The BOG DeathGrip shooting tripod is rock solid and versatile. It is a well-named, well-thought-out, well-constructed piece of versatile hardware for long gun hunters and crossbow hunters.

Using it, you can easily shoot from four positions — 1) standing, 2a) seated on a stool or 2b) seated on your butt, 3) kneeling or 4) prone.

HANDS FREE WHEN TIGHTENED

With the DeathGrip element and tilt locks tightened, this is a strong, unmoving unit. The tilt control item and left/right movement will be easily movable for necessary and controlled aiming.

   

DEATH GRIP HEAD & LOCKS 

The DeathGrip is padded on sides and bottom; it won’t mar any long gun or crossbow stock. The moving side slides smoothly yet firmly on its base. The locking knob is large enough to permit easy, firm gripping, even with gloves on, and tightens firmly. Be sure to firmly snug your shooting arm in place and be sure it is resting on the grip’s base.

TILT ADJUSTMENT KNOB

The similarly sized and shaped knob for the tilting base, which allows you to raise or lower your hunting tool’s aiming point as needed, enables you to grip it firmly and tighten it enough, to hold your hunting tool at the proper angle, but still permits aiming adjustment as needed before you squeeze the trigger.

HEAD ROTATION CONTROL

This is a ribbed, round nut below the DeathGrip lock. The entire head rotates 360 degrees.

BALANCING BUBBLE

Tells you when the unit is properly positioned upright; an unbalanced scope position may give an inaccurate aiming point. Position this toward you so you can see it easily.     

LEG EXTENDER LOCKS

Two per leg to permit minimum-maximum leg extension. Two are shown open and two are shown locked. You will need to press the locks firmly to lock them in place.

LEG LOCKING STRAP

This tough plastic strap is fastened on one leg about six inches above the locking units. Strap holes are pre-drilled and expand enough to allow the round peg to snap firmly in place and hold all three tripod legs securely in place for easy carrying.

LEG BASE SETTINGS

Each leg has three angle settings — 20 degrees, 45 degrees and 85 degrees — which can be set any way you want but work best when each leg is set for the same angle of extension. Settings are easily changed by sliding the black button which shows all three settings. The buttons slide easily but snap in place at each setting.

LEG EXTENSION

Seven inches (prone) to 59 inches (standing). Super-tall hunters may need to place your feet back a bit and lean forward to reach best shooting position. Legs are made of aluminum.

WEIGHT

8-1/2 pounds. This weight should be transported in a shoulder-strap carrying bag. None is provided, unfortunately. You will have to make your own, or ask your wife to make it.

Add one item in cold weather – slotted shooting mitts. Your hands won’t move using this unit, but they still will need to be warm in cold weather. Wear camo or orange gloves with slotted palms or zippered slots to free your trigger finger.

I like to sit on a folding stool with back support and shoot from a ground blind with a crossbow. The thought of using it on a treestand or ladder stand makes me nervous enough not to have tried it. With a long gun, you can sit on a stool or shoot from whichever position you want, trees/brush/grass and elevation permitting.  

In sum, this is a rugged piece of hunting/shooting equipment. When set up properly and securely, it will eliminate your shakes and exhaustion and muscle tiredness when you have to wait a bit for that exact best moment to squeeze the trigger — and thus won’t disrupt your point of aim.

Prices I found on the internet ranged from $160 to around $225, not bad for a piece of high-quality equipment that should last you (and descendants) a lifetime. As stated on the packing box, this is a precision tripod.