Quality Spotting Scope Stand - What are you using?

Rockrivr1

Rockrivr1

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Well after 15 years of using the same spotting scope stand it finally gave out on me last weekend. So I’m on the hunt for a new stand. Mine was old, clumsy and heavy as hell. Though it didn’t move at all when it was windy, which was great.

So I’m looking online and see a bunch of options and some, like the Creedmore Polecat, is seriously expensive. Not ready to pay $400 for a stand. Looking at High-Viz, Champion, Chippewa, Freeland and others.

Anyone have good experience with a stand? If so I’d like to know what you’re using. Has to have an expandable pole so I can use it when shooting standing up. I’ll be mounting a Kowa spotting scope to it.

Thanks
 
I used an old Ewing stand for years. Still have it. I bought one of these out at Perry this year and really like it.

Shop

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hic-tec.com hic-tec.com
 
Sorry...I know you said quality....this is not really that. Its functional and works though.

Amazon Basics Tripod 16 bucks.

I'll admit I have a small Celeston spotting scope that really only goes out to 200 yards...thats the farthest my range is down here and I wanted it compact to all fit in my range kit.
 
Mark from ? said:
Amazon Basics Tripod 16 bucks. Works for me.

I'll admit I have a small Celeston spotting scope that really only goes out to 200 yards...thats the farthest my range is down here and I wanted it compact to all fit in my range kit.
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i was waiting to see if anyone shows up with some BS that costs at least a $1000.
or a golden one, i mean made out of solid gold, of course, not a cheap anodized version for mere plebs.
 
I use a Manfrotto for the spotting scope. I had it for my camera already and just got another base plate to attach it. Very stable.

They sell a lot of different versions so you have a lot of options on price.
 
Take a look at Outdoorsmans Outdoorsmans hunting tripods

I bought one with hunting in mind so it's probably a little lighter than one meant for range use. But so far I've only used it at the range with a Nightforce TS-80 scope that weighs (I'm guessing) about 5 -6 lbs. Nice & stable, no complaints. Mine is aluminum but it looks like they've added carbon models now.
 
Rockrivr1 said:
I was looking at this model online but I wasn’t sure how stable it would be as a bipod on a windy day. Sounds like it’s stable from what you’re saying.
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I have that scope stand (Freeland) it works well. In the offhand wind is a consideration. What we used to do is use a sand spike on the on the bottom of the shaft or a weight, both work.
 
I use a spotter a lot. Mine is a Kowa 88. I also have vortex 56. They get used at the range, hunting, hiking, and for phonescoping. I can't recommend enough a decent tripod. They are also used for my binos and a shooting rest.

Someone recommend outdoorsman products. They are top notch but I think over priced. I am a big fan of of Benro and Sirui. We have both. These are very well made. I use two. One is a regular sized one, weighs about 3.5 pounds. Also use an ultralight, weighs 1.5 pounds. Both of them get used and abused but have held up very well. Each one was purchased for about $250.

The full sized one is very stable. And that is what you need for spotters, even if you are using it for only punching holes. A breeze can wreak havoc on a spotter. A good tripod helps a lot with that. I need stability at the shooting range when I'm trying to find a hole at 400 yards.

And consider a good panhead. Sirui VA5 is what I use. Rock solid. I think 95% of all hunters use this one for spotters. My ultralight uses a tricer. Weighs like 4 ounces but not really suitable for a big scope. But amazingly I can shoot well off of it. I took a deer at 200 yards standing up with it.

Spotters and binos really come into their own when something stable is holding them. Want to make good glass suck? Mount it to something floppy. Want it to perform better than you ever thought it could? Get something super stable.

It's kind of like scope rings on your rifle. They all look the same, but they are not.
 
I use this one from creedmoor. Full disclosure I don't use it a lot but it does work great for my purposes.
www.creedmoorsports.com

Creedmoor Sports Bipod Scope Stand

This heavy duty aluminum bipod scope stand comes complete with one 12 inch and two 24 inch extension rods.
www.creedmoorsports.com www.creedmoorsports.com
 
ddeck said:
I use a Manfrotto for the spotting scope. I had it for my camera already and just got another base plate to attach it. Very stable.

They sell a lot of different versions so you have a lot of options on price.
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Same.

