TRIPOD COMPARISON 

In the late 80s and early 90s, my dad was guiding hunters in western Wyoming and southeast Idaho during the fall months. On occasion, he would pull me out of school for a few days to let me tag along. Mostly, I was used as a gofer, holding horses, driving timber, and serving as camp jack when needed. I thought it was the greatest thing in the world, and looking back on it now, it definitely was. On one particular deer hunt, my dad’s clients had a Bushnell Spacemaster II spotting scope and a Davis & Stanford aluminum tripod that they would let me look through at times. I remember thinking how amazing that scope was, as all I had ever used was a blurry pair of seven-power binos. Those hunters harvested a couple of great bucks that week, and when they left to head back home, they gave me that scope and tripod as a tip for helping with their hunt. It was like winning the lottery for a nine-year-old kid. That day began my obsession with optics and the search for the perfect tripod to put them on.

When we start talking about tripods, it seems everybody has their own idea of what makes a good tripod. Technology has come a long way since I was given that spotting scope and Davis & Stanford tripod. I am sure I have tried more than thirty tripods since then, and most of them have worked pretty well, depending on the situation and circumstances I was in.

The weight, height, type of head, and stability are all important factors most of us look at when picking a tripod. I ran a Manfrotto 290 Xtra with a 128RC head for years in my younger days when I wasn’t concerned about weight, but that tripod does not leave the vehicle anymore. I have found three tripods that I really like for all-around use. In my hunting circle, we have narrowed it down to three tripods that we use in the field. Depending on which one of us you talk to, opinions vary on which one is the best.

The Sirui ST-124 with the VA-5 head is a very versatile setup for almost any situation or hunt. Coming in at around 3.9 pounds and ranging in height from 18.9 to 62.2 inches, this carbon fiber tripod is compact enough for the backcountry but can handle any spotting scope or pair of binoculars on the market. This is definitely a fan favorite in our group, with multiple guys using it, including my youngest son, Zane. He has covered thousands of miles on horseback over the last five years with his Sirui in his pack. It has seen a few wrecks and been in every weather condition possible, but it has held up great and still functions like it did the day Zane got it. The Sirui has good stability even when fully extended, and the VA-5 head is very smooth. It looks a little rough, but then again, we all look that way with a few miles on us. This tripod’s leg adjustments really hold out water and dust, as we have seen no issues with the leg sections catching. This Sirui tripod is one to consider if you are in the market, and with a price around $300, it won’t break the bank.

The MTN HNTR Swift TS tripod with the Naxo Pro Fluid head is another setup that we have been using in recent years. My first impression of this thing was that it would be way too light to support a bigger spotting scope, but it really surprised me when I put the Swaro 95mm on it. Don’t get me wrong—fully extended with that kind of weight on it, it was not as rock solid as some of the heavier built tripods. However, with the head and tripod only weighing 2.6 pounds, it was very impressive. It is ideal for any power of binos or spotting scopes up to about 60mm. I love the smooth, fluid head for glassing at a distance with my fifteen-power binos, and the tripod holds steady in the standing position. This setup is a backpack hunter’s dream, and it was designed by an avid backpack hunter. The tripod and head cost around $370, and that includes a good warranty from a great small American business.

The third tripod we use for hunting, and probably my personal favorite all-around tripod, is the Tricer AD with the LP head. This combo is extremely versatile for hunting any type of terrain out there. I have taken and tested mine everywhere from Alaska to Mexico the past four years and have been very impressed in all weather conditions. Its stability in a standing position is probably the most impressive feature of this tripod. Even with a 95mm spotting scope, it is rock solid—which makes no sense given that the tripod and head weigh just a little over two pounds. The carbon fiber legs are extremely tough; I have had mine in a couple of bad situations where I just knew I was going to have a broken tripod, and it came out unscathed (except for maybe some missing paint). The AD is compact enough that it fits in any real pack with ease, but it can still do the job we all want a tripod to do. This tripod proves you can go lightweight without sacrificing stability. The one downside to the Tricer is the price: coming in at around $600 for the full setup, it is a little expensive compared to the others.

There are a bunch of solid tripods on the market, and these are just three that my hunting circle has found, tested, really liked, and continued to use. Tripods are like big bucks: some people might like a wide one, some might choose a typical, and the next guy will want one with trash on it. Just try to find the one that works best for you and fits within your budget. The most important thing is that you are out in the woods or on the mountain enjoying the great outdoors.