Spotting Scope Tripod Suggestions ??

[R.Morehouse]

Just picked up an angled Meopta 82mm spotter. They are set up for a Manfrotto head..... I will be using it mostly standing or sitting at a bench, I am not looking to break the bank but would still like a good sturdy piece of equip. I see a few different type of heads offered...One with a joy stick type with a full hand grip on it. Would this be useful for my intended use......Thank's

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

What do you mean by being set up for Manfrotto head? I have never heard of such a thing.

You should be able to use any head you want. They all use the same size screw.

 

[R.Morehouse]

Yes you can with an adapter. I don't know a lot about that aspect of the set up. It's really a non issue for me . I am just looking for tripod advise....

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I'm trying one last time to explain things. There are 2 types of screws used to attach optical and imaging devices to tripods and other mounting contraptions. The first one is 1/4"X20 which is found on all handheld cameras, recorders and spotting scopes, for example. The other one is 3/8"X16 and that is more commonly used to attach tripod heads and such things to tripods.

The standardization of these screws makes out life a lot easier because it means we can safely buy a tripod from Manfrotto, a tripod head from FEISOL and mount any spotting scope with want on it, straight out of the box. And that includes the Meopta spotter.

Now, of course companies like Manfrotto offer something like the RC-2 quick-detach plate that you attach to your spotting scope via its built-in 1/4"X20 screw and you can mount the scope on the head and remove it in 1 second. These plates come with the various Manfrotto heads.

All I have are Manfrotto heads and tripods and I can switch them around with my cameras, spotting scopes and recorders, and flash units and so on, by virtue os that wonderful 1/4"X20 screw.

If for some bizarre reason the Meopta ships with a Manfrotto RC-2 QD plate, you can just unscrew it from the Meopta and you can then attach the Meopta to any head or tripod you fancy.

There was a recent thread here about selecting tripods.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/need-help-choosing-tripod.3901115/

I am happy to discuss various tripods with you.

If you are only going to use it sitting or standing, there is no need for something like I got a few years back, that allows me to use it on the ground and has the center column come out at 90 degrees. I would suggest a solid tripod if you're going to use it standing up. Carbon fiber will be expensive you can get some nice aluminum ones that will be solid but heavy. I have an old aluminum Manfrotto that weighs a ton, but is very sturdy and supports a lot of weight. My CF Manfrotto is good for about 12 mounds on the tripod.

As for heads, there are two styles; pan and tilt and ball. For standing and sitting, I recommend pan & tilt.

 

[R.Morehouse]

Thanks for the input. It helped a lot....So far as " Trying one last time to explain things" WTF was that? You answered your question to me about the head in your post, that for some bizarre reason Meopta ships with a Manfrotto RC-2 QD plate. Need to think things out before you come off like a dad talking to some kid that didn't get it right the 1st time he was told..........At 60 with very capable grey matter to understand quite well when given well communicated info.... i again say thanks for taking the time to educate me on what i asked to know......

Best Regards
Rick

 

[dreever]

Thanks for the input. It helped a lot....So far as " Trying one last time to explain things" WTF was that? You answered your question to me about the head in your post, that for some bizarre reason Meopta ships with a Manfrotto RC-2 QD plate. Need to think things out before you come off like a dad talking to some kid that didn't get it right the 1st time he was told..........At 60 with very capable grey matter to understand quite well when given well communicated info.... i again say thanks for taking the time to educate me on what i asked to know......

Best Regards
Rick

There are two ways to look at this. Do you buy a heavy tripod which is MUCH more stable in the wind with less shake of the image as you look thru the scope or do you buy a lighter more manageable one for moving around or bird watching etc.
I have a heavy one since it's just going from the vehicle to the bench, but it is a load and some times it seems overkill.
As far as the joystick head, it seems to me it's all a matter of preference. I know guys that love them, but others not so much.
Currently I'm using a Bogen 3251 tripod with leg bracing which weighs a hefty 13.6 pounds and a 3039 head. The lighter weight model I'd suggest is the 3221 without leg bracing which weighs 6.2 pounds. Add to both of those the weight of the head that you plan to use. Hope this helps.

PS, shop E-bay. I bought the 3251 for a song.

Danny

 

[R.Morehouse]

Thanks Danny.........

 

[Lougler]

Euro Optics has some great demo sales on tripods periodically. I bought a demo Meopta tripod from them a year ago and I've been very happy with it.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

What do you mean by being set up for Manfrotto head? I have never heard of such a thing.

You should be able to use any head you want. They all use the same size screw.

The base of the Meopta S2 HD 20-70x82mm spotter is the same size as some of the Manfrotto head plates so it can pop right in, but it also has a 1/4"-20 thread for use on whatever head you want. It doesn't work on ALL manfrotto heads tho because not all of their heads have the same detachment mechanism.

