As a hunter, you spend a lot of time sitting, waiting, and watching. You don’t want to look through your scope all day looking for game to shoot.
The alternative is to your scope using a spotting scope. When using a spotting scope, you should have some sort of stand for it.
Choosing the Best Tripod for Spotting Scope
Believe it or not, there are different features that set tripods apart from each other. (Who knew?)
Consider how and where you will be using the spotting scope tripod. Your scenario will help determine what features you’ll need.
- Are you using it inside?
- In a tree stand?
- Are you hiking a long distance to get to your hunting spot?
Those are a few things you might want to consider, but I am sure that as you look over the list, you will have other criteria for your hunting and spotting needs. The main thing you need, though, is a stable view through the scope.
Another class we’ll talk about are the tripods that come with your new spotting scope. These are paired well for the needs of most hunters, but the standalone tripods have greater height, rubber feet, different materials to make them lighter and stronger, and more useful.
Many of the included tripods are the minimum you’d want to have. They are usually not very tall; about 15 inches in most cases.
Keep in mind that if you aren’t planning to use a table, you don’t have a 45-degree eyepiece, or don’t want to use the spotting scope in a somewhat prone position, you may want to look at a stand alone tripod.
1. Vortex Optics High Country Tripod
The peak height is about average at a little over 58 inches. This will let you stand and look through the spotting scope easily. If it’s lowered, you can sit next to it and spot game from your tree stand or on a tabletop.
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Pros:
- 3 inches tall
- 3 angle adjustments on the legs
- 8 inches works great when spotting from a treestand or on a table.
- Light weight and portable.
Cons:
- Only holds 5lbs
- No handle to move the scope.
- Lighter weight materials may seem flimsy.
This is an entry level light weight tripod. It can be used with a scope, but also works with binoculars and cameras. If you have a larger scope, this might not be the tripod for you.
2. Bushnell Advanced Tripod
The Bushnell Advanced tripod is a full sized tripod that lets you hold heavier equipment. The height and the weight capacity make this the best spotting scope tripod for hunting, especially if you are shooting from a shelter or blind.
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Pros:
- Has a handle to maneuver your spotting scope
- Adjusts from 18.3 inches to 60 inches.
- Holds 11lbs
Cons:
- Not as portable as other models
Gaining more load capacity with this tripod, you can use a larger, heavier scope. If you aren’t planning to stay in one place, this might not be the best tripod for spotting scope.
It isn’t made to be as portable as other tripods. But if you spotting from the same location for longer periods, it’ll work great.
3. BARSKA Deluxe Tripod Extendable to 63.4
The Barska tripod is the tallest in the list thus far. It stretches to just over 63 inches. The height is useful to taller hunters who have a straight bodied spotting scope.
The best tripod for spotting scopes needs to fit your needs; this one is a skyscraper compared to the short ones that come with many scopes.
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Pros:
- Hangle for easy panning and moving your spotting scope.
- 4 inches fully extended.
- Carrying case included.
Cons:
- Only holds 6lbs.
The height can be great, but you’ll lack the load capacity of other tripods in this list. The carrying case is a nice feature and an add-on you won’t need to buy later.
4. Konus 3-Pod 5 Table Tripod for Spotting Scopes + JZS Cloth
The shortest so far, this has the best tripod head for spotting scope so far. While it doesn’t have a handle for panning, the dual adjustment knobs are easy to use. The size and low weight make it ultra-portable, especially in the supplied carrying case.
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Pros:
- Compact size
- Carrying case included.
- Cleaning cloth for scope included.
Cons:
- 2 to 15.3 inches
- No handle for easy panning.
While it isn’t the tallest of the group, there are benefits to having a smaller scope tripod. If you’re sitting in a boat, a 60-inch tripod is probably going to be too tall. This little guy is a step up from most of the included tripods that come with some spotting scopes.
5. Bushnell Trophy XLT 20-60x Spotting Scope and Tripod Combo
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Here we have a combination spotting scope and tripod. The spotting scope has a huge objective lens so your field of view is amazing. The zoom is 60X so you can probably see the dinner menu in the restaurant in the next town over.
Pros:
- 2 insluded cases; one soft, one hard.
- Spotting scope and tripod combo.
- 20-60x power spotting scope.
Cons:
- Compact tripod with minimal height.
Having the tripod included with the spotting scope is great. However, if you need something taller, one of the standalone tripods is a better bet. Again, it is all needs dependent; shorter might be a better choice for you.
6. Vanguard Alta Pro 263AGH Aluminum Tripod Kit
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The Alta Pro 263AGH model from Vanguard is the most feature laden tripod in the list. The most noticeable difference is the pistol grip for making quick one-handed adjustments.
Pros:
- Pistol grip ball head for quick and easy adjustments.
- One handed operation.
- 5-68.5 inches tall.
Cons:
- More expensive (but very worth it) than the other tripods listed.
If you are serious about your equipment, you’ll find that the Vanguard is the best tripod head for spotting scope.
The ball head makes it a breeze to use. Once you use it, all of the others will seem slow and complicated to adjust.
