my first NRL Hunter match earlier this year, I quickly say the limitations of the leveling base compared to my shooting partner’s Leofoto tripod and anvil style head. The inverted ball heads mean less careful adjustment of the tripod is necessary. Changing height meant more fussing with the legs to stay withing the 15* throw of the leveling base. Quickly changing height with the inverted ball head simply takes throwing a leg out at a different angle and the head can take up much more goofiness in the tripod setup. This is especially noticed when dealing with uneven ground and in a rush.
Inverted legs are also a big plus. I am often sticking my standard legs down in mud, water, sand, and gravel. This causes problems with a standard leg setup. After that match, I asked RRS if they had any plans to make a tripod like the soon-to-be-released Tricer HK and they politely pushed me toward their current offerings. While price is always a consideration, I would have rather bought American than foreign manufacture. In this case Tricer deserved my money because they took the risk to offer what many of us have asked for; a light weigh, inverted tripod sturdy enough to shoot from.
Comparing in my livening room...
Size
Comparing to my Feisol 3342 w/ spike feet and RRS Leveling Base (3lb7.4oz) the Tricer is 3oz lighter and about 3" taller (3lb4.6oz with factor rubber feet). Its footprint is slightly narrower when collapsed but slightly wider when extended. If I swapped the leveling base for a Tricer AK head the Feisol would be lighter than the HK setup but still wouldn't have the differences I was looking for. They are similar length when compressed but the Feisol has a noticeably bigger Apex making the Tricer feel smaller on the side of a pack.
Legs
Most notably different with this tripod is the legs are upside down. If you are familiar with long range rifle competitions such as PRS or NRL you are probably already familiar with inverted tripods. For those of you not, having your legs upside down has some advantages.
- no more twist locks sinking into the mud
- more stable adjustment of the tripod by minimizing the smallest diameter sections at the top
Because these 2 tripods are so very similar, the twist locks are at almost the exact same height. The top lock is right at easy hand height when shooting standing. With the inverted legs of the Tricer HK though, when you make an adjustment you are reducing the length of the narrowest and weakest leg section. On a standard tripod like the Feisol 3342, you either have to reduce height by shortening easy to reach larger sections or reach all the way down to the small sections. This might not sound so bad but when pressed for time and that leg section is way out in front of your rifle, it becomes obvious why these are getting so popular.
The smaller proportions of the HK apex keeps the tripod legs compact together for nice carry along the side of a pack. The Feisol has a larger apex. Not a deal breaker but it has its pro's and con's on it's own. Larger means more surface for a bag if you aren't using a ahead. Larger means more stability by effectively dropping the center of gravity of the rifle from where it would be at the theoretical point the legs would make at the top. Feisol's efforts to drop weight means the apex is somewhat less ridged than desired. The Tricer does not suffer this but it is all a compromise.
One draw back to the leg system is the leg locks at the apex. The Feisol leg locks are spring loaded and simply require thumb pressure to pull them back to lift the leg to another notch. Very natural! With the Tricer HK leg lock, when you pull back on the lever with your thumb it stays back and doesn't click into position on its own until max extension at 90* where it will begin ratcheting on the way back down. I find this method very time consuming and bulky since I don't really want to swing tripod legs in a 10ft radius. You can choose the approach I have taken up and that is to pull back to unlock and then push forward to lock at the desired notch. Again, not a deal breaker but in a perfect world I would rather have the locks from the Feisol.
Feisol 3342
Tricer HK
Stiffness
Initially when I compared the Feisol 3342 (28mm) legs to the Tricer AK (31mm) legs they seemed equal at full height when pushing and twisting on the tripod. The more I did it the more I noticed the Tricer legs actually seemed less stiff then the Feisol. This was slightly disappointing although I knew Tricer went with less carbon fiber layers to save weight. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the Tricer legs were almost pivoting at the twist locks! This is where the Feisol really shines above the Tricer. The tolerances in the legs and locks is tighter fitting in the Feisol. The Tricer really needs that extra umph to tighten the twist lock. But when you do, it is noticeably stiffer with torsion. I shoot of the Feisol regularly. No it is not as rock solid as a 6lb tripod but it great is for a real hunting tripod. The Tricer brings that to the next level in almost all categories.
Twist Locks
The twist locks are still backwards and did not get corrected like the rumored correction on the new X1. Brands are really missing the boat here. At least @Tricer is attempting to correct this. Backwards twist locks are fine and easy enough to get used to...except when you own 2 tripods!!
The Feisol is 1/4 turn or less to lock the twist locks. The Tricer is more like 1/2 turn. Not a deal breaker but very noticeable after being used to the Feisol. I find I need to twist a second grip to go the extra distance and get the left truly secure.
The rubber on the twisty locks of my Feisol are unnoticeable (as they should be).
On the Tricer, when generally handling the tripod the rubber garter belt on the twist lock wants to peel back. My guess is, it is not glued down and with the raised lip design verses the Feisol beveled edge it is more prone to catching and pulling. Hopefully Tricer updates this in the future and it is backwards compatible.
....
