Spotting scope stands?

[Mr Underbridge]

Hey folks, I had a question for you all. As far as stability and resisting shaking from wind etc is concerned which is better?
A decent tripod or a ray-vin type single pole stand?
I have a zen-ray spotting scope which i tried on a cheap tripod and it was shaking really bad with a bit of wind.
Just want something sturdy to spot hits on steel and 308 holes at 200 yards.

 

[loneranger04]

I use a Slik 700 heavy duty tripod and it works great. I think you can find these for under $100 right now and they are sturdy.

 

[Mr Underbridge]

I use a Slik 700 heavy duty tripod and it works great. I think you can find these for under $100 right now and they are sturdy.

Do you know how it stacks up against single pole spotting scope holders such as ray-vin?

 

[loneranger04]

No I can't. Where I shoot we are usually on a hill and the wind blows 15-25 mph and I can get it steady enough to spot hits out to 700-1000 yards. It's not a light tripod but is sturdy. I use another tripod same model with a Hog saddle on it to hold my rifle and it does so easily. My rifle and scope probably weighs 17-19 lbs.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you have the scope on the bottom pole like for prone the single poles like polecat are ok. If you get them up high enough to sit on a stool or stand you need a quality tripod. I recently discovered the carbon fiber ones valdada sells and its rock solid for a tripod under 50lbs

 

[Savage99]

The tripod that came with my Konus spotter is good at the range.

I use it on the bench itself.

Mine is the Konuspot 80 that's an 80mm lens. With the 60mm spotters I have they just don't quite have the resolution for seeing bullet holes in the black at 200 yds..

I tried the Freeland type extension to raise the spotter up to eye level from the bench and it shakes too much. I pick the spotter up each time and set it's tripod on the bench rest.

This is the only picture I find and it looks like a 60mm spotter however I use the 80mm the same way.

I set it down on the ground when shooting.

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/370x493q90/585/1000127x.jpg

 

[spclark]

If you have the scope on the bottom pole like for prone the single poles like polecat are ok. If you get them up high enough to sit on a stool or stand you need a quality tripod.

S'truth!

I've used a 1" pole (Big Blue) from Creedmoor for ten years or so, great for my Kowa 821 when I'm scoring up on the second extension even in a stiff breeze.

When I reach for a camera though I pick up one of my Manfrotto's - the size of any support's base is the determinator of its stability: larger = better.

You can improve on what a tripod will give you by hanging additional weight off the center column too, as much as you feel comfortable dragging along considered against what the rated maximum load is for the product being used.

 

[SierraCJ5]

I have one of the 70" Amazon basics tripod and it's a beast. Very heavy and stable, inexpensive too at just $58! Try one.

AmazonBasics 70-Inch Pistol Grip Tripod
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CF1LS94/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_il-TvbM1D93RZ

 

[aloreman]

Recently sold my polecat stand and bought a gearbuggy super spoter. Built like a tank. 1.25" stainless. Its awesome