I use the TRIPACK and it works for me.  The weight of the tripod & scope is
distributed on your shoulders and hips and your arms are free to use your
binos.  Sure beats carrying/balancing the rig on  your shoulder.   I
purchased mine via Eagle Optics where a percentage of the purchase goes to
MOS. -- Tom   

Tom Marko
Olney, MD
Montgomery Bird Club (MOS)
Email:  

-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Rick Sussman
Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2005 7:59 AM
To: 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Tripod carry options

Hi all,
 Since getting the new tripod I have been considering what different
alternatives I have for lugging this contraption around in the field. My old
tripod had padded sleeves along the top sections of legs, which worked well
enough but doesn't work with the new tripod. The new tripod has legs which
extend sort of the reverse of normal tripods. The larger sections pull down
first and become the bottom section, while the smaller inner legs become
the  top section, so padded leg wraps would end up near the ground with the
legs extended. 
So this is a potential problem with this new tripod design (at  least for
birders).
 
There are a couple of other options available; ABA carries the TRIPACK,
which is what I am looking into now. Does anyone out there use one of these
devises, which is a backpack sort-of-thing with straps that attach to the
tripod, allowing you to carry it on your back with the legs either extended
or collapsed? Their price is $45 which is cheap enough if it works with this
tripod. 
 
The other carrier is a sort of golf-bag looking thing, and I don't even
know if its still available. It looks rather heavy and awkward too, but if
anyone out there uses one please let me know how it works for you.
 
Any other ideas would also be welcomed. Thanks in advance...
 
Rick Sussman
Ashton,MD