However, I have been rather inverted-curious when it comes to tripods the last few years. After shooting my first NRL Hunter match earlier this year, I quickly say the limitations of the leveling base compared to my shooting partner’s Leofoto tripod and anvil style head. The inverted ball heads mean less careful adjustment of the tripod is necessary. Changing height meant more fussing with the legs to stay withing the 15* throw of the leveling base. Quickly changing height with the inverted ball head simply takes throwing a leg out at a different angle and the head can take up much more goofiness in the tripod setup. This is especially noticed when dealing with uneven ground and in a rush.
Inverted legs are also a big plus. I am often sticking my standard legs down in mud, water, sand, and gravel. This causes problems with a standard leg setup. After that match, I asked RRS if they had any plans to make a tripod like the soon-to-be-released Tricer HK and they politely pushed me toward their current offerings. While price is always a consideration, I would have rather bought American than foreign manufacture. In this case Tricer deserved my money because they took the risk to offer what many of us have asked for; a light weigh, inverted tripod sturdy enough to shoot from.
Comparing in my livening room...
Size
Comparing to my Feisol 3342 w/ spike feet and RRS Leveling Base (3lb7.4oz) the Tricer is 3oz lighter and about 3" taller (3lb4.6oz with factor rubber feet). Its footprint is slightly narrower when collapsed but slightly wider when extended. If I swapped the leveling base for a Tricer AK head the Feisol would be lighter than the HK setup but still wouldn't have the differences I was looking for. They are similar length when compressed but the Feisol has a noticeably bigger Apex making the Tricer feel smaller on the side of a pack.
Legs
Most notably different with this tripod is the legs are upside down. If you are familiar with long range rifle competitions such as PRS or NRL you are probably already familiar with inverted tripods. For those of you not, having your legs upside down has some advantages.
- no more twist locks sinking into the mud
- more stable adjustment of the tripod by minimizing the smallest diameter sections at the top
Because these 2 tripods are so very similar, the twist locks are at almost the exact same height. The top lock is right at easy hand height when shooting standing. With the inverted legs of the Tricer HK though, when you make an adjustment you are reducing the length of the narrowest and weakest leg section. On a standard tripod like the Feisol 3342, you either have to reduce height by shortening easy to reach larger sections or reach all the way down to the small sections. This might not sound so bad but when pressed for time and that leg section is way out in front of your rifle, it becomes obvious why these are getting so popular.
The smaller proportions of the HK apex keeps the tripod legs compact together for nice carry along the side of a pack. The Feisol has a larger apex. Not a deal breaker but it has its pro's and con's on it's own. Larger means more surface for a bag if you aren't using a ahead. Larger means more stability by effectively dropping the center of gravity of the rifle from where it would be at the theoretical point the legs would make at the top. Feisol's efforts to drop weight means the apex is somewhat less ridged than desired. The Tricer does not suffer this but it is all a compromise.
One draw back to the leg system is the leg locks at the apex. The Feisol leg locks are spring loaded and simply require thumb pressure to pull them back to lift the leg to another notch. Very natural! With the Tricer HK leg lock, when you pull back on the lever with your thumb it stays back and doesn't click into position on its own until max extension at 90* where it will begin ratcheting on the way back down. I find this method very time consuming and bulky since I don't really want to swing tripod legs in a 10ft radius. You can choose the approach I have taken up and that is to pull back to unlock and then push forward to lock at the desired notch. Again, not a deal breaker but in a perfect world I would rather have the locks from the Feisol.
Feisol 3342
Tricer HK
Stiffness
Initially when I compared the Feisol 3342 (28mm) legs to the Tricer AK (31mm) legs they seemed equal at full height when pushing and twisting on the tripod. The more I did it the more I noticed the Tricer legs actually seemed less stiff then the Feisol. This was slightly disappointing although I knew Tricer went with less carbon fiber layers to save weight. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the Tricer legs were almost pivoting at the twist locks! This is where the Feisol really shines above the Tricer. The tolerances in the legs and locks is tighter fitting in the Feisol. The Tricer really needs that extra umph to tighten the twist lock. But when you do, it is noticeably stiffer with torsion. I shoot of the Feisol regularly. No it is not as rock solid as a 6lb tripod but it great is for a real hunting tripod. The Tricer brings that to the next level in almost all categories.
Twist Locks
The twist locks are still backwards and did not get corrected like the rumored correction on the new X1. Brands are really missing the boat here. At least @Tricer is attempting to correct this. Backwards twist locks are fine and easy enough to get used to...except when you own 2 tripods!!
The Feisol is 1/4 turn or less to lock the twist locks. The Tricer is more like 1/2 turn. Not a deal breaker but very noticeable after being used to the Feisol. I find I need to twist a second grip to go the extra distance and get the left truly secure.
The rubber on the twisty locks of my Feisol are unnoticeable (as they should be).
On the Tricer, when generally handling the tripod the rubber garter belt on the twist lock wants to peel back. My guess is, it is not glued down and with the raised lip design verses the Feisol beveled edge it is more prone to catching and pulling. Hopefully Tricer updates this in the future and it is backwards compatible.
....
