Glassing Tripods

Yes. Spartan tripods are designed to support your optics and rifle from the same platform. Glass with binoculars or a spotting scope, then switch to rifle support when you need it. Our attachment systems were developed around this approach, and it’s exactly how we recommend using them in the field.

The idea comes from hunting in the mountains, where everything you carry has to earn its place. A separate support system for glassing adds weight and bulk that has to follow you up every climb. One Spartan tripod can do both jobs, keeping your setup lighter without giving up dependable support for either your optics or rifle.

There is no single best glassing tripod. The right choice depends on where you hunt, the optics you use, and how you prefer to glass. Some hunters spend hours seated behind a spotting scope, others need the height to glass while standing, while mountain hunters may prioritize keeping weight and packed size to a minimum.

The Springbok is a strong choice for mobile glassing when low carry weight and quick setup matter. The compact Hoplite is particularly well suited to glassing from lower positions on steep mountain terrain, although its smaller size limits standing height. The Ascent offers the widest range of glassing positions, with enough adjustment for prone, seated, and standing observation, plus removable legs that double as trekking poles. For heavier spotting scopes, long-range observation, or situations where maximum support behind the glass and rifle is the priority, the Hercules provides a more rigid platform, with additional carry weight as the trade-off. 

Think about the terrain you cover, your preferred glassing position, and the optics you use most. The right tripod should give you the support and height you need without adding unnecessary weight to your pack.

Start by bringing the optics to you, not the other way around. Set your tripod so your binoculars or spotting scope sit naturally at eye level without forcing you to lean forward, hunch over, or hold an awkward position. A properly adjusted tripod takes the weight of the optics and keeps the image steady, leaving you free to concentrate on picking apart the terrain.

Your glassing position matters just as much. Standing gives you additional visibility when you need to see over vegetation or cover more ground, while seated or prone positions can be more comfortable when you’re staying behind the glass for longer. Adjust the tripod to the terrain and settle into a position you can maintain without unnecessary movement. The less you have to support, hold, or continually reposition your optics, the easier it is to stay focused during extended glassing sessions.

Mounting optics to a Spartan tripod starts with choosing the right adapter for what you carry. For spotting scopes and other threaded optics, we offer both a Light Duty Optics Adapter and a Heavy Duty Optics Adapter. The Light Duty version weighs just 0.2oz / 5g and is designed for lighter optics with a standard 1/4"-20 thread, while the Heavy Duty version provides a more substantial platform for larger spotting scopes and works with both 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 threads. 

For binoculars, our Binocular Tripod Adapter provides a dedicated low-profile mount that stays compact enough to fit inside your bino harness. It is compatible with Spartan Hoplite, Ascent Tripods, and Davros Heads. Once mounted to your tripod, it enables hands-free viewing, taking the weight out of your hands and keeping your binoculars steady while you glass. The adapter then stays with your binoculars, ready to connect with the same modular Spartan system throughout the hunt.

Not sure which adapter works with your glassing and hunting setup? Take a look through our Spartan adapter range or get in touch with our team. Tell us what equipment you're running and one of our experts will help you put together the right setup.