Tripod Head compatible w/promaster and RRS plates??

[Vandy321]

Cross posted on another forum, figured I'd target the hunting audience as well...

I have a promaster XC525 tripod that I bought to run binos/spotter. Promaster has their own Arca Swiss QD plate (pics attached).

The hex key portion thar keeps the QD plate from falling off when loose does not fit with the RRS Arca Swiss I had I stalled on a new build. I can slide the gun into the current head, but it will not go past that little hex head designed for the Promaster QD plate. Itll snug the rifle down, but only 1" of connecting surface. Should I just remove that hex stopper (it's a backup if the tensioner comes loose so optics on QD plate dont just slide off.

This will be a optic dedicated spotter for backpack hunting, but the tripod is able to support 13 lbs and would like to find a pan/fluid head that works with RRS as a backup way to shoot in taller grass or at steeper angles than my pack can get me too.

Looking at the Sirui VA-5 or something in the $150 range like that.

Any ideas?

 

[Pgidley]

The promaster spch20 will use the same QD, then you'll have a spare.

 

[Vandy321]

My concern is the base of that promaster head...not the plate. If you look at the pic with my rifle attached to that head, you can see that little metal stud that sits up inside the base (slides left and right) interferes with getting the RRS arca swiss on my stock to seat fully forward.

 

[Pgidley]

Oh yes I see the issue. Sorry, didn't see the pictures before. Hopefully someone will know the solution

 

[Browninglover1]

My Promaster should be arriving this week and from what you just posted, I'll be removing that screw. I generally firmly hold the object I'm placing in the head until it's fully locked down so I don't need the screw to stop the plate from sliding around.

My Sirui heads have a spring loaded plunger that performs the same function, and I don't think I've ever needed it in the 3 years I've been using that head.

 

[Vandy321]

Do you run the VA-5? From the looks of it, do you think it would work with that RRS plate?

This promaster thar came with the tripod is not my permanent head, but it's all I have for now. I think that screw is going to be coming out until I find a head that works.

 

[Lawnboi]

Completely off topic but who installed your plate and what plate is it?

 

[Vandy321]

Completely off topic but who installed your plate and what plate is it?

On the rifle? Mile High Shooting, in Denver. The guys that are partnered with SnipersHide. Cannot recommend them enough.

For the plate, they put an M-Loc adapter and mount it to the stock, then the 2.5" RRS Arca swiss plate mounts to that.

 

[Lawnboi]

On the rifle? Mile High Shooting, in Denver. The guys that are partnered with SnipersHide. Cannot recommend them enough.

For the plate, they put an M-Loc adapter and mount it to the stock, then the 2.5" RRS Arca swiss plate mounts to that.

Very cool setup, didn’t know they could put an M lock adapter on. I’ll have to keep that in mind for my next build

Iv got a stock coming with a pic rail in front of the magwell for the same exact thing. Except Iv got an rrs anvil head that will run picatinny or Arca.

 

[Turner]

I put a RRS SC-LR clamp on my Promaster XC525, just removed the existing plate that came on the ball head. The clamp allows use with my arca plates and picatinny rails installed on my rifles. I figured I am already carrying my tripod and don't want to add a bi-pod. This still kept my setup light. I have a sirui VA 5 head also, put the plate is unable to be removed on it. I am awaiting a Promaster pan head, which I can hopefully switch out the plates on.

 

[Turner]

got around to getting a pic of my setup. a pan head is not perfect as cant must be adjusted with the tripod legs, but is much more stable than my previous ball head. I much rather use the pan head for glassing so that would be a tradeoff. the adapter from RRS isn't the cheapest piece, but I can run all my arca mounts that are already on my optics and any rifle I fit with a picatinny rail with the switch of a lever.

 

[Vandy321]

got around to getting a pic of my setup. a pan head is not perfect as cant must be adjusted with the tripod legs, but is much more stable than my previous ball head. I much rather use the pan head for glassing so that would be a tradeoff. the adapter from RRS isn't the cheapest piece, but I can run all my arca mounts that are already on my optics and any rifle I fit with a picatinny rail with the switch of a lever.

Thanks for the pic. That is a great setup. I spent a week with bino's/spotter/rifle all being swapped onto the promaster tripod and the stock ball head that came with it...I did like the ability to adjust cant quickly with the rifle on the tripod with the ball head.

Any idea how/I'd there is a way to get that RRS mount to sit on top of the standard promaster ball head? I'd like to get that plat and the spch20 if it can function on both the ball and pan heads.

 

[Turner]

it has industrial thread lock on it. I used a heat gun on mine (melted a bubble level which I didnt use anyways). if you do it dont take an allen wrench to it prior to getting it fairly hot cause it's fairly easy to strip