RayVin or Polecat?

[NoahbodyImportant]

I just got the Kowa 82 SV spotting scope.

I have the Freeland scope body mount on 1" rods.

I have been looking at the RayVin and Polecat scope body mounts.

Which one should I get and why? Or should I just keep the Freeland?

 

[ryanjay11]

The Eliseo scope head is the best one out there. I think Ray-Vin makes the best stand, but the scope head has no method of fine adjustments. You simply back off the tension and then have to make all of the adjustments and hope you have it right. It requires two hands. I sold it and picked up an Eliseo. It is lightyears ahead of the Ray-Vin.

Between the two you mentioned, the Polecat is better.

 

[Scott Harris]

The Eliseo scope head is the best one out there. I think Ray-Vin makes the best stand, but the scope head has no method of fine adjustments. You simply back off the tension and then have to make all of the adjustments and hope you have it right. It requires two hands. I sold it and picked up an Eliseo. It is lightyears ahead of the Ray-Vin.

Between the two you mentioned, the Polecat is better.

Agree with above. I have an original Ray Vin and some polecats. The Ray-Vin Requires two hands to adjust and you have to loosen, hold, and retighten to move. The polecate works with friction: easy to move it around while shooting to look at different things. Very interested in the Eliseo head....sounds like could be even better.

 

[ryanjay11]

I need to get a better picture because my hat is blocking the outrigger and most of the stand, but you can somewhat see the Eliseo scope head here:

The far right black knob is the tension on the stand pole to raise/lower/take off the entire scope. The right aluminum knob provides the tension that holds the scope to the scope head. The back left knob adjusts the tension on the vertical adjustment and the back front knob is the vertical adjustor. I know Gary has sold lots of these because I've seen them at matches. Maybe someone else can post a better picture. This scope head makes it possible to make the fine adjustments with one hand. I wasn't able to get the scope just right, where I was able to look through it and my riflescope like binoculars until I started using this one.

 

[Dos XX]

Is that this stand?

http://www.creedmoorsports.com/shop/Ray-Vin_Bipod.html

 

[ryanjay11]

Yes, with the outrigger: http://www.creedmoorsports.com/shop/Ray-Vin_Outrigger_Attachment.html

My stand is an original from Ray-Vin, before they retired and sold to Creedmoor. It might look slightly different, but should work just the same.

 

[rbrandes]

Ray-Vin is NOT out of business.
www.ray-vin.com

Just to set the record straight, Ray-Vin licensed their scope stand products to Creedmoor sports in 2010. In 2013 hurricane Sandy whacked Creedmoor's NJ supplier and we dissolved the license agreement and began manufacturing our patented scope head and stands again. Among other things, we reversed the changes Creedmoor made (ditched the aluminum rods and went back to stainless).

Now, regarding two hands to adjust the scope. Let me see ANYONE with ANY scope stand set their scope with one hand tied behind their back. Our head is friction adjustable up and down, left and right. You set the height as with ANY scope head using one hand to hold the position and one hand to tighten the knob. From there on it is friction on the ball that allows you to make finer adjustments. Once set you can tighten the knob more to prevent accidental movement.

Gary makes fine equipment and so do we. I realize our design is not for everyone, but there are thousands of of our stands and heads out there with very, very few complaints.

Regards, Ray

 

[good2go4it]

I love my Ray Vin set up. Very steady and reliable. My 2 cents anyway..