Biggest differentiator for me, besides the quality of the carbon and size of the legs, is the ability to disassemble and clean the entire tripod. Everything, really. One thing that is worth knowing, and might ease your buyers anxiety, is that RRS will sell you the parts to convert one type of tripod to the other if you realize you either bought the wrong type or happen to own a TVC tripod from the days when TFC tripods did not yet exist (TFC was only introduced in about 2019). Thanks, Anne. Whether shooting rifles or even photos, it has been, more times than not, the one I reach for. J. Scott Rupp takes a first look at the Springfield M1A Loaded rifle chambered in the popular 6.5 Creedmoor. One thing Ive found very difficult to determine is the leg diameters for the various sections on their tripods. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Lastly, the Mark 2 version of the tripods now feature an updated Sure Grip that uses the same hex screws as Really Right Stuff's L-plates. One of the most packable options that has an industry standard 3/8"x16 male stude, allowing for the use of most ball heads, gimbals, and other common attachments. Over the years I have owned RRS 1-series, 2-series and 3-series tripods, carbon ones, aluminium ones, ones with centre columns and ones without, ones with removable apexes and ones with fixed apexes, Mk1 and Mk2 versions, even ones classed as Short versions and ones classed as Long versions. All newly purchase bags will have the new RRS logo on them which looks even nicer. It was an extra step I needed to take to ensure my legs would be locked out at the position of my choice. This makes on the fly adjustments quick, and since the mount is inverted, the adjustment knob stays in the same spot relative to the rifle, making panning and tilting simultaneously a one-stop shop. I have never tried this. I noticed there has been no reponse to Mr. Elsayeds post. It allows you to make images that might not otherwise be possible. Sadly, many people screw this up and buy the cheapest one they can find, only to have it break within a year or two, having done more harm than good to their photography. All RifleShooter subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Leofoto make the LS-365C, which is a 5-section tripod with 36mm outer tubes. This tube diameter is more in line with what . Both tripods collapse to roughly the same length - about 23.5, but the TVC-24L manages to be 14 inches taller thanks to its 4-section "long" design. Really Right Stuff - Home UNMATCHED QUALITY, INNOVATION, & MADE IN THE USA Learn More TRIPODS From Cinema set to city sidewalks, Stockholm to studio, we have a tripod that fits your needs no matter where your photography takes you. On TFC tripods, the stud is reversible and removable. Free shipping available. Mile High Shooting Accessories MHSA 5831 Ideal Drive Frederick, CO 80516 There are several reasons why the Really Right Stuff BH-55 is a superior ballhead than the Manfrotto 488RC2. Combined with the price of the tripod, tax included, the full setup can be gotten right around $900. Do you have any insights? I have sold my old 2 series levelling base with an eye on buying the new one soonish. This bowl adapter fits into the Apex of the 4-Series tripods but allows you to use 3-Series accessories such as the 3-Series leveling head or bowl. Thank you again! I wonder if RRS will sell me three sets of the two lower leg sections for the 24L. Rankings; Systematic Tripod Rankings; All Purpose Tripod Rankings; Travel Tripod Rankings; . Sadly, I have to say that if you need a tripod ASAP for an upcoming trip and you cant find the RRS one you want in stock right now, you should probably look elsewhere. The quality control and craftsmanship of the BH-55 is impeccable. This zippered pocket doesnt have a lot of room, but it can hold the accessory foot spikes and a few hex (Allen) wrenches or the very useful RRS MTX multi-tool. Irrespective of whether I buy an RRS tripod or not, (I am about to succumb to a TFC 24 L with a BH 30 head to support my Fuji X Pro 3) this is one of the most thoroughly researched, well thought-out, well-written and just damn informative reviews that I have ever seen on the internet (or elsewhere). Mostly because I wanted good gear and I wasnt willing to settle for less. Thanks for putting that together. Thursday & Friday: 11AM - 6PM Although these are welcome improvements, I would say that there is no need for anyone to upgrade their Mk1 tripod to an Mk2 tripod just to get these new leg locks. Whats great about the Magpul straps is that they can be converted from 2-point to single point attachment. With an Accu-Fit stock and left hand adjustable bolt, this rifle is a perfect choice for anyone! The best example of this comparing our TVC-24L to the TVC-23. Increasing the number of leg sections allows you to shorten the collapsed length of the tripod whilst still maintaining a roughly similar maximum height. The grippy knob doesnt take much of a rotation at all to go from very tight, to quite loose. Buy the tripod