Best ultralight tripod

jasonhul

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 19, 2017
Messages
158
Following add I've been wondering the same thing? What do you consider to be 'expensive'?


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Ira040

FNG
Joined
May 16, 2019
Messages
10
I really like my Slik 624 CF.
I used to have a two section Aluminum Giottos MT9240. weighted like 1.75#, was sturdy and cost like $75. not sure if you can still find them.
 
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FURMAN

WKR
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
1,793
I have tired quite a few including the Slik 624 CF and the Promaster 525c. I think the Promaster is one of the best you can get considering weight and price.
 

Tanner W

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 16, 2019
Messages
181
Location
Arizona
I like my SLIK 634, little longer than the 624 when fully collapsed but it’s nice to be able to glass standing up to stretch out for a few minutes compared to being stuck in a sitting position
 

FlyGuy

WKR
Joined
Aug 13, 2016
Messages
2,088
Location
The Woodlands, TX
If you really want ultra lite, go granite peak. Amazing quality, surprisingly rugged, unbelievably light weight.

You have to sacrifice a pan head for a ball head, but it works well. Pretty much any binos will work, but you will be limited on spotters. My 50mm vortex works perfect, but I can run my big Kowa.







You can’t cheat the mountain
 

Napperm4

WKR
Joined
Dec 31, 2016
Messages
444
Location
Calgary, AB, Canada
I like my SLIK 634, little longer than the 624 when fully collapsed but it’s nice to be able to glass standing up to stretch out for a few minutes compared to being stuck in a sitting position

This ^^^

I’ve tried an ultralight similar to KDC, Vortex SS, Slik624CF, Outdoorsmans Compact Medium and finally settled on the 634CF as the best option for me.

Combination decision of being able to stand (a lot of my glassing points have grown to the point where sitting isn’t an option) mainly use with binos but I also use a straight spotter due to always getting up high and looking down or across the valleys.

Super stable compared to others. I added a small weight hook to the center post and throw a stuff sack full of rocks for extra stability in the high winds (gotta love the Rockies and Plains of AB). Holds up to even my 95mm STX without issue.

Can argue it’s not “ultra light” but no tripod is going to be both ultralight, stable and cheap.

I went with low price, stable and tough after years of experience. Turns out an “ultra light” tripod just ended up being dead weight because it was either too flimsy (even with my light as air swaro cl), too unstable if I farted near it and the image vibrates for 5 minutes or too weak so it would get hauled in and unused.

A couple extra ounces and the option to add weight is worth it. I hate making a huge investment in optics useless because I went too light on the tripod.
 
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
7,416
Location
Chugiak, Alaska
For just a very light weight, inexpensive, sturdy (even with running a heavy 80mm Swaro), and convenient tripod, I find it really hard to beat the aluminum Slik Sprint Mini. I picked this one up used for about $30 and have used the hell out of it over the last five years or so. I always keep my spotter attached, and the last couple seasons, I haven’t even been using a spotter pocket, I just keep it tucked up under the lid of my pack. I can have my pack off, spotter out, and legs deployed within about a minute.
885c6d97c21d7af187494c3511e262a1.jpg

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Another option, if you want to go super ultra light weight, is this little Red Mountain Gear tripod. It’s not as convenient because you have to use trekking poles or whatever for the legs, if you don’t use the little aluminum legs that come with it, but it’s also super sturdy when done correctly.
e5734591ee7033aeedc99ddcb1c35d1f.jpg

a4051b7538901109ef125c3496836390.jpg

0421ad57eab408cc991ee19ac57a6986.jpg

03540ec4c1d1c5a919f1fd5008ce2b8b.jpg



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OP
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Bongo

FNG
Joined
Mar 1, 2018
Messages
10
Location
Washington
I like my SLIK 634, little longer than the 624 when fully collapsed but it’s nice to be able to glass standing up to stretch out for a few minutes compared to being stuck in a sitting position
Looks pretty awesome this is pretty much my cut off price point
 
OP
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Bongo

FNG
Joined
Mar 1, 2018
Messages
10
Location
Washington
For just a very light weight, inexpensive, sturdy (even with running a heavy 80mm Swaro), and convenient tripod, I find it really hard to beat the aluminum Slik Sprint Mini. I picked this one up used for about $30 and have used the hell out of it over the last five years or so. I always keep my spotter attached, and the last couple seasons, I haven’t even been using a spotter pocket, I just keep it tucked up under the lid of my pack. I can have my pack off, spotter out, and legs deployed within about a minute.
885c6d97c21d7af187494c3511e262a1.jpg

5f3e0d9431044f6a62d1ec86890e989b.jpg


Another option, if you want to go super ultra light weight, is this little Red Mountain Gear tripod. It’s not as convenient because you have to use trekking poles or whatever for the legs, if you don’t use the little aluminum legs that come with it, but it’s also super sturdy when done correctly.
e5734591ee7033aeedc99ddcb1c35d1f.jpg

a4051b7538901109ef125c3496836390.jpg

0421ad57eab408cc991ee19ac57a6986.jpg

03540ec4c1d1c5a919f1fd5008ce2b8b.jpg



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what a creative little gadget
 
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