I need a tripod in fairly short order, but I just don't have a lot to spend (<$200). (Actually, I don't have anything to spend, but this is worth tapping into a little credit.) Problem is, there is a bewildering selection out there, I'll probably have to order online, and there aren't any places near Grand Rapids to try (or purchase) any models. On top of that, I'm pretty gunshy after the low-end tripod I bought online last time...a number of you have probably seen me fighting with my current one. Do NOT even consider buying the Stokes Series by Vortex! I've had EVERY conceivable problem with it--I would have been better off lashing three bendable drinking straws of different lengths together with a piece of dental floss. Saturday was its last day in the field after one of the pins fell out of the mounting plate (the second one they had to send me) without warning and my scope crashed to the (thankfully snow-covered) ground as I viewed a small group of Sharp-tailed Grouse.
Anyway, I'm hoping to find something that can deal with a larger-sized scope, is full height (not a compact), sturdiness more important than lightweight, and given my recent experience, must hold the scope securely in place. I know nothing about tripods...can this even be done for under $200? Perhaps used? Should I receive numerous responses as I sometimes do (birders are helpful people!), rest assured that I appreciate any advice (particularly make/model advice) whether or not I am able to reply to all of them or not. Shawn Conrad http://users.2z.net/itasca_chippewa_birding/ _________________________________________________________________ It’s the same Hotmail®. If by “same” you mean up to 70% faster. http://windowslive.com/online/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_AE_Same_022009 ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
