Tripods

204 AR

204 AR

Well-known member
Is Fatboy the state of the art with their inverted ball head and sturdy carbon fiber legs? Or is there something better?
 
Inverted tripods are much more functional IMO than traditional tripods. I also use the RRS Anvil head and have compared it head to head (Haha) with an off brand leveling head unit. Pros and cons on both, but I like the Anvil better. I think the inverted heads are more stable, but they make noise that my OCD brain doesn't like.

Both head unit types are great, and much better than the traditional head units.

The inverted tripod legs are worth the expense IMO.

And I saw the Fatboy stuff at SHOT last year. From a visual inspection and no trigger time I'd say they look good FWIW.
 
I use the two section Fatboy and prefer the levitate head. The 15 degrees of motion is plenty and shot coyotes as close as 15 yards and steel targets at 600 yards. I also like the fact that I can grab the quick release tension stem (smooth/fluid operation) and release (or lock) the head to have free range of motion for running shots and quick adjustment. You can use arca and picatinny style mounts too. The 42.5 MM legs are strong, it's a solid setup and use it for shooting steel with my 338 LM

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If you're wondering about how strong the clamping system is, my Laupa weighs 24lbs and When moving from the 400 yds range to 600 yards range, I fold up the legs and throw it over my shoulder (300 yards a part) without removing it from the head.
 
I use a RRS TFCT MK2 34L w/ Anvil-30 ARC, TFCT MK2 Tripod 34L w/ Anvil-30 ARC Head. The Anvil is an inverted ballhead design too. The R-Lock feature is nice for extra security when carrying your rifle attached to the tripod in the field, prevents sliding under recoil, etc.. I prefer the 3 section non-inverted tripods. I like that they can collapse down more when needed. I leave the bottom leg sections extended a few inches which is set to my height. That way I can collapse the other sections if needed and then quickly get set back up to the exact height I need. I also like to use the Cole-Tac tripod leggings with the shelf and those wouldn't tend to work with an inverted tripod as well.

I like the idea of a leveling base but I would want one without the bottom lever adjustment. Something like RRS TA-2U-SC TA-2U-SC: UNIVERSAL LEVELING BASE WITH SOAR CLAMP or Sunwayfoto LB-90B Amazon.com
 
I like mine but I might like the 3 piece leg section better. I think the leveling head is the best, it would be hard to beat. Going on my second year with no issues.
 
As far as the lever goes my strong hand moves the gun and weak hand controls the lever and never touches the gun. Smooth as silk.
 
I prefer RRS leveling head. I use a Cretac 3 section.
My advice is to make sure you can open and close(fold) it without having to press the release on the legs(clicks).

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I've owned a bunch of different tripods.
Hands down my favorite setup is my RRS TFTC MK2 with the Anvil 30 ball head.
I have a Fatboy traverse tripod and in my opinion it is way too bulky compared to my RRS. With the 75mm bowl apex this thing is huge.
And who really needs a tripod that is rated for 100-150lbs?
Is Fatboy a well built tripod, yes it is but I never use my Fatboy because it is just too big and cumbersome compared to the RRS.
Unless you really want to run a leveling head I recommend that you look at a tripod with a narrower apex. There are several Youtube videos that show the difference between a narrow and a wide apex. The RRS TA-2U-SC screws onto a standard 3/8 nut on basically any tripod. The leveling heads that have the handle that comes down through the apex typically require the wide apex that will accept a 75mm bowl.
A buddy just bought a Two Vets QDT V2 LS and it is a nice compact tripod with a narrow apex.
I tried an inverted tripod and I just did not like the fact that debris/rain etc. could pile up on the collet and migrate down into the bottom leg section.
 
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All good points, I appreciate the insight. I hadn't thought about the weather getting into the inverted legs but we have sand blowing around all the time too. I had forgotten about the RRS.

Yes the Fatboy's do look huge. I currently use a 75mm Leofoto leveling bowl with a Dark knight clamp on top of an aluminum bog which I removed the death grip. And honestly I have no complaints, it's marginally heavier than my buddy's carbon fiber but to me it seems very stable but I have nothing to compare. FWIW he just ordered a whole new setup last night after hunting with another guy who has a Fatboy, he tried it and said it's way more stable than his. So when the new set-up gets here we'll have to compare.
 
The fatboy is bulky that is correct. It may not work for everyone. I leave the legs extended and don't walk more than a few 100 yds. and I shoot standing so it works for me. It is 2 lbs heavier than my leofoto but more stable. If you get a chance look at several to find which one suits your style of hunting.
 
A hunting partner of mine uses the Fatboy elevate with their ballhead.
I’m running the Innorel 90 with an anvil 30.
I like his elevate tripod !
I like the anvil 30 better than the fat boy ball head. After using the anvil 30 I don’t seem to be able to to like anything better.
 
1trkyhntr said:
Unless you really want to run a leveling head I recommend that you look at a tripod with a narrower apex. There are several Youtube videos that show the difference between a narrow and a wide apex. The RRS TA-2U-SC screws onto a standard 3/8 nut on basically any tripod. The leveling heads that have the handle that comes down through the apex typically require the wide apex that will accept a 75mm bowl
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1trkyhntr said:
A buddy just bought a Two Vets QDT V2 LS and it is a nice compact tripod with a narrow apex.
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That is why i love my 2vets no name v2. the narrow apex. a lot core compact if you are hauling it in and out of sets very far away from the truck
 
I read a lot where guys say the inverted legs alleviate debris from getting into the locking collars of the lower sections. My lower sections never get collapsed except for when I am sighting in off the bench. I want my adjustments to be readily available at the top section as in my terrain I usually have to adjust for each set and many times during a set if the critter comes in where not expected.
 
Yellowhammer said:
$600-$1200 for a tripod is hard on the budget.
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I've been using the Desmond DCF 432 tripod (Cabon Fiber 3 section), the FEISOL Ball Head CB-50D and RRS arca swiss mounting plate since 2018. It's 2-2.5lbs lighter than my Fat Boy and I've made many kills shots out to 300 yds and what I use with my 223 trainer shooting steel out to 500 yds. Not sure if it's still made or the cost now, but at the time the cost was $250.00 for everything.
 
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