I am curious about who currently makes Poles/Pole Bipods/Pole tripods? Obviously SECO and Dutch Hill, any others? A lot of brands sell poles with their name on them (Leica, Trimble, Topcon, etc.), but I suspect all come from the same few actual manufacturers? My experience a few years back with SECO bipods was less than good, and I never was a fan of the Dutch Hill instrument tripods either, my track record while admittedly dated hasn't been a good experience with either of those brands, hopefully they have both improved a lot...
I am on the hunt for a quality pole tripod (not a bipod), preferably carbon fiber to accessorize a new Leica branded carbon fiber rover rod I scored in the used marketplace for about 20% of new price and this thing looks brand new. I am guessing Leica didn't make this pole either. Leica does NOT sell any branded bipods or tripods for the carbon fiber 1.25" diameter poles. All of their pole supports are only for the old 1" diameter poles, good stuff, I wished they supported 1.25" poles too.
As far as I can tell, SECO does NOT make a pole tripod with the newer No-Crush Head. Still trying to determine if Dutch Hill offers their version they call "pole saver" on the pole tripods. Both brands offer the anti crush clamping systems on pole bi-pods, but I am not a fan of bi-pods when I need to collect static data, too unstable.
So what is out there today that you would recommend?
SHG
Take a look at Hixon Mfg. They make their own poles, bipods and fixed height tripods.
@gene-kooper thanks, totally forgot about them! Looks like they only have a SECO pole tripod on their site (:
SHG
I want a new bipod. They all seem to come from the same place... China.
Any brand difference? Or is it all label difference?
Thx
N
@nate-the-surveyor that is more or less what I am asking here, I know there are a couple brands, but I think the rest might just be label difference?
SHG
I've never had problems with the seco bipods.?ÿ Actually, even when I used ones that people said were broken I've found they mostly work fine.?ÿ I think guys mash the buttons on them like a gorilla and they don't work well when you do that.
@bstrand my issue with at least older ones is they seemed to need pretty regular cleaning, a Leica one I bought years ago has never needed anything, SECO stuff is not built to Leica standards for sure. Unfortunately Leica only makes and sells pole bipods and tripods for 1" diameter poles, they don't have same for even their own 1.25" carbon fiber poles, otherwise I already know what I would get. So now I am looking for best of the rest and hopefully with the "pole saver" clamping, so far I haven't been able to verify if anyone puts that feature on the pole tripods.
SHG
@nate-the-surveyor I believe your analysis of the problem to be just that easy.
I have an over supply of triprods and tribracs to use
I'm not looking at anything to give me a sense of the logistics but is there any way to put/McGyver the clamp you want on the pole tripod that you want?
Licensed Land Surveyor
Finger Lakes Region, Upstate New York
@dms330 maybe, I mean bailing wire or twine and duct tape is an option 🙂 I have confirmed that Dutch Hill does NOT make a pole saver version of their pole tripod. While I am not a fan of bipods for static setups, that is probably what I will do for now in a pole saver version from one of the 2-3 choices.
@nate-the-surveyor I am told that the Dutch Hill ones are USA made, but have not confimed.
SHG
@dms330 maybe, I mean bailing wire or twine and duct tape is an option 🙂 I have confirmed that Dutch Hill does NOT make a pole saver version of their pole tripod. While I am not a fan of bipods for static setups, that is probably what I will do for now in a pole saver version from one of the 2-3 choices.
There you go!?ÿ Just summon your inner Red Green.
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Licensed Land Surveyor
Finger Lakes Region, Upstate New York
@shelby-h-griggs-pls?ÿ Although it's obvious that Dutch Hill equipment is not made by the same Chinese that make the other surveying equipment; alas, they are also made in China.
After poking around , I see what you mean. You would think everyone would have a sturdy lightweight fixed height GPS tripod. Looks like SECO has cornered the market. I am still using the Allen Precision branded ones I got in 2008. They aren't fancy or skinny, but they are lightweight, still work great and look exactly like the SECO economy ones before they became fancy and cooler looking (attached). I coated them with a dry lubricant spray, which helped a bunch.
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@shelby-h-griggs-pls?ÿ ?ÿIf you DO get the Dutch Hill version of a bipod pole saver, please post your review.
