BOGEN TRIPODS

[redneck74]

Have any of you guys/gals ever used a Bogen tripod? What do you think? This is the one I am thinking about getting. I glass with Swarovski 15x56

 

Here is the link:

 

http://www.bigbinoculars.com/3405.htm

[hunt4horns]

Great pod but you need to really watch which one you order cause some of them are very heavy. 7.5lbs but they have a carbon fiber one that is very nice just a little more expensive.

[Joe Kauffman]

Michael,

 

My father has the Grip-Action Ball head tripod made by Bogen and it is awesome. As hunt4horns mentioned, they can be a bit on the heavy side depending on which one you get, but the ones he and I have used have been very durable and steady. I don't see the Grip-Action Ball head tripod on the site, only the monopods, but if you can find one, they are very easy to use.

[Coach]

I have 2 bogen tripods - the "Bogen Jr." which is very similar to the one you are looking at, and the 3205G "Tracker". The Jr. fell apart after a couple of years of hard use and the Tracker is just too big and bulky to carry around all the time, IMO. I bought a Slik Sprint Pro after seeing a buddy's and I have to tell you, it's a fantastic tripod. Best of all, it weighs a whopping 1.95 pounds. I use it for my Swaro 15x56 and have no problems with stability whatsoever. You just have to get used to not having a pan head - it's a built-in ball head.

[300WBYMAG]

I finally broke done and bought a Bogen setup about 6 months ago and couldn't be happier. I have the 3021BN tripod with 3130 fluid head. Paid $ 180 at B&H Photo. The things that I see as a must for hunting/scouting tripods are: Adjustable angle legs for uneven terrain, one that is tall enough for your height (I'm 6'4" so I had to go with their tallest model), one that is sturdy because of the abuse in the field, and a fluid head.

 

If you haven't yet, go to a photo shop and try panning with different kinds of heads. My old tripod was a ball head and I'll never go back after using a fluid head. I also would be wary of the carbon fiber models. I had two friends buy them and return them after one glassing session. They were hard to keep steady in 15mph+ winds and would shake even with some monster 20x Doctors mounted on top.

 

With my setup I am able to handle the weight of my Leupold GR spotting scope w/ a camcorder attached to it with no problem. That is at least 10lbs, exceeding the recommendations but working fine. That would handle your 15x56 fine.

 

But really look into the fluid head and adjustable angle legs. I think you would regret not getting those features.

[Diamondbackaz]

this is the one I have for my spotting scope

 

http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?dept=...=1&pid=4305

[COOSEFAN]

I have and use the Bogen tripods, but only with the fliud heads. One of them is the Swarovski model and it is a PIG of a tripod, very heavy, even has a sling, but you won't find a sturdier tripod in my opinion. I only use this tripod for the video equipment and if I plan on using the spotting scope a bunch, otherwise it stays at home or in the truck. I personnally don't like the pistol grip head, I had it for one hunt and sold it, it drove me crazy when trying to pan with the glasses or when trying to find something with the spotter, nothing fluid about it, and your hand will start hurting if you try to pan smoothly for any length of time. That's just me though, I know poeple who love it. JIM>

 

I just went back and looked at the link to the tripod Micheal is asking about, and that looks like a good one, especially for the price! I can't tell if it has angle adjusting legs or not, but that would be very important to have. My $.02, JIM>

[JACK]

Bogens are good tripods but they are HEAVY!!, The Outdoorsman makes one that weights at least half of the bogen. I got one last year and I love it it is just so much lighter !! When you have to carry all that bone out every ounce adds up!!

[bullwidgeon]

 

I have this Bogen. It is the older version of the one you are looking at, I have the Outdoorsman universal mount on it. I use it with my 10x Leicas and 15X Swaros and I like it. I do not think the weight is that bad, but alot of pansies have lifted my tripod up and cryed and whined like 3 year old girls who just had their Barbies ran over by a ginourmous biker on a Harley. Bogens are definately good and rugged tripods.

 

Bret M.

[bowhunter4life]

I have 2 and both are great.one did break after 2 years, the replacement parts were easy to get and fix.

[kwp]

I have the Bogen 3001BN with the 700RC2 head and love it. It has the sturdyness of any Bogen but the total weight is only 5 lbs. It is extremely sturdy and strong even under my 20x80's. Like was mentioned earlier, one feature that I think is a must have is the multiple angle legs. They really allow you to get under your binos and get comfortable. Good luck with your hunt.

[mjmhunter]

I have used the bogan since 1998 and it is a very stable. However it is heavy, especially after carring it around all day. I just purchased a modified Velbon tripod from Jim White along with his pan head. This setup is much lighter than the Bogan. Both these items can be purchased from this site.

[Arizona Griz]

I just picked up the Bogen 728B tripod. It is not that heavy at just less than 4 pounds. The legs won't flatten out but I will work around that.

[CouesWhitetail]

Check out the tripods in the CW.com store: Tripods

 

 

I just added the new Velbon Sherpas which are replacements for the Velbon EFL3a and 4a. Those are good tripods and quite a bit lighter than Bogen. The sprint pro is even lighter than those....

 

AZonecam, you don't have to use that ball head on the sprint pro. Buy a different tripod head and put it on there. Or, another thing to do if you like the size of the ball head is to get the Jim White panning attachment that he made just for those kinds of ball heads so you can pan with them easier. It's a nice set-up. You can see those on the link in the beginning of my post.

 

Amanda

[Coach]

Thanks Amanda. Actually, I really like the little ball head now that I'm used to it. Just have to get the tension right and it works great. That panning attachment looks pretty sweet though.