There is no point in a good spotting scope without a good tripod. With a tripod, you can free your hands and focus the scope on the target or the subject you are looking at. With a good tripod, you can also set the scope at different angles and different heights, making it especially useful for astronomy, target shooting and other such activities. The following are six of the best tripods for spotting scopes in the market. The reviews are followed by a brief buying guide which will demonstrate how you can find a good spotting scope tripod for yourself.
Best Spotting Scope Tripods
Here are our spotting scope tripod reviews.
1. AmazonBasics 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag
Best Overall
The AmazonBasics Lightweight Tripod comes with a carry bag that makes it perfectly portable. The tripod has adjustable legs and feet are rubber so you do not scratch the surface of any floor and the tripod is also protected from slipping and falling. It is also a versatile tripod that can be used with a variety of different devices, including video cameras, GoPro devices, smartphones and more, apart from spotting scopes – making it one of the best spotting scope tripods overall.
- The tripod extends from 25” to 60”, provided the center post is pulled out fully.
- There are two built-in bubble view levels. The head also tilts and swivels thanks to its 3-way design.
- The mounting plate can be extended and deployed quickly – this is especially useful if you are using the tripod for shooting pictures.
2. RetiCAM Tabletop Tripod with 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head
Editor’s Choice
The RetiCAM Tabletop Tripod comes three-way pan and tilt head. This is a great tabletop tripod for instruments other than a spotting scope as well, such as a digital camera, camcorders, DSLRs, etc. It is a strong and sturdy tripod that is built with durable materials and is the editor’s choice for precisely the reasons mentioned below.
- The tripod comes with a quick-release mounting plate, an extendable column in the center and legs that can be snapped at convenience.
- The tripod has an aluminum construction and has oversized locks that can withstand a greater amount of tension.
- It can take a maximum load of 6.0 lb.
3. Vanguard VS-82 Tabletop Tripod
Best Value
The Vanguard VS-82 is a tabletop tripod that can be folded and extended at will, offering a versatile product at a good value. It can take a maximum load of 5.5 pounds and has a durable construction. The non-slip rubber feet ensure that the tripod does not slip out of place, protecting the tripod and more importantly, the spotting scope attached to it.
- The tripod has a two-way panhead that allows you to move the scope around with ease and cover a wide area.
- It has an aluminum construction that gives it great strength, durability, and ability to protect the scope you bought it for.
- The tripod can be extended fully to a height of 9 7/7” and at its folded height, it is 9”.
4. Celestron 82050 TrailSeeker Tripod (Black)
The Celestron TrailSeeker tripod is a sleek and stylish instrument that goes with a variety of different devices. The tripod comes with a case of its own and a shoulder strap that makes it portable. If you want to extend the tripod to increase its height, you can simply extend the center column.
- The tripod comes with a two-way fluid pan head that has a quick-release plate attached for easy use.
- There are four-section legs that can be placed in three different angles. There is a flip lever that will lock the legs in position once you find the right height.
- There is a retractable hook for adding additional weight if your equipment is light and you require more stability for the contraption.
5. Bushnell 784030 Advanced Tripod
The Bushnell Advanced Tripod is a great device to be used along with a spotting scope. This is an advanced tripod that has a large mounting platform. This is a good tripod to invest in, not only for spotting scopes but also for DSLR cameras, binoculars, camcorders, etc.
- This is a full-size tripod that extends to a maximum height of 63” – making it useful for a variety of different scope-related activities.
- It has resilient and durable aluminum legs, each of which can be adjusted individually to be set at different angles and heights.
- For optimum use in a variety of weather conditions, it has three padded foam leg cushions.
6. Vortex Optics Pro GT Tripod
The Vortex Optics Pro GT Tripod extends to a whopping 67.1 inches and is great for using with spotting scopes for astronomy. It has a quick-release plate and a three-way pan head. There are rubber feet that allow the tripod to stand in position even when it is placed on a slippery surface.
- The legs of the tripod are anodized and are great for use in various kinds of weather, providing good stability.
- It has flip lever locks that allow you to set the tripod up quickly without losing time in-between positions.
- There is also a balance hook that can provide extra weight to the contraption, making the set up a lot more stable.
Finding the Right Spotting Scope Tripod for You
A good spotting scope also requires a tripod with it so you can get the best use out of the scope. Nobody wants a shaky hand when you are using a scope for target shooting or if you are trying to spot a rare meteor sighting. Timing is of the essence here and you do not want to waste precious seconds getting your hand to be steady. There are a few different things one should be looking for in a spotting scope tripod. The following are some of the features that you may want to consider while buying a spotting scope tripod.
Size and Type
The size of a tripod for a spotting scope is extremely important. The size allows you to see what kind of scope you can pair the tripod with. Depending on the size of your spotting scope, you should find a tripod of complementary size. The size is also dictated by the type of tripod you are investing in. For example, a tabletop tripod is different in size from an advanced, full-size tripod.
Weight and Portability
The weight of a tripod, again, is an important factor. It is good for a tripod to be lightweight so it can be portable, but at the same time, it should be heavy enough to hold the weight of a spotting scope. Some of the tripods that have been reviewed above also have a balance hook that adds more weight if required.
Durability
The durability of the tripod is dictated by the material that is used for the tripod. Several of the tripods reviewed above have an aluminum construction which allows them to provide durable performance for long. It would also help if the tripod has anodized legs for greater protection. A good tripod should also have rubber feet so that it does not slip on a slippery floor and the tripod (as well as the floor) are protected.
Parts
There are some parts that are essential in a spotting scope tripod. Some of these parts include a quick-release plate, flip lever locks, a center column, at least three legs, a two-pan head, etc. These parts make a tripod useful for not only spotting scopes but also for binoculars, DSLR cameras, camcorders, and other such equipment. It would be useful for a tripod to have qualities that can be used in multiple settings instead of just confining it to a single kind of use.
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