Birdwatching for beginners will require you to purchase a variety of gear including a good spotting scope, a field guide, a tripod for your spotting scope, and other supplies that you’ll need when you’re sighting local birds or on your way to the backcountry in an attempt to sight rarer species. But finding the right tripod isn’t as simple as you’d think.
You have to take into account your height, where you bird, and even what model of spotting scope you have. The latest model from Gosky is highly adjustable and designed for beginners, however, even the more experienced birder will appreciate it’s fast-folding action, lightweight design, and high load capacity.
Our Verdict: This versatile tripod weighs in at just five and a half pounds and features a high load capacity of eleven pounds. Its three legs are padded with foam for user comfort, while the quick-release plate is designed for fast detachment and attachment. This model is compatible with spotting scopes, DSLR cameras, camcorders, and binoculars.
The included carrying case and fast-folding design allow you to easily and quickly collapse it, store it, and head back to the car. The legs are highly adjustable, so the tripod will work for users of different heights and on a wide variety of terrain types. Because it’s so easy to use and features a durable, highly adjustable design, it’s perfect for birders of all skill levels.
Overview and Features
Tripods are a must-have piece of gear for the seasoned birder, however, beginners will also benefit from having a stable platform they can use that will help to improve their viewing experience, especially when they’re out in the backcountry.
Gosky is a company that’s known for their tech-heavy spotting scopes and other birding gear, so their latest tripod to hit the market is creating a buzz among their loyal customer base, in the hope that this model can measure up to their other products that normally earn top marks for durability and versatility. The tripod’s lightweight design, combined with its better than average load capacity makes it a hot buy among birders in need of a tripod they can haul to far off locations.
Our Rating:
- Versatile
- Foam padded legs
- Lightweight design
- Eleven-pound load capacity
- Carrying case included
- Quick-release plate
Design
This model is made out of anodized aluminum, so you know it’s built tough. It weighs in at five and a half pounds and features a higher than average load capacity of eleven pounds. The legs are independently adjustable, so you can lower or raise the tripod based on location, terrain type, and the height of the user. You can also easily fold it down into a compact bundle at just twenty-six inches, which makes it easier to store, haul, and transport.
The aluminum construction is what improves durability, however, this metal choice is also what helps to keep the weight down, making this model easier to use and bring along, especially if you normally hike out a few miles to your birding destination.
Versatility
If you solely use your spotting scope for birding, then versatility in terms of what other types of birding equipment it’s compatible with, won’t be a big deal. But if you’re looking for a model with this type of ultimate versatility, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that it’s compatible with many models of DSLR cameras, camcorders, and a good pair of bird watching binoculars.
It can also work with a wide range of models by different manufacturers, which is a huge plus.
Height Range
This model comes equipped with a sliding center column, complete with tension control, so you can adjust it from eighteen inches up to sixty-one inches.
Head
The tripod comes with a three-way pan and tilt head, which offers the smoothest vertical and horizontal adjustments, complete with an ergonomic pan handle for faster and easier adjustments.
Portability
The manufacturer went out of its way to ensure user comfort with this lightweight model. The included three foam padded leg cushions provide protection and comfort in extreme cold and hot weather conditions. The included carrying case will allow you to easily and quickly pack it up for the day and trek back to the car.
Warranty and Exchange Options
This model is covered by a thirty-day return policy, in addition to a three hundred and sixty-five-day free exchange warranty. The manufacturer will replace your old tripod with a new model free of charge during the first twelve months of ownership if it breaks.
Feet
Nothing is worse than buying a new tripod only to find out it’s not the most stable. Fortunately, the feet come equipped with thick rubber, non-slip feet that provide a perfectly stable platform that will prevent the scope from wobbling or shaking during use, for a crystal-clear viewing experience.
Quick Release Plate
The included quick-release plate allows for rapid detachment and attachment. The plate is compatible with most models of binoculars and spotting scopes.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Lightweight
- Quick-release plate
- Foam padded legs
- Highly adjustable
- Carrying case
- Three-way head tilt and pan
Cons
- Price
- Low load capacity
Gosky Versus Vanguard Alta Pro 264AB 100 Aluminum Tripod
The competing model by Vanguard Alta is also made out of a lightweight, durable aluminum that helps to keep the weight of the tripod low. While this model by Gosky offers a load capacity of eleven pounds, the competing model offers a fifteen-pound load capacity, which is nothing short of impressive. It also features quick flip leg locks, a weight of five and a half pounds, and a built-in bubble level. Its four-section aluminum legs are also highly adjustable and can adjust to twenty-five, fifty, and eighty-degree angles which are perfect for birding and photography.
The head offers smooth rotating action at three hundred and sixty degrees and comes equipped with the must-have quick-release plate. It goes for a slightly higher price, however, it’s higher load capacity alone is enough to make birders hit that buy now button. If you need a model that can handle a much higher load capacity, then the competing model may be a better option. However, this model by Gosky is more versatile and can work for most models of spotting scopes and birding binoculars, while the competition is not quite as versatile.
Conclusion and Rating
Our Rating:
For many birders, especially those that own a wide range of scopes and binoculars, a versatile tripod that’s able to handle a wide variety of models is a must and a huge selling point. This particular model not only offers this type of versatility, but it also provides a higher than average load capacity, and an innovative design that makes it very beginner-friendly.
This tripod by Gosky is lightweight, comes equipped with foam-padded legs, and a versatile mounting screw that allows you to use it with camcorders, DSLR cameras, spotting scopes, and binoculars. Its quick-release plate promotes fast detachment and attachment, while the fast-folding design and included carrying case makes packing up your gear fast and easy. Highly adjustable and available at a price that won’t break the bank, this model earned a rating of four and a half out of five stars.