size that you need for your height, and only consider the optional column for certain uses such as indoor product and portrait photography where the speed of height adjustment is useful, and the negatives of a centre column have little impact. Saturday: 9AM - 6PM As we again seem to be entering into a megapixel war with the Canon and Sony high megapixel mirrorless cameras, this will become something which people need to pay attention to. For some reason, this works out as $55 cheaper than doing things the other way around. What I initially was basing my theory on was the tube dimensions listed on https://thecentercolumn.com and it makes total sense to have standard tube sizing cut to length for the various tripods. Simply unwinding the oversized knob loosens the spring-loaded clamp and allows for ease of movement. They are sold as individual items, so make sure to add three of them to your cart if you decide to purchase them and want a complete set. If you have studied the tripod specifications and the RRS tripod naming scheme you might have picked up on five different factors that define the features, and therefore the suitable purpose of RRS tripods. They also feature multiple -20 threaded holes around the center section and hinges for accessory mounting. Right, RRS had no obligation to pay the second shipping fee, but being aware of the whole situation, if they had been really good businessmen, thats what they should have done to keep me as a customer. I know RRS recommend the 3-Series tripods for super-telephoto lenses, but I have been using a 2-Series tripod with their PG-02 Mk2 gimbal for my wildlife work for many years, and I appreciate the perfect combination of travel-friendly weight and huge 85lb capacity. The hinge locks are able to ratchet and can lock out at 3 angles, giving you shots anywhere from prone to fully standing. To use one, you need to have a TQC tripod with the removable Apex plate. TFA-01 with BC18 is my most used and well traveled accessory. Perhaps Ill send their engineer a message and see if I can get that info. As part of Really Right Stuffs SOAR lineup (Sport Optics and Rifles), they also introduced their first inverted tripod, called the TVC-22i. The bags look great and provide more than adequate protection for your expensive investment. With ball heads, gimbal heads, fluid heads, and monopod heads, we have the right solution to complete your support system. | On the outside of the bag, you will find another zippered pocket with a flat profile and a slot for a business card or some other form of identification. Theres no reason (that I know of) to think that the lower leg section of the 33s is a perfect match for the three lower sections of the 14. The main benefits of this tripod are for competition rifle sports, which is why you wont even find this tripod listed on the RRS photography website. The Vortex Radian Carbon, while a bit hefty, still finds a home in the worlds of competition and hunting. These big, heavy tripods do not lend themselves to travel or even hand-carrying very far. Find some helpful articles in our resources section. Available alone, with the BTC-Pro, or SC-ARC. When you buy a tripod like this, you want to know that you are the first to use it because it definitely takes the shine off that feeling of getting something new. The other benefit is that when the legs are extended, the single-leg lock is in the middle of the legs, meaning there is never a leg lock down low in the mud. Sitemap If you dont raise the centre column, it comes in at 1.42m. I had a question for you! Bubble levels - Most every rifle I own has a bubble on the scope or action itself, but having one more to reference never hurts. I dont know. NightforceUSA, Demo, Used, Blemished, and Refurbished Products, Compare up to Its not RRS responsibility to pay your duties and sales tax. RRS Fluid head is crazy good. The center section has been narrowed for the V2, giving a minimal profile when legs are collapsed against each other. RRS began as a photography equipment company in 1990, designing and creating more consistent and well-thought-out quick-release plates, tripods, and other accessories. I thought I needed the capacity of a 3-Series tripod, but I wanted to save a little weight so I went with the Short S version to do that. The key thing is that at maximum extension, you need your camera to be at eye level at the absolute minimum. Both the collar and cup feature a QD-compatible connection. 