For what it is worth, I have been happily using a Manfrotto carbon fiber
tripod
<https://www.manfrotto.com/us-en/?wgp=284315&wgc=155937&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=Webgains&utm_campaign=155937&gclid=CjwKCAiA3ZC6BhBaEiwAeqfvypgdrTfxU7gEaO8YxvMauZm4uyEdCp-FKh5wZgyQY-BcC-X5dr2ilBoCQS8QAvD_BwE&gclid=CjwKCAiA3ZC6BhBaEiwAeqfvypgdrTfxU7gEaO8YxvMauZm4uyEdCp-FKh5wZgyQY-BcC-X5dr2ilBoCQS8QAvD_BwE&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=Webgains&utm_campaign=155937>for
years. The tripod has outlasted the first scope I had mounted on it and,
with a bit of maintenance, is still working well. With a Kowa 88 mm scope
this tripod is stable in all but the most extreme wind conditions.

On Mon, Nov 25, 2024 at 7:46 AM Mike Wagenbach via Tweeters <
tweeters at u.washington.edu> wrote:


> One drawback to aluminum is that it is second only to copper among the

> metals in its thermal conductivity, IIRC. It's amazing how fast it sucks

> heat out of your hands to handle an aluminum tube in winter if you're not

> wearing pretty good gloves. So that's one advantage of carbon composites,

> I think.

>

> However, if you want a little DIY project, you could wrap the topmost

> section of each leg of a metal tripod with some stylish cork bicycle

> handlebar tape. That should make a big difference, and if you use the

> classic Cinelli ribbon, maybe one in a hundred birders who's also a bike

> dork will think you are *molto bello.*

>

> https://www.jensonusa.com/Cinelli-Gel-Cork-Handlebar-Tape

>

> https://www.planetbike.com/comfort-cork-handlebar-tape/

>

> Mike Wagenbach

> Seattle WA

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>