I'll also add that although the Meopta base will lock in my Manfrotto head, it has a little play and is not nearly as solid as when I have the plate screwed to the spotting scope base. With the plate attached it is rock solid in my head so I just leave the plate attached.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I use a Manfrotto carbon fiber CX PRO4 tripod with Manfrotto 3 way head with my Meopta S2 HD spotter. The Meopta is a heavy scope and the Manfrotto gear handles it with ease. Total cost for my tripod and head, depending on sales and where you look is about $500-$550. The higher quality tripods are definitely worth it to ensure you have a stable platform and smooth head to make full use of the high end Meopta optics.

I burned through a few cheaper tripods in years past. Waste of money. The Manfrotto tripods and heads are built to last a lifetime.

 

[Raythemanroe]

Good ol sturdy survey tri-pod


Ray

 

[R.Morehouse]

Thanks for all the input. I have been a .....buy once cry once guy.....all along. I can see where this is going.....

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Thanks for all the input. I have been a .....buy once cry once guy.....all along. I can see where this is going.....

You definitely chose the right spotting scope for buy once, cry once. The Meopta S2 HD is some of the very best glass out there

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I use a Manfrotto carbon fiber CX PRO4 tripod with Manfrotto 3 way head with my Meopta S2 HD spotter. The Meopta is a heavy scope and the Manfrotto gear handles it with ease. Total cost for my tripod and head, depending on sales and where you look is about $500-$550. The higher quality tripods are definitely worth it to ensure you have a stable platform and smooth head to make full use of the high end Meopta optics.

I burned through a few cheaper tripods in years past. Waste of money. The Manfrotto tripods and heads are built to last a lifetime.

I have the same tripod, but since I use mine on the ground also, I went with a different head as I explained in the other thread. Pan and tilt are great for standing and sitting, they are a pain for prone.

And yes, Manfrotto does have 2 standard QD plates, (the bastards,) and I have an older head and a couple of newer heads and the differences get in the way sometimes. The old QD plates did move a little, which was a pain sometimes, but the new ones are rock solid.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I have the same tripod, but since I use mine on the ground also, I went with a different head as I explained in the other thread. Pan and tilt are great for standing and sitting, they are a pain for prone.

And yes, Manfrotto does have 2 standard QD plates, (the bastards,) and I have an older head and a couple of newer heads and the differences get in the way sometimes. The old QD plates did move a little, which was a pain sometimes, but the new ones are rock solid.

Yeah the new Manfrotto release mechanisms and plates are way better. Most solid mount on any head I've owned. I like how it takes two functions to release the head (push down on the lock release and move release lever). Eliminates the risk of an accidental detachment, but also keeps the release lever locked open and automatically locks when the plate is inserted which makes re-attachment much quicker.

The Meopta S2 HD spotter base plate alone locks in my new head without the head plate, but has play. So to keep it rock solid in the head, I leave the head plate attached to the base of the spotting scope. The Meopta spotting scope base would not lock into my old Manfrotto head and needed the head plate to attach it.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Yeah, that's the fun thing with standards, there are so many. Even within the same manufacturer.

 

[Nvreloader]

RM

I have been running a Manfrotto tripod for the last 10+ yrs,
I use this tripod for the spotting scope use, both standing, sitting, lying down and for a SP pistol rest for hunting, LR and target work etc, this tripod will get as close as 6" to ground level or will be usable to a 6'6" height etc.

All my gear (spotting scope, field glasses and shooting rests) has the Manfrotto quick change bases, which will also work for using the very heavy field glasses from a window mount for the PU and makes for very quick changing for what whatever piece of equipment is in use.

I have been using this ball head for the last several yrs and liking it a lot, see info here, makes a very solid and compact adjustable head that works for me and my uses and will hold 25#'s+ etc.
See info here,
http://www.acratech.net/ballheads/nomad/nomad/

I also have the manfrotto joy stick head,
see info here,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JLK5PK/?tag=accuratescom-20
which is used both on the tripod and window mounts for spotting scope use along with field glass etc, the only thing that might create some minor problems is the height on the long axis, almost to tall for window use, but if used in the side configuration, works very well for a PU window mount.

HTH,

Tia,
Don

 

[Travelor]

I have used a Bogan Monfroto tripod #3011 and a head unit #3063 for years and love the unit. Shop on eBay and be patient and you will get a good tripod at a very good price. But I recommend staying away from the heavier tripods and they are very awkward moving and carrying do to their weight and size.

You have already made a great decision on getting a solid tripod for your spotting scope!

 

[muleystalker]

I bought a carbon fiber SURI brand for my pack hunting tripod this year and was very impressed with the quality. I had looked at the Manfrotos also, I have one for my cameras. I would defiantly buy another SURI.