The 10 Best Tripods for Spotting Scopes in 2020

• Folded Height: 24.6 in.
• Extended Height: 67.1 in.
• Material: Aluminum
• Load Capacity: 10 lbs.

Top of the list is Vortex Optics’ Pro GT, which stands out as the best overall because of a couple of reasons. For starters, it extends to quite a high height of 67.1 in. and carries a lot of weight (up to 10 lbs.) for its height. This gives it a high height-to-weight ratio.

With this height, you get a balance hook at the middle, which is fixed to a center column for holding extra weight. This helps to maintain stability when the tripod is fully extended during windy conditions.

A center column height adjustment knob is included for lifting or lowering this center column, and this usually depends on the weight hung on the hook.

Each of the tripod’s legs is extendable in 3 sections and is equipped with flip lever locks for quick setup and height adjustment. These legs are built using aluminum, which is sturdy but very lightweight, and have an anodized finish for rust prevention.

Other features include a 3-way pan head for adjusting the scope’s position, a quick-release plate with an angle and lever lock for easy setup, rubber feet for solid footing and a carrying case for easy transportation.

The only problem is that the piece is quite costly to buy.

• Folded Height: 9 in.
• Extended Height: 9.9 in.
• Material: Aluminum
• Load Capacity: 5.5 lbs.

For a table-top tripod, Vanguard’s VS-82 has the capacity to carry up to 5.5 lbs., which is quite a lot for its type. This makes it very practical. Additionally, the unit is very affordable and this also makes it the best spotting scope tripod stand for the money.

Despite its affordability, the piece has a durable aluminum construction plus non-slip rubber feet for stability when placed on slippery surfaces.

Other features include a compact lightweight design that weighs only 0.86 lbs. and a 2-way pan head that tilts up and down to adjust the scope’s position. On the downside, you don’t get a carrying bag with this unit for easy transportation.

• Folded Height: 24 in.
• Extended Height: 70.5 in.
• Material: Aluminum
• Load Capacity: 8.8 lbs.

With its ability to support a small telescope, camera, binoculars or a spotting scope, Celestron’s 82050 is very versatile and this makes it stand out among the Celestron lineup.

Additionally, the tripod extends to a very high height of 70.5 in., which allows you to mount your scope or other equipment at a good vantage point to get the best view.

To achieve this height, the unit’s legs are split into 4 sections, with each of them being independently adjustable. Each section also has a flip lever lock for quick height adjustment when setting up.

Two of the three legs are fitted with padded wraps so as to protect your shoulders during transportation.

Other features include a quick-release plate with a 1/4-20 standard thread mount for easy mounting of your equipment, an extendable center column with a retractable hook for fixing stabilizing weight, a tripod case and a shoulder strap for easy carrying.

However, the product has only a 2-way fluid pan head that tilts up or down, but not sideways. This limits the positioning of your scope.

• Folded Height: 8.1 in.
• Extended Height: 8.9 in.
• Material: Aluminum
• Load Capacity: 2.7 lbs.

If you thought the Vanguard VS-82 is compact, Slik’s Mini Pro DQ takes it up a notch higher because it only measures 8.9 in. when fully extended and 8.1 in. when folded. Coupled with a weight of only 0.77 lbs., this makes it very easily portable.

Even with its small size, you still get a center column that is rapidly adjustable height-wise for stability purposes. You also get twist-lock legs for height adjustment (6.8-8.9 in.) and they are fitted with rubber feet for firm footing on slippery surfaces.

Other features include a quick-release plate for easy mounting and an easily adjustable ball head. The only problem is that the tripod has a very low load capacity of only 2.7 lbs.

• Folded Height: 24.75 in.
• Extended Height: 64 in.
• Material: Aluminum
• Load Capacity: 15.4 lbs.

Vanguard’s Alta Pro 264AB is the best heavy-duty tripod because it can comfortably hold up to 15.4 lbs. in weight. This can be attributed to its firm construction, which consists of sturdy aluminum legs, die-cast premium magnesium canopy, and an anti-shock ring.

Other than that, the 4-section aluminum legs are designed to adjust to 25, 50 and 80˚ angles for low angle scope placement while a smooth fluid-like ball head makes it possible to rotate the scope 360˚ for maximum flexibility.

This head is fitted with a quick-release plate for easy installation and bubble levels for adjusting to a flat position.

