tripod head upgrage

[bard]

Hello. I have been running a slik 2 tripod for a handful of years and the head on it is getting sloppy. what would be a good upgrade for the head or should I bite the bullet and get a new tripod and head combo? I like the tripod and it has stood up to some pretty good abuse for not being overly expensive. I would like to keep it under $200 and the tripod is for a 80mm spotter for mostly sheep and goat country.

 

[doverpack12]

Look into the Benro S2 video head. S and S archery sells them for $76 and its pretty smooth and plenty strong.

 

[TheCougar]

Manfrotto 700rc2. Weighs about 17oz and is a fluid head. I replaced my SLIK head and am happy with it. You will need a 1/4-3/8 adaptor screw.

 

[Bwana]

Tons of great options available today in your price range.

But a couple things need sorted out prior to choosing which model:

1)The balance point and weight of your scope, including digiscope set-up attached(if you use one). The farther your optic balance point is from the scope's mounting plate, the more weight rating/spring return you need for easy & smooth usage. There are various types of shoe adapters, some are sliding/adjustable to compensate for balance issues...some are not(you may not need it anyway.
2)Do you want a true fluid head, or a friction/teflon type will do ?...some "fluid heads" are really not fluid....weight and size generally will go up with "video" fluid heads...along with price. But a far better product in operation and smooth subject locating. You only need a pan/tilt head(2 way), and because of your 80mm scope skip any ball style heads.
3)Generally it's a balance between quality operation & weight gain...are you packing the optics in a long distance ?, are you traveling around hunting with it during stalks ? The better heads(heavier)are very adjustable in the settings, allowing the scope to just float and hold position when releasing hand....the cheaper heads are lighter and drift or sag after releasing...forcing you to lock/unlock/lock the head constantly.

Hope that makes sense, and didn't muddy the water

 

[Travis Bertrand]

Manfrotto 700rc2. Weighs about 17oz and is a fluid head. I replaced my SLIK head and am happy with it. You will need a 1/4-3/8 adaptor screw.

What he said. I modified mine to get to 14 oz. or so.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

another vote for the manfrotto head. The benro is a decent head, I used one for a couple days on my buddy's tripod. But the manfrotto is better, for only about $15 more. it handles my 15x binos and 66mm spotter very well so I'd imagine a 80mm would be just fine.

 

[Brian Fahs]

Run my 80 on a 700rc2. VERY solid. I have 2. One on a manfrotto windowmount the other on a slik 634 tripod. I run a 701rc on a manfrotto 3221wn aluminum tripod. The 701 rc has the adjustable balance point. That setup is primo but heavy. ONLY use close to the truck.

 

[Jordan Budd]

X2 on Benro s2 head. The similar manfrotto is ok as well, however I like the plate design on the Benro better. Not a square, more of a rectangle and handles weight better IMO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[R_Nues]

What he said. I modified mine to get to 14 oz. or so.

What did you modify on your 700RC2 to get the weight down to 14 oz?


I just got a 700rC2 and noticed it has a setscrew to "lock-in" the quick change plate in position. Without locking in the plate, it would wobble all over the place. Is the setscrew a common thing on heads? I've only had one other tripod and it didn't have it, once I slid in the plate, it was locked in place. Is the setscrew a bother at all?

 

[Trogon]

So what would you guys suggest for an ultralight setup? Im looking at the slik 624 for using with 8x42 binos. Thinking I may go up to a 15x56 next year but thats the heaviest I would need support for.

 

[Bwana]

So what would you guys suggest for an ultralight setup? Im looking at the slik 624 for using with 8x42 binos. Thinking I may go up to a 15x56 next year but thats the heaviest I would need support for.

I have the Slik 624 Carbon and love it, with binos only I'd put a ballhead on it to save weight.

 

[dotman]

So what would you guys suggest for an ultralight setup? Im looking at the slik 624 for using with 8x42 binos. Thinking I may go up to a 15x56 next year but thats the heaviest I would need support for.

Outdoorsmans micro pan that weighs 7.5oz and is made out of aluminum.

 

[Trogon]

That sucker is 'spensive.