New Product Highlight: Zeiss Pro-Series Tripods

Tripods are kind of like shooting bags. Most gun owners don’t use them, but once you do it’s impossible to go back to the way you used to shoot.

The new trio of Zeiss Pro-Series carbon fiber tripods have you covered for glassing, shooting, and otherwise stretching your limits with a rifle.

I got my hands on a Pro-Series Universal tripod, and I’ve been extremely impressed so far. The materials, fit and finish, and features are top-notch – but let’s get into specifics.

Zeiss Pro-Series Lightweight Tripod Specs & Features

Specs

• Material: Carbon fiber
• Leg Sections: 3
• Leg Diameters: 28/25/22 mm
• Leg Angles: 24/55/85 degrees
• Leg Locks: Twist locks
• Maximum Height: 69”
• Maximum Load: 88 lbs
• Weight: 4.6 lbs

Features

• Suitable for binoculars and spotting scopes
• 10-ply carbon fiber legs
• Removable center column

First up is the Pro-Series Lightweight tripod. This one is built for optics ranging from binoculars to heavy spotting scopes like the range-topping Zeiss Harpia.

Three-piece legs let it fold up nicely so you can strap it to your pack. One-touch tabs let you pick from three angles (24, 55, and 85 degrees) to achieve the right balance of height and stability. They’re made from 10 layers of carbon fiber for high rigidity and low weight. Carbon fiber also tends to stay warmer than aluminum if you shoot in cold weather.

The removable center column adds a bit of available height, and comes with a hook where you can hang ballast to gain stability. 

The Arca-Swiss head lets you mount a spotting scope directly, and Zeiss includes an adapter for optics and cameras that use a 1/4-20 threaded mount. The handle is removable.

It’s a well-made, complete package with a few subtle touches that make this tripod stand out. 

There are bubble levels on the tripod and the head. The head-mounted level is the easiest to see, but the one underneath works even if you remove the head.

A 360-degree ring on the base of the head got me particularly excited. It might not always be that useful on your own, but it can be a big help when working as a team. Imagine working as a spotter and talking your shooter onto a target. Giving a compass heading (once you orient these rings properly) is a lot faster than describing terrain features.

Zeiss Pro-Series Universal Tripod Specs & Features

Specs

• Material: Carbon fiber
• Leg Sections: 3
• Leg Diameters: 36/32/28 mm
• Leg Angles: 24/55/85 degrees
• Leg Locks: Twist locks
• Maximum Height: 73”
• Maximum Load: 132 lbs
• Weight: 6.1 lbs

Features

• Suitable for optics and rifles
• 10-ply carbon fiber legs
• Removable center column 

The Pro-Series Universal tripod is the Goldilocks of the group. It’s lightweight and portable, but stable enough to shoot from.

It’s similar to the Lightweight tripod, but with beefier legs for a burly 132-pound weight limit. Bring on the heavy precision rifles!

This one is overkill for a dedicated glassing tripod, but it’s perfect for people who want one do-it-all system. The tradeoff is a 1.5-pound increase in weight.

Zeiss Pro-Series Max-Duty Tripod Specs & Features

Specs

• Material: Carbon fiber
• Leg Sections: 3
• Leg Diameters: 44/40/36 mm
• Leg Angles: 24/55/85 degrees
• Leg Locks: Twist locks
• Maximum Height: 67.9”
• Maximum Load: 154 lbs
• Weight: 9 lbs

Features

• Suitable for precision shooting
• Choice of two ball head attachments
• Matrix-pattern carbon fiber legs

At the top of the food chain is the aptly named Pro-Series Max-Duty tripod.

The legs are thicker, the carbon fiber is more advanced, and you get to choose from two ball heads to suit your style.

Sure, there’s a comma in the price tag, but that’s the cost of entry into the world of professional-grade precision shooting gear.

No matter which one you pick, Zeiss offers an impressive suite of compatible accessories. Choose from ball heads, a rifle clamp, a rock bag for stability, a multi-device rail, and several optic mounting solutions.

Zeiss doesn’t list an MSRP for the Max-Duty tripod, but I’ve seen retail prices starting at $699 for the Universal, $799 for the Lightweight, $1,299 for the Max-Duty.

What do you think of the new Zeiss Pro-Series Max-Duty tripod? Let us know below. For more great long-range gear, check out our guide to the Best Sniper & Precision Rifles for Beginners!