Bwana1
Well-known member
I received my Celestron Regal M2 65mm, and madly dashed out the door 300 miles to the back-country...to find out my tripod is a piece of garbage, pure junk POS that doesn't deserve the effort to throw it away.
What did I learn ?, I need a higher level of weight tripod,,,and a REAL head. The image shook like a puppy in a cold rain storm, the head fell constantly and jumped/twitched/rollerballed/slid/collapsed/jerked/stuck...well, you name it :C It totally destroyed the experience of my new M2, and left me scanning 400-500 yards with my Zeiss Classics.
So :hi:
After considerable reading, and product searching...I'm begging for advice(again), and look forward to all members blowing my budget out the door(again) My scope weighs 3lb/ 1.3kg, really don't need more than 40-50" max height.
I'm more than a bit confused by the market offerings, and the selection availability is overwhelming. As I pack my equipment into location, weight and folding size are critical...and I exclusively sit in all spotting sessions(hiding in the weeds/undergrowth, bonding with the ticks and local snakes.
Tripod:Carbon is fine, but not mandatory, 2.5-3lb, folding size of 14"-18", flip-lock, weight hook. Is there a "magic" formula for the scope weight/tripod load capacity ratio ? Can I "walk the line" with a 5lb rig, or is 10lb better ?
I'm thinking like this:Slik Pro 624 CFL
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1060519-REG/slik_611_624_pro_624_cfl_carbon.html
Head:It appears I want a fluid head, 2 way(I don't need tilt)...sometimes called a video head ? Do I want adjustable drag ?, is bigger(weight capacity)better/smoother ?
I'm thinking like this:Manfrotto 128RC QR
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553886-REG/Manfrotto_128RC_128RC_QR_Micro_Fluid.html
I have built a list of potential winners, but certainly could use some expert advice.
Thank you,
Eric
What did I learn ?, I need a higher level of weight tripod,,,and a REAL head. The image shook like a puppy in a cold rain storm, the head fell constantly and jumped/twitched/rollerballed/slid/collapsed/jerked/stuck...well, you name it :C It totally destroyed the experience of my new M2, and left me scanning 400-500 yards with my Zeiss Classics.
So :hi:
After considerable reading, and product searching...I'm begging for advice(again), and look forward to all members blowing my budget out the door(again) My scope weighs 3lb/ 1.3kg, really don't need more than 40-50" max height.
I'm more than a bit confused by the market offerings, and the selection availability is overwhelming. As I pack my equipment into location, weight and folding size are critical...and I exclusively sit in all spotting sessions(hiding in the weeds/undergrowth, bonding with the ticks and local snakes.
Tripod:Carbon is fine, but not mandatory, 2.5-3lb, folding size of 14"-18", flip-lock, weight hook. Is there a "magic" formula for the scope weight/tripod load capacity ratio ? Can I "walk the line" with a 5lb rig, or is 10lb better ?
I'm thinking like this:Slik Pro 624 CFL
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1060519-REG/slik_611_624_pro_624_cfl_carbon.html
Head:It appears I want a fluid head, 2 way(I don't need tilt)...sometimes called a video head ? Do I want adjustable drag ?, is bigger(weight capacity)better/smoother ?
I'm thinking like this:Manfrotto 128RC QR
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553886-REG/Manfrotto_128RC_128RC_QR_Micro_Fluid.html
I have built a list of potential winners, but certainly could use some expert advice.
Thank you,
Eric
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