Whats the best tripod

by **Bpoolmart** » 19 Jul 2012, 20:55

Been looking for a tripod but there are so many,been looking at the tfg ones,can anyone advice me what to get,looking for one that has got leg supports on and takes 2 rods :sos:

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by **Kev P** » 19 Jul 2012, 21:05

Hi Paul and I did a tripod review earlier this year....

Paul wrote:One of the most important bits of kit you can own is your trusty tripod. For many years Ian golds tripods were the only ones on the market worth considering, but with companies like Shakespeare and IMAX developing their own versions it can be a difficult decision to make especially when buying online with limited photographs to guide you to making the right choice.

We decided we needed to do a guide on exactly what features you are getting for your money. We were very kindly lent 6 tripods (7 including both sizes of the IG supermatch) by Gerrys so we could take a look at each one.

Index
Ian Golds Supermatch
Ian Golds Standard Double
Ian Golds Telescopic
Shakespeare Salt tripod
Ron Thompson Tripod
Imax Blue Beach Tripod

Which tripod should I buy?

Accessories

Ian Golds Supermatch Tripod

The Ian Golds Supermatch tripod is available in two sizes - 6ft and 7ft. This tripod has long been the leader in the market, and with good reason, this tripod will last you a long time. All the plastic fittings are solid and extremely durable.

Pro's
The double head is excellent with no possibility of your rod slipping out of it and can be turned around to face the wind easily. There is very little movement in either the cups or the head.
Comes with a foot plate so you can easily push the rear leg into the sand.

Con's
No leg lock kit included (available as an extra)
Not Adjustable

Ian Golds Standard Double Tripod

A basic, budget tripod. All three legs are round aluminium. Again the fittings are solid and the head is easily adjusted to suit the conditions. This is the perfect tripod for fishing venues requiring a long walk, where the weight of the tripod is of paramount importance!!

Pro's
Lightweight and cheap!!
All plastic fitting are of a high quality
The head has no movement or wobble

Con's
Bottom cups and leg lock kit are extra

Ian Golds Telescopic Tripod

Again with all the Ian golds tripods all the fittings are extremely durable. All the legs on the telescopic version are round and adjustable, making the tripod anywhere from 3-6ft. If you are fishing on rocks or a sloping beach these are great, enabling you to adjust all three legs individually ensuring your pod is level in all situations.

Pro's
Fully adjustable
High quality fittings
Lightweight

Con's
Leg lock kit and bottom cups are extra.

Shakespeare Salt tripod

The shakespeare salt tripod has become very popular, all the legs are fully adjustable from 4-7ft, it comes complete with leg locking kits, and the main leg is an angled sand-spike. It also comes with a bag to transport it in! The front legs adjust by way of a click lok system rather than a screw type lock.

Pro's
Leg lock kit included.
Fully adjustable
Incredibly sturdy, even on concrete - this tripod is going no where!!

Con's
The head is too wide in our opinion. Rod tips are angled progressively further apart when using the bottom cups
Quite heavy compared to others.
Too much wobble in the head

Ron Thompson Tripod

The price of this tripod makes it stand out. At only £30, complete with leg locks and double cups. A great tripod that is sturdy due to the adjustable leglocks. Perfect for those wanting all the features of dearer tripods, without the price tag.

Pro's
The Price!
Fairly lightweight
Adjustable Leglocks and double cups as standard
Very stable.

Con's
The head cups are too shallow.

Imax Blue Beach Tripod

Very similar to the Shakespeare Salt Tripod. However the leg locks slide within themselves (an improvement in our opinion) This tripod is extremely sturdy even on hard surfaces.

Pro's
Extremely stable
Includes leglocks and bottom cups
Fully adjustable on all legs and leglocks.

Con's
The head is a little too shallow, and there is slight wobble in the head.
Relatively heavy.

Which tripod should I buy?

