Tripod head recommendation

[tommynealy]

What are some recommendations for a tripod head that will be used for glassing/shooting on backpack hunts. An arca swiss style plate is a must. I’d like to keep it under $200. Thanks.


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[blackdog]

I've been using a Sirui VA-5 for a few years now and it's been great so far. Mostly day trips with some 2-3 day trips as well. Very smooth for glassing with binos or a spotter and sturdy enough to shoot off of as well. Weighs 20oz so you'd have to decide if that weight was worth it for a backpack hunt.

 

[Gbrecka]

Just upgraded to the sirui va-5 as well. Seems much nicer than my old slik sprint, but haven’t put it thru all the paces yet

 

[tommynealy]

Is a pan head like the VA5 as nice to shoot off of as a ball head? I’ve never shot off of a tripod but was just thinking a ball head would be easier to shoot off of but probably not as nice to glass with.


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[gilby]

Is a pan head like the VA5 as nice to shoot off of as a ball head? I’ve never shot off of a tripod but was just thinking a ball head would be easier to shoot off of but probably not as nice to glass with.


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I've taken two whitetails off the VA-5 head with an arca attachment. It's a pain to make sure everything is level since you have to correct cant with your legs.

The VA-5 is amazing for glassing though, and I had a much easier time spotting game than a buddy with a ball head.

 

[roadrunner]

Check out the offering from Bog Pod. Works fairly well and you can use the remaining $150 to buy something else.

 

[Shoalwater]

I’ve been very happy with mine from Two Vets. I run the kit tripod with the 44mm head as a dual purpose tripod for hunting and PRS.

 

[tommynealy]

I’ve been very happy with mine from Two Vets. I run the kit tripod with the 44mm head as a dual purpose tripod for hunting and PRS.

I was looking at that one. Seems very nice. I’m assuming it’s smooth?


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[tdot]

Is a pan head like the VA5 as nice to shoot off of as a ball head? I’ve never shot off of a tripod but was just thinking a ball head would be easier to shoot off of but probably not as nice to glass with.


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I now only use ball heads for glassing, and prefer them to pan heads. An integrated panning function can help split the difference in functionality. As a lightweight head for glassing, its pretty hard to beat the RRS BPC-16, at roughly 4oz and $130. I've shot off of it, but it's not ideal, if I truly wanted a shooting head, I'd look elsewhere.

 

[Shreddedtines]

You will have a hard time beating the Sirui VA5 for the $