It all really depends on the budget. There is alot of value in the higher end carbon fiber setups in weight and stability, with downside being cost of course. I've used trigger sticks and bogs and all over the years, but nothing beats a quality freestanding tripod for night hunting.

We have been selling Feisol forever and they're good tripods, but recently we picked up 2Vet's and the QDT V2 is probably the most stable tripod I've ever shot off of. I personally use an RRS with an Anvil and the QDT is slightly more sturdy. I like the integrated spikes with the thread on rubber feet too. We're not a dealer for RRS, but we did get set up with them a couple years ago and decided against it. They don't really promote their dealers well and the margins are very low. They mainly want customers to buy direct which is both good and bad.

We also picked up a Fatboy elevate with the inverted legs (at retail, we chose not to be a dealer) to compare, and it's also a solid tripod but not as stable as the 2Vets and is more expensive. The carbon pattern on the 2Vets is similar to the RRS and the Fatboy is similar to the other cheaper foreign tripods.

I love the RRS Anvil for a head, but the 2 Vets ballhead is pretty solid and you can get an area 419 option which has indexing pins the prevent front to back movement. You do have to have an area 419 arca rail to use that function though. They can be removed for regular arca rails.

Anyway, here's a link to some of that stuff. We generally have most of it in stock. https://www.nightvisionoutfitters.com/search?type=product&q=2VETS

Lots of good information so far. Not my thread but I have really enjoyed reading through and getting different takes from lots of experienced users.

Yeah I understand my bod pod is entry level thus the reason for this thread. So here we what I’m understanding so far. I need a quality tripod then a ball head that has an arca Swiss on it then a section of M Lok arca Swiss adapter on my rifle to connect to said ball head?

Lastly I see where some ball heads have just a screw handle and some have a locking lever on the arca Swiss mount. Any difference in these two? I don’t want my $1500 rifle and $4700 thermal and $1200 suppressor crashing to the ground as I’m carrying it to the stand.

Yessir that's basically the scope of it. Tripod legs, ballhead, arca or picatinny attachment on your rifle. A saddle works really well too if you're using a bolt gun. The reaper grip is my preference for saddles. With that you don't have to have anything permanently attached to the rifle. Only works well though with something with a fat stock. A skinny AR stock like an MLOK or keymod is much better with some type of arca plate.

You just commented on what I usually reply to when someone questions why I spent big bucks on my tripod setup !

My rig hit the ground twice before I went thermal due to a cheap tripod ! Fortunately my rifle & scope weren’t damaged ! I then spent I think around $400 on another which failed me too !

Spent some time talking to Mike, #1turkeyhntr as he has a lot of experience with many tripods. I now lock my rifle onto the RRS, carry it over my shoulder ready to shoot without worry !

Setting maybe thousands of dollars on a cheap tripod is NOT A GOOD DECISION !

I would also like to add after speaking with my State Farm agent I did place my equipment on a very inexpensive insurance policy !!!

Good luck with your decision !

I was able to order a new tripod setup that fit into my budget. Around $550. I think it will serve me well. Thanks to all!

What did you buy?

Have you had time to try out the tripod?

I’ve only had my gun locked in the arca Swiss mount and carried it around the yard. Not much hunting going on right now for me until maybe June or July. Fields have grown high in these parts need a first cut of hay. But I must say it’s really impressive so far. I like the features and weight. Very sturdy and easy to use.

I don’t have any experience with those kinds of tripods. I’ve used the trigger stick tripods for years. But Man that looks pretty good. Anyone got comments or concerns bout that one in the above video. I think I would buy that but would like to hear from anyone who’s had some experience with that one first.