outdoorsmans tripod

any one who owns the outdoorsmans tripods, do you have to have the extension to use the tripod or if you get the small tripod can you use without the extension pole?

thanks,

phillip

Depends on what you are trying to use it for. I have the medium and it works perfect for everything I need. It will hold a 62 or 77MM Leica straight spotting scope and plenty of height for me to use sitting down on the ground. Having said that I did buy the extension for it and I can now use the tripod as a gun rest standing up, but I think that would only work for someone under 6'
BB

All of the Outdoorsmans Tripods can be used WITHOUT an Extension. The Extension just adds some height and convenience, depending on the Tripod.

The Short Tripod was designed for glassing while lying down or for propping up on some rocks in front of you. It is the ultimate for light weight and compactness - think sheep hunting!

If you want to use the Small Tripod in a sitting position, you need to get the Short Extension, which was designed for the Short Tripod. The tripod and extension will definitely handle the weight of binoculars or a spotting scope, but you may run into more wobbling issues when using the Extension, especially in the wind. It is a simple physics issue - put weight at the top of something and it gets top heavy!

The Medium Tripod is best if you do most of your glassing from a sitting position. You can also add the Long Extension to it for glassing from a standing position, but you may run into the same stability issues.

I have my Medium Tripod set up with the Extension, Panning Attachment, and Pistol Grip. For extra stability, I always carry a lightweight fabric bag that I can fill with rocks, sand, snow, etc., and then hang from the tripod legs. (You can do the same thing with the Small Tripod and Short Extension.)

The Tall Tripod is best if you mostly glass from a standing position. If you are 6'0" or taller, you may want to add the Long Extension. Keep in mind that the Tall Tripod can also be used in a sitting position.

Hopefully I've answered your question but if not, please ask me to clarify or give the guys at the Outdoorsmans a call (800-291-8065). They will be more than happy to help you, too!

Good luck!

-----
Trent Swanson
Western Hunter Magazine
www.westernhuntermagazine.net
Outdoorsmans
www.outdoorsmans.com
Wilderness Athlete
www.wildernessathlete.com

thanks guys

great info

You're welcome!

-----
Trent Swanson
Western Hunter Magazine
www.westernhuntermagazine.net
Outdoorsmans
www.outdoorsmans.com
Wilderness Athlete
www.wildernessathlete.com

I will have to disagree with Trent Swanson about the use of the small tripod. IT is the ultimate tripod to use while sitting down, if you have an angled spotting scope. If you use a straight spotting scope then you WILL need the extension or the medium tripod. If you want to cut weight down then get the small tripod with an angled scope. I have two of the small tripods and feel that it is one of the best tripods out there. fatrooster.

fatrooster,

i have an angled scope so i was wondering if the small would work. i like the weight and packability that the small would offer. just didn't know if it was to short.

thanks,

phillip

fatrooster,

GREAT POINT!!

I use a tripod mainly for glassing with binoculars, so that is always my first thought. Plus, I prefer a straight spotting scope for trophy judging. Since both of those uses would require an Extension for the Short Tripod, I don't have much use for the Short Tripod without the Extension, but I can see why you would.

Sorry to have forgotten there are a bunch of you "crooked" guys out there!

Thanks for setting me "straight" - ha!!

Good luck to both you and Phillip!

-----
Trent Swanson
Western Hunter Magazine
www.westernhuntermagazine.net
Outdoorsmans
www.outdoorsmans.com
Wilderness Athlete
www.wildernessathlete.com

Trent, you have a great sense of humor that I appreciate. You also brought up a good point. The short tripod does not extend high enough to use with binoculars and I am getting ready to get the small extension myself. Thanks for bringing this up.

Bigwop, in my opinion the small tripod is what your looking for. I will post some pictures tomorrow of me and some friends using the small tripod while sitting on this thread so that you can see what it looks like and how high it will extend.
fatrooster.

