Spotting scope tripod suggestions

[Wolfdog91]

Well got my phone mount so I can film though my spotting scope and not have to worry about the guy next to me blasting my camera , problem is even with my better filming tripods theirs alot of wobble in the mount head and it makes it a bit of a pain to set up and film. I mean it works but takes a good 15sec or so for it to stop wobbling after I move it





Any suggestions for something a bit more steady ? Preferably under the $50 mark if possible

[Winger Ed.]

I'd get on Amazon, and check out what they have and read some of the reviews with 2-3-4 stars. They'll tell you a lot.
The shoe and screw thing on top will be universal.
For $50., you should be able to get a pretty decent one.

[725]

I welded a "T" shaped base which provides a point of contact (foot) at the three ends of the shape. Drilled & threaded, I screwed an adjustment bolt at the three points for leveling. From the junction of the "T", I welded an arm, raising at a 45 degree angle, back over the long base of the "T" and then welded a flat base, on the end of that, for the spotting scope. This flat base is parallel to the base "T" and drilled for a mounting screw that fits into my scope. I made it heavy on purpose and I can tell you my scope doesn't jiggle around. Because it's so steady, I can really see my hits and the long targets much better. Good luck.

[hawkenhunter50]

I bought a used Bogen Manfrotto that I really like. There's a bunch on ebay usually. Before I got that I used to hang a bag of lead shot from the center post hook on my less stable tripod. That worked pretty well but I wasn't moving it anywhere. If you need portable, not so much. Check out the Bogen Manfrotto, they are a little more than the budget you listed but man what a difference for me compared to any other tripod I ever used.

[gbrown]

I have a couple of camera tripods I use. Adjustable legs for uneven ground, and hang a gallon milk jug full of water with a bungee cord in the center of the legs. Use the same arrangement for my chronograph. Works well with both. You can move it easily and quickly.

[Mal Paso]

hawkenhunter50 nailed it. Bogen Manfrotto on ebay. The heavier the better, up to a point. The biggest one might be a little much. Most of the new stuff on amazon and ebay is light weight junk for 35mm or smaller.

[Maven]

Bogen Manfrotto on ebay.

This!

[hporter]

What iPhone mount is that? I have been playing with the idea of putting a wifi enabled security camera down range, but your solution might be easier and cheaper.

Photography is my other hobby, and I agree with the suggestion of a Bogen tripod. There are of course other good tripods out there, but the Bogen's are always a good value.

I just loaded a big beefy Bogen tripod that I use for 8x10 view cameras in my truck for our shooting trip tomorrow. Actually two, one for the chronograph and one for the spotting scope. I have tried the cheap plastic and aluminum tripods from thrift shops for such uses, and I usually just throw them away afterwards as they always fail me.

[porthos]

bogen manfrotto. if you are thinking that you can get a good tripod for $50.00; GOOD LUCK. go to e-bay and look for something. the drawback to my bogen manfrotto is, that it weights 14#. i use a big kowa spotting scope on it and it dosen't move.

[popper]

Caldwell front rifle rest, modify the 'head'.

[Handloader109]

Water bottle and hang by a short string, not bungee. Free and is 8# and you can drink some if it is hot.