night stalker tripod

T

trapperdoc

Member
I am interested in getting this tripod with the pig saddle for hunting at night so my question is for those of you that use this set up what are the pros and cons of it....weight... hard to carry etc.....Trapperdoc
 
I can't speak for the pig saddle, but the Night Stalker is great and so is the pro. I like how the legs deploy on the pro better for standing but it is a lot heavier.

If I am going on shorter walks for coyotes, I tend to take the Pro for the extra stability. I use the standard for all the rest. Both are great tools.
 
I had two. First of all I'll say that Tom stands behind his stuff. In my experience he is a good guy to deal with.
The Night Stalker is about as good of a tripod that you can get in that price range and probably will serve you well for an entry level tripod. You will probably upgrade later but it will get you started.
Pros-It is very light weight.
Cons-It is Chinese made. It's up to you whether you want to purchase Chinese products. In the aftermath of the Corona virus I choose not to but that is my personal choice.
The Pig Saddle is American made and I did not have any real complaints other than the added weight. It is very versatile because you can mount just about any rifle in it. But a direct mount is a better option IMO.
 
My friend and I went through several of the regular models, they just didn't hold up for us. We switched to the pro and have been pleasantly surprised. Much more solid and both are working great for us this season. IMHO get the pro if your getting a Nightstalker. Good luck
 
I have been using the standard Night Stalker for exactly 3 years. It has not given me any trouble at all. Well, one of the metal foot pieces did come off, but I found it later in my toolbox on the truck, and has not given any problem since.

If I did most of my hunting standing, I would probably go with the Pro model as it should add some stability, but I have made shots to 377 yds. standing with the standard model. Direct attach with a Arca Swiss plate works much better than the Saddle, but I keep the Saddle in the truck so that I can attach any configuration as a back-up.
 
I use the standard model. A little heavier than the Primos I was using previously but much better made in my opinion. No complaints as far as steadiness. I have a Triclawps on top of mine. I carry it with legs already extended out for quick setups but I hunt in relatively flat country. I did add a rifle sling so I can collapse down when dragging 2 out.

Mine recently broke when lifting it out of the suburban. The center hub has notches on it which is how the legs are adjusted outward, to spread the legs out wider if your going to sit. The problem is the notch that snapped off is for the highest position when standing which I do. You cannot buy parts for these !!

For the price of the tripod, I do like it !

I talked to Tom at nightgoggles and found out I could not get a replacement part.

Tom is sending me a new tripod as soon as the shipment comes in !!!!!!!
 
Originally Posted By: Pa. MickI use the standard model. A little heavier than the Primos I was using previously but much better made in my opinion. No complaints as far as steadiness. I have a Triclawps on top of mine. I carry it with legs already extended out for quick setups but I hunt in relatively flat country. I did add a rifle sling so I can collapse down when dragging 2 out.

Mine recently broke when lifting it out of the suburban. The center hub has notches on it which is how the legs are adjusted outward, to spread the legs out wider if your going to sit. The problem is the notch that snapped off is for the highest position when standing which I do. You cannot buy parts for these !!

For the price of the tripod, I do like it !

I talked to Tom at nightgoggles and found out I could not get a replacement part.

Tom is sending me a new tripod as soon as the shipment comes in !!!!!!!

That is the exact same thing that happened to mine and Tom sent a replacement to me as well even though it was out of warranty.
Can't beat that customer service. With that said there are a lot better tripod options out there but not many at that price point.
 
Do you guys notice the ball head on your Night Stalker developed a squeak? I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations on a lube to use to stop the squeak?
 
Big yes on the squeak. Couple drops of synthetic motor oil works. Can't say it's what manufacturer would recommend...

Figure if it's good enough for my expensive, high maintenance, finicky Duramax it should work for a ball head!
 
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Originally Posted By: BoommeupHad problems with ball head coming unscrewed! Has anyone tired loctite on these?

That is a common issue that is not unique to the Night Stalker ball head. If you overtighten the pan adjustment and the tension adjustment then rotate the rifle to the left most ball heads will unscrew. Two exceptions that I am aware of are the Vault Outdoors Wrecking ball, which uses a locking nut, and the RRS Anvil 30 which uses 4 screws if you couple it with the RRS Fixed Apex.
 
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Follow up Question On this thread.... I have noticed on some of the night hunting videos here were SOME hunters throw their tripod over their shoulder WITH the the gun still attached to their tripod And walk out to their stand. . I am sure it depends on what kind of ground you are walking on smooth picked corn or bean field , how long of walk etc.
So I was wondering if that might be why some of you use the quick disconnect mount plate to hold your gun on tripod over using let’s say the hog saddle or claw type gun holder that Night stalker sales ? AR15 223 rifle With 10 shot magazine and my D760 has some weight to it and I know some you guys guys are hunting with bigger calibers and longer barrel guns than I am. So just wondering. Thanks. Marty
 
Possible partial answer on the tripod shoulder thing . One of my AR 15s has the full demintion forarm and locks into the " saddle " like its welded . Another one has the " slimline " forearm and the saddle wont tighten down enough for it not to rock a bit so it needs a qd mount on the bottom to replace the saddle when I use it . Forearm demention and lock into the mount would be the real factor to me as to how secure I felt throwing a few thousand dollars over my shoulder and walking off like that moreso than terraign

ETA:

I run slings on every rifle and do loop the sling over the shoulder when moving with tripod or without . Cheap insurance for fumblefingers and delicate expensive optics imo .
 
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I never trusted the pig saddle to hold a shoulder carried rifle/scope.
A direct mount is definitely more secure. A lot of guys shoulder carry with a direct mount, me included. I'm using a RRS SOAR series ball head and it gives 2 direct mount options, the RRS 1 1/2 dovetail and a direct to picatinny rail. I use the picatinny rail option. It is rock solid.
Shoulder carrying allows you to instantly set up if you see animals when you are walking in.
 
Folks thanks for your thoughts on what type gun holder set up to use with tripod I have a tough decision to make. I just have a standard M-lock AR15 forearms with the 2 inch piccaney attachments That go in the m-lock holes. I am a old guy with both knees replaced. Have not hunted much with my night vision scope and Flir 64 thermal. Going to retire some time in next 2 maybe 3 years Max. But I was thinking if I could make sure I could get a good firm safe direct hold gun to tripod it would really help me From fooling around in the dark trying to get my gun in the hog saddle plus my tripod would be pre-set with legs at right height of setting and standing. Just fold and I am ready to call /scam with hand held and shoot. I am really leaning towards the Gun to picanney , picanney to tripod deal. But I could maybe just tighten down the pig saddle to the gun and leave it on the gun the whole time Even in the Gun case ? Just snap gun with hog saddle already on it to the tripod at night Stand. Tough choice for me. MD
 


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