7. Gosky 20-60X 80 Porro Prism Spotting Scope
The Gosky spotting scope and tripod combo is unique to the best tripod for spotting scope list.
It not only comes with a tripod, but an adaptor so you can attach your smartphone and take pictures of whatever you see through the spotting scope lens. An iPhone with a 60x zoom? Yes please!
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Pros:
- Smartphone adaptor
- 20-60x magnification
- Included tripod.
Cons:
- The tripod is very basic, but the other features of the spotting scope are great.
While this article is about the best tripod for spotting scope, the smartphone holder is what sets this addition to the list apart. With it you can take pictures or video from 1000 feet away.
The tripod is alright, but if you like the scope and adaptor, you might want to look at a different tripod if you want to use the scope anywhere other than a table top.
8. Tasco World Class Spotting Scope w/Mountable Tripod
The tripod that’s included with the Tasco spotting scope is another shorty. There legs aren’t adjustable, but it does have a handle to make panning a lot easier.
The spotting scope has a large 60mm lens to give you a wide field of view when you are using the full 60x magnification.
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Pros:
- 20-60x magnification
- 45 degree eyepiece fro easy viewing
- Included tripod
Cons:
- No height adjustment for the tripod.
The 45-degree eyepiece makes it easier to look through the spotting scope when it‘s attached to the short tripod and sitting on a table. The scope has a great looking image view. The tripod is light and ultra-portable, just not extremely tall.
9. Leupold SX-1 Ventana Spotting Scope Kit
Leupold is one of the most well-known names in rifle scopes, so you know they make a great spotting scope. The magnification of the spotting scope is 15-45x making it a good spotter for hunting most game.
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This included tripod has adjustable height legs. Out of the included tripods, it’s the only one. A quality scope and a good tripod to go with it.
Pros:
- Tripod has adjustable legs.
- Scope has 15-45x magnification.
- Scope is digital camera compatible.
Cons:
- With a shorter tripod, a 45-degree eyepiece would be easier to look through.
Overall, you can’t go wrong with this scope and tripod combo. If you are looking for an all-in-one setup, this one offers a lot of options.
10. Alpen Spotting Scope KIT Review
The Alpen kit brings everything you should need in the field. You’ll get a 20-60x magnification spotting scope with a massive 80mm objective lens. The tripod is lightweight and has good articulation.
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Pros:
- Massive 80mm objective lens
- 45-degree eyepiece
- Lightweight tripod included
- Non-slip rubber feet
Cons:
- No arm or handle to help with panning.
This scope and tripod combo comes in several variations; you can choose from different magnification levels, eyepiece angles, and objective lens sizes.
11. Nikon ProStaff 5 82mm Spotting Scope Outfit Package
This is the priciest combo in the list, but when you’re serious about the quality of your equipment, this is the spotting scope and tripod combo for you. The scope has a gigantic 82mm objective lens and 20-60x magnification.
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Pros:
- Full size tripod
- 82mm lense
- 20-60x
Cons:
- Larger and less portable
- Pricey
Not only are you getting a great scope to easily see 1000 yards, you’re getting a full size tripod. The height and the adjustment for the tripod is a lot better than what you get with even the best tripod for spotting scope. Most are short and meant to rest on a table top. This one is meant to use anywhere.
12. Gskyer 25-75x75 Spotting Scope
This scope and tripod combo gives you a table top style tripod with limited adjustments. The handle makes for easily moving the 75mm lens to watch your target. The 75x magnification will help you see over 1000 yards with ease.
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Pros:
- 75x magnification
- Handle for easily maneuvering the scope
Cons:
- Minimal adjustment for the height
As mentioned before, the table top style tripod is not the best spotting scope tripod for hunting scenarios where you are standing a lot.
It lacks the height adjustments to make it work. Depending on how you need to use it, you may need to buy a full size tripod.
13. Emarth 20-60x60AE Waterproof Angled Spotting Scope with Tripod
This combo kit offers an angled eyepiece and clear images out to about 1000 yards. The common 20-60x magnification through the 60mm lens will do the trick for most hunting or bird watching trips.
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Pros:
- Table top tripod included
- 20-60x magnification
- 45-degree eyepiece for easy viewing.
- Dynamic focusing system for quick adjustments.
Cons:
- No height adjustment on the tripod legs.
The features of this Emarth combo are pretty common among the other kits. While the build quality varies among units, the features are pretty similar. The 45-degree eyepiece is nice with the shorter hunting tripods like this one.
14. ALPEN Mini Spotting Scope with Tripod
The mini spotting scope is a bit different than the others on the list. For starters, it has a 20x magnification.
Others in the list have upwards of 75x. This 10 ounce spotter is light enough for you to carry anywhere.
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Pros:
- Retractable sunshade for reduced glare
- Small and light so you can take it anywhere
- BK7 coated to make your images brighter and clearer in low light.
- Table top tripod included.
- 50mm lens
Cons:
- Only 20x magnification and isn’t adjustable.
This is the ideal spotter when you’re deep in the woods and don’t want to lug a big expensive scope with you.
It’s light, it’s powerful enough to see your game a few hundred yards away, and it won’t break the bank, too.
