Lightweight quality tripods?

[SwarovskiCoues]

looking to get a smaller tripod for backpacking, i currently use a monfrotto carbon tripod but its bulky and a little heavy. been looking into outdoorsmans medium... any feedback? or any reccomendations .. thanks

[mattys281]

I picked up a little slik tripod from Archery HQ a few years ago. The tripod complete with head and 2 plates was I think in the $100-120 range. It does well with 10x & 12x glass on it, but it's a little light weight for 15x minox or a spotter. It's very light weight and has rode for many miles on my pack.

[AZ8]

My backpack set up is a Slik Pro EZ aluminum with the outdoorsman's head on it. Total weight is 2.5 pounds.

[Kaffer62]

I love my promaster.

[dustin25]

Vortex summit ssp is my backpacking tripod. Packs small, very sturdy for being so small, and weighs 2# or less, and I think I paid less then 100 bucks for it

[oz31p]

Outdoorsman compact med with the micro pan head

2lbs 9oz and very stout

[WampusCat]

I am an admitted tripod junky. I have have become addicted to buying, trying, and selling to find the perfect combo of lightweight, small collapsed length, and durability. I am constantly buying and selling them in my search but I have owned aluminum and carbon models from Vangaurd, Manfrotto, Slik, Promaster, and Sirui,

 

I primarily glass sitting down and my go to lightweight tripod is the Promaster XC525c. It is right at 2 lbs and collapses to under 16" but gets up to 59". I am right at 6ft tall and by the time I add a head and the Outdoorsman Bino Adapter I can easily glass standing up comfortably without straining.

 

My current favorite for a bigger pod is a Sirui N-2204X I picked up in a tiny camera shop on sale. 4 section carbon legs, weighing 3.25 lbs and a load rating of 33lbs for under $300.

 

Having said all that, I just saw that Slik released a new compact model that will compete with the Promaster 525. I believe it is called the Slik CF522. It would be worth a look!

 

I have never bit the bullet and threw down the cash for an Outdoorsman's but I am sure they are nice.

 

Cheap, Lightweight, Durable - Pick two cause that is all you get. I only buy these things on sale and it still hurts sometimes.

[kazpilot25]

I like my Promaster.

[desertmafia21]

Slik sprint mini 2 with a manfrotto 700rc2 head. Great affordable lightweight setup i use

[wildwoody]

Outdoorsman , medium and tall

[kwp]

For those of you who have a promaster, how are they holding up? Buddy of mine has had one for 3 years and it has lost a few pieces along the way. Promaster is unresponsive when trying to order replacement parts.

My manfrotto 3001 is 12 years old and still good as new.

[WampusCat]

I have (2) promasters, a 325 and a 525. No issues with either. The included ball heads aren't anything to write home about, but the legs are great and I haven't had any issues. I have had the 325 for four years. I know a couple people who have been running one for longer than that without issues. Use them in the field year round for hunting and photography.

 

What pieces has he lost?

 

I am notoriously hard on gear but will admit that I tend to baby anything related to my optics.

[W.O.T]

Promaster 328C

[Swivelhead]

Promaster 525C. Picked up 2 for $180 each @ Camera land on a black friday deal a few years ago. No issues with them. IMO, a good

2 way tripod head is more important than the legs. A smooth pan and tilt is where it's at.

Another decent tripod is the Slik pro II, it's light and if you put a good head on it, it will handle up to 15X56 well. No go for spotters.

[Kaffer62]

Have had my promaster for over 5 years. Great shape for as much use it has. I haven't lost any pieces to it but I have kept an eye on things and tighten up things as needed. Just bought an extra one. I use the outdoorsmans pan head