Best lightweight compact tripod heads for birding spotting scopes

Opting for a lighter tripod head could mean a compromise. What is convenient to lose in size and weight might lead to less stable views or a loss of image quality.

Are there any tripod heads that manage to maintain a good degree of stability while being smaller and less heavy? We’ve identified some potentials. Let’s take a look…

Quick comparison: best lightweight compact tripod heads for birding spotting scopes

SIRUI VA-5 Fluid Video Head

A popular birding option due to its silky movements in tandem with a light and compact form.

Best overall compact tripod head

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Manfrotto 128RC Micro Fluid Tripod Head

Mighty support despite its ‘micro’ moniker! A pan and tilt head featuring a fixed counterbalance.

Best value compact tripod head

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When do you need a lightweight compact tripod head?

This article will be especially helpful for those people who are looking for a lightweight or compact tripod kit suitable for:

• Use with a compact spotting scope, up to 65mm objective lens
• Use with a medium power spotting scope (20x to 60x)
• Use with an angled spotting scope (less height required)
• Travel
• Backpacking
• Trekking or hiking
• Bird watching overseas
• Easy to pack and transport
• Carry-on to take on a plane
• People of shorter height or slight build

How to choose a lightweight compact tripod head for birding spotting scopes

For general advice when choosing a tripod head for birding, we have this article: How to choose a tripod head for a spotting scope

Advantages of a tripod head designed for travel

The benefit of a compact, micro or travel tripod head is that it is smaller than usual heads, making it more easily packable and less cumbersome to carry.

For those bird watchers who are traveling on a plane or other public transport, it’s likely that the tripod legs and head will need to be totally contained within the luggage. This is where a more portable tripod head is a bonus.

If you’re pondering how to pack your tripod kit when traveling abroad there is some advice here: Can I carry a tripod on a plane?

Main criteria for top compact tripod heads for birding spotting scopes

The best compact travel tripod head needs to be both lightweight and small. Budget makes a difference because the more you spend, the lighter the head is likely to be.

However, a very light tripod head is at risk of instability. It’s important to find a travel tripod head that combines lightweight with sturdiness.

You need your tripod head to combine well with the tripod legs, and to withstand disturbance from the elements and uneven ground.

In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best compact and lightweight tripod heads available to support birding spotting scopes. Whether you want a small tripod head that’s easy to pack, or a compact model that can still support heavier scopes, the heads here will provide options.

Reviews: the best lightweight compact tripod heads for birding

Equipped with an overview of the key features to look out for in an effective tripod head, let’s look in depth at which models might be suitable for you.

Best overall lightweight compact tripod head for birding spotting scopes

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Sirui VA-5 fluid video head Overview

When searching for a tripod head packable enough to take on longer distance birding adventures – or when you are just keen to lighten your load overall, check out this lightweight gem.

Sirui has a good range of products and this is also a good choice. Even at the low weight of 1.3 pounds it can cope with a payload more than four times its own weight.

The maximum payload is specified as going up to 6.6 pounds. We would try to stay shy of this limit for optimum views and stability, though.

Holds scopes motionless using the counterbalance system

The VA5’s spring-assisted counterbalance feature helps to keep front-heavy spotting scopes in position. It also tempers the tilt movement for those larger optics, ensuring good control and smoothness.

Both the pan function and the tilt have separate controls. So the scope can be kept still on one axis and move smoothly along the other. The location of the pan release could be better. It’s not too difficult to get used to but less intuitive.

Easy alignment using both bubble levels

For simple set-up, there are two bubble levels. It’s possible to attach the easy-grip rubberized panning lever on to whichever side of the tripod head best suits you. And it can be pointed either towards or away from the user.

Simple, secure, solid – and as light and compact as they come. The VA-5 will work well in a range of birding situations.

Even with its small dimensions, Sirui’s compact offering is not the cheapest option. But for many birders it can represent a sound investment in space- and weight-saving.

Best value lightweight compact tripod head for birding spotting scopes

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Manfrotto 128RC Micro Fluid Tripod Head Overview

The 128 is another of the most sought-after tripod heads for use with spotting scopes. Let’s look at the reasons why.

