Vortex Optics Mountain Pass Tripod Kit - 2-Way Pan Head, 22 lb Max Load, Arca-Swiss Head Mount - Unlimited, Unconditional Warranty

Decently sturdy easy to set up quickly

Little expensive BUT get what you pay for. Great quality and works like a charm

Smooth operation. Light weight, doubles as a walking stick. Paired with a yoke or clamp could make an effective shooting platform in a pinch. Goes tall enough for stand up use.

I bought this Vortex tripod for birding to go with my Celestron scope after the pan head mount fell apart on the Celestron model. I'm am avid birder and use my scope frequently. Since I also carry a camera and binoculars, weight is important. The 3 pound weight is great for trail transport. So far, it seems very stable and it's easy to set up. The one thing I wish was different is the quick mount. It's a slide in, which is fine but has no stop. The height is good and the compact size is perfect for my needs. The lifetime warranty is much appreciated plus that I hope I won't need to take advantage of.

I compared this tripod to two others - one was a Nikon and the other was an off-brand. The Nikon is more compact and a little lighter, but it didn't extend tall enough to stand and look through my spotting scope. Also the Nikon was more wobbly. The Vortex is made of quality material and is very stable. It does take up more room in my pack while hiking, but it's worth it. Highly recommend.

Hey if you have a sizable spotting scope you have to have a tripod. This one works, I have little to compare too because I have a personal pair and a pair at work... The scope I use at work is a vortex and the scope I use at home... A vortex. It's probably a little harsh to give 4 instead of 5 stars due to ignorance, but these are pricey, and I know when you buy a bipod for a rifle you get what you pay for. I don't want to take the risk of being irritated by a cheap pair so I went with these... Are they better or worse than other choices... I think you could probably find something close to this quality without paying the price I paid... But they do pack okay size wise, aren't too heavy, and have a positive grip on your expensive gear. I like that it came with an adapter for holding binoculars with another $10 ish piece... It's pretty easy to scan and spot areas with this tripod and the connections are positively firm. It might be worth going to a sporting store and touching 10 different pairs before making a decision... If in doubt and don't care about the price, absolutely go with these then, they work, are solid and easy to use/adjust.

Excellent product. I use it for a spotting scope. The legs fold out to accommodate sitting on the ground. I have also used it for cameras and binoculars with great success. It is not heavy which is one of the reasons I bought it. If you are looking for a photography tripod for outdoor use, this may not be stable enough for long lenses. You may want to look at the beefier vortex models. This tripod comes with a basic head.

Great tripod lite weight

Exceptional and very versatile. I used the plate that came with the tripod fitting it to my scope so it’s an easy coupling ready to go when I need it. The quality is obvious unlike cheap riveted tripods and I even found it had sure footing to used collapsed to lowest setting on a hide shelf so very pleased.

Tripod is so solid, all joints are firm & direct so it eliminates any vibration, even in the strongest winds. The tripod is also lightweight & easy to carry.

TLDR: While the product is expensive the quality features and warranty are unparalleled. I was looking for a product to use with my vortex spotting scope that would have a cell phone attachment on it. Pros Weight and size: It's light and can easily fit in a backpack. Versatility: You need this while standing, no problem. You're sitting in a blind lying down? No problem it can get 9 inches off the ground. Quality: the fit and finish are great Features: I like the way the locking and swivel work. They are easy to use and intuitive. Warranty: the no hassle warranty is a game changer. You can have confidence it's a buy it for life product. Cons Price: The cost gave me pause. I thought why would I pay this much when other products do the same thing? After trying many others this is in a class of its own. No other product came close. This is a joy to use. Quick Relase: It's works and it works well. That being said I found one of the other competitors worked better in this function.

Compact lightweight tripod suitable for carrying about

All around solid tripod and easy to use. From wildlife spotting to bird spotting. Definitely worth the money.