Tripod Recommendation - Kowa 88

[satchamo]

I just picked up a Kowa 88 and my current tripod line up is not enough for this and honestly I’ve been trending away from “lightweight” tripods in general as stability is more important to me than anything. I think my weight goal is 4-5 pounds. I will be using my va5 head I already have.

So anywho I have narrowed down to the slik 834, innorel 284. Anyone have any experience or insight on which one of these is better?

I’ll be honest they all kind of start to look the same after a while and not sure the slik is worth $100 more than the innorel. I have an rt90c already and it’s been great for 5+ years.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

The Kowa 88 deserves a RRS Ascend-14. It’s worth it.

 

[satchamo]

The Kowa 88 deserves a RRS Ascend-14. It’s worth it.

Genuinely asking - What is someone getting from a $1400 tripod that they can’t get from say a similar/comparable Chinese knock off? I don’t know that anyone has ever articulated that to me.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Genuinely asking - What is someone getting from a $1400 tripod that they can’t get from say a similar/comparable Chinese knock off? I don’t know that anyone has ever articulated that to me.

Significantly higher quality carbon that is noticeable when using the tripod at full height. The difference between regular carbon layup and high modulus is significant.

Better design and higher quality components outside of the carbon.

To achieve the same rigidity of a 28mm RRS leg, you have to jump up significantly in size from a competitor using inferior materials.

The Ascend is super versatile, being able to directly mount an Anvil for shooting or using the center column with a pan tilt head for glassing primarily.

 

[satchamo]

Significantly higher quality carbon that is noticeable when using the tripod at full height. The difference between regular carbon layup and high modulus is significant.

Better design and higher quality components outside of the carbon.

To achieve the same rigidity of a 28mm RRS leg, you have to jump up significantly in size from a competitor using inferior materials.

The Ascend is super versatile, being able to directly mount an Anvil for shooting or using the center column with a pan tilt head for glassing primarily.

Thanks for that context - the new benchmark models - especially the inverted legs have my attention

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Thanks for that context - the new benchmark models - especially the inverted legs have my attention

Mine too. Waiting for @Marty to get his and do some comparing to my Ascend.

 

[satchamo]

Mine too. Waiting for @Marty to get his and do some comparing to my Ascend.

I’ll be interested to see. I do like a center post for glassing just because it’s easier to fine tune but the inverted legs are so much easier to adjust so maybe that cancels the lack of a center post.

Curious on the ascend, do you run it with a ball head then clip a compact fluid head onto it? I already have a tricer lp though I’m not sure it would work great on an 88

 

[mulveymo]

Tricer JC on sale right now. It's great for heavy optics. Super stable.

 

[PredatorX]

If you want to stay 4-5 pounds I’d also look at the Tricer HK. Very pleased with mine so far.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I’ll be interested to see. I do like a center post for glassing just because it’s easier to fine tune but the inverted legs are so much easier to adjust so maybe that cancels the lack of a center post.

Curious on the ascend, do you run it with a ball head then clip a compact fluid head onto it? I already have a tricer lp though I’m not sure it would work great on an 88

I generally use it with the Anvil clone (MA-30l) and used the Tricer LP head, which was fine for the Kowa 77 & 66. I’m trying out a panning base on top of the Anvil now though.

 

[BLJ]

I generally use it with the Anvil clone (MA-30l) and used the Tricer LP head, which was fine for the Kowa 77 & 66. I’m trying out a panning base on top of the Anvil now though.

View attachment 1077330
View attachment 1077331

What does your total tripod setup weigh?

 

[satchamo]

Tricer JC on sale right now. It's great for heavy optics. Super stable.

I looked at it but there is way too much stuff going on there and I haven’t been overly impressed with the quality of anything tricer is putting out…

 

[PredatorX]

There are non rrs tripods out there that will do the job. The question is how do you want to use it apart from the spotter? Is pack ability important? Do you want inverted legs? Do you want to be able to stand and glass or shoot?


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[PredatorX]

I’ve recently reviewed Leofoto SO, fanaue and now Tricer HK. For me I needed one more packable then the SO. The Fanaue was pretty decent but a little thick. The Tricer was just the right size for me. These are all 31-32 mm legs. That’s what I’d start with if also wanting to shoot from it.

Also I’m not going back to non inverted legs.


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[cole96]

I like my river hk, and I use it with my kowan88

 

[cwitt]

My Slik 833 with a VA5X handles my Swaro 95 the best of anything I’ve tried.

A RRS will be my next tripod but hard to justify when I’ve been as happy with the Slik as I am.

 

[CVass]

Tricer hk , Suri

 

[AkMtnRunner]

If you’re using the big spotter at standing height, you’ll definitely want a top tier set of legs. Try to go without the center column if you can as having it will sacrifice a lot of the rigidity on a heavy spotter’s image. I do think there’s something to large leg tube diameter as well. I’ll never regret spending $1000 precovid on a set of RRS legs. Without a great tripod there’s really no point to using the large spotter standing.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Please give us a call, 516-217-1000, and speak with Joel or Jeff to discuss tripod options. They are very well versed