Tripods : 3 section vs 4 section, packability and stability...

catorres1

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
284
I am trying to select a tripod and have come to a bit of a decision I can't get past. For arguements sake, lets leave it narrowed to two different Manfrotto 190 Carbon tripods. Height, weight and weight rating are all the same. The only difference...one has 3 sections and collapses down to about 24 inches. The other has 4 sections and collapses down to about 20 inches. So a 4 inch differnece. With the ballhead I am planning on using, one will be 24 inches, the other 28.

I'd like the shorter so it does not stick up so high when in my pack. However, the 4 section legs are very thin in the last section, .46 inches....where the 3 section ones are about .68 IIRC. Those thin final legs would suggest that the tripod may not be sufficiently sturdy when at full leg extension, but I don't know.

FYI, I have an 82mm Cabelas/Meopta that is going on this. I also plan to use it with a mount for a rifle. I do need to be able to look through the spotter while standing, and I am 6'3, and don't want to use much of the center column due to the instability it adds. So in those cases where I will be standing, the legs will be at full extension.

The pod I used when I was a photographer many years ago is huge and heavy, but very stable. Not sure how well these thin legged 4 section pods will do with an 82 at full power.

On the other hand, how will it be with a pod and head sticking up so high....by my measurements, it won't be above my head, but will be pretty damned close.

Thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks!
 

tracker12

WKR
Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Messages
1,143
For me both are to long I would rather look st the Silk 634 that comes in at 18”. I ran a long one for a couple days and didn’t like the way it road in the pack at all
 
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catorres1

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
284
For me both are to long I would rather look st the Silk 634 that comes in at 18”. I ran a long one for a couple days and didn’t like the way it road in the pack at all

Tracker,

Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, the 634 is too short for me. I want to be able to use it standing using as little center column as possible. But on that 634, what spotter are you using and how does it do with the legs fully extended at max power?4

That's really my question in the end, how do pods with .46 or so diameter final segment work with the bigger scopes.
 

tracker12

WKR
Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Messages
1,143
Im running a Swarovski 65 ATM. But to be honest I rarely if ever glass standing.
 
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catorres1

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
284
Thanks guys, yeah, been working with Doug and crew for a few years for my optics needs. Doug and I chatted today, he did not know, but Joel was already helping me. I just don't have my own decision made between all the options he has for me, so I am trying to break the logjam here.

Thanks again for the replies.
 
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