Great thread guys... Nice to see a real exchange of information and ideas without everyone getting pissy and a bunch of name calling. Kudus to all of you! NJS

thanks fatrooster pictures would be great!!


thanks

>Great thread guys... Nice to see
>a real exchange of information
>and ideas without everyone getting
>pissy and a bunch of
>name calling. Kudus to
>all of you! NJS
>


x2!!

One of the most respectable threads I have observed in along time. A pleasure to read. It is refreshing to see differing points of view presented and discussed in a respectable and friendly fashion. Let this thread be a lesson for all of us on MM.

And I don't even what an 'outdorrsmans tripod' is, but now I want to go buy one.

GrizlyHunter

bigwop69, this is me using the short tripod back in 2005.



This is Jason, a friend of mine using the small tripod at a flatter angle therefore having it extended higher.



Here is Jason sitting on a rock in this situation and you can see that he is not hampered by its shortness although it will not extend high enough if you want to sit in a chair.



I don't have any pictures of us looking up hill but it works just as nicely in that situation as well.
fatrooster.

fatrooster

WOW, great pictures!!! a picture is worth a thousand words.

thank you for doing that. you're right, the small would work perfect. i have a manfrotto cx190 carbon which is great but just isn't for packing.

where are those pictures from? beautiful country.

thanks again for taking the time to post those pics.

thanks,

phillip

Another reason why I like this tripod. It is very compact but sturdy when being used. Most small tripods are not sturdy but this tripod is lightweight and sturdy.



Here they are fully extended.



The spotting scope is an ATS 80 swarovski.

bigwop, the pictures were taken in the Ruby Mountais in Northern Nevada. fatrooster.

i have the same spotter so it's nice to know it will hold the weight of the 80mm.

thanks

NJS and Griz - Thanks for all the kind words. Hunting, optics, and gear are just too much fun to argue about. I really appreciate that there are a lot of different people with a lot of different thoughts. I am always open to learn something new!

fatrooster - Nice photos! Do you have any interest in sharing them formally with the Outdoorsmans and Western Hunter? We are always interested in great photos and great stories, especially from guys who use and appreciate our products so much.

Feel free to respond here or PM me if you wish.


-----
Trent Swanson
Western Hunter Magazine
www.westernhuntermagazine.net
Outdoorsmans
www.outdoorsmans.com
Wilderness Athlete
www.wildernessathlete.com

Howdy fatrooster,

Thanks for posting especially pix. I see you have a pistol grip and a panhead. Is one or the other a favorite? Do you use a panning adaptor? I am trying to understand how the adaptor plates work, in order to switch back and forth between binos and spotting scope. Do you have experience with this item?

It looks to me like the short tripod could be used without the extension in the sitting position by someone say, 5'9".

Those pictures in the Ruby's must be above Lamoille?

Thanks again.

forepaw

Trent, I would love to share pictures with the Outdoorsmans. I've been a customer of thiers for years and once made it a point to go by thier shop when I was in Az about 6 years ago.
NJS and Grizz, I will have to echo what Trent said about the kind words. It is always appreciated as well as yours and everybodies feedback and opinions. Thanks.
Forepaw, I like the pistol grip myself because of the ease of use and the quickness of moving your veiwing postion. I got the panhead for the stability when filming through the spotter and being able to follow an animal more easily than you can with the pistol grip. I did get the panning attachment but because I never really took much video I took it off and have never gotten enough experience to comment on it. I don't even know where it is right now. My partner Jason has used the pan head more than I have and he has stated that he likes it better than the pistol grip. The panning attachment is meant to be used while videoing through the spotter and it makes it easier to pan from side to side without much shake or movement.(correct me Trent if I don't have that exactly right). I had it installed on the panhead and I didn't feel like the panhead needed the help of the attachment because it pans pretty good without it. But I can see where it would help out on the pistol grip because you have unbalanced weight on the end of the spotter and when you depress the pistol everything wants to move the wrong way. If you are not filming then I would not bother with the panning attachment.
And now I must correct myself. Those pictures were actually taken at the Southern end of the East Humbildts where they butt up to the Rubies. They are part of the Rubies but some people like to consider them to be different. It is a pretty place. fatrooster.

