PRS Tripod Recommendations
- Thread starter tylerbeck
- Start date
Check out RRS's SOAR division, which was created to support shooters: https://soar.reallyrightstuff.com/soar-tripods/tripod-packages
Any of the tripods in those packages would be a good choice. 3 legs will be stiffer and thus more stable then a 4 leg tripod, but with a bit less adjustment range. I personally have a 3 section RRS (TVC-33S?) which I got for a deal as it was a demo.
As far as heads go, it's personal preference. I haven't shot off a leveling base, so I can't compare it to a ballhead. Lots of shooters love the Anvil 30, I've never tried it myself. I personally use the Uniqball UBH45 gimbal ball head. It's a gimbal head, which means that once you get it setup (lock the outer ball), you can move in the X and Y axis (vertical/elevation and horizontal/windage planes) without introducing any cant into the system. It's rated for 88lbs so it's pretty stout. The Anvil 30 seems like an awesome option though, designed by RRS specifically for shooters.
The RRS is a real nice tripod and the carbon fiber makes it unbelievably stiff, but they are cost prohibitive for most of us.
Luckily, for most of us, there are plenty of less expensive tripods.
I would advise that you avoid any tripod with plastic parts, especially the clamps for extending the legs.
Keep in mind though that some PRS guys fly around a lot and that heavy metal bipod is going to be part of the weight you would pay for on a plane. So these guys can justify the light weight RRS.
If you drive to where you shoot, weight is not a problem
BTW a heavy tripod is an advantage once you get there.
Luckily, for most of us, there are plenty of less expensive tripods.
I would advise that you avoid any tripod with plastic parts, especially the clamps for extending the legs.
Keep in mind though that some PRS guys fly around a lot and that heavy metal bipod is going to be part of the weight you would pay for on a plane. So these guys can justify the light weight RRS.
If you drive to where you shoot, weight is not a problem
BTW a heavy tripod is an advantage once you get there.
That's why I suggest most guys get a Slik D700X. They're cheap and stable and cost about $100. You don't even need to put a ball head on it, just direct mount a small "tac table" and shoot off a gamechanger on top. 99% tripod use in PRS matches is as rear support anyways. They aren't as tough as an RRS but for the cost, you can have about 13 of them, haha. It's when you start contemplating getting something "a bit better" that I suggest skipping everything else, sucking it up and getting an RRS. It's one thing to have a $100 tripod #### the bed on you but imo an entirely other thing when a $600 or $800 one does. Once you step out of inexpensive tripods, do yourself a favour and learn from my experience and just get the RRS.
I agree that weight is not a problem if you're just shooting off a firing pad or a short distance from your vehicle. However, for field courses, especially with some vertical, you start to appreciate the weight savings of carbon fibre.
My shooting partner has an RRS with Anvil ballhead and after using it, I'm saving up for my own.
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Here's another reason not to buy a Leofoto - blatant rip-off off RRS products, including the name of the S.O.A.R division of RRS. Pretty blatant knock-offs:
Here's a link to their page which shows the blatant rip-off of RRS S.O.A.R division: https://www.leofoto.com/products.php?cateid=95
Before I could care less whether people purchased Leofoto or not, seemed like a half decent option at a certain price point. This is just a blatantly rip-off. F them, just another Chinese rip-off counterfeit company. There's a lot more being ripped off then just pictured here, the above is just the tip of the iceberg.
Here's a link to their page which shows the blatant rip-off of RRS S.O.A.R division: https://www.leofoto.com/products.php?cateid=95
Before I could care less whether people purchased Leofoto or not, seemed like a half decent option at a certain price point. This is just a blatantly rip-off. F them, just another Chinese rip-off counterfeit company. There's a lot more being ripped off then just pictured here, the above is just the tip of the iceberg.
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Here's another reason not to buy a Leofoto - blatant rip-off off RRS products, including the name of the S.O.A.R division of RRS. Pretty blatant knock-offs:
Here's a link to their page which shows the blatant rip-off of RRS S.O.A.R division: https://www.leofoto.com/products.php?cateid=95
Before I could care less whether people purchased Leofoto or not, seemed like a half decent option at a certain price point. This is just a blatantly rip-off. F them, just another Chinese rip-off counterfeit company. There's a lot more being ripped off then just pictured here, the above is just the tip of the iceberg.
You are right, pretty blatant right there.
Here's another reason not to buy a Leofoto - blatant rip-off off RRS products, including the name of the S.O.A.R division of RRS. Pretty blatant knock-offs:
Here's a link to their page which shows the blatant rip-off of RRS S.O.A.R division: https://www.leofoto.com/products.php?cateid=95
Before I could care less whether people purchased Leofoto or not, seemed like a half decent option at a certain price point. This is just a blatantly rip-off. F them, just another Chinese rip-off counterfeit company. There's a lot more being ripped off then just pictured here, the above is just the tip of the iceberg.
Honestly I can't believe they went so far as to call it "S.O.A.R." I'm hoping they get back to me quick on warranty for my tripod so I can sell it off... at a solid loss I'm sure
Honestly I can't believe they went so far as to call it "S.O.A.R." I'm hoping they get back to me quick on warranty for my tripod so I can sell it off... at a solid loss I'm sure
Yeah, they aren't even trying to hide the fact they are ripping off RRS.
