Fat boy tripod question.

[Dirty Steve]

I am going to purchase one. The question I can not settle is whether to get an Elevate or a Traverse model. I am vacillating back and forth between Elevate 2 section or a Traverse 3 section for compressed size.


I won't have long hikes to get to shooting areas. I like the idea of the Elevate 2 section being faster to deploy. And leaving the firearm attached to Tripod seems reasonable option for my hunting area. Only ever used an old aluminum BOG with the non attachable rubberized "Y" shaped rest previously.

Is there any potential down side to having inverted leg style? Could anything potentially harm or inable the ease of function? ie: dirt build up, water intrusion?

I appreciate all information, ideas, and real world experience.

Thank you!

Steve

 

[Hoosier_nitedog]

Me an a hunting buddy have the traverse 2 section with levitate leveling head, we always hunt standing up at night and always leave the height set. Just throw it in the bed of truck when going spot to spot.. im in S. Part of Indiana, have never had to lower/raise a tripod leg because I was out of range in motion on the leveling head to take a shot...it took a min to adjust from the ball head to the leveling head and it was heavier than my other tripod and ball head setup but the stability/rigidness i get from the fatboy is far superior than worrying about the little extra weight I have to pack... leveling head is silky smooth by the way

I bought my traverse tripod off Amazon few months back on a sale for 495$ from a authorized dealer and purchased my leveling head else where..

 

[Hoosier_nitedog]

I should say The traverse is still lighter than the bog pod definitely, and you will not even think about shooting off that bog pod again once you make up your mind on which one you purchase... also dont let any friends use it unless they are wanting to buy one as well because thats what will happen good luck and happy hunting

 

[Dirty Steve]

I bought my traverse tripod off Amazon few months back on a sale for 495$ from a authorized dealer and purchased my leveling head else where..

Thanks for the heads up on Amazon. I have found the tripods cheaper there than the Birthday pricing deal on Midwayusa.

 

[why]

I have elevate 2 section with leveling head and like it but have been carrying my leofoto with leveling head as it is 3 lbs lighter The Fatboy is a little sturdier. 3 sec leg may be better if you sit. 2 sec leg if you stand. The Fatboy weighs 8 lbs

 

[Dirty Steve]

3 sec leg may be better if you sit. 2

Yes. Good point. Thank you

 

[IndexFinger]

Yes. Good point. Thank you

2-Piece invert is the most rigid tripod I ever found . I use my 2-section invert. if collapsed to short, it perfect to me shooting off my Knees . If I sitting and shooting, I use a Tall Bi-pod on those sit setups.
.

 

[Matt_3479]

Traverse 3 sections, elevate 2 and 3 sections

I find the traverse stays at home in favour of the elevate most of the time. They are all great, i just use to the elevate more and find them quicker.

 

[Dirty Steve]

Traverse 3 sections, elevate 2 and 3 sections

Thank you for sharing the picture of the different tripods altogether!

 

[K9TXS]

I also prefer the 2 section invert. I really like the one adjustment ring on each leg. Very fast to make a simple adjustment when you change locations.

 

[hunt0168]

I think the only minor complaints that I have heard about the inverted Elevate is that they couldn’t run a Tripod Basket. Couldn’t run a clamp device to hold their remote to the upper leg section and missed having a foam wrap on the weak hand leg. Pretty minor stuff really.

I have the traverse. It’s deployed to my shooting height when I leave my truck with rifle clamped into the Levitate leveling head. Minor adjustments are made with the top adjustment collars typically and I don’t find it all that difficult. I do run a tripod basket so I’m sticking with the Traverse.

 

[Matt_3479]

Thank you for sharing the picture of the different tripods altogether!

I prefer the 2 section elevate for its speed and simplicity with only 1 adjustment ring. The collapsed height is a little long for longer treks and this is where I prefer the 3 section tripods. Normally for my coyote hunting both elevates come with me. Longer hauls the 3 section, sitting the 3 section, standing, kneeling, taller grass and shorter hikes the 2 section. Deer and moose hunting the 3 section tends to come more. Packs better in the boat, truck and side by sides. When sitting in clear cuts, box stands, back lakes, field edges the 3 section just is a bit easier to get there with.

I’ve used the 3 section traverse for 2 years of PRS, coyote hunting and big game hunting. It’s a great universal tripod minus weight if you’re doing more western mountain hunting. I just find the 2 section a little quicker.

 

[Matt_3479]

I think the only minor complaints that I have heard about the inverted Elevate is that they couldn’t run a Tripod Basket. Couldn’t run a clamp device to hold their remote to the upper leg section and missed having a foam wrap on the weak hand leg. Pretty minor stuff really.

I have the traverse. It’s deployed to my shooting height when I leave my truck with rifle clamped into the Levitate leveling head. Minor adjustments are made with the top adjustment collars typically and I don’t find it all that difficult. I do run a tripod basket so I’m sticking with the Traverse.

you can run a basket or caddy but you can’t fully collapse which isn’t the end of the world but definitely isn’t as nice as the traverse for these. As far as a clamp, you can run there side kick off the bowl or head and hold the remote there.

 

[hunt0168]

you can run a basket or caddy but you can’t fully collapse which isn’t the end of the world but definitely isn’t as nice as the traverse for these. As far as a clamp, you can run there side kick off the bowl or head and hold the remote there.

Yep, I’m just listing the few negatives I have read from others. The sidekick is certainly an option, but like all Fatboy stuff, the price isn’t appealing to a lot of folks. There are other clamps available to screw into the threaded apex as well. I think for 90%+ of people, the inverted legs will be a great choice. It certainly aids in quick deployment and less bending movement for adjustment.

 

[Hoosier_nitedog]

Ep 90: Talking With FatBoy Tripods

Jon Collins sits down with the guys at FatBoy to discuss the company and their products.

castbox.fm

Here is a foxpro podcast with fatboy tripod company

 

[sealine]

A basket that is fully collapsible is definitely possible with an inverted tripod. Here's my Two Vets inverted with a prototype basket that my hunting partner made. Very simple and works great!

 

[Dirty Steve]

Thanks for sharing a picture of the basket for your inverted tripod. Very helpful.

 

[Dirty Steve]

A fool and his money....

I caught Birthday pricing at MidwayUSA.