LAST EDITED ON Jun-27-10 AT 08:34PM (MST)[p]Forepaw, I forgot to mention that Jason and myself are in the
5'9" range but I've had people hunt with me who are anywhere from 5'6" to 6'2" and nobody had any problems using the small tripod while they were sitting on the ground.
You mentioned that you may be using it with binoculars. Let me say again that the small tripod does not extend high enough to use with binoculars or a straight spotting scope. Because of this I am getting ready to get the short 10" tripod extension to remedy this problem.
Also, earlier you asked about inter changing from the binos to the spotter on the tripod. You can use any tripod but you will need two quick adapter plates for the tripod and one bino adapter. Again I will post pictures tomorrow to show you what I'm talking about. I'm at work tonight so I cannot show pictures right now. fatrooster.

Okay guys, here comes a lot of information. Sorry to be so long-winded...

fatrooster - you are spot on about the intention for the Panning Attachment... to make panning easier. It was designed for use with the Pistol Grip Head, not the Pan Head, as the Pan Head already allows for panning. The Panning Attachment allows you to glass with the Pistol Grip Head along one plane without needing to squeeze-move-release every time you want to adjust your field of view. (See my next post for more info on the Heads and Panning Attachment.)

Guys, keep this in mind also: all of the Outdoorsmans products have been designed first and foremost for glassing with tripod-mounted binoculars. All other uses of the tripod, from spotting scopes and cameras to shooting platforms are secondary to the primary function. The only exception to this might be the Small Tripod that was designed with sheep hunters in mind, who for reasons I don't understand, seem to primarily glass with spotting scopes. Thankfully, the system functions almost flawlessly for all uses!

As I'm sure fatrooster will show with his photos, the Outdoorsmans Heads accept a dovetail-style base that can be added to the bottom of your optics. The Binocular Adapter, which mounts to your binoculars via a center-hinge stud, has the dovetail machined into it already. Changing from one optic to the other is as easy as unscrewing a thumbscrew on the head, sliding off one optic, sliding the other in its place, and then retightening the thumbscrew.

For anyone who wants to continue using the same plates and Binocular Adapter on a different tripod head, you can get the Quick Release Adapter that can be added to any other head. For example, I still have a Bogen Tripod that I use for photography and as a backup for my Outdoorsmans tripods. I mounted the Quick Release Adapter to it so I don't have to change plates and adapters.

Another really cool product is the Dual Mount. It should be used with the Pan Head because it allows you to mount your binoculars and spotting scope side-by-side so they can be pointed at the same spot. When you find something with your binoculars that requires further scrutiny or evaluation, just move your head about 6" and look through the spotter. The Pan Head and Tripods can handle the weight of 15s and an 80mm spotter with no problem!

To look at all the Tripod Accessories, click on the link to the Outdoorsmans in my signature, and then click on "Hunting Tripod Accessories" on the left side of the page.


-----
Trent Swanson
Western Hunter Magazine
www.westernhuntermagazine.net
Outdoorsmans
www.outdoorsmans.com
Wilderness Athlete
www.wildernessathlete.com

I asked Brian for permission to post this article that I wrote for Western Hunter last year and he graciously allowed it.

Forepaw - this should help explain the difference between the two heads. I hope it helps!

Outdoorsmans Tripod Accessories: Pan Head vs. Pistol Grip Head
By: Trent Swanson, Senior Editor

So, you went on a hunt this year with someone using tripod-mounted binoculars and realized how effective glassing from a tripod can be. You?ve decided that the Outdoorsmans tripod system is the lightest and highest-quality system available and you've chosen the legs (sold separately) that suit your hunting style. Now you must choose the right head: the Pan Head or the Pistol Grip Head?

