Spotting scope and tripod

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Glen Ring
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Spotting scope and tripod

Post by Glen Ring »

We are looking for a new spotting scope and tripod. We're tired of buying third hand equipment.
We are not made of money, but want a good spotting scope and good stable tripod.
recommendations please.
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Dennis Armistead
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Re: Spotting scope and tripod

Post by Dennis Armistead »

I use a Kowa with a Gear Buggy stand. After many many shooting seasons, I have no complaints.
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GrumpyBear
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Re: Spotting scope and tripod

Post by GrumpyBear »

Kowa 82SV and this tripod if you can find one. https://www.buffaloarms.com/wind-proof- ... -cttripod1

Tripod
Your Price: $200.00 looks to be available at Desperado Cowboy Bullets under ST machine products https://cowboybullets.3dcartstores.com/
John Bly
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Re: Spotting scope and tripod

Post by John Bly »

I've got a Kowa I picked up in a divorce settlement for $350 and a Bogen 3051 tripod with a 3047 tilt/pan head. The 3051 is heavy and sturdy and has done me well for about 20 years. You can generally pick up a good used on on ebay for less than $200.
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Del
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Re: Spotting scope and tripod

Post by Del »

For a tripod, go to ebay and get a used Chicago Majestic movie camera tripod. Under $200 and they are heavy, will not tip over with a high budget scope on it, and has crank controls for up/down and tilt. The tilt is especially handy.. There are several sizes and I would get as small of one as you can find. Even the smaller units are super strong.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CHICAGO-MAJEST ... SwDIVgDc0g
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bpcr shooter
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Re: Spotting scope and tripod

Post by bpcr shooter »

will you be using it prone??
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Glen Ring
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Re: Spotting scope and tripod

Post by Glen Ring »

No prone spotting...Jeanne will be spotting for me and i her.
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bpcr shooter
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Re: Spotting scope and tripod

Post by bpcr shooter »

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art ruggiero
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Re: Spotting scope and tripod

Post by art ruggiero »

look at the celestrons very good and fairly priced art
Jim Kidwell
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Re: Spotting scope and tripod

Post by Jim Kidwell »

I agree with Art on the Celestron (Regal M2 80ED w/LER eyepiece) on a Manfrotto tripod. FWIW...........
....................................Jim
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Kurt
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Re: Spotting scope and tripod

Post by Kurt »

A scope is only as good as the stand it's mounted on.
You cant go wrong with this stand.https://shilohrifle.com/shooting-suppli ... ope-stand/ I been using one for several years and it has stood up to winds 30 mph plus.
A weak thin legged stand with a poor mount on if is useless.
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Rum River
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Re: Spotting scope and tripod

Post by Rum River »

Long-time-lurker-first-time-poster here.
Bear with me - I'm sure fellow shooters will scratch their heads over my comments.

Okay, spotting scope tripods. My experience so far is just using one of the two camera tripods I happen to have, nothing fancy.
Our range goes to 400 and the scope is a Leupold 20-60x80mm. I'm happy with the scope but it doesn't take much of a breeze to vibrate the rig so things are tough to see. When that becomes a problem on the home range I just use the four-wheeler and zip down range. As far as the wind tipping things over, I learned real quick I have to anchor the tripod. (Leupold customer service was very good.)

I understand having a tripod heavy enough not to blow over, do the product suggestions earlier in this thread cut down on the vibration?

Thanks
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semtav
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Re: Spotting scope and tripod

Post by semtav »

Rum.
I went the same way .got a Leupold and a "good" tripod from Scheels.
Went along happily wondering why my scope always vibrated for years.
Wasn't until I got one of the stands from Gussy that Kurt refers to that I realized what I was missing.
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GrumpyBear
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Re: Spotting scope and tripod

Post by GrumpyBear »

Yes on cutting down vibrations, and only had it tip once in very heavy winds, and it was my fault didn't have the tripod's foot print expanded enough.

This one. https://shilohrifle.com/shooting-suppli ... ope-stand/
Rum River
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Re: Spotting scope and tripod

Post by Rum River »

GrumpyBear wrote: Fri Feb 05, 2021 10:27 am Yes on cutting down vibrations, and only had it tip once in very heavy winds, and it was my fault didn't have the tripod's foot print expanded enough.

This one. https://shilohrifle.com/shooting-suppli ... ope-stand/
Hard to tell on the photo - does the scope attach with the typical 1/4-20 bolt?
"Well hell boys. I'd damn sight rather be hung by my friends than by a bunch'a damn strangers."
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