One last comment on the thread of spotting scopes.

If you have a heavy spotting scope-tripod combination you can ease the dent
it makes on your shoulder. I bought the brown closed cell plumbing
insulation tubes that are available at Fred Meyer, etc. It has survived 3+
years of use at this point.Put it on the non-telescoping portion of the
legs. I have tried Duct tape, wire or bundle ties and hose clamps but
found that the best is the reinforced strapping tape. The tape will wear
out but is cheap, soft, easily replaceable and doesn't cut into the foam.
Duct tape peels and leaves a residue on your clothes. The bundle ties cut
into the foam and have a nubby projection that wears a hole in your clothes
(and your skin). Hose clamps -- forget it! Closed cell foam is critical
because open cell will absorb rain/moisture and add about 5 lbs to your
load. The foam will pad your shoulder, not be cold to handle in winter,
cut down the clanking of tripod legs (a stealth tripod?) and, perhaps,
partially camoflauge your tripod if it's silvery-colored.

BTW I use an identical but black anodized tripod for photography and got
the bright idea of making aluminum-colored tripod 'dark' by magic markering
the extension legs. Looks great but don't do it. The very thin layers of
markering exceed the tolerances for sliding the legs in and out. I hd to
completely disassemble the tripod and crocus cloth off all the 'darkening'.

Moral: I should have bought two black anodized tripods! Most good tripods
are available in black anodized for nothing or very little extra.


Bob
taylorrt at geocities.com