Best Tripod for Spotting Scope
If you do not have the best spotting scope tripod; you might not be able to make the most out of your spotting scope. A spotting scope tripod offers you a stable base where you can attach your scope and get smooth shooting experience even when shooting for long ranges. Shooting or spotting at high magnification is challenging due to vibration which causes instability which can affect your results.
There are so man tripod stands available in the market but you need to select the spotting scope tripod that best suit your type of spotting scope or your activity. Most spotting scopes come with tripod stands but most tripod stands that come with the spotting scopes are not only cheap but they are also unreliable.
When shopping for the best spotting scope tripod, you need to consider the weight of your spotting scope as well as your height.
We understand that finding the right spotting scope tripod for you scope might not be an easy task especially because there are so many spotting scope tripod stands available in the market. To make it easier for you to select the best spotting scope tripod for your scope; we have provided you with advanced information about spotting scope tripod.
Tripod Parts
To make it easier for you to understand how a tripod stand works, you need to understand about all the parts found in the tripod stand. Here are the parts of a spotting scope tripod.
-
Tripod Head
The tripod head is the part of the spotting scope that holds your spotting scope, camera, binocular or telescope. The head of the tripod vary in size and space depending with the brand and type of the spotting scope tripod.
-
Tripod leg set
The tripod leg set provides the base of the stand and ensures the stability of the stand. Most affordable spotting scope tripods come as a single, fixed unit that has a head and a leg set. High-end spotting scope tripods on the other hand are customizable and allow you to select a head and leg set which are sold separately.
Types of Spotting Scope Tripods
Spotting scope tripods are divided into three main categories; table top tripods, compact tripods and full size tripods.
Table Top Tripod
Table top tripods are the smallest types of spotting scope tripods. They have a height of 18” or less and do not have telescoping legs. The tripods provide you with meager height adjustment that is achieved using an extendable central column. Table top tripods are mainly used by shooters that are using spotting scopes with micro-adjustment knobs for windage and elevation compensation.
Compact Tripod
Compact tripods are taller than table top tripods, and are mainly used while sitting on a chair. They are common among hunters and hikers due to their ability to provide you with balance, portability and height.
Full size Tripod
Full size tripods allow users of average height to use the spotting scope while standing. The tripods feature fully extended legs that provide you with a height of about 60 inches or more. This type of tripod is unstable thus it is not recommended for beginners who are starting out in hunting.
Spotting scope tripods can also be categorized into two based on the type of material used to make the tripod stand. The main materials used to make spotting scope tripod stands are carbon fiber and metal. Most premium tripod stands are made from aluminum or carbon fiber.
Best Spotting Scope Tripod Reviews
We have done a thorough research of the spotting scope tripods available in the market so as to be able to select the best spotting scope tripod stands. Here are some of the tripods that have qualified to be in our list of the best spotting scope tripod stands.
#1) Swarovski Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod – Best Hunting Tripod for Spotting Scope
The Swarovski Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod is a lightweight spotting scope tripod that is made from carbon fiber. The tripod has a rugged construction frame that is capable of withstanding the harsh outdoor conditions.
The tripod features clamping system that provides you with a secure and firm grip so as to prevent accidental drop which can damage your scope.
The tripod comes with head’s Fast Mount System that allows you to attach or detach your scope quickly. It can be adjusted vertical and horizontal with a single movement.
Swarovski Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod has a five tooth locking mechanism that prevents your scope from displacing out of position as a result of accidental movement. It has lightweight carbon fiber legs that only weigh 3.1 lbs. on their own.
The legs can be folded down to 19.7 inches; making the tripod ideal for birding and hunting. The legs of the tripod have rubberized feet with retractable spikes to ensure stability on any terrain.
Features of Swarovski Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
- Clamping system
- Fast Mount System
- Five tooth locking mechanism
- Lightweight carbon fiber legs
- Rubberized feet with retractable spikes
- Carbon fiber construction frame
Pros of Swarovski Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
- The Swarovski Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod is a lightweight spotting scope tripod that is made from carbon fiber
- The tripod comes with head’s Fast Mount System that allows you to attach or detach your scope quickly
- Swarovski Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod has a five tooth locking mechanism that prevents your scope from displacing out of position as a result of accidental movement.
- It has lightweight carbon fiber legs that have rubberized feet with retractable spikes to ensure stability on any terrain.
- The Swarovski Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod is ideal for birding and hunting.
- The tripod has a rugged construction frame that is capable of withstanding the harsh outdoor conditions.
- Swarovski Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod features clamping system that provides you with a secure and firm grip so as to prevent accidental drop which can damage your scope
- The spotting scope tripod is very easy to handle and operate.
- The Swarovski Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod is not affected by wind.
Cons of Swarovski Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
- The spotting scope tripod stand is expensive.
- Swarovski Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod has a short warranty.
#2) Vortex Optics SKY-1 Skyline Tripod Kit
Vortex Optics SKY-1 Skyline Tripod is made from anodized aluminum to ensure durability and to make the tripod lightweight. The tripod features a classing pan head with a micro-fluid adjustment system that provides you with a smooth, precise adjustment in all orientations, and includes a quick-release plate for fast attachment and detachment of the spotting scope. It has adjustment knobs that are conveniently located to provide optimum accessibility without disrupting your observation. The Vortex Optics SKY-1 Skyline Tripod has anodized aluminum legs that can be angled to for easy positioning of the stand on uneven terrain. The tripod is solid and sturdy to withstand strong gusts of wind without deviating from your position. The spotting scope tripod comes with a signature VIP warranty.
Features of Vortex Optics SKY-1 Skyline Tripod
- Anodized aluminum
- Classing pan head with a micro-fluid adjustment system
- Quick-release plate
- Adjustment knobs
- Anodized aluminum legs that can be angled
- Signature VIP warranty
Pros of Vortex Optics SKY-1 Skyline Tripod
- Vortex Optics SKY-1 Skyline Tripod is made from anodized aluminum to ensure durability
- The tripod features a classing pan head with a micro-fluid adjustment system that provides you with a smooth, precise adjustment in all orientations, and includes a quick-release plate for fast attachment and detachment of the spotting scope.
- The Vortex Optics SKY-1 Skyline Tripod has adjustment knobs that are conveniently located to provide optimum accessibility without disrupting your observation.
- The spotting scope tripod comes with a signature VIP warranty.
- Vortex Optics SKY-1 Skyline Tripod is solid and sturdy to withstand strong gusts of wind without deviating from your position.
- The spotting scope tripod stand is reasonably priced.
- The Vortex Optics SKY-1 Skyline Tripod has anodized aluminum legs that can be angled to for easy positioning of the stand on uneven terrain.
Cons of Vortex Optics SKY-1 Skyline Tripod
- The spotting scope tripod is bulky.
- Vortex Optics SKY-1 Skyline Tripod require care to stop rust.
Conclusion – Best Tripod for Spotting Scope
The above are some of the best spotting scopes tripod stands available in the market. The tripods are made from quality material and are from reputable brands thus you can be assured of their quality and reliability. If quality, reliability and durability is what you are looking for in a spotting scope tripod; then consider purchasing any of the tripod stands in our list of the best spotting scope tripod stands.
More Scopes Reviews
Vortex 20 60×85 Razor Hd Spotting Scope » Vortex Razor HD 20 60×85