Outdoorsmans Pan Head
The Outdoorsmans Pan Head functions just like the industry-standard tripod head - it pans horizontally and tilts up and down. What distinguishes it from other heads, however, is its compact size, light weight, and design. At 3.25 inches tall, 3.5 inches wide, and just 10.2 ounces, it is one of the smallest and lightest heads on the market. You will have no trouble fitting into a pack and you won't need to worry about weight.

Most pan heads require you to twist a long handle sticking off the head to adjust either vertical or horizontal travel (depending on model) and then twist a separate knob on the side for the opposite adjustment. The Outdoorsmans Pan Head uses clearly-marked small knobs on opposite sides for each adjustment, which eliminates the need for a handle. However, knowing that many hunters like to use a handle for moving the head, they include one that is short and very lightweight. It can be rotated, moved from front to back, or simply left at home.

Once your binoculars are mounted atop the head is when it really shines. The ingenious tilt adjustment knob requires just a quarter-turn to fully loosen it, and then can be tightened by turning it either direction. The pan adjustment knob requires less than a quarter-turn to fully loosen, but it must be turned clockwise to tighten and counter-clockwise to loosen. When each knob is loose, the head tilts or pans smoothly, but with just enough friction to allow for precise adjustments. The Outdoorsmans Pan Head is machined aluminum designed to accept the Outdoorsmans Binocular Adapter and Outdoorsmans Adapter Plates (not included), and sells for $389.99.

Outdoorsmans Pistol Grip
The Outdoorsmans Pistol Grip Head is the smallest, lightest, and easiest to use head available. It weighs 9.8 ounces, measures 5 inches tall, and even with the curved handle is only about 2.5 inches wide. All it takes to move the head is a simple, light squeeze of the handle. The handle releases pressure on a ball, which allows the head to tilt and pan in almost any direction. Compared to other much larger pistol grip heads, the Outdoorsmans Pistol Grip only requires the strength of one finger for operation. In addition, since the pivot point is at the top instead of the bottom, you can use any of your fingers to squeeze the handle, which helps prevent hand fatigue during long glassing periods. There is a notch machined into the bottom of the head so that it can be folded over 90 degrees for storage. There is also a small depression machined into the side so that when the head is folded over it can be used as a rifle rest. The Outdoorsmans Pistol Grip Head is also machined aluminum and designed to accept the Outdoorsmans Binocular Adapter and Outdoorsmans Adapter Plates (not included). It sells for $389.99.

Which One Should You Choose?
Like most things in life, it comes down to personal preference. The Pistol Grip is a little lighter and much easier to use. Just squeeze, point, and release. You must repeat those steps each time you change your field of view, but it is very simple to do. If desired, you can add the Panning Attachment ($89.99) that allows the Pistol Grip to spin freely on its horizontal axis so you only have to squeeze when you want to tilt. In addition, the machined rifle rest is a handy addition that can be very useful when nothing else is available. Of course you can interchange all of your other optics including spotting scopes, cameras and video cameras. If you are looking for light weight and simplicity, or just prefer the design, choose the Pistol Grip Head.

The Pan Head is truly the cr?me-de-la-cr?me of hunting tripod heads. It is not quite a simple to use as the Pistol Grip and it weighs a little more, but the compact size makes up for the weight and with some practice, it is just as easy to use. If you also plan to use your tripod for professional-quality videography, long glassing periods with a spotting scope, or the Outdoorsmans Dual Mount, you will appreciate the Pan Head. The precision-adjustment knobs provide smooth panning, and the compact design is more stable and handles weight much better than the Pistol Grip.

I have used the Pistol Grip Head for the past few years and just recently got the Pan Head for use with my telephoto camera and the Dual Mount. I feel that each head fits a niche within the marketplace and it just boils down to what you prefer and what you plan to use it for. With either head you choose, you can rest assured that the Outdoorsmans will stand behind its products and provide you with the service you deserve. If at anytime your head becomes dirty and doesn't function the way it did when it was new, simply return it to the Outdoorsmans for a thorough cleaning and repair.


