I have tripods from all three companies mentioned above. You are right one is ridiculous overprices but it's not outdoorsmans.
Okay then, two of them are ridiculously overpriced.
And both of them target specific markets that are sympathetic to that attention, so they get those prices.Thanks Ryan. I can't see the weight on your scale there, what's that setup weigh with the Anvil-30 head? That is the head in that picture right?
I’m definitely in the “overpriced” range with no regrets. I too must have a center column and I need a regular pan head (dislike ball heads for glassing) so it’s the RRS Ascend with an OD fluid head. I’ve tried cheaper heads but after breaking down and buying the OD fluid there isn’t anything in my mind that is better overall for a glassing hunter with big BTX class glass. My light setup is an early green 1st Gen OD medium with an OD pan head. I’ve tried several and sold all of the carbons in the OD size and weight class and stuck with the OD medium. It’s more stable.
Have you shot off that head?
I have not yet. I recently put an ARCA plate on a rifle to try it. I've simulated it in the shop but I've never actually shot off a tripod. It feels like it should be fine but until I try to actually shoot it I won't know how it'll work. With all the interest and everybody doing it I guess I better jump on the bandwagon and give it a try.
I'll let Ryan give his own answers but for me it's all about efficiency and speed. When swiveling around and moving positions I find messing with legs slow to fine adjust height. A center column (even using the Ascend short 2" or so option) is so much faster. It may not seem like much but for me I can't do without and I've tried. Glassing to us is a fun but serious competition and I'll take every advantage I can get. This past year with my new big glass and this super stable tripod combo I smoked my buddies with more finds and a couple of amazing ones. On two I found and could see what they could not. Those two resulted in stalks that never would have been had it not been for my setup.
The center column gives me quick adjustment without messing with the legs. I won't argue that it's easier to shoot without a column. The cool part about the Leofoto Mr. Q 284C is it comes with both options, column or no column. So you can play with it and see what you like. It's a great tripod for the price.
I haven't seen anyone with one of those Q tripods! Looks pretty sweet. Do you use the no center column adapter? I would have to make a tapered adapter for the Anvil that would drop in there if I had one.
The RRS Ascend has a swappable direct mount Anvil option if you want a ballhead and no column but you’ll pay a steep price. The Leofoto looks to be a nice option.The center column gives me quick adjustment without messing with the legs. I won't argue that it's easier to shoot without a column. The cool part about the Leofoto Mr. Q 284C is it comes with both options, column or no column. So you can play with it and see what you like. It's a great tripod for the price.
You notice when RRS made a hunting tripod it has a center column.
That is awesome!
Using my manfrotto carbon bee free along side my cousins outdoorsman's compact medium, with outdoorsman's pan head. In high wind in the Missouri breaks.
I ended up with a LQ-324 for both shooting off of and spotting and I don't mind using the RRS Anvil-30 to glass without the center column. And it is awesome to shoot off of.
