Hi Michael,
I prefer the Bogen 3221 tripod to the 3021. The former is black instead of
metallic, and less reflective in the field and so less likely to startle
birds. I am still happy with the Bogen 3130 head, which is an uncomplicated
smoothly gliding head with a lockable quick-release. I lead birding tours
for a living (for Victor Emanuel Nature Tours) and find this combination can
stand up to a lot of abuse. If you travel with your tripod a lot, order
extra rubber leg tips and leg joint connectors (both very inexpensive) and
carry a couple along. Tripods which don't allow you to pivot the legs way
out (such as the ones with the little inner support rods) are a poor choice.
Some colleagues like the hand-trigger head, but it requires more practice to
use and so baffles some tour participants. If you travel a lot, you can
make a great padded wrap for your tripod out of a sorbethane sleeping bag
pad and some duct tape, which will save it from damage in your airline
checked duffel bag. I use a Kowa TSN4 scope, but would buy a Leica if my
company didn't provide me with the scope I have.

Hope this adds to your selection criteria.

Bob Sundstrom
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Conner <mtconner at home.com>
To: tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2000 9:22 AM
Subject: Tripod Head


> I've been looking to purchase a tripod and head and am looking for any
> information, web sites, etc., that anyone might know about.
>
> I will be using it initially with my old Bushnell Spacemaster, but with
> hopes of upgrading to a better telescope next year (like many of us I have
> to buy my toys incrementally). I intend to use it primarily for birding,
but
> occasionally for very amateur photography.
>
> At this point I'm leaning towards a Bogen 3021 tripod which seems to have
a
> bit more weight and stability than the 3001 I had originally considered,
but
> isn't as heavy or bulky some of the larger models. I've read a couple of
> reviews online and this seems a reasonable choice to me at least.
>
> I'm more confused about the tripod head than the tripod. I haven't found
any
> information other than sales prices. For some reason I'm leaning toward
the
> Bogen Grip Action Ball Head 3265, but have no particular reason except it
> seems kind of fun to use the grip for adjustments. Does anyone have any
> thought about this? I have some concerns that the grip will be more prone
to
> wear than a more traditional head.
>
> Finally, any thoughts on the carrying strap and the case?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Michael Conner
> Bellingham, WA
> mailto:mtconner at home.com
>
>