-----
Trent Swanson
Western Hunter Magazine
www.westernhuntermagazine.net
Outdoorsmans
www.outdoorsmans.com
Wilderness Athlete
www.wildernessathlete.com

thanks trent for the info. looks like you cost me some money cause i want one bad. ha-ha

Hey fatrooster you wanna trade one of your's for a manfrotto with a pan head?

thanks to trent and fatrooster for the great information!!!!

thanks,

phillip

Forpaw, here are the pictures I told I would post showing a quick change plate adapter. First I will show you the one used for the Manfrotto tripod.



I am pointing at the quick change adapter plate and you can see that I already have one mounted to the bottom of a spotting scope. Incidentally, the thing in the right of the picture is a window mount made bt Nikon that uses the same adapter as the Manfrotto tripod. The next picture is a picture of the scope sitting on the Moanfrotto pistol grip head on the Manfrotto tripod. You can see where the Quick change adapter plate goes into the pistol grip.



Here is a close up.



Here is a picture of the Outdoorsmans Quich change adapter plate.I am pointing at the plate and again I already have one mounted to a spotting scope and one mounted to a Swarovski EL binocular adapter.



Here is a close up of the dove tail quick change adapter slid into the Outdoorsmans pistol grip head. My fingers are tightening the part that holds onto the dovetail.



Here is a picture of the spotting scope on the Outdoorsmans tripod with a pistol grip head and a pair of binoculars on the pan head.


And a close up of the pan head.

Most tripods come with one quick change adapter plate and you have to buy the other one seperately. I like to have several. One for the spotter, one for binoculars, one for a camera, etc. Whatever namebrand tripod you choose to use you should have two quick change plates to change out your bino's to your spotter quickly. fatrooster.

Fatrooster,

Thanks for posting the VERY helpful photos and text. Now I understand much better what the descriptions involve, and what I might need. One more question. The pistol grip adds some height to the setup. Would you expect the 10" extension would still be needed with the short tripod, if used with a pistol grip vs. pan head (and non-angled optics)?

Appreciate your posts, and I am sure others here on MM do also!

forepaw

Yes Forepaw, I've already tried it a couple of times without the extension and its just too short. If you have a straight spotter and also want to use bino's on the tripod then you still have the option of getting the medium sized tripod which is still lightweight and pretty compact.
Thanks also for the kind words but I'm just giving back to this website what its given me for the last 6 years. Lots of friendly advice.
One more thing that I'd like to add. There are lots of good name brand tripods out there that are perfectly capable of doing the job. I choose the Outddorsmans tripods and other gear as my favorite because it is a great product. But another reason is because they are made by hunters for hunters. Sometimes when you buy gear from some of the photography outfits you are unknowingly supporting antihunting groups. With the Outdoorsmans I am sure that my money is not fighting the sport I love. fatrooster.

bigwop69, thanks for the offer of the trade but I'll stick with what I've got, lol. Goodluck with you tripod purchase. fatrooster.

fatrooster,

don't blame you. i wish i would have done more research when i bought my tripod. thanks again for the info and the pictures. i live in georgia and just can't drive to Az whenever i have questions or wanna see the product. your pictures showed me exactly what i need and what i don't need. thanks for taking the time!!


thanks again,

phillip

I just wanted to give an update on the tripod extension that I got for the small Outddorsmans tripod. Before the extension I was not able to use a straight spotting scope or a pair of binoculars with the small tripod because it would not extend high enough and was only useful with an angled spotting scope. But since I got the extension it has solved the problem and is a very, nice setup.
In this first picture you can see that it will extend easily high enough to use with binoculars or a straight spotter.




In fact it will easily extend over my head.