4-Series Update: For some reason, RRS has discontinued 4-series tripods. The tripod above comes in just under 2kg, not including a head. In November 2018, construction was finished and we celebrated our Grand Opening. Cant remember why now, but its really three times. The R-lock provides supplemental security to your rifle mount in the form of a pin that locks into holes machined along the underside of RRSs quick-release ARCA-Swiss Style plates. Thank you again so much for your invaluable guidance based upon your real-world experience. | Its amazing how much it can hold. At its full height, the Recon V2 with the 55mm Ballhead is just a couple inches shy of six feet tall, making standing shots a breeze, even at high angles. Because the quick-release plate is the heart of the RRS quick-release system and one of the best reasons for choosing Really Right Stuff as your foremost support gear partner. RRS Carbon Fiber Ascend Tripod Line. One is always in my camera bag or tripod bag, and another lives in my travel bag as a backup for when Im away from home. This is a 3-series aluminium tripod with a fixed apex and 2 leg sections. The Ascend-14 tripod is available in four different versions: The BH versions of the Ascend-14 come with a built-in head. It needs to support my rifle and any weight I put onto it while stabilizing my shot. A tripod you can buy, and be certain that itll always work for you, no matter how your photography changes. This lever-locked column can be inverted for ground-level shooting, or shortened to save some weight. Note that the BlackRapid Sport-X QD is great for cameras, but because its only a single point sling, you cant use it with the RRS tripod strap system. Our multi-purpose plates come in a variety of sizes with removable screws along a varied length channel, or our VYCE equipment support mount. Its part of the Ascend series, in the long variation, and it also has a built-in ball head. Im sure others will follow suit because its a system that works very well and offers excellent strength that can easily handle heavy cameras, or in this case, tripods. At $32 each ($96/set), this isnt an insignificant purchase but they are extremely well made. PMG tripods are every bit as good as RRS tripods, and I now own their TR424L tripod myself when I was unable to acquire an RRS 4-Series. The jaws open to almost 2.5, and can tighten to just under 1.3. The Quick Column on all Ascend tripods adds 10.1 (26cm) to the height of the tripod. Cups and collars are usually sold together as a pair. Really Right Stuff doesnt make their own straps, but they are reselling the straps made by firearms manufacturer, Magpul. Featuring R-Lock, this clamp easily attaches to RRS-compatible dovetails and sections of Picatinny. As we know from the nomenclature section, some of the RRS tripods have size variations labelled L, S or G for Long, Short or Ground. If we do not have a specific plate for your item, often we have an option that will fit. You can expect those items to ship with a carrier method to match the stated delivery speed. They chose instead to lose me as a customer, forever, on top of fooling me with a used tripod at full price. Please click the link to check the current pricing. The center section is wider than previous models, and the -16 threaded top platform can be swapped out for an aftermarket bowl adapter and 75mm leveling base. But you will pay for the privilege of owning and using one. Shooting Bipod Or Shooting Tripod Essential Gun Gear In New Berlin, WI What is the best shooting bipod and shooting tripod to buy in New Berlin, WI? I know that if I make the choice to buy something from the US then Im going to incur some cost. Buying a RRS tripod was the worst mistake I made when purchasing my photo gear and I dont understand why people still praise this brand while, again, there are other brands out there as good as RRS, but for a lot less money and a much better after sales service. Prices range from $50 to $95, which is right on par with other similar products from brands such as Manfrotto. Please note that if you include a link in your comment, it will have to be moderated first before it appears on the site. Over time, our customers were getting more and more frustrated that several non-RRS plates did no work well with our patented and popular lever-release (LR) clamps. All legs are joined to a machined aluminium section that has a stud on it for attaching your tripod head. In the package is the set of legs, the head of your choice, a counterweight hook, soft case, ARCA plate for optics, stainless steel spike feet, and all tools and manuals you will need to get started and maintain your tripod. About 20 years ago, I made this mistake by buying one of those cheap SLIK tripods. RRS carbon fiber tripods provide superior strength and vibration absorption with minimum weight. The latter has 4 leg sections so its collapsed length is shorter (49cm vs 61cm) which makes it a little easier to travel with. Christensen Arms Summit Rifle Liquidation. Really Right Stuff QD Strap System SET: No Straps, No Swivel. The LS-365C ticks all those boxes, and since it uses 36mm outer tubes, the inner/lowest sections are a reasonable 22mm, presumably providing good rigidity at full height. Products will be repaired or replaced at our option. More companies started making plates using the same process by getting their dovetail specs "close enough" to work with any screw-knob style clamp already on the market. If you are sure that you do not need to use any of the Versa accessories, there is really no point in buying the TVC version of the tripod. I actually dont have any