PatMcD said:
Full camera tripods may be more stable at full height, but they are useless for when you are prone.
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This is the thing that has me considering one of the pole style ones. Spotting for others is great, but it's just an awful experience when you're checking your own work from any shooting position except standing.
 
PatMcD said:
Full camera tripods may be more stable at full height, but they are useless for when you are prone.
Click to expand...

Many of the carbon tripods people use for shooting these days fully splay out. They’re rather good for prone.

IMG_2954.jpeg

If you want some more height, just raise the front two legs a notch at the head.

IMG_2955.jpeg

The one area where the Creedmoor style stands are still better, in my opinion, is for standing off-hand shooting. You can still get close to a tripod when doing it, but it’s a lot easier to bump your tripod when trying to use the spotting scope. It’s easier to maintain your foot position with the Creedmoor style.
 
PappyM3 said:
Many of the carbon tripods people use for shooting these days fully splay out. They’re rather good for prone.

View attachment 938136

If you want some more height, just raise the front two legs a notch at the head.

View attachment 938139

The one area where the Creedmoor style stands are still better, in my opinion, is for standing off-hand shooting. You can still get close to a tripod when doing it, but it’s a lot easier to bump your tripod when trying to use the spotting scope. It’s easier to maintain your foot position with the Creedmoor style.
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You can also get a short center post for most tripods so you can use it in the prone position with the legs splayed out. My ultra light's post is a two piece, which allows me to get it super low. On my full size (and ultra light), I can reverse the post and place the spotter or a camera between the legs, getting it as low as I want. Tripod gives you lots of options.
 
PatMcD said:
I don't know.. ..looks pretty ungainly if you ask me. Takes up a lot of real estate.
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That's the great thing about what we do. There are plenty of choices. I have to lug my crap for miles so I need something that can do everything. If just using it for the range then my choice would likely be different, maybe.
 
PatMcD said:
I don't know.. ..looks pretty ungainly if you ask me. Takes up a lot of real estate.
Click to expand...

I would not say tripods are ungainly or take up more real estate*. Caveat that I do not like tripods with the center pole that Peterk uses.
Edit: * they do take up more real estate when doing standing off-hand matches, as mentioned previously. But otherwise I don’t think they use up more space.

Tripods are much less complex, easier to pack, easier to setup, and lighter. And the footprint on the ground for prone or sitting work is not much different from the traditional stands.

IMG_2956.jpeg IMG_2957.jpeg

And if someone only does prone or bench shooting, there are small tripods that use up considerably less space

IMG_2958.jpeg

The most important thing for tripods is that you get one that’s sturdy and use a good quality head.
 
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As always; to each their own. But, Rockrivr1 asked about SCOPE STANDS, not tripods. When someone asks about scope stands, I recommend a scope stand. Tripods are not scope stands.
 
The thing with using a camera tripod as a scope stand is you have to use 2 hands to manuver the scope and it's a PITA especially if you're slung up in prone.

The creedmoor polecat and stand is the golden standard. Buy one cry once.
 
Rockrivr1 said:
I was looking at this model online but I wasn’t sure how stable it would be as a bipod on a windy day. Sounds like it’s stable from what you’re saying.
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Their top end one with the three legs is a little more stable (and costs more) but everything sways a bit when you are set up for offhand and the scope is 5 feet off the ground.
 
PatMcD said:
As always; to each their own. But, Rockrivr1 asked about SCOPE STANDS, not tripods. When someone asks about scope stands, I recommend a scope stand. Tripods are not scope stands.
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Huh? Maybe for range duty there are other options, but that statement is just plain wrong. Spotting scopes are meant to be used on tripods. A couple million hunters and birders would vehemently disagree with you.
 
peterk123 said:
Huh? Maybe for range duty there are other options, but that statement is just plain wrong. Spotting scopes are meant to be used on tripods. A couple million hunters and birders would vehemently disagree with you.
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Read how the original question was asked. It's obvious he was asking about scope stands, not tripods.
 
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peterk123 said:
Huh? Maybe for range duty there are other options, but that statement is just plain wrong. Spotting scopes are meant to be used on tripods. A couple million hunters and birders would vehemently disagree with you.
Click to expand...

Lots of small bore and f class shooters would say that spotting scopes belong on stands. I use both. I have some very nice carbon fiber tripods and some very nice stands. Different tools for different situations.
 

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