For anybody looking for a compact, lightweight tripod I think this setup is hard to beat for any spotter or binocular. fatrooster.

that is the perfect setup Fat Rooster. now i just need about 700 dollars and it's mine. hahaha

thanks

Does the set up get a little unstable with the extensions that high? Do you feel with the straight or bino you would be better with the medium?
Brad

Any of the tripods will get tipsey if fully extended. That is one of the reasons that I went with the medium. Most of my glassing is done from the seated position with straight scope or binos so I can get most(if not all)of the height I need from the adjustment on the legs only without extending the center post. If you are truly that critical on weight you can "get by" with the short tripod and a extended center post but I don't believe you would be saving that much weight over the medium and then stability comes into play. It's all personal preference and what is more important, weight or wider range of use. Let us know what you choose as we all like to hear what each other uses and why.
BB

I don't feel like it is unstable, in fact I was surprised with how stable it is. Bruinbrewin is right though, the more any tripod is extended the less stable it is and the medium tripod is going to be more stable than the small tripod while it is extended. Personal preference will definitely play a big part in deciding which tripod you should choose. But like I said above, in my owne personal opinion, the small tripod with the extension is a great set up that is hard to beat. fatrooster.

Carry a small Crown Royal sack in your backpack and toss a few rocks in it then hang it around the base of the centerpost and stability issues are solved when you want it extended!
BB

Thanks for the tip Bruinbrewin but I really don't think stability is gonna be much of an issue. Never know until ya field test it. Either way I'll pass on what ever I find out. fatrooster.

I always carry a lightweight bag very simlar in size to a Crown Royal bag for just that purpose. I haven't needed it too often, but it has been a lifesaver when I did!

One more helpful hint: Make sure your bag is not mesh. The first bag I carried was mesh and really lightweight, but it's hard to put sand or snow into a mesh bag when there are no rocks around!! Ha!

-----
Trent Swanson
Western Hunter Magazine
www.westernhuntermagazine.net
Outdoorsmans
www.outdoorsmans.com
Wilderness Athlete
www.wildernessathlete.com

drew,

how do you like the swarovski el adapter that you have. does it hold the binos secure. i could use that one and wouldn't have to have my new el's modified.

thanks,

phillip

Yep, I carry my snowpeak 600 mL cup in the netted bag it came with to keep my canister stove and fuel inside the bag. However, the netted bag also doubles as a weighted back too for my tripod. Helps out when using a 2 lb tripod for sure.

My medium has worked well in every situation so far. When in the mountains I can place it up or down hill if more or less height is needed. I have an angled eye piece spotter and Outdoorsmans hinge pin for my binocs that work flawlessly for glassing while sitting. To make up for the weight difference I lost some lard off my gut. My medium has been perfect.

I enjoyed reading all the comments in this thread. Maybe I missed it, but does anyone know where the Outdoorsman's tripod is manufactured? Thanks.

CodyB,

The Outdoorsmans Tripod is proudly manufactured in America exclusively for the Outdoorsmans by a company in Payson, AZ. The partners are great guys as well as die-hard hunters and shooters!

On another note...

There is always a lot of talk about how well other optics retailers treat MM users, and I'm sure there are some great companies out there. However, I don't think those other companies can claim the same amount of involvement in the hunting/shooting world. The Outdoorsmans not only is made up of hunters, they design and manufacture products specifically for hunters, and they put their money where their mouth is by joining conservation organizations, serving on their Boards, and donating time and products to their cause.

The next time you are considering an optics/tripod/pack/etc. purchase, think about where your money is going and who it is going to. The Outdoorsmans and associated companies are western companies made up of western hunters!

-----
Trent Swanson
Western Hunter Magazine
www.westernhuntermagazine.net
Outdoorsmans
www.outdoorsmans.com
Wilderness Athlete
www.wildernessathlete.com

That is a great tip. I never thought about hanging something from the tripod to help with stability. I saw a buck two years ago that I could tell had huge front forks...I never could get a great look at his backs because the wind was blowing the tripod around. If only I had known.........Thanks guys!