Tripod & Head Combinations

[Arrowslinger]

Well, being a California resident, there sure aren't any coues deer to hunt...but i do spend quite a bit of time behind the glass lookin' for blacktails. I'm in the process of buying a Swaro spotter and figure you guys that chase coues all year are the pro's w/ spotter, bino's, tripods, and heads.

 

What tripods/heads do you guys use and what would you suggest? This will be for day hunts as well as multiday backcountry trips.

 

Thanks in advance for your help & great site you have here.

 

'slinger

[Arrowslinger]

Forgot to mention, this will be for a Swaro 10x42 SLC & STS 65 spotter

[Red Rabbit]

Jim White's head is top notch.

http://www.coueswhitetail.com/bookstore/tripods_adaptor.htm

 

For tripods, I have the Velbon Chaser EFL4 (new model is the Sherpa). Like the sturdiness and adjustable leg angles. Tried the Slik Sprint Mini to save weight in the pack, but found the legs to flex too much. Got the Velbon LUXi from Doug at Camera Land in NY, and it is lighter than my Velbon and the legs are stiffer than the Slik Sprint.

 

Many like the carbon tripod from Outdoorsmans

http://outdoorsmans.com/tripod.html

 

Have you considered the Swaro 15x56 bino?

 

RR

[firstcoueswas80]

With a Spotter, you will need a heavy or atleast somewhat heavy tripod to hold the weight, especially with the windy days.

[scoutm]

I recently purchased a new Manfrotto Tripod with their pistol grip head. I'm very pleased with it. When I was looking at them I also looked at a fluid head which was very smooth. What solid me on the pistol grip is that when you release the grip you are locked in both horizontal and vertial planes which is great when you've aquired your target though you spotting scope. With a traditional head I would alway knock the scope off the traget when locking up the scope. Some warned me that hand fatigue was an issue with a pistol grip head but I have not found that to be the case. BHP Photo and Video has very good pricing.

[Arrowslinger]

Thanks for the replys.

 

So far you're about the 10th person to recommend the Jim White head, so looks like i might go w/ that...on the Manfrotto trigger, are you able to pan from side to side w/ it, or do you have to engage the trigger to get any movement?

 

I've definately considered the 15x Swaro's, but i've used a spotting scope for the past 3 years and have really become reliant on it......i consider the 15's to be in the middle (10x & spotter), but will probably purchase them at some point.

 

On the White head, once you spot your animal, is there any movement of the head once it's locked down....my current head, once i twist the lock and when i'm on an animal, it's sags a bit and i loose the animal in the FOV. I'm assuming the white head does not have this issue.

 

Thanks again guys.

[Red Rabbit]

Jim White also makes a panning attachment useful with pistol grips. It's shown in the link to the CWT.com bookstore I posted above.

 

RR

[scoutm]

You have to engage the trigger to pan. I have set the tension on mine to the lowest level so the amount that I have to pull the trigger is very slight. This allows me to pan on the horizontal plain without changing the vertical. It's difficult to pan in a continuous motion but when I glass I like to move my field of view scan the entire field and then move again. The Pistal grip works great for that. I use a Swaro 20-60x80 scope and even at the lowest tension it support my scope when I release the trigger it is locked and even in heavy wind there is very little movement and I've not had is sag at all.

 

Also, when I was doing my research there was someone that was selling a JW Head I will see if saved the PM he sent me.

[COUESAZ]

All the ones i have had have worked just fine for me, But i just got the manfrotto tripod and pistol grip and it has been the best so far. I do like the ones Amanda has on this site are nice as well.

[scoutm]

Here's a link to the one I purchased.

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...oughType=search

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

I have the same tripod as Red Rabbit.... I have been using and abusing it for many years. It is light and strong.... also it extends long enough that you can stand behind it (which I only recomend if looking for elk sized game in calm conditions ). The plastic clips are easy & quick to use and have held up very well... none are broken!

 

As for the head..... I used a Boat Anchor..... I mean Bogan head for many years. They are heavy, but hold up well to the wind and the abuse. However, they are noisy over time.....as they begin to wear out.....

Although, I am not a big Outdoorsman customer..... I now use the Outdoorsman head..... I do like it very much for how compact, light, quiet, and easy to use it is. It is, however, a little weak under the weight of my STS 65 when it is windy. I have found that with the dove tailed shoes I can remove the head and slide my scope right onto the top of my tripod...... for long range spotting or video it is then rock steady! It is an expensive head, but I think if weight and simplicity are important to you, then this is a great product.

 

Just my $.02 worth......

[Red Rabbit]

One of hte Slik Carbon Pros, like the 614, may suit your needs. lightweight for when you pack in.

http://www.thkphoto.com/products/slik/slik-cfs6-b.html

[CouesWhitetail]

Arrowslinger,

 

No, you won't have a problem with the Jim White tripod head slipping. It's a very strong tripod head. It's the strongest, lightest panning head I know of and it is great for glassing. Getting that head on a velbon sherpa tripod is a great glassing setup. You can also go with a smaller tripod if you want, but the velbon sherpa is excellent. It's sturdy, strong and you can get the model that is tall enough to glass standing up.

 

http://www.coueswhitetail.com/bookstore/tripods_adaptor.htm

 

 

Another tripod head option is one that I just purchased that is excellent for video taping and glassing. It's much heavier and bulkier than the JW head, but it's a true fluid head meaning it's amazingly smooth. It's one that was recommended to me by DeadEye Productions and it's very nice. I put that on my sherpa tripod and loved it. here is the name of the tripod head:Bogen / Manfrotto BO701RC2 701RC2 Video Fluid Head

 

and I got it from bhphoto. But again, it's much bulkier and heavier than the JW head. If I wasn't doing videotaping, I wouldn't have messed with it.

 

Amanda

[DEERSLAM]

Hey Kirk why didn't you just ask me. I'll let you look through my Swaro 65 mounted on my Outdoorsmans tripod with Outdoorsmans pistolgrip and the Jim White panning attachment. Or we can set the Swaro up on my Manfrotto tripod to see the difference. Remind me and we'll check it out next time we chase yotes.

PS I've also got the Swaro 15x56's if you want to check em out.

[Arrowslinger]

Mike........believe it or not, i was going to call you this week & see what tripod/scope/head combo you had. But yeah, if you could throw those in next month when we head out, would really like to pack it around for the day & see how it performs. I'm for sure gettin' the scope, but the tripod/head combo is a tough decision.

 

Hope my stock is back by the time we head out.