I’ve flown many times domestically and gone through at least 7 different foreign security checks and never had any give a second thought to my Sirui W-2204 tripod. It holds a super telephoto camera setup or standard scope steady easily, carbon fiber, 3.7 lbs, waterproof, packs up tightly, and is fairly affordable. It’s always packed inside my carry-on (I don’t check bags).
Internationally a lot of airlines are far stricter than the US on carry on baggage size so you may want to consider the minimum length of the tripod and whether you can still fit it in a carry on that complies with foreign airline carry-on sizes. I’m often boarding around when they start forcing passengers to gate check their carry-on luggage and they flag hardshell rolling luggage without fail but I can’t recall ever being asked to check my equally large 40L backpack. So if you are worried about being asked to gate check and don’t want to pay for an upgrade you are far better off with a backpack than a rolling bag.
My camera/ 100-400 lens has caused more problems than the tripod- I pretty much always have to take it out and send it through by itself same as a laptop. The most hassle I’ve ever had was a time when I forgot to remove the camera and security pulled my bag for the manual inspection. They wanted to see that it was a functioning camera and were content with that, but I don’t recall them mentioning the tripod in my bag at all. If they did it was a brief confirmation that it was a tripod.
Happy birding and travels,
Trevor Sleight
> On Feb 5, 2026, at 11:40, Steve Patterson <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi, Sandy.
>
> Years ago I was looking for a light scope/tripod combination for easier travel. The rig I obtained consisted of a carbon fiber Swarovski tripod and the 65mm Vortex Razor scope. Together they weighed less than 8 pounds, which I found satisfactory.
>
>
>
>
> Steve
>
> Steve Patterson
> Anderson, SC
>
>
> On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 01:39:20 PM EST, Steve Patterson <scbirder...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi, Sandy.
>
> Years ago I was looking for a light scope/tripod combination for easier travel. The rig I obtained consisted of a carbon fiber Swarovski tripod and the 65mm Vortex Razor scope. Together they weighed less than 8 pounds, which I found satisfactory.
>
>
>
>
> Steve
>
>
> On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 07:23:49 AM EST, Sandy Cash" (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> I need to get a new travel tripod/fluid head combo. I’m looking for something prioritizing weight and packability (should fit into carry-on without requiring complete disassembly). Sandbag hook is nice but not required. This is to mount a lightweight 65mm scope. Prefer a three-axis head but can make do with two. Off-list responses welcome,
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Sandy
>
> Sandy Cash
> Carrboro, NC, USA
