If you're a hunter, you know how much hassle carrying equipment can be. Hunting gear is often heavy, and there are too many products that you need out in the wilderness. Therefore, finding a solution isn't easy. In the end, you'll have to compromise and carry a handbag for some of your items, but that doesn't mean you should make everything hard for yourself.
Spotting scopes will usually be the heaviest pieces of equipment you'll carry, aside from your guns, so it's not a lousy idea to invest in a spotting scope tripod. They are practical, affordable, and lightweight, which is the dream.
So, we've gathered a small list to help you find the best spotting scope tripod out there. Check it out and find the one!
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The Best Spotting Scopes Tripods on the Market - Top 8 List
If you're on the lookout for the absolute best tripod, there's no need to go through the rest of the reviews. The AmazonBasics 60-Inch Tripod will prove to be the best asset you can get in your hunting escapades.
Obviously, the most prominent feature of the best tripod should be absolute stability since that's probably why you're getting a tripod in the first place. Luckily, that's exactly what this AmazonBasics product offers - good quality in combination with stability.
This 60-inch tripod is incredibly lightweight, weighing 2.72 lb. However, it can sustain cameras or optical devices that weigh up to 6.6 lb, which is more than the average for a spotting scope. The ones that we've covered usually had the approximate weight of around 4.5 lb, and those were the best on the market.
It doesn't matter if you're short or tall or if you have back problems; this tripod is made to accommodate everyone. The base structure has a 20-inch height that can be cranked up to 48 inches. Furthermore, it has a central post that can take up that number to 60 inches, which is probably more than you'll need, depending on the environment.
Aside from having a quick-release mounting plate, this AmazonBasics product also has a stable and firm base, and it's all thanks to the high-quality legs with non-slip rubber feet. If all of this isn't enough for you, you'll also get a nice-looking carrying case with a shoulder strap.
There really isn't anything much to say as this is quite straightforward - it's the best, and you should definitely own it.
- The best tripod for spotting scopes
- Quick-release plate
- Rubber feet
- Base stability
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If you own a larger spotting scope that weighs a ton, this is the scope tripod for you. Thanks to its fantastic capabilities, you'll no longer feel tired from having to hold a scope. Here's the TYCKA Rangers Compact Travel Tripod to the rescue!
The manufacturers at TYCKA industries have certainly put a lot of thought into designing this piece of equipment. It has some features that are not that common among the general scope population, so let's dig right in.
Firstly, a nice addition is a removable leg that has a foam grip. Why might you think? Well, these tripods are not intended solely for spotting scopes, and this is just a reminder that you can even go hiking or nature walking and use the removable leg as support.
The TYCKA tripod itself has a 4.27 feet height that can be extended with the short attachment to the incredible 7.87", which is 140 cm - more than enough to keep your back secured and just enough for you to sit in a chair and have it in your eye position.
Even though tripods seem to have a lot of screws, bolts, and locks that make them look intimidating, this one is quite easy to use and to set-up. Thanks to the quick-release flip locks, you'll be able to adjust the height in no time.
Also, a common trope with spotting scope tripods is the ball-head that allows you to rotate the tripod and scope at a 360-degree angle, which is a case in point here. There's no need to move around and waste time - you'll feel like a movie director using this compact spotting scope tripod.
Before we wrap up, did we mention that it can sustain weights up to 26.5 lb? It's something to think about.
- Stability
- Height adjustment
- Ball-head rotation
- Load capacity
- A bit pricey
Up next is one of the best tabletop tripods on the market that we could find. Everything about it will amaze you, including the price. Without further ado, here's the RetiCAM Tabletop Tripod.
Even though this is a tabletop tripod with a 19-inch height, don't let that create any misconceptions in your mind because this device can handle some serious weight. It is targeted at people with smartphones and cameras, but thanks to the 6-pound weight limit, you'll be able to sustain any spotting scopes that you choose to purchase.
Also, it comes with a three-day pan head that allows you to quickly and easily position the scope to the appropriate angle. Of course, it wouldn't be called one of the best spotting scope tripods if it didn't have a quick-release plate for easy mounting.
However, the biggest downside is that the RetiCAM tabletop tripod isn't a full-size tripod, so you might have some difficulties if you don't have a nice observing spot to place it on. On the other hand, the compactness and lack of weight will surely come in handy, so it's a double-edged sword.
We shouldn't forget to mention that this is a universal device, and it's compatible with almost any device you can think of, starting from a camera and smartphones and moving on to LED lights and microphones.
