If you've ever asked, "Is there a perfect tripod" then this article is for you.

Over the years, if there's anything that I've learned about my hunting style is that I'm hard on equipment, and I demand a lot out of my gear, not through negligence but through rigorous use.

My definition of the perfect tripod can be broken down into four parts:

1. Reasonably priced. Reasonably not being cheap, but worth the value exchange of money. I'm comfortable paying $1k for a tripod if I get $1k of value and use.
2. Adaptable. I have to be able to film off of the tripod, take pictures, glass for hours with a spotter of binos, and have enough adjustability to do so comfortably.
3. Packable. The tripod needs to be small enough to carry in my pack without sticking out too much, and it also needs to be lightweight and sturdy.
4. Simplicity. The tripod needs to be set up and used in a few seconds: no cranks, no twists, no loose or wobbly legs, no assembly - nothing. Also, it needs to have a controllable fluid head with a handle.

As you can imagine, finding the perfect tripod for me has been a hassle, and I've been through and have broken dozens of tripods... then I met the Siuri ET-2204 Carbon Fiber Tripod with VA-5 Ball Head.

I was immediately drawn to the build quality and weight; it just felt balanced. But how would it hold up against my unnecessarily high standards?

Price. Through 1shotgear.com, the Siuri ET-2204 Carbon Fiber Tripod with VA-5 Ball Head will set you back $349.90 plus tax and free shipping. This tripod feels just as good as a $1k tripod for a third of the price. In my opinion, you get far more value than $350 when you purchase this tripod.
Adaptability. As I mentioned above, I need to be able to film professional quality videos through work, take pictures, glass for hours with either a spotting scope or pair of binos and have enough adjustment to do so comfortability. This has been the hardest feature for me to find on a tripod. I'll come across a tripod that I love, but it doesn't fit my camera and lens, or it needs more adjustability to glass while sitting down or while standing. The Siuri ET-2204 Carbon Fiber Tripod has three clicks of adjustments allowing you to bring the legs closer together to get more height or spread them apart, covering most distance and lowering the height of the tripod. That matched with the three adjustable legs, makes this a dream for any scenario. 

Packable. Wanting a tripod that I can film off of usually comes at the expense of being really tall, towering my pack, or being really heavy, making it a burden to carry. The Siuri ET-2204 Carbon Fiber Tripod with VA-5 Ball Head is neither. It's compact enough that it doesn't stick out past my pack, it's light enough that it's easy to carry, and, more importantly - it's incredibly sturdy.
Simplicity. One of my favorite parts of this tripod is that it doesn't have a bunch of bells and whistles. It's simple, it's quick to set up, the legs slide out easily, the locks lock, and it has a hook that you can attach your backpack to, giving you that additional stability.

So now, just as important of a question... what would I change about it? After a full season plus some of using it - nothing. Which earns its unformal title as the "perfect tripod," in my opinion.