I switched over also and have two, small high quality packable compact spotting scopes, Leupold Gold Ring compact 15 x 30 x 50mm, 11" , 21.5 oz . the tripod on this one is a full length aluminum Velbon with a pan head with adapter plate, My better compact spotting scope is a Vortex Razor HD 11 x 33 x 50mm , 25 oz, 11". I say better spotting scope only because the Razor HD has a very fine adjustment that I can dial in easier, optic quality is about the same between the two just the adjustments are better in the Vortex. The tripod on the Razor HD is a Dolicia with a ball head with adapter plate. I much prefer the ball head it's smoother and little more compact without that pan head arm sticking out which is OK for the most part. Neither of these tripods are very heavy or built for big heavy spotting scopes, 15 x 56 binoculars they work fine. My son uses a Bogen tripod, but his spotter 82 mm Kowa and not for packing. I would look at Manfrotto tripods they use to make Bogen they are about as good as it gets and I'm sure they have several different models. One thing I like on any tripod is one where the legs will click down/open up pretty much flat on the ground with detent/stops at different leg angles. and with both spike's and rubber feet. Our hunting buddy just bought a New Vortex carbon fiber I don't know I didn't pick it up or carry it so, if it were me and what I would use a tripod for these lighter weight spotting scopes or heavy European 15x56 binoculars 38 to 40 some ounce these lighter weight aluminum tripods is what we use. If by chance you do get an Aluminum tripod and it's in the silver color break out a can of spray paint and paint it flat black or some other hard to see non shiny color. Like you said those big spotters stay near the road so you ain't carrying them too far maybe once. Optics quality over shear power, I can spot bull elk at 5 miles away in meadows with either one of these little compact spotters, I can't tell you how many points he has that would be stretching it, but I can tell you if it something we need to get closer to investigate. You try that with less than best glass its awfully hard to do at extreme ranges. We have for the most part went away from spotters for everyday viewing, all of our hunting friends pretty much use high end higher power 12x + power binoculars, and count broken points with spotters, you can scan so much better with 2 eyes, and all of us have low powered better quality bino's such as Steiner 7x35 military marine and Hensoldt 8x30 as well, for tight in vegetation. I do have one super heavy tripod it's really old Davidson I think you could use it for surveying, I use it for the chronograph and sand bag it down if needed in the wind.