Overall, it's a quality product that is quite affordable for the quality you'll get. If it weren't for the lack of size, it would surely be placed higher in this list.
- Compact
- Lightweight
- The best tabletop tripod
- Universal applications
- Not a full-size tripod
The next tripod comes from a well-established manufacturer, so you can put your faith in the name and go with it as all of their products are always nicely reviewed. Here's the Vanguard VS-82 Table Top Tripod.
Vanguard industries have been on the market for over thirty years, and they've constantly dished out quality products, and not just tripods. They specialize in manufacturing sporting optics, bags, and many other accessories connected with the field. Of course, their tripods are the number one priority.
This is also one of the best tabletop tripods currently on the market, and it's there for a reason. It's well-built and has the overall stability needed to support a full-size spotting scope.
Thanks to the non-slip rubber feet and the aluminum construction, this tripod can be used in all environments, including nature walks and hunting trips. The maximum load is 5.5 lb, which corresponds with the average weight of a standard spotting scope.
The lowest height for this Vanguard tabletop tripod is 7.5 inches, while the maximum height is 23 cm or 9.05 in. Granted, it's not ideal, but considering that this is a tabletop model and not a full-size tripod, it's a perfectly reasonable span in height.
The biggest issue we have with this one is the lack of a quick-release plate. It has a fixed plate, which is uncommon with tripods, so that comes as a downer. Aside from that, it's a well-built device you should consider buying if the fixed plate is not a deal-breaker for you.
- Lightweight
- Reliable manufacturer
- Maximum load for a tabletop model
- No quick-release mounting plate
If you're looking for quality-build and you're not afraid to invest a bit, there's no better full-size tripod than the Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4 Spotting Scope.
This is the first product that stands out from the rest, thanks to its build. The most common building material for a standard tripod for spotting scopes is aluminum. It's lightweight and has enough strength to sustain heavy loads. However, we have a different case with the Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4 Spotting Scope.
It's built from carbon fibers, and for those of you that are not informed, carbon fibers are usually used in manufacturing some serious equipment due to high stiffness and tensile strength, and low weight. On the other hand, they are quite expensive, which is in turn, the biggest downside of this product as well.
When it comes to features, it holds true in that department as well. You can set it up in a matter of seconds thanks to the one-handed leg extension, and it has a rotating bubble level.
This is a full-size tripod, so the maximum height you'll get is 160 cm, which is on par with the best products that we've seen.
Thanks to its crafty mechanism, you can easily set it up with the lock design. Moreover, you'll get more ground covered with the flexible vertical center column that can be easily transformed into a horizontal position.
As we mentioned, the biggest letdown is the price, but it's perfectly reasonable as this is a premium carbon-fiber product that will serve the user for years. If you're okay with investing a lot of money, it will undoubtedly be worth it in the future.
- Carbon-fiber build
- Quality mechanisms
- Positioning and adjustment
- One-handed lock design
- Not affordable
The following item is probably the most straightforward item that we have on this list. It's nothing spectacular and doesn't have any fancy features, but it will get the job done. Here's the Orion 5378 Paragon HD-F2 Tripod.
This adjustable tripod is the epitome of stability. You don't have to worry about flimsy legs or whether it'll give out on you in rough environments - it's there to provide firmness and stability.
Thanks to its load capacity, it can sustain most scopes, binoculars, telescopes, and cameras that you can grab your hands on. It's made from aluminum to account for the weight and firmness of the base, and most importantly, it's non-corrosive since it's made from pure aluminum and not alloys with magnesium or zinc.
It doesn't have rubber feet, but it does feature telescoping spike legs that are also a great solution to improving the overall stability of the tripod. Also, this is probably the most extendable tripod that we have on this list as it can be cranked up to 72 inches, which is 183 cm.
In essence, there are two things we didn't like. Firstly, the vertical pan head is too stiff even when the tension is brought down to a minimum. Secondly, you'll do well with devices that weigh up to 5 lb. If your spotting scope weighs more than that, you'll have to find firm ground to place it on. Aside from these small details, it's an excellent device that you should have.
- Maximum height
- Stability
- Spike legs
- Aluminum legs
- Stiff pan head
- Not recommended for heavyweight scopes
If there's too much information by now and you've never used a tripod before, don't worry because there are products that are straightforward and won't require you to mess around with manuals and waste time reading. Such is the Gosky Travel Tripod.
If you're just getting into the hunting business and you're looking to get as much equipment as possible, the Gosky Travel Tripod will undoubtedly be a great asset. Its main feature is ease of use, and all it takes is a couple of minutes to get used to it.