Leofoto is now in my "junk Chinese ripoff" categories of products. I won't ever recommend their products (not that I ever did), nor recommend any vendor that supports them.
Had a Leo for awhile now, before they even had a website. Been a good tripod for me and never had any issues with it no matter the conditions. And yes it’s been through rain, mud, snow, ice, sand etc. not cool and them ripping off the soar name and I’ll never understand why that happens but it does. Saying that their tripods are junk is just untrue tho. So you’ve seen one go down big deal, I’ve seen all aspects of this game fail, from all kinds of top tier manufactures, actions, triggers, scopes whatever. It happens you deal with it and move on.
I have strong opinions of companies that blatantly rip off others, especially those active in supporting our community and coming out with products designed for shooters to elevate the sport.
Stuff fails, but the quality of the Leofoto is not near that of RRS. That's been made clear at PRS matches such as the Gunwerks match and others, where Leofotos (and other cheaper tripods), but not a single issue of an RRS failing. It's not a matter of one guy seeing a tripod fail once, it's a trend of Leofotos and others failing when RRS's don't.
It's up to the consumer to decide what compromises they want to make when purchasing a product, there will always be one. May be cost, may be durability, weight, etc. But there will be a compromise. Up to you decide what works for your needs. But I absolutely will not support a company that blatantly rips off a company that is active in supporting shooters. That doesn't do anything to help the sport.
Stuff fails, but the quality of the Leofoto is not near that of RRS. That's been made clear at PRS matches such as the Gunwerks match and others, where Leofotos (and other cheaper tripods), but not a single issue of an RRS failing. It's not a matter of one guy seeing a tripod fail once, it's a trend of Leofotos and others failing when RRS's don't.
It's up to the consumer to decide what compromises they want to make when purchasing a product, there will always be one. May be cost, may be durability, weight, etc. But there will be a compromise. Up to you decide what works for your needs. But I absolutely will not support a company that blatantly rips off a company that is active in supporting shooters. That doesn't do anything to help the sport.
Honestly I can't believe they went so far as to call it "S.O.A.R." I'm hoping they get back to me quick on warranty for my tripod so I can sell it off... at a solid loss I'm sure
Not only did they call it S.O.A.R. it appears they are not even trying to hide the fact that it's a blatant rip off of RRS products. I was once considering a Leofoto tripod but I am glad I saved up and got a RRS tripod, Anvil 30 and auxiliary plate for my AI AX. Leofoto can go fucx themselves!
After reading the above I was expecting the Leofoto stuff to be really inexpensive, but it is far from inexpensive.
Sure cheaper than RRS, but still more than Manfrotto.
$500 for a Chinese tripod is still pricey and that's plenty to pay if they are prone to breaking.
https://www.amazon.com/Leofoto-LN-364C-Systematic-Compatible-Tripod/dp/B077V571TJ
Sure cheaper than RRS, but still more than Manfrotto.
$500 for a Chinese tripod is still pricey and that's plenty to pay if they are prone to breaking.
https://www.amazon.com/Leofoto-LN-364C-Systematic-Compatible-Tripod/dp/B077V571TJ
If you cant afford the RRS tripod check out the innortel rt90c and there 52mm ball head off amazon. Very well built for the price will run you about $400 for everything. Maybe not as light as the RRS tripod but mine is very sturdy and seems to work well.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Before spending a bunch of money on a tripod, for those that are competing down south, what are your opinions about the trends in the 'useage' of tripods?
Are the MD's trying to limit their use? or make them less beneficial?
Are there matches/series that are less 'tripod friendly'????
prefer not to spend on something that might be made obsolete.
Jerry
Are the MD's trying to limit their use? or make them less beneficial?
Are there matches/series that are less 'tripod friendly'????
prefer not to spend on something that might be made obsolete.
Jerry
Quite honestly, a tripod is rarely a necessity for PRS matches. I would say 99% of stages can be shot very effectively with just a rear bag and barricade bag at the shooters disposal.
If you come across a stage where you do need a tripod, chances are very high that one of your squad mates will have one, and people are very willing to share.
The only match that I've attended where I felt a tripod was a necessity was Carl Taylor's SHC. For Carl Taylor matches, you have to battle the terrain a lot more and a tripod is really helpful. Most other matches, not so much.
I'm hoping RugbyDave chimes in as well, he's shot more matches lately then I have, and will have a better pulse on the trend. But for those that want to save some $, I think a tripod is a unnecessary expense. More of a nice to have then a must have.
If you come across a stage where you do need a tripod, chances are very high that one of your squad mates will have one, and people are very willing to share.
The only match that I've attended where I felt a tripod was a necessity was Carl Taylor's SHC. For Carl Taylor matches, you have to battle the terrain a lot more and a tripod is really helpful. Most other matches, not so much.
I'm hoping RugbyDave chimes in as well, he's shot more matches lately then I have, and will have a better pulse on the trend. But for those that want to save some $, I think a tripod is a unnecessary expense. More of a nice to have then a must have.
