Hunters who spend significant time behind a spotting scope or binocular looking for game understand that a top-notch tripod is mandatory for steady glassing. 

When it comes to choosing a tripod, a hunter must determine which one fits their needs, as well as their bank account. Make no mistake: You get what you pay for when it comes to tripods, much the same as you do with your optics and the rest of your hunting gear.

The highest priced tripods are built with carbon fiber legs to reduce overall weight, and feature mounting heads that provide maximum adjustability and support for your optics, and even firearms. Lower priced models that are well made can still be highly effective in the field; the tradeoff is legs constructed of aluminum instead of carbon fiber, and a mounting head that pans in two directions instead of the infinite adjustability found in a ball- or leveling-type system.

For 2021, Vortex Optics has introduced four new tripods. Three of the four are built with carbon fiber legs, and the company’s flagship model, the Radian Carbon Tripod, is available with the choice of two mounting heads (ball or leveling). Here’s a quick recap of each model’s key specs and features. Important note: Like all Vortex products, each of these four tripods comes with a lifetime warranty.

High Country II ($299.99)

• Weight, 4 pounds
• Maximum load of 22 pounds; ideal for large binoculars and spotting scopes
• Maximum height, 62.5 inches
• Minimum height, 11.3 inches
• Folded length, 24.3 inches
• Aluminum leg construction
• 2-way pan head, which provides simple controls and full range of motion
• Arca-Swiss head mount compatibility across a broad range of mounting options
• Three leg sections with flip lever leg locks for rapid set up and height adjustment
• 3-angle leg pivot locks, which position each leg individually for multiple heights and easy, secure set up
• Counterweight hook that holds extra weight on the bottom of the center column for greater stability in windy conditions Rubber feet provide solid footing on slick surfaces

Summit Carbon II ($549.99)

• Weight, 2.5 pounds
• Maximum load of 22 pounds; ideal for large binoculars and spotting scopes
• Maximum height, 53.3 inches
• Minimum height, 6.3 inches
• Folded length, 18.1 inches
• Carbon fiber leg construction for strength and light weight
• 2-way pan head, which provides simple controls and full range of motion
• Arca-Swiss head mount compatibility across a broad range of mounting options
• Four leg sections extend for maximum height
• 3-angle leg pivot locks, which position each leg individually for multiple heights and easy, secure set up
• Counterweight hook that holds extra weight on the bottom of the center column for greater stability in windy conditions
• Quarter-turn leg locks ensure a solid hold
• Rubber feet for solid footing on slick surfaces

Ridgeview Carbon ($649.99)

• Weight, 3.2 pounds
• Maximum load of 22 pounds; ideal for large binoculars and spotting scopes
• Maximum height, 73.8 inches
• Minimum height, 8.3 inches
• Folded length, 29 inches
• Carbon fiber leg construction for strength and light weight
• 2-way pan head, which provides simple controls and full range of motion
• Arca-Swiss head mount compatibility across a broad range of mounting options
• Three leg sections provide a wide range of height options
• 3-angle leg pivot locks, which position each leg individually for multiple heights and easy, secure set up
• Counterweight hook that holds extra weight on the bottom of the center column for greater stability in windy conditions
• Quarter-turn leg locks ensure a solid hold
• Rubber feet for solid footing on slick surfaces

Radian Carbon Fiber Tripod With Leveling Head ($1,099.99) or Ball Head ($1,199.99)

• Weight, 6.1 pounds with leveling head; 7.3 pounds with ball head
• Maximum load of 44 pounds, which is ideal for large binoculars, spotting scopes and even rifles
• Maximum height, 62.9 inches
• Minimum height, 3.9 inches
• Folded length, 24.6 inches
• Carbon fiber leg construction for strength and light weight
• Four leg sections extend for maximum height
• Arca-Swiss head mount compatibility across a broad range of mounting options
• 3-angle leg pivot locks, which position each leg individually for multiple heights and easy, secure set up
• Counterweight hook that holds extra weight on the bottom of the center column for greater stability in windy conditions
• Twist leg locks for rapid adjustment of leg height and reduced bulk
• Rubber feet for solid footing on slick surfaces
• Spiked feet included for a non-slip grip on various terrain