Pole tripods

I'd say...less than 30 seconds

Two legs are controlled by thumb release and the third has a set screw. Set the two thumb release legs like a standard bipod and rough level the rod, then extend and set the third leg, leaving the set screw loose. Finish leveling the rod with the thumb release legs and then gently tighten the set screw on the third leg. Takes a few seconds more than a bipod but way more stable.

The one that I linked above, has 3 "thumb screws," which I MUCH prefer of the 2 (thumb release/lever release) + 1 thumb screw models.

Everyone that has used my 3 thumb screw models, also prefer them or the heaver and more complex (prone to sticking) 2 + 1 models.

Loyal

When I bought some new prism pole tripods from SECO recently, I bought three units, each with two push-button locking legs and one thumbscrew lock. I swapped the push-button legs on the third tripod for the thumbscrew legs on the other two and so ended up with one tripod with all three legs locking by thumbscrews and two with quick locks.

What I dislike about the newer pole tripods is that SECO abandoned their old design of a split Delrin ring making a ball joint where the pole fit the tripod head. The new design fits poles of all different sizes, but doesn't perform as well.

> I'd say...less than 30 seconds

You're a lot faster than me. My tripod is like Kent's original, with two quick-release clamps, one thumb-screw clamp, and the split Delrin ring. I probably spend 30 seconds just getting the feet well-set in the ground. After that it goes pretty quick, except for the very last bit -- the final tweak of the pole clamp screw always seems to push the bubble out a tad, so I have to release the clamp, re-center the bubble, and clamp again. Sometimes I end up repeating this last step several times before I'm happy with the setup.

Jim

I have the same problem with the 2=1 units, that's why I went to the 3 thumb-screw version. IMO, it's MUCH faster, and right the first time.

Loyal

Thanks for the replies.
I like the alligator clip for Total station backsights but find the shortness of tripod and its lightness a bit wanting for RTK work.
Whilst plenty stable enough for low prism poles, at 2 metres plus GPS it can get bit top heavy for RTK.
I'll make inquiries here on the these.
regards

> I like the alligator clip for Total station backsights but find the shortness of tripod and its lightness a bit wanting for RTK work.
> Whilst plenty stable enough for low prism poles, at 2 metres plus GPS it can get bit top heavy for RTK.

One bit that I find particularly important is the ability of the prism pole tripod to allow the pole, once centered to be freely rotated in it to check the pole level vial adjustment, i.e. that the bubble remains centered while the pole is rotated through the four quadrants. I find the newer designs are more difficult to do that with than the older design with the swivel joint at the head that the pole slid through (basically a split ring of Delprin that was part of the compression lock on the pole and fit into a machining in the tripod head to make the swivel joint.

The newer designs can do it, but the tripod head really has to be pretty close to level for things to work well. If the tripod head isn't level, the pole will tend to leave the ground mark when the clamp at the tripod head is tightened enought to lock the pole into position. That is definitely NOT what one would like.

> basically a split ring of Delprin that was part of the compression lock on the pole

I let you off with a silent warning on the first offense, but now I have to write you a spelling police ticket. There's no "p" in "Delrin."

> I let you off with a silent warning on the first offense, but now I have to write you a spelling police ticket. There's no "p" in "Delrin."

Yes, for some reason "Delrin" just seems a mistaken name for a plastic that "Delprin" satisfactorily corrects. Interestingly, that Delrin ring might well be one of the equivalent plastics not made by DuPont: Celcon, Ramtal, Duracon or Hostaform.

Thanks Kent. I just don't trust bubbles so always carry a 'staff bubble' and check verticality with that.
Another reason is a few years back I had detached retina and it affected my close depth of field. Pole bubbles generally concern me for that reason also.
Parallax or something?
So that side whilst a very good point doesn't feature high for me.