Tripod: Help New Guy

[ryndxt]

There are a lot of Tripod threads. I've read them.

But I don't know what I don't know. I have my first Elk hunt (I'm from southeast) and my first sheep hunt in NM this year.

Guide recommended for me to get a tripod to use with my 10x binos (vortex)

I am backpacking, so I don't want something too heavy, but I also want to stay under $200. I'm ok w/ Aluminum if necessary. I am willing to buy now, and upgrade in the future. Willing to buy used.

Some questions I've seen:
1) I will add the smallrigs or VA-5 head.
2) I don't know if I will be sitting or standing, so lean towards flexibility.
3) I will have trekking poles with me
4) Only intend for this to be glassing set up, not shooting. but again, could be wrong?
5) Carrying a K4 3600 25" pack.


Whats a no-nonsense approach for my tripod needs?

 

[rogerdoger]

I take the the wiser quick stix/third leg system with me backpacking. Does not add a lot of weight, but it is not as stable as a true tripod.

Or if you want to save your money and not buy something just to upgrade, you could go with the wiser precision sparrow. This you can glass off of with one trekking pole and would be steady enough for the 10x.

 

[mthayr]

Which Vortex binos? May seem like a silly question, but if you're rockin some DBs then you'll get suggestions in line with that, Razors...? Probably a completely different suggestion. The better your glass the greater the benefit of a truly stable tripod.

 

[nobody]

Best Buy on the market all in right here:

Amazon.com

 

[Buglebrush]

Slik 634 or 624 CF. VA-5 or Aziak Vantage depending on your budget. If you're budget minded go with the surui carbon fiber VA 5 COMBO, but it's not as nice as the Slik.

 

[Buglebrush]

Best Buy on the market all in right here:

Amazon.com

I agree with this

 

[BBob]

You can’t go wrong with a basic Slik alu tripod. Low entry cost and put whatever head you like on it.

That Sirui listed above looks to be a screaming deal though. I’d look hard at that.

 

[43.6N]

Best Buy on the market all in right here:

Amazon.com

Yep. That will get you squared away.

 

[nobody]

I agree with this

Yep. That will get you squared away.

As the guy who posted it, It’s awesome. My dad picked one up last year when he upgraded his spotter and it’s pretty incredible how sturdy it is. It’s light but not ultralight, wide stance, and a screaming deal when you consider the fact that a VA5 head on its own is $90. If I didn’t already own a Tricer AD I’d buy one

 

[43.6N]

@ryndxt
I would add that spending the $$ on a quality bino stud and adaptor is well worth the money.
I personally am a fan of the outdoorsman product.

I’ve used a few strap and plate based mounts, and they are all inferior to the outdoorsman stud and post.

 

[ryndxt]

perfect. I'll buy the amazon link. Tell me more about bino adaptor? does that attach to the va-5 head?

 

[nobody]

There is a stud that threads into the front of your binos behind the vortex logo on the hinge. That stud interfaces with a post that attaches to an arca Swiss plate and then the arca plate attaches to the VA5

I’m admittedly NOT a fan of these types of adapters, but lots of guys use them without issue. Most common version comes from outdoorsman’s in Arizona.

I would recommend checking out an aziak Bino clamp for your interface point personally. Or a “tray” style adapter. Thats what I use, and I like it because we (meaning our hunting crew) can pass binos around and use all binos on all tripods if we all have the trays.

 

[hereinaz]

I think I have an extra VA head, if I do I will sell it cheap. I think it came on a decent slik tripod if you want I can track it down and might be a better deal used. I don’t use those style of tripod. I kept it around as a demo unit.

PM if interested.

All great suggestions and the Small Rig micro head is pretty dang good, for your smaller binos, that’s a great choice

 

[nobody]

All great suggestions and the Small Rig micro head is pretty dang good, for your smaller binos, that’s a great choice

amen on the little Smallrig head. Highly underrated and can be purchased on prime day sales for $30. I have one on my Tricer AD and it easily handles 10’s, 15’s, and my 85mm spotter. I’ve got 2, hard to beat for the price on a standalone head.

 

[hereinaz]

Will you glass sitting?
Will you glass standing?

If you bring a chair or use something like the Triple S pillow to glass sitting, you can comprise with a smaller tripod on the height and stability.

Being down low out of the wind and with less leg really reduces the vibration and wobble.

If you want; I will throw in a used SSS LS Wild bag if my tripod suits your needs and we work out a deal.

I’m happy to pass it and pay for some more bullets.

 

[hereinaz]

There is a stud that threads into the front of your binos behind the vortex logo on the hinge. That stud interfaces with a post that attaches to an arca Swiss plate and then the arca plate attaches to the VA5

I’m admittedly NOT a fan of these types of adapters, but lots of guys use them without issue. Most common version comes from outdoorsman’s in Arizona.

I would recommend checking out an aziak Bino clamp for your interface point personally. Or a “tray” style adapter. Thats what I use, and I like it because we (meaning our hunting crew) can pass binos around and use all binos on all tripods if we all have the trays.

Tray style adapter?

 

[hereinaz]

Yep. That will get you squared away.

Yes, this is a solid choice! Smoking deal for the “used” one on Amazon. I have bought them and it’s always been new stuff.

 

[nobody]

Tray style adapter?

Like the Swarovski one, or the one from leupold. Swarovski one is overpriced IMO, but it’s common.

 

[Buglebrush]

perfect. I'll buy the amazon link. Tell me more about bino adaptor? does that attach to the va-5 head?

I like the Vortex Pro one with the tiny Slik plate from S&S Archery

 

[Buglebrush]

There is a stud that threads into the front of your binos behind the vortex logo on the hinge. That stud interfaces with a post that attaches to an arca Swiss plate and then the arca plate attaches to the VA5

I’m admittedly NOT a fan of these types of adapters, but lots of guys use them without issue. Most common version comes from outdoorsman’s in Arizona.

I would recommend checking out an aziak Bino clamp for your interface point personally. Or a “tray” style adapter. Thats what I use, and I like it because we (meaning our hunting crew) can pass binos around and use all binos on all tripods if we all have the trays.

Each to his own. I hate the tray style ones.