Tripod Recommendations

[Forestmeister]

I'm shopping for a tripod. I want just one to suit all of my needs. I intend to use it for binocs, spotting scope, video camera, etc. Needs to be light, strong and dull enough so it won't shine. I've seen some good looking light wieght ones on the web but they tend to be polished metal. Not good for spotting game.

Any recommendations?

[One Track]

Ditto.

Broke mine last week. Didn't like it anyways.

[One Track]

Forest:

I just opened the Eagle Optics ad/link at the top. The Bogen Wilderness sounds perfect, but expensve. Please let me know if you find anything comparable that won't hurt the wallet.

[MNHNTR]

I buy my tripods at Wallymart. Not too expensive, there are several sizes. They have a dull gold finish which I then paint over.......

[One Track]

Very nice. Great idea.

[AZBob]

Here are some things to think about when you're buying a tripod.
How long is it when it's folded? Tripods with 4 leg sections fold up shorter than similar-height tripods with 3 leg sections. Will it fit inside my pack?
Can you adjust the angle of the legs independently, or does the tripod have a center brace that keeps all the legs at the same angle? Uneven ground is with us wherever we hunt, and it sure helps to be able to adjust the angle of each leg.
Does it have a smooth panhead that has a quick release mechanism for efficient mounting of your scope or camera? Having to screw on your optics each time you use them is a drag.
When it comes to a tripod, sometimes the lightest is too light. It does you no good if it moves in a slight breeze.
Here are a couple excellent mid-weight tripods that I have used. If you can find one, the Slik 444-Sport II is a very good tripod that comes with a good quality panhead. Cost is about $125. Velbon makes a good one, the EFL-4 which is available on Amazon.com for about $80, but you'll need to get a panhead for it. These tripods will weigh about 4 lbs with the head and will fold up to about 19". Both have independent leg angles and 4-leg sections. If you get a tripod with a plastic head you can count on it breaking before long. If it breaks in the backcountry, you'll regret not having a good one.

[East Sloper]

AZBob
Great considerations. I think weight, stability, and adjustability are all important. The bogens with the pistol grips are really nice (though very spendy). I use one for 15x binos, spotting scope and video camera and simply love it. Had a couple others along the way, but once I had the pistol grip I wouldn't have anything else. The reasonably priced (relative term) bogens are a little on the heavy side but very nice. I can't afford one, but the Outdoorsman in Arizona sells a really nice super lightweight tripod with piston grip if you are willing to spend alot of money (about $600 with all the adaptors-ouch!). Let us know what you discover.