VECTOR OPTICS RSCF-T02 Carbon Tripod

The brand VECTOR OPTICS will probably already be a familiar name for many and is primarily known as a manufacturer of riflescopes and other optics. However, VECTOR OPTICS also includes several other brands, each with its own products. Under the brand name ROKSTAD, for example, there is a selection of various tripods, and in this article, our good friend MAJOR FINDING takes a closer look at the Carbon Fiber Ground Tripod RSCF-T02.

Applications and Technical Data

Tripods provide not only useful support in photography and videography but also in wildlife observation, hunting, and of course precision shooting with long guns. Typically, one prefers tripods that are compact and lightweight while being able to support as much weight as possible – the RSCF-T02 meets these requirements.

Thanks to the leg design with four segments, the height can be adjusted smoothly between 58.5 cm and 170 cm. The legs can be locked in three different positions, allowing further variation of height and support area. The base of the tripod is made of aluminum and is skeletonized – this is not only aesthetically pleasing but also contributes to reducing overall weight.

And due to the legs being made of carbon, you end up with a very lightweight yet sturdy tripod. With a weight of 2.23 kg, the RSCF-T02 can carry up to 35 kg of equipment.

Features and Details

The tripod features a fixed leveling head made of skeletonized aluminum, which can tilt up to 15° in all directions. Both 1/4" and 3/8" attachments can be connected to it, and on the underside of the leveling head, there is a hook that can be weighted for further stabilization of the tripod, or you can simply hang a backpack on it.

According to the manufacturer, the hook can carry up to 35 kg of weight - however, since the total weight limit of the tripods is also 35 kg, we personally recommend not to overload the hook to its maximum.

Both the leveling head and the base have built-in bubble levels, and the base of the tripod is additionally equipped with a 1/4" thread for attaching further equipment. Here, they did not opt for a cheap solution and simply cut a thread into the aluminum; instead, a steel thread has been installed – which is a significantly more valuable option.

The main diameter of the legs is 34 mm, and two of the three legs are coated with grippy foam. At the ends of the legs are non-slip rubber feet, which have integrated spikes that can emerge when the rubber feet are screwed in – a very practical solution. Lastly, the legs have vent holes, allowing them to be extended and retracted smoothly. 

Third-Party Accessories

In principle, you can use any type of camera or observation equipment that has the appropriate thread with this tripod configuration – it is more practical, however, with a suitable mount. For this purpose, we tested a simple clamp mount from SIRUI, which meets most requirements. 

If you have a long gun or other equipment with a Picatinny rail, you can easily complete the setup with a suitable adapter. A possible option here is the Picatinny/Arca adapter from LEOFOTO, which has also functioned perfectly in our previous tests.

RSRH-02 - 56 mm Ball Head

If you want to fully utilize the tripod's potential, you should complement it with the matching 56 mm ball head – also from ROKSTAD. 

The RSRH-02 is built very solidly with a moderate weight of 765 grams, and with its maximum load capacity of 30 kg, it is the perfect complement to this tripod. Cameras, spotters, as well as our fully equipped Strasser RS700, this ball head manages easily. 

And as a final bonus, the ball head also features a dual mount, accommodating both ARCA and Picatinny rails.

Conclusion

The VECTOR OPTICS / ROKSTAD Carbon Fiber RSCF-T02 is not only a solid but also an affordable tripod that meets practically all requirements. The quality is convincing, as is the attention evidently paid to the many small details.
When using the tripod, one gets the impression that someone has actually put thought into the design and construction. The only minor issue we noticed is that the leveling head can occasionally be a bit stiff due to the skeleton structure and the resulting reduced contact area with the base. 
For the price of around 450 €, it will certainly be quite difficult to find a comparable carbon fiber tripod with so many features that is also so excellently crafted.

It is available VECTOR OPTICS / ROKSTAD Carbon Fiber RSCF-T02, for example, at VECTOR OPTICS Germany from 449 euros.

This article was written by our good friend MAJOR FINDING.

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