It appears that his first product photo shows the tripod includes a leveling head (twist handle below pivot style), and his pictures with gun on tripod are using it.
Tripod shopping
- Thread starter MartyK2500
- Start date
It appears that his first product photo shows the tripod includes a leveling head (twist handle below pivot style), and his pictures with gun on tripod are using it.
I think the only exploit to ordering from RRS is to combine orders with a local buddy and split shipping that way. RRS goes out of their way to charge max price, 365 days a year, and then gouge a little more on the shipping. And despite this I plan to order from them sometime in the next 5 months. Welcome to PRS.
LeadMonkey
CGN frequent flyer
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Cool I took that to mean just the 75mm bowl and not an actual piece to attach an Arca Rail.
I hear you on that if you can combine shipping you'd be saving lots. Especially on smaller items. That being said my tripod was at my door 4 days after I ordered with zero hold up at the border since its not labeled firearms related.
No that picture was with the included leveling base and an Amazon Arca clamp.
The ball head will hold a 20 lb rifle in any position and the adjustable tension makes it easily manageable.
Pretty solid for the $.
I don't have experience using RRS gear, only seen others use it. But like I said, the Innorel is head and shoulders better than the PIG.
LeadMonkey
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Got a link to the Amazon Arca clamp? Is it any good?
Edit: found this one
Haoge 64mm Screw Knob Clamp Adapter Mount for Quick Release QR Plate Camera Tripod Ballhead Monopod Ball Head Fit Arca Swiss
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B015V132J8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ov0BFb5VFJJMA
It looks like it is 20mm wider than the CP-44 you posted, seems ok for use on the 75 mm bowl but has that stupid adjustment lever sticking out 2.5 inches which is not really needed besides locking the rail to the gun.
As long as it locks up solid on the arca rail it seems like a cheap way to use the included bowl adapter, although I hear it’s not a very smooth adjustment as it is either locked or loose.
On snipers hide there is a simple fix for that: “just unscrew the handle from the base, you will see a snap ring that holds the round friction portion to the grip. Remove the snap ring (you won't need it). Separate the two pieces and insert a heavy duty O-ring, then reassemble. Now I have sufficient friction I can move the base without it being too difficult. It solved the either "loose or tight" problem with plenty of friction in between.”
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I'll look for the clamp here and post the info, it's nothing special, certainly not top tier stuff, but works.
Thank you for the info on the leveling base, yes it's adjustment/ lockup isn't very smooth. I think I'll try the o-ring fix you posted. The ball head however is very smooth, plenty of adjustment for friction and locks up solid.
Thank you for the info on the leveling base, yes it's adjustment/ lockup isn't very smooth. I think I'll try the o-ring fix you posted. The ball head however is very smooth, plenty of adjustment for friction and locks up solid.
Here is the clamp I used, looks to be unavailable
I was also looking at getting a couple of these arca/picatinny clamps from Old Balls as I have a mix of picatinny and Arca
And here is the Innorel with the Amazon ball head
And with the bowl, I see where the c-clip is and I'll try the o-ring here when I get time
I was also looking at getting a couple of these arca/picatinny clamps from Old Balls as I have a mix of picatinny and Arca
And here is the Innorel with the Amazon ball head
And with the bowl, I see where the c-clip is and I'll try the o-ring here when I get time
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tomapleleafss
CGN Regular
- Location
- Southeast SK
RRS sure looks nice (never used it) but there is no way I can justify paying that over $2000 for a tripod and ballhead. Went the same way as you, bought a Innorel tripod (66 max pound one) and a SmallRig arca clamp. Just came in the mail today. Should have a chance to play with it in the next week. I'll let you know how the first impressions are.
tomapleleafss
CGN Regular
- Location
- Southeast SK
Disclaimer: I have never owned a carbon tripod/arca set up before. Thus I have nothing to directly compare this to.
So it all came in a few days ago and had a chance to play with it in the basement for a bit. I nothing but good things to say. Tripod seems solid. The legs only need about 1/3 of a twist to move the legs. They do move pretty easy and when tightened the tripod is solid. I mounted my rifle on with a SmallRig arca plate. My rifle weighs 16 lbs and there was no issue with it moving on its own. I see what people said about the base, it is either tight or very loose. I did the recommendation from Snipershide and used the o-ring and now it is 1000% better. The tripod's weight (without the hook and plate) was 3lbs 12oz and the weight of the SmallRig arca plate and leveling base it came with was 1lbs. Time will tell how durable and practical it will be. But for $$365, I don't think you can go wrong (so far). Here are some photos.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/q3NEfsBzhwZFQKAB6
So it all came in a few days ago and had a chance to play with it in the basement for a bit. I nothing but good things to say. Tripod seems solid. The legs only need about 1/3 of a twist to move the legs. They do move pretty easy and when tightened the tripod is solid. I mounted my rifle on with a SmallRig arca plate. My rifle weighs 16 lbs and there was no issue with it moving on its own. I see what people said about the base, it is either tight or very loose. I did the recommendation from Snipershide and used the o-ring and now it is 1000% better. The tripod's weight (without the hook and plate) was 3lbs 12oz and the weight of the SmallRig arca plate and leveling base it came with was 1lbs. Time will tell how durable and practical it will be. But for $$365, I don't think you can go wrong (so far). Here are some photos.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/q3NEfsBzhwZFQKAB6
LeadMonkey
CGN frequent flyer
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Hey Mike, how are the tolerances And lock up on that cheap SmallRig Arca base?