This is a horses for courses situation - Each tripod we looked at has it pros and cons. The main factor to look at when choosing the right tripod is the type of venues you tend to fish.

The Salt and the IMAX blue are extremely stable tripods, particularly if you often fish from breakwaters, piers or jettys. Locking the legs out means there is no possible slip in the legs. Perfect if you fish out of the boot of your car a lot and don't walk very far, but probably a little on the heavy side if you are yomping across fields to get to your marks.

The Ron thompson is similar but slightly lighter. A decent enough tripod for the money, however probably not as durable as others that fall into the same category.

Within the Ian Golds Range the Telescopic and Standard tripods are great for travelling light. If you often fish rock marks where the ground is really uneven, the telescopic version will probably be the one to go for, allowing to to set your tripod to the correct height and level in all situations.

Ian golds supermatch tripods are made using high quality components so if you fish a lot, spending the extra might be worthwhile. These tripods will last you a long time. They are sturdy when beach fishing and there is absolutely no movement in the head or bottom cups. Weight wise they fall somewhere in the middle of all the ones we looked at. If you fish from hard standing as well as beaches the leglock kits are a worthwhile investment.

Accessories

Ian Golds Tracebar

These are really handy. Spare rigs are easily hung from the clips, ready for your next cast. They also add a little stability to the front legs of your tripod!!

Ian Golds Leg lock kit

The addition of leglocks massively increases stability, particularly on hard surfaces. These fit most tripods.

AnyfishAnywhere BaitPak

The AFAW bait pak's are brilliant bits of kit - really simple idea, but it works!! We did a review on the Baitpaks a little while ago - Link to BaitPak Review
Keeps your bait pristine, and there's enough room for a few bits and bobs too. Perfect for fishing low water marks.

IMAX rubber bait tray

A great addition to most tripods. Handy rubberised tray incorporated into a leg locking kit! Adds stability to most tripods. Again ideal for holding all those bits and bobs whilst fishing low water marks

Many thanks to Gerrys for loaning us all the tripods and accessories we looked at.

.

by **liphook** » 20 Jul 2012, 14:52

I've had the Ian Golds for 20 years and it's still going strong so definately one of my best buys ever. I'd recomend the Parker leg lock as its made from ali bar not plastic.

by **daz blackpool** » 20 Jul 2012, 17:37

Bpoolmart wrote:Been looking for a tripod but there are so many,been looking at the tfg ones,can anyone advice me what to get,looking for one that has got leg supports on and takes 2 rods

what ever you can afford and the best for your fishing needs bud you can spend a fortune but it will be no use if you go rock hopping as too heavy think what fishing you do and that will cut the field down by half

by **Bpoolmart** » 28 Jul 2012, 19:34

I've been looking at the shakespeare tripods but found out they are heavy to be carrying round?Like the look of the ian golds one as they come with leg locking kit as standard,anyone know were i can get one of these :victory:

by **sharpey** » 28 Jul 2012, 20:16

I got the blue iMax (?) one at Gerry's?? Reasonable price, leg locking, takes two rods, and I can carry it about and I'm old ......

by **Pugsie** » 28 Jul 2012, 21:56

Ian golds super match alday long lad.

by **Pugsie** » 28 Jul 2012, 21:57

Bpoolmart wrote:I've been looking at the shakespeare tripods but found out they are heavy to be carrying round?Like the look of the ian golds one as they come with leg locking kit as standard,anyone know were i can get one of these

Gerrys mate bowt £40

by **Paul** » 29 Jul 2012, 11:29

Bpoolmart wrote:Like the look of the ian golds one as they come with leg locking kit as standard

don't think the Ian golds come with leg lock as standard mate...sure they are extra

by **Pugsie** » 29 Jul 2012, 15:25

Paul wrote:
Bpoolmart wrote:Like the look of the ian golds one as they come with leg locking kit as standard

don't think the Ian golds come with leg lock as standard mate...sure they are extra

£9.99 i think i paid for mine they don't come standerd