photos of the TFC version with the BH-40. The good news is that it makes swapping them over, the job of mere seconds. These can be used in any combination for variations of prone, kneeling, and standing shots. Wow. ARCA-Swiss style clamps - Clamps to secure the 1.5-inch wide dovetail rails provide fast and secure mounting options for rifles. The 3 and 4-Series leveling heads are essentially identical, but one is a little large than the other. They are as follows: In the next part of this guide, I will discuss each of these factors in turn, and compare the variations where appropriate. About Us Not just out of brand loyalty, but also because the sizes of various heads are designed to perfectly match the apex diameters of the RRS tripods. Micro ball head with screw know clamp is the perfect compact ball head to add to your MPR rail, or mount directly to your spotting scope. Military, Law Enforcement, Competitive Shooters, and those that want the tallest, baddest tripod on the market, Increased height is ideal for those shooting or operating in steep terrain and or unknown environments, The most reliable and capable TFCT tripod, One of the most stable TFCT tripods with a maximum load capacity ranging from 45-85lbs, Features the Anvil-30 ARC ball head equipped with R-Lock, Backwards compatible with non R-Lock products, Really Right Stuff: TFCT MK2 Tripod 34L w/ Anvil-30 ARC Head, Load Capacity 1st Position Fully Extended:80lbs/ 36kg, Load Capacity 2nd Position Fully Extended:45lbs/ 20kg, Load Capacity 3rd Position Fully Collapsed:65lbs/ 29kg, 1st Position Maximum Height:71.1"/ 181cm, 1st Position 3/4 Segments Extended:54.4"/ 138cm, 2nd Position Maximum Height:49.7"/ 126cm, 3/16" hex keys (required to adjust leg angle tension), 9/64" hex key (required to loosen/tighten Anvil-30 screws), Really Right Stuff: Anvil-30 ARC Ball Head w/R-LOCK (No Adapter), Really Right Stuff: TFCT MK2 Tripod 24L w/ Anvil-30 ARC Head, Really Right Stuff: Ultralight Tripod TFC-34 Mk2, Really Right Stuff: BH-40 Ball Head with SC-ARC. It doesnt look as neat, if that is something that matters to you. Great source of information for anyone looking to buy or upgrade a tripod. Those arent exhaustive lists, but theyre there to be thought provoking when looking for your next shooting support. For the premium price (MSRP $1,299.00), I do wish it had a few more of those features that Ive really found make shooting from a tripod more pleasant. Im aware that they do still show stock of this tripod, but who knows how long that will last? Choosing The Right Shooting Range; Concealed Carry Clothing And Accessories; Concealed Carry Permits; Finding A Firearms Instructor; Fax: +1 (570) 486-4037, 2023 EuroOptic. Hey Eric. The Ascend-14 tripods are priced much higher than the other 1-Series tripods such as the TFC-14. It weighs less than 1lb, and features a patent-pending dual jaw clamp with rubber inserts to give you a secure, yet non-marring hold on your rifle stock. This particular model, the TCFT 34L with the Anvil 30 ARC, extends to over six feet tall at its highest point, and can support anywear from 45 to 85lbs, depending on how high you extend its four sections. The following video is from the RRS Youtube channel. My first RRS tripod was the TVC-33S. In the words of RRS themselves: The new sealed twist-lock minimizes the number of contaminants, such as sand and grit, that gets caught inside the twist locks. If Im hiking, or travelling a lot, this is the tripod that I choose most often, specifically the TFC-14 version. Weighing in at only 4.3 pounds while being capable of supporting 50 pounds, a TVC-33 Versa Series 3 tripod combines the Really Right Stuff ideal of soul-satisfying feel and finish with best-in-class strength and resilience. Really Right Stuff tripods and accessories. The 2-Series tripods are the true all-rounders of the RRS tripod lineup. Of course, Really Right Stuff are also known for their incredible range of ball heads, gimbals and other camera leveling devices. The Area 419 Arcalock Clamp features three steel pins that lock into Area 419 Arcalock scalloped rails. Dont say I never help you guys! In short, this is a specialist item, and theres a good reason why its not even listed on the photo site. Thank you Carl and Angela! The new Sako Finnlight II sports an innovative stock and Cerakote metal paired with the terrific 85 action. Have you ever tried replacing the lower leg section of your TVC-33S with the three lower leg sections of your T?C-14 to create a five section Frankenpod? If you want a tripod with a higher capacity than the 3-Series RRS tripods and options for a 100mm video head, look at the excellent ProMediaGear 4-Series tripods. This model is offered as a complete package with your choice of a ball head or a leveling head. In this guide, I will share over a decades experience using a wide range of Really Right Stuff tripods. As far as Im concerned, the decision doesnt have to be any harder than that. The vendors I deal with dont have any recent records of RRS tripod sales. This is a 1-series tripod