picking a stand

[nemovir]

I have been searching the threads, but I can't find any recommendation for a scope stand other then it should be heavy. How about it, guys?

[Innocent]

Anything from a camea tripod to a surveyors tripod to an Al Freeland stand...All work some better than others depending on the range. In gravel like RIdgway, surveyors tripod set well in the gravel, on concrete they aren't so good.
I use my old 3P Al Freeland with a weight sometimes, and sometimes not.


Mary

[Trent]

The thing to stay away from are the "everyday" camera tripods. They are light weight and very flexy in the legs. They are not intended to have a scope mounted to them and remain steady while viewing through them. I would personally rather use binoculars instead of a scope on a flimsy tripod.

Benefits that make a good spotting scope tripod:
1) Sturdy legs (minimal flex)
2) A little "heft" to them. This will minimize movement and also help keep the whole thing from blowing over in the wind.
3) Pan and Tilt head.

The Bogen/Manfrotto "Studio" tripods are a popular brand seen at matches. Very solid and very smooth adjustments in the head.

[topclass]

a good dedicated spotting scope stand is made by Ray Vin. I think Creedmoor is now selling them. Easy to set up, sturdy, and an easy adjustable head.

[Jerry G]

A good heavy camra tripod works well. If you are tall make sure it goes up gar enough so you don't have to stoop over. If you are going to spot sitting down, a tripod isn't the best. A single pole scope stand fits between your legs much better than a tripod.

[boats]

I use several depanding on the situation. Self spotting nothing better than the Freelands style from Champion Shooters. New larger tube models are more stable than the older 5/8 tubes. None of the single post are as steady as a tripod though. Just tripods take up a lot of room on the line and all but impossable to stand next to one and shoot

For a tripod I like the Manfrotto's Mine is a little lighter than optomal no center brace but still very steady. I use it in the field too so need something a bit lighter. Rock steady go for the center brace models. Also like the fluid head intended for video cameras, easy to aquire the target and move from bank to bank animal to animal.

Old one we see on our club range is a Gitzo tripod extra heavy duty and very stable

Boats