This tripod kit combines Manfrotto's lightweight carbon fiber tripod with a compact, two-movement video head. The 700RC2 head is designed to support spotting scopes, video equipment, or cameras. The high-quality carbon fiber legs of the 190CXV3 give you a solid base for your equipment and provides excellent vibration dampening to decrease image distortion. The three preset independent leg angles offer flexibility when positioning the legs on uneven surfaces. This Manfrotto kit is covered by a 2-year limited warranty, plus an additional 3 years when you register online.
Construction Features
| Carbon Fiber Legs |
Are lightweight and provide vibration resistance and sturdy support. |
| Quick Release Plate |
Allows quick attachment of equipment to a tripod head. |
| Lever Leg Locks |
Flip up and down for height adjustments. |
| Leg Wraps |
Cushion shoulders when carrying and protect hands from cold. |
| Multiple Leg Angles |
Allow stable positioning on uneven ground. |
Great Kit
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10/02/2011
by
Ray from Olympia, WA
After birding a couple of years I decided that it was time to invest in a scope to take things to the next level. From the pre-stabilization days of film photography I considered the tripod and scope to be one unit and so also began shopping for a light-weight tripod to carry a 65 mm scope for bird viewing. I've previously used Bogen (now Manfrotto) tripods and knew I would be getting a quality product for the price so after reviewing lots of different product specifications I finally settled on the 190CXV3 tripod with the 700RC2 head which I now use on a Swaroviski 65mm ATM.
Pros: For light-weight packing and general viewing this is a great kit. The tripod is sturdy; the head operates smoothly and the quick change mechanism solidly locks the scope in place. If I were going to be changing back and forth with a camera I'd just buy an extra quick change shoe and it would work fine. I've also known two other birders who use this kit with 80mm Vortex scopes so it also supports their weight as well.
Cons: (Sort of) I'd like to emphasize that I use this set-up for viewing and not digiscoping. The 190CXV3 is sturdy for it's weight. Carbon fiber legs are not only lighter but stiffer than aluminum which makes them more sturdy for a given size but you can't beat physics. A smaller, lighter, tripod isn't as rock-solid as a larger, heavier, one. I have noticeable hand-shake that the 190CXV3 transmits to the scope especially at higher power so once I get focused I view hands- off which works fine but I would need to use a remote shutter release to use a camera with the scope. (Which you should use anyway.)
If you are largely interested in using a camera and especially with an 80mm scope and a DSLR then weight probably isn't your primary concern. I believe you would get better results with a larger Manfrotto and the 128RC head.
No this piece of kit isn't cheap but then cheap tripods are, well, cheap. I've heard it said that if you put a $2,000 scope on a $50 tripod you have a $50 scope. Yes I would highly recommend the 700RC2/190CXV3 kit for packing, viewing, camera photography and limited digi-scoping with a small camera and remote release.
Finally, I hesitate to buy expensive things over the Internet but I've now purchased binoculars, a scope, and this kit from Eagle Optics. The experience couldn't have been better even when I decided that the binoculars I initially ordered didn't work for me and exchanged them for another model.
Much needed Carbon Fiber Tripod
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09/07/2011
by
Linda from Los Gatos, CA
I just love this tripod...it is nice and light for my scope.... and it packs well for any bird trip.
Superior Product
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09/03/2010
by
John from West Michigan
The mounting bracket did not fit my Sony SLR. I had to punch out a set screw. Otherwise, an incredible product.
Nice but a Compromise
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07/07/2010
by
Eric Clawson from MD
Tripod is excellent, easy to operate and light enough to make the difference when deciding if your gonna carry or not. Rock solid for its weight and plenty of adjustments for set up, packs small enough to always make the trip. Head is light and functional, most important quality in a back country set-up. Head is a compromise in some aspects, quick change difficult, and difficult to find the smoothest adjustment tension set up. But its light, real life 1900 grams(4 lbs 4 oz) for the tripod and head.
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