Jeeze... Lighten up.

[SquidHC]

So my tripod (Vortex STX) weighs 4lbs 12oz, and my pistol grip ball head (Vanguard-100) weighs in at 1 lb 10.5 oz.

Not gonna lie. You're not going to catch me packing my 6lb 6.6oz tripod in the backcountry. I've been making a huge effort to downsize lately and I just don't need this heavy of a tripod anymore. I used to use it for long range shooting with a huge spotter or to shoot off of and it was great.

Considering selling everything and just going with a lightweight tripod for binos, and possibly picking up a Vortex Razor 50mm or something similar.

What would you recommend for an affordable but light backcountry tripod for the aformentioned purpose?

Which head would you run?

Thanks!

 

[Broomd]

Outdoorsman$ with a pistol grip or pan...

Or..... skip the formality and go with a 4 oz. pedco or gorilla pod (both ounces)... cheap but git er done.

 

[flyinsquirel]

Silk 624 and a cheap/light ball head. Should cut your weight by half. If you got the cash an Outdoorsman Micro panhead is pretty slick.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Silk 624 and a cheap/light ball head. Should cut your weight by half. If you got the cash an Outdoorsman Micro panhead is pretty slick.

This ^^^^^^^^. I run the slik 634 with the micro pan head from outdoorsman and it is one piece of gear that I never think about upgrading.

Randy

 

[Tsnider]

vortex ss can be real cheap used and paired with the befree fluid head it handles my 65 perfectly, even with the weight of the iphone7s plus attached.

 

[Idahohillboy]

I dont trade gear for weight. Camping stuff all light weight. Spotter and tripod I go for stability and quality weight is not a factor in those decisions.

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[RyanC]

Check out Steve Specks store S and S archery. He carries the Slik 624, Slik 634, and Promaster 525c and does a video review of each. These 3 tripods are very good quality and won't break the bank. I went with the Promaster 525c after researching (including Brock Akers' review on here) finding it to be a great tripod. Match it up with a quality head and you'll be set.

 

[warrior80]

Check out Steve Specks store S and S archery. He carries the Slik 624, Slik 634, and Promaster 525c and does a video review of each. These 3 tripods are very good quality and won't break the bank. I went with the Promaster 525c after researching (including Brock Akers' review on here) finding it to be a great tripod. Match it up with a quality head and you'll be set.

^^^^ this. Also went with the Promaster 525c from S&S with the Benro S2 head. It's a very nice setup. They now have a Slik CF 522 tripod which looks nice as well.

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[freediver111]

Also went with the Promaster 525C. The ball head it comes with is perfectly good for bingo or 50mm spotter use as well. I have the Befree fluid head now, but if I'm only doing bio work I bring the ball head. Cameraland NY often has demo 525C's for $250.

 

[mcseal2]

I run either the Promaster 525 mentioned above or an Outdoorsmans compact medium depending on how much height I need. Both are about 2lbs and excellent tripods. I have both adapted to take the Outdoorsmans attachments. I tried the micro head and decided I like the standard pan head enough better to pack the extra 4oz. I like having separate pan and tilt controls for grid glassing, and the bigger controls and longer lever that make glassing with heavy gloves or mittens easier.

 

[SquidHC]

Thanks for all the great info!