LM
tomapleleafss
CGN Regular
- Location
- Southeast SK
Not sure what you mean by "tolerances and lock up". I can put the rail in the clamp just by laying it on it. I don't have to slide it the clamp if that's what you mean. It seems to tighten up pretty good. I had it closer to the forend and it held it no problem.
LeadMonkey
CGN frequent flyer
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Cool, yeah the tolerances on cheaper machined items means you can have loose fitting parts and poor engagement to secure the rifle into the clamp. Put a 20lb rifle in something like that and no guarantee it won’t just fall out. Seems secure enough to risk $50 on it.
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tomapleleafss
CGN Regular
- Location
- Southeast SK
I see what you mean. It is solid. I think the rating for the clamp is around 20 lbs, but I figured some of the weight is vertical so the tripod itself supports that. Honestly I think the weakest part of the clamp is the male piece (the piece you would screw into a spotting scope for example). It seems a bit light for its size.
LeadMonkey
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Off The Radar
Received the SmallRig clamp this morning, very pleased with it, excellent machining and fit/finish... very solid and amazing price. Thanks for the recommendation.
tomapleleafss
CGN Regular
- Location
- Southeast SK
Noticed the first very minor hiccup. The knob to adjust the arca clamp just is a hair bigger than the plate itself. When you tighten the knob all the way, it just touches the top of that half bowl piece (base). Enough to feel it, but not enough to feel any resistance.
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If you are on a budget also look at Leofoto Tripods.
I use the Leofoto 324C tripod. It comes with a ball head and I paid $550.00 for it. I use it as a spotter tripod and have used it in PRS/Field matches.
The 324C is the minimum that you would want for shooting, but does fold up into a compact size for carrying. My buddies have the Leofoto 364 which takes a leveling base or standard ballhead and has thicker legs/longer legs , but does not fold up as compact as mine and is noticably heavier.
RRS stuff is very nice and top tier, but not a lot of people can afford to drop $1500.00 US or more on a tripod.
I would love to own one, but the amount of matches I shoot does not justify the expense.
Some forum sponsors such as Go Big Tactical and Reliable Gun and Tackle cary the Leofoto line.
I use the Leofoto 324C tripod. It comes with a ball head and I paid $550.00 for it. I use it as a spotter tripod and have used it in PRS/Field matches.
The 324C is the minimum that you would want for shooting, but does fold up into a compact size for carrying. My buddies have the Leofoto 364 which takes a leveling base or standard ballhead and has thicker legs/longer legs , but does not fold up as compact as mine and is noticably heavier.
RRS stuff is very nice and top tier, but not a lot of people can afford to drop $1500.00 US or more on a tripod.
I would love to own one, but the amount of matches I shoot does not justify the expense.
Some forum sponsors such as Go Big Tactical and Reliable Gun and Tackle cary the Leofoto line.
Leofoto is a Chinese corporation that directly rips off it's competitors. They directly ripped off RRS, going as far as stealing the SOAR name of the RRS shooting product line, and directly copying their products.
I would never recommend Leofoto, not with their company ethics (or lack thereof). I completely understand people not wanting or needing to spend the money on RRS, but I could never support a company that makes knock off products. In PRS comps, people have also experienced reliability issues with Leofoto tripods. I think rugbydave can speak to that from first hand experience. But I've heard of lots of people having problems with Leofotos when the conditions aren't the greatest.
Yeah, I'll chime in here again. I have a Leofoto 404C. I know the Leofotos are attractive as they seem to offer a bit more features/quality than the entry level tripods without the top tier cost but honestly, I wouldn't suggest getting one. There are other "mid range" tripods that have proven track records (Manfrottos, Feisol, etc) that aren't as expensive as RRS and are more high end than the good entry level (silk) tripods. I got mine as I had a PRST that failed after already having failed multiple times in multiple ways and even though they were great about warranty, I wanted something more solid and more importantly I wanted something fast (had a big match in a week). That's pretty much the only reason I didn't buck up for the RRS. I was able to source a Leofoto "locally" from Go Big and have it in time for the match. It was super stable and things went well. Fast forward to the Wyoming NRL match where it literally fell apart on the clock. One of the internal leg stoppers broke, allowing the leg to fully come out and one of the other legs seized. Lots of tripods went down during that match but no RRS failed. When your Leofoto fails you become very aware of the fact that there is zero warranty coverage. I was advised by the retailer to contact Leofoto directly and they don't answer emails, FB messages or phone calls, surprising from a company run by greasy chicoms, I know. I was stuck purchasing replacement parts on my own dime to fix the legs. That's why I don't suggest Leofoto products to anyone (that's not even taking into consideration how they just rip off other companies, Kthomas already covered that). That kind of "support" might be acceptable when buying really cheap chicom junk but to me, it's certainly not acceptable when talking about a $800 set of tripod legs. It goes without saying that I'm saving my pennies for some RRS legs ( I already have their Anvil-30 ballhead).
