School me on spotting scope stands

I am getting ready to purchase a spotting scope stand for use in f-class matches. I have read somewhere about the Ray-Vin setup with adjustable scope head. Is that what most are using or is there a better option? Please let me know.....

 

Ray-vin, Giraud, Gearbuggy, Creedmoor Sports and several others all make great stands. A lot comes down to what works best for you in my opinion. I’ve owned several of those and played with the rest. Go to a match and ask around and see if you can ask an owner what they love and hate and try them out if possible. Some are more compact. Some are more stable. Some are more adjustable. Everyone wants something different but you can’t go wrong in general if you buy a quality one. Just make sure it’s at least 1” in diameter if possible (all the ones I listed are).

 

Buy a gearbuggy and never look back! Wayne is great guy to deal with. Call him up let him know what your after and he will get you all fixed up.

 

I tried to look these up on Amazon and found nothing. Are these custom strands or not tripods?... a link would help me out a bunch.

 

Talk to Wayne.

http://gearbuggy.com

 

Well that looks a lot more durable than the nightforce cf model

 

The stand itself is not that critical. There are a number of different stand designs that work reasonably well.

IMO - the critical piece is the arm to which the scope attaches. At a bare minimum, buy one that has an easily adjustable elevation feature. With the kinds that require loosening the whole arm up, you run the risk of having the entire scope assembly swing loose and point straight down when you were only trying to slightly adjust the elevation. PITA. Having an additional pan adjustment feature would be even better.

 

After trying to be objective and find what seemed to me to be the most versatile and with most adjustment as to the scope head I wound up ordering one from Ray-Vin and happy with the end result!

 

My buddy uses one and loves it. You won’t be disappointed.

 

The stand does matter too, The bigger diameter the stand shaft the more stable it will be especially in the wind, same goes for the base. I have the BuggyGear stand and wouldn't trade it for any other.

 

I have tried them all and Ray Vin is what I have stayed with.

 

The diameter of the stand shaft has little to do with stability in the wind. Rather, it is the diameter or "footprint" of the base that largely dictates stability in the wind. The diameter of the shaft does play a minor role in how easily the arm rotates against whatever tension is induced when it is tightened on the shaft. In that respect, as you indicated, a larger diameter shaft is better. My point was that adjustment/aiming of the spotting scope during use is critical to its proper use. Having an arm and/or attachment point that facilitates easy adjustment of the spotting scope during use is highly desirable. Having an arm that makes adjustment of the scope difficult or problematic during use is not desirable.

 

I suggest looking at the Creedmoor Polecat 1" stand paired up with a Gary Eliseo scope head. Gary's scope head, in particular, is the best I've ever used: http://www.gotxring.com/parts-accesories/

 

If you only shoot prone, then the rod diameter won't matter much. If you use a spotting scope to shoot standing or sitting, it matters a lot. Just go to a OTC match on a windy day and watch the standing match. The difference in stability between a stand with a 1' rod and a 3/8" rod like on an old Freeland is hard to miss. The old 3/8" stands start to act like buggy whips once they get moving.