Name: Vortex Optics Summit SS-P Aluminum Tripod Kit, Includes Carry Case, 3-Way Pan Head, Quick-Release Plate
Brand: Vortex Optics
SKU: VORST5
Price: 149.99 USD
Availability: Discontinued
Rating: 4 (25 reviews)

Vortex Optics Summit SS-P Aluminum Tripod Kit, Includes Carry Case, 3-Way Pan Head, Quick-Release Plate

Vortex Optics ST-5

Vortex Optics

Vortex Optics 5-section Aluminum Tripod with QR 3-Way Pan Head - Black

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Vortex Optics ST-5 

33% Off: Vortex Optics Summit SS-P Aluminum Tripod Kit, Includes Carry Case, 3-Way Pan Head, Quick-Release Plate Buy now & save $75. Closed Length: 10.1" to 15", Color: Black, Leg Sections: 5, Maximum Extended Height: 50.1" to 55"

I called to inquire about parts for a discontinued tripod. I was expecting to be sold an updated pan head to fix my issue. Instead, I was told that parts are available through the VIP Warranty program, and they would be mailed out immediately for no cost! Wow, that is the type of business model that will keep me as a loyal customer. Thank you

Customer Service Superstars!

I have used this tripod for 7 years and over that time have learned what I like and don't like in supporting an optics system, owning this unit has been rewarding and educational. A great intermediate unit to learn about what my wants and needs are when hunting various game in varied terrain. As I look for a new setup, my experience using this pod and bino/spotter system will help me select hopefully as high a preforming system with most if not all the same features that will last as long, if not longer. The tilt/pan head is functional but gotten coarser as it's aged. The adaptor plates are secure and having more than one is advisable. The mast and twist lock legs work well and offer good support and adjustability for light to medium weighted optics; keeping them lightly lubed has been beneficial. The fasteners/locking mechanisms have remained serviceable but are showing wear and starting to slip or stick. The rubber feet have been grippy and stable, there maybe better metal toothed types that bite into rock but I haven't noticed or needed them. The weight has been manageable and when I try to go lighter for an out-trip and leave it behind, I regret not bearing the weight and carrying this unit. This is a really good training and exploration unit that for the price is going to educate you as to what you like or don't and won't fail you catastrophically ever in and of itself, the only time it's failed me is when I've failed to bring it along.

small but mighty rig

I bought this about 2 years and so far it has held with several hours of use and walking miles while hunting in the woods. Like every item I buy or make I practice using it at the house and locally on the trail. It is light and so its obvious that it cannot support lots of weight. Especially with the legs extended out. It also can be affected by the wind if not weighted down. I carry a small bungee, wrap it around a rock and hook it to the weight hook. Problem solved. The use of the legs and adjustment seems simple to me but I can understand why they can be frustrating. Again there is a reason I practice with its use and become familiar with its operations. Is not perfect for sure but does the job and Id rather have the light weight. Is just me. My hunting partner is the person that says he doesn't care about the 1/2 pound here and there. We carry the same items just different types but carry the same pack. His is 12.6 pounds heavier....but he is younger.

Its does the job but takes some practice

I love this tripod, but I cannot get plates for it.

Great design, bad fixture head.

Tough to criticize vortex.  They are awesome in so many ways! However, the Summit SS-P tripod is not good.  From the non-locking leg mechanism, the non-tightening adjustability of the spotting scope angles with the short control arm, to its bulky head non-folding compact design, it's very frustrating to use.  I understand Vortex tried to achieve more backcountry convenience with the robustness of a standard tripod in mind, however this tripod fails miserably when on top of the mountain.  I've given it a year but can honestly say I regretted buying it during each use.

Not user friendly

Lightweight and functions flawlessly! If you have trouble with the legs not locking maybe its time to set the purse down and use that wrist strength youve been gaining in your moms basement. My only question is, do you make a column extension so it is able to be used while standing?

Awesome tripod! Highly recommend!

