Tripod Advice

B

Ben

WKR
Joined
Dec 6, 2013
Messages
301
I am looking into buy my first tripod to use with binos, a light weight spotting scope, and a camera. I've settled on the Vortex High Country but am now becoming unsure. Originally, I was attracted to it due to the price and weight. However, now I am thinking that it might be nice to have a tripod that is more sturdy and more of a user friendly head.

Bottom line: Do you think the Vortex High Country is a suitable, light weight tripod or will I just want to upgrade into a higher end model?

Thank you in advance!
 
I am doing a review on a tripod in that price range that is popular with the photography crowd. It's a nice tripod for the money. The review will be done within the next couple weeks.
 
In all honesty, the high country is a waste of money. The only other lightweight tripod I have experience with is the Summit SS which I really like, though it is a ball head. I also hear that the Slik tripods are very nice.
 
I have the Vortex High Country. Used it the past two years. It is far from a waste of money, buy there are certainly better choices. I am looking to upgrade.....

Brent
 
Thank you all for the comments so far!

What are you looking to upgrade to? Was stability an issue?

I'm starting to lean towards a pan head for camera work. Vanguard seems to offer a few lighter options in my price range (cheap) that beginning to explore.
 
i have a vortex Summit SS tripod. it is good, not great.

if you are bino-ing a mountain side and you see a blob that looks very deer like, it is a wonderful tripod to pull out and attach a spotting scope on top to take a closer look. it will do that perfectly fine..especially if you have it set up low and stable.

if you want to use that spotting scope to "scan" prepare to cuss.

my advice? buy the best you can afford (or almost afford). i am saving up $$ for a hunting tripod and pan head. i'm tired of always being the last guy to see those couse deer. it gets old having your buddies constantly having to point them out for me. i want more original spots.
 
boom said:
i have a vortex Summit SS tripod. it is good, not great.

if you are bino-ing a mountain side and you see a blob that looks very deer like, it is a wonderful tripod to pull out and attach a spotting scope on top to take a closer look. it will do that perfectly fine..especially if you have it set up low and stable.

if you want to use that spotting scope to "scan" prepare to cuss.

my advice? buy the best you can afford (or almost afford). i am saving up $$ for a hunting tripod and pan head. i'm tired of always being the last guy to see those couse deer. it gets old having your buddies constantly having to point them out for me. i want more original spots.
Click to expand...

I agree 100%. Without a fluid pan head on it the Summit won't be teh best option for scanning. That said I rarely scan with my spotter and mainly use my spotter for blob enhancement so the Summitt SS with an UPGRADED ballhead works for me. The ones that come standard on the Summitt SS are not up to par IMO.
 
Thanks for all of the advice!

Any feelings about the Vanguard Alta+ 224CT and a Vanguard PH111V Pan Head? Camofire has had it up a few times over the past days. They're aren't a lot of reviews up about so I decided to hold off.
 
Ben said:
I am looking into buy my first tripod to use with binos, a light weight spotting scope, and a camera. I've settled on the Vortex High Country but am now becoming unsure. Originally, I was attracted to it due to the price and weight. However, now I am thinking that it might be nice to have a tripod that is more sturdy and more of a user friendly head.

Bottom line: Do you think the Vortex High Country is a suitable, light weight tripod or will I just want to upgrade into a higher end model?

Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...

I have been recently searching for a good tripod also. One of the blogs I read reccomends the Outdoorsman tripod kit. I am thinking of going this route.

Review
http://hardcoreoutdoor.com/2009/06/03/the-outdoorsmans-tripod-adaptor-system.aspx
 
Ben said:
Thanks for all of the advice!

Any feelings about the Vanguard Alta+ 224CT and a Vanguard PH111V Pan Head? Camofire has had it up a few times over the past days. They're aren't a lot of reviews up about so I decided to hold off.
Click to expand...

I have the PH111V head, and for the money, I think it's hard to beat. While I haven't tried a super pricey outdoorsmans or Jim White head yet, I've been very satisfied with the PH111V.

As for tripod, I went with the Promaster 525XC. It actually comes with a ball head (which I don't use) and combined with the PH111V, is right around 3 lbs. Contact Steve at S&S archery, he was a huge help when I was looking and a great guy to deal with.
 
I like the looks of the Precision Rifle solutions tripod. I just added it to my want list. Induro alloy AT014 looks nice too. I'll take a closer look at it as well..
 
Last edited:
I ended up going with the Vanguard alta + tripod with the Ph111v pan head. Got a great deal off of camofire.

Thanks again for all the comments!
 
Ben said:
I ended up going with the Vanguard alta + tripod with the Ph111v pan head. Got a great deal off of camofire.

Thanks again for all the comments!
Click to expand...

I got mine a few weeks ago from Camofire and I'm very impressed.
 
The alta-111v combo is on camofire right now for 165.00. Even if it's not currently on camofire I think you can call and they'll honor any price they have previously listed it for.
 
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