Click bait title? Yes, probably. But I've been absolutely loving this setup. I've also not seen anyone else using this combination (and very little on either one, closest I've seen someone using is a wiser precision or the new RRS pan/tilt on an anvil)
A few years ago I picked up a leofoto 324CEX with the integrated compact leveling base, and really been pleased with it for shooting. It's more stable than anything else in its weight class that I have used (no RRS experience, but slik, feisol, manfrotto, etc ranging from 2lb glassing tripods to 6 lb 36mm leg with 55mm ball head). I've shot deer at 400 yards standing, rock chucks at 200 standing easily, and 800+ on vital size steel from seated.
leofotousa.com
I never loved it for glassing, but tolerated it as the leveling base actually works pretty smoothly. This year I picked up a SmallRig compact pan/tilt and mounted an arca plate to the bottom. Cut the handle down and removed the big rubber grip. It lives on the tripod now, only comes off to take a shot. 1,000% improved glassing experience, both binos and spotting scope. Way better than any ball head I've used, nearly VA5 quality (though it's been a while since I owned one, so I don't have a very sharp reference point to compare them). It's not the lightest option, around 1/2 lb I think. I'll try to remember to weigh it. There are lighter ones out there, but this little guy is amazing for the money. It's only $50, I got it on sale for $40.
I now have a 4.25 lb setup that lets me shoot very effectively, goes to standing height for glassing and shooting, and in my opinion is better for glassing than any ball head I'm aware of. I'm under $500 on the whole setup. The leveling base makes the panhead so nice to use, compared to standard tripods and trying to get the head close to level by adjusting legs. With this setup, I just get it somewhere kind of close and then do a quick adjustment on the leveling base and I'm all set.
I like to do things quirky sometimes, and it does not always work as well as I hope. This one though has panned out extremely well.
A few years ago I picked up a leofoto 324CEX with the integrated compact leveling base, and really been pleased with it for shooting. It's more stable than anything else in its weight class that I have used (no RRS experience, but slik, feisol, manfrotto, etc ranging from 2lb glassing tripods to 6 lb 36mm leg with 55mm ball head). I've shot deer at 400 yards standing, rock chucks at 200 standing easily, and 800+ on vital size steel from seated.
Leofoto LS-324CEX Leveling Ranger Tripod
LS-324CEX: MSRP: $449.00 Max. height: 1526mmMin.Height: 100mmFolded length: 560mmLeg Section : 4Max load: 15kgWeight: 1.61kg Tilt range : -15°/+15°
leofotousa.com
I never loved it for glassing, but tolerated it as the leveling base actually works pretty smoothly. This year I picked up a SmallRig compact pan/tilt and mounted an arca plate to the bottom. Cut the handle down and removed the big rubber grip. It lives on the tripod now, only comes off to take a shot. 1,000% improved glassing experience, both binos and spotting scope. Way better than any ball head I've used, nearly VA5 quality (though it's been a while since I owned one, so I don't have a very sharp reference point to compare them). It's not the lightest option, around 1/2 lb I think. I'll try to remember to weigh it. There are lighter ones out there, but this little guy is amazing for the money. It's only $50, I got it on sale for $40.
I now have a 4.25 lb setup that lets me shoot very effectively, goes to standing height for glassing and shooting, and in my opinion is better for glassing than any ball head I'm aware of. I'm under $500 on the whole setup. The leveling base makes the panhead so nice to use, compared to standard tripods and trying to get the head close to level by adjusting legs. With this setup, I just get it somewhere kind of close and then do a quick adjustment on the leveling base and I'm all set.
I like to do things quirky sometimes, and it does not always work as well as I hope. This one though has panned out extremely well.
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