with 4 leg sections. So I went ahead and tried it, and yes, the lower leg section of the 34L can be replaced with the three lower sections from the tvc/tfc-14. I have rarely seen 4-Series tripods used by still photographers unless it is in a studio or as an additional tripod kept in their cars trunk. Tons of great information and analysis. Looking for some panorama photography basics? Shop BH-40 Load capacity: 18 lbs / 8 kg This is how RRS take care of their international customers. I really like the build quality -something which has been absent from Gitzo since they were taken over by Manfrotto. but heavy. The downside is that including the centre column makes this optional purchase a rather large one. The TFC-14 has the same folded diameter as the Ascend-14, and it also weighs about half a pound less when comparing to the Ascend-14 PF that doesnt have the built-in head. How do I know it was a used unit? The PL versions of the tripod have a regular platform on them with a 3/8 16 stud. The legs have little to no flex, and when folded, integrated stops in the hinge prevent the legs from crossing over in the way of each other. The ARCA clamp itself features a twist knob for securing the ARCA plates, and has its own small bubble level, ensuring you can keep the ball level. As usual such a great guide. Over many years of use, I have found that this mesh pocket will eventually get damaged by the clamp on top of your ball head. If you tend to shy away from using tripod centre columns, the L version of the Ascend-14 might be the one for you. As for the legs, The US-made carbon fiber legs are incredibly stout, even for their comfortably narrow dimensions. Like their other products, the Radian Carbon tripod is covered under Vortexs VIP Warranty. After that comes another time in a photographers life when they decide to buy a proper tripod that will last them for the rest of their life, and its during this second search that many people come across the made-in-the-USA tripods from Really Right Stuff. | Great experiment. The TVC-32G and TFA-32G are most suitable for stills photography work, while the 4-Series TVC-42G is more suited to low-level cinematography where a 100mm video bowl is needed to level a fluid cinema head. Fresh off the success of our 200%-funded CP26-Travel tripod comes its much bigger brother (or sister): the Berlin 38.4. Our aluminum tripods are the strongest, most versatile, feature-rich ground and tabletop tripods on the market. In this configuration, it comes in at a hefty 7lbs, 2.4oz. In 1990, Bryan Geyer made a good faith effort for better compatibility by adopting the Arca-Swiss plate style and dimensions. That said, the bottom of the new universal base is a closer match to the top of a 2 series TFC. Because of the blue stuff that one is instructed to put in the leg joint upon delivery. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This website may contain affiliate links. If you plan to buy something new you can skip over this part if youre in a hurry, although personally, I would also appreciate knowing how these tripods have recently been improved. products, Alaska Guide Creations K.I.S.S. I also havent personally tried the new version of the levelling base. The Recon V2 brings in a lot of features you should expect to find in premium carbon fiber tripods, at a more mid-level price point. Regarding the cleaning yes indeed. RRS SOAR tripods, bags, mounts, and more for sale at Mile High Shooting. Revealed: The Best-Selling Lenses of 2022, Curiosity: The Best-Selling Cameras of 2022, Really Right Stuff Updated Their Gimbal Design [For the Better], Really Right Stuff Updates Their Ground-Level Tripod: TFA-32G, Best Accessories for the Peak Design Travel Tripod, Really Right Stuff Ascend-14 Vs. They would have recovered their money in no time, because I would have kept buying from them. It is a Ground pod, designed for low-level usage. Consulting the table of specifications, youll also notice that it affects the tripod weight, with TFC tripods being lighter than their TVC counterparts. Note on pricing: I used to include the current price in the second column of this table, but prices fluctuated so much in recent years that I have given up constantly tweaking them. It delivers unfailing performance in any weather. We have it available to them at cost. What they came up with is a tube that is a larger diameter than usual, but with a wall thickness of only 0.04 inches. Tips, techniques, and equipment are applied to these classroom discussions on how to become more proficient and successful at making long-range shots while hunting with AR-platform rifles. The most stable TFCT tripod Popular with competition shooters with minimal long movement requirements SPECS Folded Length: 28" Min Height: 7" Max Height: 60.9" Collapsed Diameter: 4.1" Weight: 4.66lbs Worst Case Load Capacity: 50lbs MSRP: $1,465 The most robust TFCT tripod in the RRS SOAR line For users who want the most stable platform Theyre always working to improve their products and have a few exciting plans for 2023.