You also get quick-flip leg locks, rubber feet, a hexagonal central column with a hanging hook for fitting a stabilizing weight, an instant swivel stop-n-lock system for adjusting the central column and a carrying case for easy transportation.

However, the tripod is quite expensive to buy.

• Folded Height: 27 in.
• Extended Height: 66.93 in.
• Material: Aluminum
• Load Capacity: 8.82 lbs.

Thanks to its ground level adapter, Manfrotto’s MK190X3-2W can be adjusted to extremely low positions, making it ideal for low-level spotting. This is also aided by its flexible leg angles, in which it can be adjusted to 25˚, 46˚, 66˚ and 88˚.

Also included is a rapid adjusting center column that can be extended to a maximum of 170cm (67 in.), depending on the weight you mount on it.

Other features include an easily adjustable fluid head with 2 fluidity levels (hard and soft) to adjust depending on the preferred movement, a bubble spirit level for adjusting the flatness of your scope and sturdy aluminum construction.

However, this tripod is very expensive and it does not come with a carry bag for easy transportation.

• Folded Height: 23.6 in.
• Extended Height: 63 in.
• Material: Titanium
• Load Capacity: 8.8 lbs.

Bushnell’s 784040 contains a universal head that can fit different types of equipment such as range finders, cameras, binoculars and, of course, spotting scopes.

This head is actually a 3-way pan head, which is flexible enough to pan up, down and tilt sideways. For this movement, 2 handles are included: 1 pan and one tilt handle.

Each of the unit’s 3 legs is also adjustable height-wise to lift the head up to 63 in. high and 23.6 in. when fully folded. Their angle is also adjustable to 3 positions to achieve low-level spotting.

Other features include a gearless reversible center column that is extendable so as to hold large or small weights, strong and durable titanium construction and padded legs for comfortable carrying over the shoulder.

However, you don’t get a carrying bag in the set for easy transportation.

• Folded Height: 18.3 in.
• Extended Height: 61 in.
• Material: Aluminum
• Load Capacity: 11 lbs.

This 784030-model tripod is fitted with thick padding on all its 3 legs and these cushions ensure comfortable carrying over the shoulder, especially in extremely hot or cold conditions.

That said, it has 3 leg sections with wing leg locks for independent adjustment and the padding is included in the upper sections.

At the top is a 3-way pan-tilt head with a large quick-release plate plus a universal 1/4"-20 mount for fitting on different types of equipment.

Other features include a sliding center column with tension control for height adjustment, non-slip rubber leg tips, a rugged corrosion-resistant finish and an 11-lb load capacity, which is quite high.

The only problem is that the center column is not fitted with a hook for suspending some balancing weight.

• Folded Height: 26.6 in.
• Extended Height: 63.4 in.
• Material: Aluminum
• Load Capacity: 6 lbs.

Barska’s AF10374 is fitted with a 2-way fluid head at the top that is easily adjustable, and it has a bubble level that helps you set your scope to a flat plane. This head also has a quick-release platform, which lets you set up or pack up in seconds, which is very convenient.

The legs are split into 3 sections with a maximum extension of 63.4 in. and a minimum of 26.6 in. when fully folded. These stands have rubber feet for non-slip use on slippery surfaces.

Other features are a hand crank for adjusting the height of the center column, an accessory hook for holding stabilizing weight and strong, lightweight aluminum construction.

On the downside, no cushions are fitted on the tripod’s legs for comfortable carrying. However, it does come with a carrying case that you can use instead of placing it directly over your shoulders.

• Folded Height: 15 in.
• Extended Height: 52.3 in.
• Material: Aluminum
• Load Capacity: 5 lbs.

As compared to the 2-way fluid head in Barska’s AF10374 , this one has a ball head, which can be adjusted to almost any position because it can move 360˚. All you have to do is to turn the adjustment lever anti-clockwise for repositioning then clockwise to secure in position.

That said, you get a quick-release plate on the head for easy setting up or packing up while an adjustable center column with a balance hook allows you to hang a counterweight for stability in windy conditions.

The 4-piece legs are also adjustable with flip-lock levers on each piece for independent adjustment. These aluminum stands have an anodized finish for enhanced durability and rubber feet for non-slip performance.

You also get a carrying case and padded for easy transportation but the tripod has a relatively low 5-lb weight capacity.