Breadcrumbs, mice follow them in hopes of indulging in a greater reward. When it comes to hunters and the pre-launch marketing of new products, it’s comical to witness the similarities between mice and men. Fortunately for the latter, the breadcrumbs aren’t those that encourage a trail of ants when they go ungathered but better those that enhance their future hunt experiences. With the latest release of the new TRICER-BP Fluid Head at $349.00, I found myself with arms wide open, ready to receive a lightweight fluid head that’s purposefully built to handle heavyweight optics. Was I disappointed in the product upon arrival? Heck no! Is it the best fluid head for the modern hunter on the market today? Maybe. Here, let’s dive into a detailed first look at the new TRICER-BP Fluid Head to determine whether or not an upgrade is in your near future too.
MECHANICAL APTITUDE MEETS PRODUCT DESIGN
What’s the BLUF (Bottom Line Up-Front)? The new TRICER-BP Fluid Head is very smooth throughout its full range of precise, repeatable adjustment of tension for both the pitch and yaw axis and weighs only 12.3 oz. It achieves this by utilizing stainless needle roller thrust bearings within each axis of adjustment, which allow for the even distribution of axial load – here, the controlled application of tension – over a greater surface area. This approach to mechanical design helps the product to remain lightweight too, and when combined with well-lubricated polymer brake pads, the end result is seamless fluidity and precision control.
Whether your future glassing sessions involve lower-powered binoculars or the Swarovski BTX paired with a 115mm Objective Module, the fluidity of the TRICER-BP remains constant due to the nature of its mechanical design. For those who choose to take it afield, they can expect to grid adjacent terrain with selective precision, frame-by-frame, and will likely reap the rewards with spotting an animal otherwise overlooked.
CONTROL ADJUSTMENT
From the machine-knurling of the tension adjustment knobs to the telescopic carbon handle, the TRICER-BP is designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of personal preference when it comes to glassing technique. First, the larger diameter of the tension adjustment knobs permits positive control and adequate leverage around their center pivot, allowing the user to precisely dial the tension of a given axis to their liking. It also doesn’t hurt that the tension applied here remains where set, as walking doesn’t appear to be a problem with this first look, even under the weight of heavier optics. When it comes time to momentarily disengage from the glass and grab those gummy bears, there won’t be any need to reach for a locking lever to hold your current frame of reference in your grid sequence.
Paired with the adaptability that is the placement of the telescopic carbon handle, the TRICER-BP can be positioned for those who prefer the left, right, forward, or aft placement of certain controls and adjustments. When it comes to this particular fluid head, the only “saved round” I have concerns the ergonomic design of the adjustment knob that sets the spread of the jaws found on top. Here, I personally prefer the machine-knurling found on the TRICER-LP, the 4.5 oz. minimalist pan head offered by TRICER, as opposed to the square design at-hand.
FINISH AND PRESENTATION
In my opinion, the team at TRICER really nailed it with the finish and presentation of the TRICER-BP, both with concern to its internal and external components. From the corrosion-resistant componentry and lubrication found within to the tasteful exterior finishes, this product seems to have been thought through incredibly well. As modern hunters, one of our primary objectives when it comes to making purchasing decisions with modern gear is whether or not it will perform well in the field. Looking good while performing well should come secondly. It doesn’t hurt that the TRICER-BP can do both.
HOW SHOULD IT AGE?
The TRICER-BP is easily rebuildable for those with the mechanical aptitude necessary to do so responsibly, and the end result of a rebuild should be that of an out-of-box product. I took the time to disassemble and reassemble this fluid head several times, for the sake of mechanical understanding mostly, and found that doing so had no negative effect on the performance of the product thereafter. If you’re considering upgrading to this product for the 2024 hunt season, you should have peace of mind knowing that it can be rebuilt and absolutely should perform incredibly well for many years to come. Attention to detail matters here, though, so pay keen attention should this need arise in your future, as the proper stackup and alignment on its internal componentry matters.
My only hesitation pertaining to the unknown aging of the TRICER-BP concerns the telescopic carbon handle. Whether or not it will stand up to the abuse that is mountain hunting remains to be seen, as only time can tell, but knowing that it is easily replaced puts my mind at ease. With several backpack hunts lined up for the year ahead, I’ll have my concern answered soon enough and I’m willing to run with lighter weight until then. Out of curiosity, where is your bet being placed? Perhaps with TRICER, one should “put it all on black!”
WHAT TO DO?
With this year’s application season in full swing, perhaps reflecting on your current glassing system is in order? Tags are becoming increasingly difficult to acquire, and the time you spend trying to fill them should be enhanced to its fullest. With the new TRICER-BP, one can expect reduced weight, repeatable control, and seamless fluidity, but what’s the most influential enhancement to be gained through the purchase of a TRICER-BP, you may ask? Hands down, in my opinion, it’s the effective glassing sessions in one’s future when orienting toward adjacent terrain. Much like how every ounce matters when it comes to gear, so does every second on a hunt that’s becoming increasingly harder to obtain a tag for. So, what are you waiting for? Give us a call at (435) 263-0207 or shoot us an email at info@gearfool.com today and let’s chat all things gear and the questions you may have!
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