I use this for my spotting scope when hunting however as a photographer I also put it to duty as my travel tripod and in this roll it is outstanding. I have used it with my Hasselblad 500CM, Canon EOS 1V and also Canon 5D Mkiii all with heavy pro-glass and this is at the upper end of the tripods load limits. Like all lightweight tripods it does have vibration and you have to change your shooting techniques (eg. mirror up) to overcome this however this tripod is less than 1kg, short enough to fit in most camera bags and super quick to deploy, it is the tripod that I have with me more times than not for these reasons. No lightweight tripod is perfect but Vortex went super close with this one once you accept the lightweight downsides that all lightweight tripods at this price point.

Best travel tripod

Just recently used this tripod on a 5 day sheep hunt. The weight was nice and the pan head seemed smooth. I wish the twist lock legs were flick locks. The twist lock makes it difficult to extend the legs evenly. Now the real pain..the base plate is horrible and won’t stay tight with my vortex spotter making it almost useless on my hunt. I was barely able to use my new Vortex spotter I bought for this hunt. My hunting partners $40 Amazon tripod out performed my $200 Vortex one! :(

Base plate is awful

I purchased the SS tripod to mount my kaibab HD on during the archary hunt. While the Kaibab HDs were incredible the tripod was the opposite. It is skinny, flimsy, and the one of the pieces insight the leg busted on the third week of the hunt. While the tripod could still function, I had to be cautious not to extend it too far or the third section of the leg would slide right out. Also, when the legs were more wide spread they would bend inward barely supporting the weight and one wrong move would snap a leg easily. I expected it to be somewhat like this because of the weight but it is a very fragile tripod for the price. The sliding mechanism that allows the legs to widen out were poorly made and were very difficult to extend. Not smooth and tricky to get the legs in the position i wanted them due to this feature.

Didn't last one full archery season

I purchased this after having tried 2 different tripods from Amazon.  Amazing tripod and just the right height for shooting off a table.  This is a table top tripod but setups nicely next to the table and stable.

Great Range Tripod

Bought a couple years ago to replace a bit larger Manfrotto, thankfully I didn't sell the Manfrotto. This tripod is definitely light and fits in a pack nicely. It pans fairly smoothly but is tough to keep on target when you lock it down. The quick release plate is a bit sloppy and if you're not careful a spotting scope will drop forward if not locked down. Never had an issue with the legs not locking but it is tough for them to extend in sequence. Save a bit more and buy a Manfrotto, slik, outdoorsman and get a fluid head. Just my 2 cents.

Compact and light but that's about it.

After reading tons of reviews I was considering making the heavy investment into the outdoorsman trip, however, I really just couldn't justify dropping that amount of money on a tripod. When evaluating comparisons in this price range, the Summit is a reliable tool that is easy to lug around.

Great tripod for the money

I use this tripod on all of my backcountry hunts. I love how the legs adjust and how simple it is to set up.

Great tripod

I have been running this tripod for a couple years now for glassing with my Razor HD 10x42 binos, and my Razor HD 11-33x50 spotter.  It is a nice lightweight tripod, which is what I wanted, but with that, it can be affected by the wind a bit even with the lightweight optics I use.  I am a small guy, so the height does not bother me, but I could see how someone taller could potentially have issues.  The panhead is easy to adjust and makes for super smooth glassing.  The legs telescope fine and long as you take care of it and try not to fill it with mud.  Overall I have been quite pleased, and plan on continuing to use it for quite a while.

Great tripod for the weight

I have a Bunch of Vortex products (3 binos, 1 spotter, 1 rifle scope, 1 red dot, 1 rangefinder and have loved them all, until I got the Summit-SS Tripod. The twist lock legs are a poor design and DO NOT stay locked. The base plate comes loose, causing my spotter to spin. It pans nice and smooth, but when I try to lock it down it moves, making it difficult to impossible to center your target in the viewer. My brother has the Pro GT and likes it, I may have to switch (if Cabelas will take this Summit back).

