Recommend Me a Tripod.....

[sonofeugene]

I pulled the trigger on a Pentax PF-80ED-A spotting scope with 20-60 zoom and now I need a tripod. I've already got a big, heavy duty Bogen full size tripod so I'm looking for a smaller table top model that I can use to safely hold my scope on the bench. The scope is big, like roughly 18" long and 4 to 5 lbs. Yea, it's likely overkill, but I splurged and plan on using it for other things besides shooting.

Besides recommendations on top quality table top tripods, I'd also be open to a setup where the scope mount can clamp to the bench for even more security. I can design and fab something but I figure if something well designed and made is already out there, I'd give it consideration. A plus would be a clamp big enough to clamp onto the very thick concrete benches like those at Los Altos Rod and Gun Club.

Thanks!

[sonofeugene]

Bump.

[sonofeugene]

I'm on my way to answering my own question and will be making my own mount for the shooting bench. I managed to snag a Manfrotto/Bogen 410 geared head from eBay and now I'll be machining a base out of Delrin for it. The scope center will end up about 7.5" to 8" above the bench which should be about perfect.

I originally lost my first bid on a 410 and was about to bid on this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Outdoor-Tactical-Manfrotto-410-Geared-Tripod-Head-With-Low-profile-Ground-Mount-/201342745517?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ee0f67bad

However, I found another 410 locally, so I won't be bidding on it. For those of you looking for a good mount for a spotting scope, you might consider bidding on the above item. I know nothing about it and am not related to the seller, but if it's as stated, except for the paint the geared head should be perfectly functional. If I bought it, I'd have likely gotten rid of the home made base and made my own, perhaps even removed the desert paint, but I figured at the price it'll likely go for, it's a steal. The best prices I've seen for these heads new is 268. And used about 165 to 180 or so. So, if you can snag this painted one for under a hundred, you could end up with an excellent geared head for your spotting scope.

For what it's worth......

[usmcspud]

Sinclair International makes a nice bench mount scope stand that will clamp to the table.

[joefrank64k]

A lot of guys run either a Polecat or Ray-Vin:

http://www.creedmoorsports.com/shop/Polecat_Scope_Stand.html

http://www.creedmoorsports.com/shop/Ray-Vin_Scope_Stand.html

[sonofeugene]

Thanks for those links. I've seen the offerings from Creedmoor and Sinclair and have been tempted, but I really wanted a gear drive head for the scope as I can use it for other scoping duties as well and having the gear head makes it super easy to get the scope aimed. I'm hoping to design the base so that the geared head can be quickly and easily removed for other duties. Some CAD time and then some time in the machine shop should yield something serviceable.

[russ69]

I would have to type all day to explain but get a Freeland Bipod stand, scope cover and added weight. That has been the target shooters standard for decades. I use a saddle head because it's universal and works with any scope. I don't like the clamp-on stands, I've seen more than one get cleared off a bench. http://www.championshooters.com/inde...=32&Itemid=111

[L84CABO]

Manfroto is one of the top brands for tripods

http://www.manfrotto.us/

And here's a review on some others...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/features/10-recommended-tripods-photography

[russ69]

Manfroto is one of the top brands for tripods
http://www.manfrotto.us/

Camera tripods don't work so well for shooting mainly because you can't get them low enough without tripping over them and you can't slide the legs under your rifle for a good position close to your shooting eye.

[sonofeugene]

Thats part of the reason I'm going to try making my own base. I'm hoping to come up with something low and stable with enough weight. I'm also thinking of adding some leveling feet at each corner that have a foot that swivels and has a rubber bottom. Not so much for actual leveling but to compensate for uneven surfaces.

[sonofeugene]

Well, I finally got around to finishing my scope mount for bench shooting. 'First thing I did was get a used tripod head. I settled on the Manfrotto 410. I figured that a geared head would make it easier to make small adjustments to the scope. Next, since one of the knobs on the head extends below the bottom of the head, I machined a spacer to raise the head 1.5". Finally I machined a 1.25" thick piece of Delrin to 9" x 9" with a relief for a large shouldered thumb screw on the bottom side and a mounting hole for the spacer offset from the center of the base to make sure the actual scope/head/spacer center of gravity was centered over the base. I also added adjustable swivel feet with rubber pads on the bottom to each corner of the base. Below is what I ended up with and it seems like it'll work. Now all I have to do is get back to the range.

[sonofeugene]

[L84CABO]

Camera tripods don't work so well for shooting mainly because you can't get them low enough without tripping over them and you can't slide the legs under your rifle for a good position close to your shooting eye.

Interesting. Did not know. Thanks!