Despite its moniker of ‘micro’ the 128 is a sturdy option. It’s heavier than the Sirui VA-5, weighing 2.2 pounds. But the Manfrotto 128 can cope with higher loads, up to 13.2 pounds.

The whole thing feels really secure – both in its attachment to the plate and to the scope itself. The 128 is available with a standard attachment or a quick release format. This is the RC plate, which has a lock on it to prevent accidental release if you knock it.

Safety lock keeps scopes secure

So there’s no worry about the safety of your precious optics. But it’ll work best when heavier spotting scopes are appropriately balanced otherwise you’re risking some slippage in the tilt.

You can pan and tilt independently using the 11-inch handle, as there are separate locks for each.

There is sufficient control of the tension, but possibly not quite the precise tension control that some people might prefer. Only about one turn of the dial takes you from really loose to lock position.

Drag control adjustable – to a certain degree

This is a significant reduction in the fineness of drag control in comparison to say one of Manfrotto’s other heads, such as the 500AH. If this is an important enough feature to you to step up in size and weight, it might be worth checking out our review of the 500AH as well. This can be found here: Best heavy duty tripod heads (good for big scopes or wind!)

Fluid pan and tilt movements

With the two fluid cartridges, the gliding smoothness makes it a pleasure to pan, though, and up and down movements are good too.

A tiny feature that it could benefit from that some other heads do include is a bubble level to check alignment.

Some tripod legs have this built-in, though. If you can do without this on the head, however, for a birding spotting scope the 128 does the job well.

With this Manfrotto tripod head you are getting top design at an affordable price and a convenient size. It can be easily combined with a sturdy tripod for the best views.

Other options for a very good value tripod head, this article might be of interest >> The best value tripod heads for spotting scopes

Best lightweight compact tripod head for birding spotting scopes if money is no object

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Manfrotto MHXPRO-2W 2-Way Pan/Tilt Tripod Head Overview

This tripod is designed for birders who want a lightweight and compact option without sacrificing quality or features. Its load capacity of 8.8 pounds works for a good range of spotting scopes.

The construction, mainly of hard plastic, means that it weighs only 1.7 pounds and is very small. The XPro will add 3.9 inch of height to your tripod legs.

Quick-release options

The built-in quick release (QR) plate has a ¼ 20 attachment. This makes setting up a breeze, so you can start viewing in no time. There’s a ⅜ inch tripod attachment to just screw it onto the plate on the top of the tripod legs.

The panning handle will attach onto either side of the head in a few seconds. There’s a bubble level on the tripod head.

Separate pan and tilt locks let you adjust along each axis independently. With varying fluidity tilt levels that allow you to add or remove resistance to the motion, there’s the potential to feel totally in control of the spotting scope.

Controllable resistance levels on the tilt

This means you are able to reposition the spotting scope as quickly or slowly as you prefer, or follow birds in flight. Tilting can be done forwards to 90 degrees or 60 upwards.

Movement is very smooth due to its dual fluid cartridges. This smoothness compares favorably to another of Manfrotto’s lightweight options, the BeFree.

A more apparent fluidity on this XPro is the reason we have included it in this list rather than the BeFree, which is also popular.

Manfrotto also offer the XPRO in a three-way format, a review of which is included in this round-up: The best three-way tripod heads for birding

Which is the best lightweight compact tripod head for birding spotting scopes? Sorted!

Choosing a tripod head can be a challenge. Especially when you want to lose some weight and bulk, but keep the overall stability of your tripod set-up.

We have suggested some tripod heads that manage to strike a good balance between their compactness and their effectiveness and steadiness.

There are also options of lightweight compact tripod kits, which include the tripod legs as well as the head. If buying one of these complete sets sounds like a good choice for you, feel free to refer to our guide here >>> The best lightweight compact tripod kits (top for travel)

For further assistance in choosing a tripod head for birding, our in-depth round-up of the best tripod heads is here

>>> The best tripod heads for birding spotting scopes