First Vortex Disappointment

I own the Pro GT tripod, which is excellent, but I wanted something a little lighter and shorter so I bought the Summit. It's an OK tripod, but I have a few quibbles:

1) The Summit uses a different hot shoe (base plate) than the Pro, so if you own both you need two binocular adapters or you need to switch one binocular adapter back and forth between the two base plates. Likewise, you'll have to switch the two base plates back and forth on your spotting scope depending on which tripod you want to pack.

2) The Vortex binocular adapter has a rectangular recess that's perfectly fitted for the rectangular base plate of the Summit, BUT, when you install them together properly it puts the head handle at a 90 degree angle. So, the function that would normally control the pitch of the binoculars controls the roll, so you have to install the binocular adapter at a ninety degree angle to the base plate.

3) I wish Vortex would have put the head from the Pro GT on the Summit. I understand that this may be a trade off between weight and cost, but the Pro GT head is a step above the head on the Summit. The head on the Summit isn't bad, but it's a slight (noticeable) downgrade after using the Pro GT head.

I dislike a few of their design choices

I bought a pair of crossfire 10x42 binoculars in Sept.liked the binos. so much that I bought a Summit SS-P tripod last week the second time I put the binoculars in the case it fell right thru the case, not much of a case its just a vinyl bag.Still Iam very satisfied.

very satisfied

I bought this Tripod to run my 15x’s on.  I was worried that they may be to light to hold them sturdy.  They had no problem and fit in my pack perfectly.

Fits in my pack perfectly

I bought this to steady my camera up a bit.  Was great for 6 months and now when i lock the pan head up it still turns no matter how tight i get it.  If you use a camera you need a tripod

Great to begin with

I've had this tripod for about 6 months and I've used it on both binoculars and a spotting scope. The tripod is light and easy to use, but it is short. With the angled spotting scope you won't even notice but the tripod is impossible to use for a straight spotting scope or binoculars while standing for anyone over 5'10". You should consider that before purchase.

Very light tripod ideal for glassing while sitting

Works great for lightweight setups and is very packable. It is easy on the back and plenty stable. Does not extend to a standing height but is great for seated glassing session

Lightweight and stable

I was left feeling disappointed with the Summit SS-P tripod. For its weight, it's pretty sturdy when used from lower/seated positions. It extends to your desired height fairly quickly and easily and the pan head rotates 10x nocs smoothly. 
My problem was with the hardware loosening on hikes and the play in the baseplate adaptor. I know the hardware issue can be fixed with some Loctite, but this product simply did not hold up on a multi-day hunt. At different points of a week-long hunt, I lost the pan head handle, the bag hook and the female baseplate adaptor. All due to loosening while hiking in and out of my spots. Thankfully, I was able to find the handle and adaptor or I would have been left with a useless tripod. The baseplate and female adaptor should be one piece or it should be machined to fit much more snug. Moral of the story is, this'll be my truck tripod. If I were to do this over, I would spend the extra dollars and pick up one of the two higher-end tripod options by Vortex or I'd go with another brand, entirely.

Expected a Little More

This tripod is awesome and i love how lightweight and small it is makes a great backpacking tripod. Extends to the perfect height for me when using my spotting scope. I use it with my Razor HD 26-65x85 which is a little big for it when there is wind but the hook on the bottom helps to stabilize it. Typical Vortex = great quality

Lightweight and sleek

The tripod is super light, the head moves smoothly with a ton of adjustment and works in all conditions I had it in. My issues is with the twist lock legs. The twist locks made it difficult to get the legs to extend evenly, and it always seemed like one side never wanted to lock. I cant count how many times I went to put my binos or spotting scope of and one of the legs would collapse. I found myself not using the tripod as much because of this. set up and tear down was not as easy as a flip lock. If you need to save some weight this is the tripod for you. If you can spare an extra half pound then I would go with a flip lock for the ease of set up and tear down. You will never have to wonder if the legs are locked

Light, functions well, but has drawbacks

I bought this to go in my backpack while hunting in Arizona and it collapses smaller then I had hoped for and takes very little space. It holds up my 15x50 vipers very good