Slik 613CF Lightweight Tripod-Hunting Tripod-Backpacking Tripod
The Slik 613CF carbon fiber tripod is well made and lightweight. If weight and packed dimensions are your chief concerns then this unit should be on your list.
It was nice and windy here today and I wanted to spend some more time with the Slik 613CF tripod in those conditions so Cody and decided to burn some $4.75 a gallon diesel fuel and head up to one of our close in spots. Boy, I love my Dodge Megacab but $160 to fill the tank is crazy. Might be time to go back to a gasser that gets better millage. Anyway, most of my glassing over the years has been done with one of three tripods, the Manfrotto 3001BD, its successor, the Manfrotto 190XV and the Outdoorsman’s Medium.
The old 3001BD is a rock solid war horse that would blow over before it would vibrate from the wind. With the exception of one bad thumb screw, it has been a very good piece of equipment for almost 15 years of hard use. The new 190XV is pretty much the same unit but it is a little sleeker, a little lighter, painted green and shod with quick flip leg locks, which I prefer. At 3 lbs 13 ozs and 58 inches fully extended this three section tripod is the most stable of the bunch and while it could be carried in a pack, it is really more suited for the truck, Ranger or quad.
The Outdoorsman’s decided to make their own lightweight aluminum tripods a few years back and they were immediate hits with anybody that was going remote with all their gear on their backs. My two section model weighs 2 lbs 10 ozs, stands 45 inches tall and also uses flip locks. This is the tripod I have been using the most for the last two seasons and it is my favorite when I am hoofing it. It is made well and I especially like the soft rubber leg tips. This tripod is lightweight but withstands moderate wind with no problems.
The object of my attention today is a carbon fiber, lightweight tripod from Slik. Slik is a new manufacturer to me but it has been around a long time and is highly regarded by many experienced hunters. The 613CF weighs 1 lbs 11 ozs and extends to a little over 47 inches. It has three sections and uses rubber twist lock rings. The tripod is well made and definitely slim and trim. If weight is your primary concern then you will be very happy with this unit. It has to be the lightest, high quality field usable tripod on the market.
However, you need to know a couple things about this tripod. There are compromises that have to be made when you start to push the envelope in terms of weight. This tripod is not as robust as the others mentioned and we did experience some vibration from the wind. Wind conditions today ranged from 15 to 30 miles per hour. There is no weight hook on the bottom of the center tube so you will either have to rig something up or stabilize it by applying down ward pressure yourself. Draping your arms around the top part of the legs and letting them hang or grabbing the center post just under the grip and hanging on it worked just fine. I will say, though, that after a couple hours, those techniques begin to wear on me a little. Soft rubber feet like the ones on the Outdoorsman’s would dampen some of the wind vibration and also keep the legs from sliding. Fans of this tripod tell me that duct tape achieves the same results but I prefer Camoform tape from Tactical Tailor.
So, is there a point of diminishing returns on lightweight tripods? I would say yes but this tripod is not there yet. I think the Slik 613CF is about as lightweight as you can go and still expect satisfactory usability in the field. Is it the best all around tripod I own? No, that title still belongs to the Outdoorsman’s Medium but the Slik 613CF is a very nice specialty piece that I can and will use in certain situations.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
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