Manfrotto190X Aluminum 3-Section Tripod Kit with XPRO Fluid Head (MK190X3-2W)

I bought this setup to use specifically with a Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A spotting scope that I had recently purchased for birdwatching, as my prior tripod and head that I was using for a DSLR camera had proved to be painfully inadequate. The general opinion when it comes to spotting scopes is that the scope is only as good as the support that it is mounted on, and therefore, as with the scope itself, one should spend as much as one can afford on the support. After spending as much as I could afford on the scope, the $300 range was as much as I had left to afford on the support. I decided on this setup because it was made by a very reputable name and Manfrotto had specifically touted this setup as being well-suited to support a spotting scope. One interesting thing I noted prior to purchasing this kit was that with this combo, you are getting a $200 dollar tripod and a $150 dollar head (if you bought them separately). To spend almost as much on the head as you do on the tripod legs seems a bit unusual, as I'd think most of the time you spend much more on the legs, but I went with it anyways. I figured in my case with the intent to use it for a large spotting scope, getting a more premium head (especially a fluid head designed for smooth panning) could be very advantageous. After using the scope several times, I'd say that analysis was spot on. The 190X tripod legs are rock solid and can be setup very quickly with the design of the clamps. The legs are long enough that I really don't ever need to raise the center mast to get the eyepiece up to a comfortable height (I'm 5 foot 11 inches tall), which is important because as soon as you raise the center mast on any tripod, the stability goes down in a hurry. The legs are a little weighty, but spending $300 more to get carbon fiber legs and lose a couple pounds was not an option to me, and they are not heavy to the point where it is an issue to me. I wouldn't expect the weight difference to be an issue for anyone other than someone hiking long distances with the whole setup. If I need to move the scope while attached to the support, it is still plenty light to just pick it up and walk with it a short ways, especially since Manfrotto gives you nice thick rubber grips on two of the legs to get a good grasp on the whole thing. As for the XPro fluid head, I'm thrilled thus far. As I said, I'm very pleased that I ended up with a more premium head from this kit than I would have picked out on my own had I bought separately. The head is outstanding for use with a spotting scope. This head pans so smoothly and controllably that I can leave the scope zoomed in at the full 60x magnification and slowly pan it to scan a shoreline of a lake or river to look for waterfowl or a treeline to look for perched raptors. At this extreme magnification, I was shocked at how smooth the panning still is. The quick-release plate is very sturdy and has two release mechanisms to prevent ever accidentally releasing. The main lever was a little hard to work until I sort of got the hang of it, but I'm glad that it is so sturdy, as I'm trying to support a 4+ pound scope. I consider the ability to pan at 60x the first extreme test of the quality of the head. The second push-to-the-limit test that I can report on is how it performed with a digiscoping adapter attaching the scope eyepiece to a DSLR camera. Once the camera is attached, the entire scope/camera assembly weighs about 6 pounds, and not just 6 pounds, but 6 severely cantilevered off-centered pounds. The camera extends the whole contraption to about 10-12 inches over the back edge of the fluid head. So the test of the head for this application was whether it could hold the field of view steady when locked down with all that weight hanging off the back end. I tried it at 60x magnification to put it to the ultimate test and, as expected, when locked down on a target, after removing my hands from the camera, the back end dropped just slightly and the field of view raised up a bit. But even at 60x, even with all that weight sticking out over the back, the scope only raised up about a third the width of the field of view. Therefore I could still easily compensate for this and take pictures through the scope at max magnification. If you have never seen a digiscoping assembly before, it looks a bit ridiculous, so to think that this head at this price point can support that so well is pretty impressive. Furthermore, I actually was able to pan the full digiscoping assembly at 60x magnification while looking through the camera and it was still steady enough to find the targets. On the negative side, I wish Manfrotto would give you a carrying bag with these. They do sell padded and unpadded bags of various sizes that are a bit pricey, but I wish they would at least throw in a basic bag with the support. In summary, the whole setup has performed fabulously with a large spotting scope and wasn't even overwhelmed by a weighty and awkward digiscoping assembly. Of course if you go out and spend $800-$1000 on a support from any manufacturer you will (probably) outperform this, but at this price point, this kit might be the best you can do anywhere. Manfrotto was right in touting this as a suitable kit for a spotting scope. In trying to "spend as much as you can afford" for a support, I'd highly recommend at least stretching to get to this price level, because if you can, you will be rewarded with a very quality setup.

