Light weight table top tripod does the job. - Burris 300141 Spotting Scope Micro-Adjust Tripod & Window Mount

The Burris Spotting Scope Micro Adjust Tripod & Window Mount arrived promptly new condition. It was well packed. On first inspection the tripod seemed well made and everything worked perfectly. In the short time I have had it, no defects have been observed. The construction is solid and the locking mechanisms and the micro adjustment feature both work as they are intended. The tripod is light weight but solid and stable. It is slightly heavier and larger than the tripod that comes with the Redfield scope. The center elevation post and the legs are metal. Although the tripod is light weight, it supported my Redfield 20-60x spotting scope with no problem. I found that panning with the micro adjustments which move the scope horizontally and change the angle of elevation was a pleasure. The movement was smooth and the adjusters worked easily with no play.

On this tripod, the head of the instrument is clamped onto the tripod base. This provides for gross adjustments in angle and allows for the head to be moved off of the tripod and attached to a car window or surface of similar thickness. The the tripod itself has a metal plate to which the head is attached with the threaded pressure foot. There is no tripod mount on the main tripod. The tripod mount is integral to the removable head. At first this seemed odd to me but as I thought about it, I realized that this design provides for more flexibility in use. Not only can you move the head to another surface (like a car window) you can also use this tripod base with other window mounts. I ordered the Nikon window mount (which is back ordered.) It will be interesting to see if that mount is superior to the Burris one. I am quite satisfied with the latter.

I think this tripod will be fine for the purpose of supporting a spotting scope on a shooting bench at the range. It will also be useful for photography. I am pleased with this purchase-- especially at the price that it is being sold for on Optics Planet.