This Gosky tripod features a handle and a pan head for full adjustability. You'll be able to rotate it 360 degrees with vertical rotation as well. Setting the height is quite straightforward as well - twist the tension knob until it's loose, set the height to your liking, and twist it back again - it's that simple.
Similar to some of the previous products, it also has a quick flip lock that allows you to one-handedly set the height to the 61-inch maximum. Also, it's an affordable item, so there's no need to worry if you decide to buy it and it doesn't turn out to be what you expected. After all, you'll get some nice accessories in the package, including a zipping case.
We didn't like the quick-release plate as it tends to stick a bit, and you have to wiggle it around to reaffix it. Aside from that, you'll be getting a lightweight and quality spotting scope tripod that can extend a lot, so it's a nice bargain.
- Travel tripod
- Height adjustment
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Hard-to-use quick-release plate
Finally, the last item on this list comes from a manufacturer that you must have heard of as they are one of the most prominent industries in the business. Here's the Vortex Optics High Country II Tripod.
Vortex Optics are not unknown to professional hunters as they represent a staple in the hunting community. They excel at delivering high-quality goods, such as scopes, binoculars, monoculars, and in this case, a tripod.
What is it that makes this tripod special? Well, nothing really. It's not an authentic product because there are no special features that make it distinguishable from the previous tripods. However, it's quality merchandise that will get you the job done.
Its maximum height is 62.5 inches, and it can go as low as 12 inches. There is one impressive feature, however. Its overall weight is only 4 ounces, which is only a quarter of a pound.
On the other hand, it's amazing considering that you won't have any extra weight in your hunting gear. Then again, this product isn't recommended for heavy-duty scopes since they require more stability.
Still, it's impressive that it can sustain as much as 22 lb of weight, but it can be flimsy if you drop a heavy scope on it. It's equipped with all the necessary tools for adjustments, including the quick-release mounting plate, leg lock, and a locking handle for the tripod head.
- Quality build
- Fully adjustable
- Universal
- Overall stability
Spotting the Perfect Tripod - Buyer's Guide
Tripods are not that hard to find. In fact, if you browse through Amazon, you'll probably find an abundance of articles and pages with tripods that'll only make your head hurt. And after you've finished, you'll still wonder what's the best that money can buy.
Well, rest assured and stick around since we'll cover some of the basics that you should know before you buy a spotting scope tripod. Here's the tea.
Tripods are generally made from lighter metals as a way to gain some points on the weight, but they should also be a quality metal or an alloy since you'll be carrying them out to nature.
Therefore, the most standard material for building tripods is pure aluminum. If you run into aluminum-magnesium alloys, you should stay away since they're prone to corrosion.
Our advice is that you should stick to either aluminum or carbon fiber tripods since they offer the best mixture of durability and stability.
There are many factors that constitute the overall stability of a tripod. Firstly, there's the weight, which should be between two and seven lbs, realistically speaking. Then you have to account for the tripod legs in the sense of their build and feet quality. You'll generally find that tripods either have rubber feet or spike feet, and both are a good option.
Lastly, pay attention to the maximum weight of the product for two reasons - find a compatible match with your scope and make sure it can sustain the weight of your current scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good tripod for a spotting scope?
A vague answer would be a tripod with a good and stable base that can support heavy loads. If you want our recommendation, it's the AmazonBasics 60-Inch Tripod.
Can I use a camera tripod for a spotting scope?
It depends on the scope since there are many camera tripods that are designed specifically for lightweight devices, and they will simply not sustain the weight of a scope.
However, there are camera tripods that are universal, and that can hold up to 20 lb of weight.
How do you put a spotting scope on a tripod?
It's an easy process that requires no previous knowledge. All you should do is slide the plate into the platform or screw it on, depending on the scope or the tripod.
You'll have to keep the scope steady while you adjust the legs and the height of the tripod, and that's the essence of it.
What is the best budget spotting scope?
Based on our research, it has to be the RetiCAM Tabletop Tripod. It's the best in its class and offers premium features for a small amount of money.
Final Thoughts - Summary
Before we conclude the list of reviews and the article itself, it's time to pronounce the overall winner of this pseudo-contest. After reviewing and testing out all these units, we can safely say that the best spotting scope tripod is the AmazonBasics 60-Inch Tripod.
Its features and characteristics offer so much more than any other tripod that we could find, so it's deservingly in the first place. Of course, the RetiCAM Tabletop Tripod is right up there with it.