I’ve heard about Manfrotto’s gear for years but could never afford it before now. I always looked for the cheaper alternative. No longer. This tripod and fluid head setup is the perfect combination. No more earthquakes are invading my kids’ football or soccer games! I needed a smoother head for filming my son’s high school football games, along with a taller tripod, and this setup fits that need exactly. The tripod is solid and has some weight to it but to have a solid recording you need a solid base. This tripod and head gives you that base. And the head is so smooth, that both Jif and Skippy are jealous!!! In every direction, the head flawlessly turns and rotates without any suttering or hiccups. I am about 5’9” and with the tripod fully extended and head attached, and with a smaller camcorder attached (I use a canon VIXIA HF G21 on it), it is at a perfect height so you aren’t straining up or down to look into your camcorder or camera.I completely recommend this tripod and head combination. I don’t know if the rest of their lineup is this tasty, but I can assure you that this package will give you everything you want out of a tripod and head.I only wish that a case or bag came with it. At this price, they could throw in at least something to carry and protect this amazing setup. I had to purchase one separately (I bought the 75cm Manfrotto bag). You will have enough room in the bag to leave the head attached, along with a remote controller attached to the pan bar in that bag. (It’s well worth the investment to get a bag to protect your tripod and head...especially this one.)Do yourself, and your filming, a favor and get this setup. You will love breaking out this bad boy for every event that your wife wants you to film. It’s that good!!!

Summary: Excellent tripod-head combination for use with a spotting scope for nature watching.I bought this Manfrotto tripod to use with a spotting scope for birding. I use a large and heavy scope, a Vortex Viper 20-60x-85mm. This tripod is the perfect fit. For about two months prior to purchasing this, I used two different tripod/ head setups. First I used a rental from a local photo shop. I do not recall the make and model, but it was aluminum, had two extensions, and it had a three way head. It got the job done, but the head was annoying to use. I next borrowed a Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod with 502HD Fluid Head Hybrid Video Kit. While the tripod was excellent, the head was again not what I needed since the head cannot be locked off easily. I used a Manfrotto ball head with that tripod one time, and I realized that should never be done. I cannot emphasize enough how poorly a ball head performs with a heavy spotting scope.I purchased this tripod head combination to use solely for supporting my spotting scope. After several months of regular use, I confidently give it five stars. The pros of this: the head is PERFECT for use with a tripod. It is a two way head with ability to adjust resistance. This makes panning along shores quickly easy. Then the resistance can be increased to follow a bird once it has been spotted. The handle location can be adjusted to your liking.When I am walking with the tripod, I fold the legs up, lock down all the moving parts on the head, and throw the whole rig over my shoulder. There is no real padding on the tripod, so I bought irrigation pipe insulation from Home Depot to serve as padding on each of the legs. This works great. The tripod is easy to adjust. There are few extensions to deal with. It holds the image stable. I have never once been bothered by vibrations caused by instability. The tripod is fairly light for an aluminum model. It is lighter than the other tripods I borrowed or rented. Considering my scope is so heavy, the weight of the tripod has not been an issue I have considered much.I would highly recommend this setup for anyone looking to pair this with a spotting scope. I cannot speak to its versatility. I have not mounted anything else on this rig. This is the pair to buy for nature watching.

Lightweight and yet sturdy enough to support my birding scope on long walks. Simpler design than my old one so easier to use.

I bought this recently having started doing video rather than stills, my 20+yo cheapo tripod wasn't cutting it any more.Unlike that one, this is pretty solid and the fluid head lets me move the camera smoothly. It's slightly heavier than the old one, but not noticeably.Everything about it seems well designed and built, every feature works perfectly. It's a joy to use and was well worth upgrading, for me.

Un excelente tripode, pequeño, de fácil manejo, no muy pesado y resistente, aguanta 7 kilos. No incluye bolsa de viaje. Manfrotto como siempre una buena marca.

Ich nutze dieses hochwertige Stativ für ein Spektiv! Sehr stabil - ruckfreie Bewegung des 2-Weg Neigers.Sehr empfehlenswert.

The tripod that I have received does not have 90 degree function on the center column. How can we get this sorted?