Slik Tripod Review | SLIK Pro CF-733 vs Slik Pro CF-734 – What’s the Best Choice?

Finding a tripod can be quite the daunting task. Over the last year I had the chance to take a good hard look at a couple of Slik tripods- the Slik Pro CF-733 and Slik Pro CR-734.  There are so many options out there and a lot of different varieties of weights, price points, styles, etc. The list goes on.

In addition to the tripods, I also got to test out the Slik SVH 501 pan head that can be paired with the tripod. As with all of our reviews, I used these tripods for the better part of a year and put them to the test during deer and elk hunting season in Colorado and Idaho.  

In this review we’ll look at the specs of each tripod, how they performed throughout the season, along with what I liked and didn’t like about each of them. If you’re looking at one or both of these tripods, hopefully I can help you narrow down your search. 

The Specs: Slik Pro CF-733 vs Slik Pro CR-734

One of the important parts of selecting a tripod to haul around all season is looking at the specs. A lot of what a person needs in a tripod is going to be dependent on what style of hunting they do, so ask yourself how you plan to use the tripod. Is it simply for use with a set of binoculars?  Will you use it to shoot from? Are you wanting to use it with your camera or spotting scope?

Do you plan to use it with either a small 60mm spotting scope, or do you plan to go with a big 95mm spotter that you use at the truck? Do you prefer to stand or sit while glassing? Are you planning to haul the tripod around in your backpack all year or glass from the truck? If it will ride in your backpack, how much additional weight are you willing to carry around in exchange for stability?  

Additionally, if you are a rifle hunter, do you plan to use this tripod to shoot off of? These are the questions I like to ask when considering a tripod.

Let’s look at the specs of these Slik tripods along with the pan head. 

Personally, since I hunt during archery season and usually have at least one or two rifle tags as well, I went with the Slik 77 series, because I was looking for a fairly hefty tripod that would be sturdy enough to shoot off of but wasn’t extremely heavy in case I decided to tote it around and attach it to my binoculars during archery season. Ultimately, having a few different tripods is ideal to be able to take whichever one fits that specific trip, but that’s not always practical or economical for folks. 

Make sure to check out our other gear reviews and the Backwoods Pursuit YouTube Channel to help you decide what gear will help you stay out in the field longer!

Both of these tripods feature 8-layer, carbon fiber legs with the 734 having four leg sections along with the center column and the 733 having three legs and the center column. Both tripods weigh in at the same 2.9 pounds with the Slik SVH 501 pan head coming in at one pound. If you are looking for an ultra lightweight setup, there are definitely some other tripod and head combos that weigh less, but I was also looking for a setup that is ultra sturdy and has the height availability to use while standing to glass with binoculars. 

How They Were Tested: Slik Pro CF-733 vs Slik Pro CR-734

For this review, I had the chance to use these tripods on multiple trips in the mountains of Colorado and Idaho on deer and elk hunts during archery and rifle season. I was excited to put these two tripods side by side to see what was preferable about each one. Throughout my testing, I primarily used my Zeiss SFL 10×40 binoculars and Kowa TSN 88 spotting scope. 

Where they Each Excelled

The Slik Pro CF-733 and Slik Pro CF-734 Tripod paired with the Slik SVH 501 pan head are both a great combination. One of my desires in a tripod was to have one that was sturdy when fully extended. Having gone through a few other tripods, they always seemed to leave me wanting for more in the ability to extend and still maintain structural integrity, especially with a spotting scope on it. 

As with many big game hunters, I find myself in a mixed bag of positions when I’m glassing. I have found myself in situations where I need to stand while glassing because there is 18 inches of snow on the ground. I’ve also sat for hours on end picking apart timber stands trying to find a deer that is bedded. All too often in the past, the tripods I have used would get wobbly even when just partially extended. If there was any steady breeze it was near impossible to get a clear view through a spotting scope due to wind vibration. 

This was not the case with either one of the Slik Pro CF-73 series tripods. Even when fully extended with my large Kowa TSN 88 spotting scope attached to them, they were both really solid and stable. It didn’t matter if they were fully extended, or if I spent hours sitting and glassing with them just partially extended. I was very pleased with how well built these Slik tripods are. 

Slik tripods also do amazingly well on the side of a mountain proving just how versatile they are in terms of being able to use them in different types of terrain with different inclines. Having multiple angles for the legs to stabilize the tripod is very helpful. There really wasn’t any terrain or angle that I wasn’t able to adjust the tripods and get a solid base. Additionally, when I needed to put the tripod in my pack they both folded down to a fairly low profile. 

What I liked better About the Slik 734 Tripod

One thing I do like more about the Slik 734 tripod is that it is a few inches shorter than the 733 when collapsed making it easier to store in my backpack. The Slik 734 tripod was short enough to fit in the side zip-up pocket of my Exo K4 7200 pack. I did like the ability to protect the Slik 734 tripod in the zip up pocket in the event of rain or snow. In contrast, the 733 model was too tall to store in the zip up pocket and had to be stored on the outside stretchy pocket of my pack, exposing it to the elements. 

What I liked better About the Slik 733 Tripod

One aspect of the Slik 733 tripod that I prefer over the 734 is that it only has two leg-lock knobs to extend and lock the legs. It makes for a quick deployment of the legs and also makes it quick and easy to retract the legs. Having one less knob to loosen and tighten makes it a touch more convenient to get set up and collapsed back down. 

Slik SVH 501 Pan Head

Along with the Slik tripods, I also tested out the Slik SVH 501 pan head with them. The Slik SVH 501 pan head is classified as a compact sized video head. While I did not use it for video purposes, I found it worked really well for glassing with my binoculars and spotting scope, as the movement is really smooth. It weighs one pound and is rated for supporting 6.6 pounds of gear in any position. 

The height of the SVH 501 pan head comes in at 4.3 inches. The head comes with the 70mm arca-type quick release plate that can slide in from the front, back, or mounted from the top. It also comes with the release stopper to prevent the plate from sliding off the head if you forget to tighten down the plate. Given the fact that there is usually a significant investment sitting on top of the tripod, I really like that feature. 

One cool aspect of the Slik SVH 501 pan head is that the handle is adjustable with a gear-like mechanism so you can move it to different degrees of angle depending on your preference. It can also be switched for either right or left hand control. The head also rotates 360 degrees allowing for the handle to be pointed in any direction.  

Personally, I like to position the handle away from me when I am using binoculars since I’m usually sitting right up close to the tripod and head. When I’m glassing through a spotting scope, however, I prefer the comfort of the handle pointing towards my body as it makes it easier to use. 

I found the Slik SVH 501 head to be very user friendly. The knobs used to tighten the pan and tilt aspects of the head were very simple. The knobs are quite sensitive, so you don’t have to turn the knobs much to make an impact of how much resistance you get in the pan or tilt. This sensitivity could be frustrating to some users as minor adjustments make for increased impact in the adjustment. If you’re someone who likes slower adjustments, this head may not be a great fit for you.

I have used heads in the past that feel like you have to tighten the pan or tilt for multiple turns to gain resistance. This head is not like that which makes for quicker adjustments, but forces more precision in the adjustment. Personally, I like the ability to use quick micro adjustments while glassing. 

The only negative I have about the Slik SVH 501 pan head is that there is a slight amount of play in the head when you first start to pan or tilt. It isn’t anything significant as I have used other heads with more play, but it is something I noticed. Given the price point of the head, I wasn’t expecting a head with zero play, so personally it wasn’t a major concern for me. Coming in at just $130 for the head, it is great quality at an affordable price. 

What Could Be Better About The Slik 734 and 733

I don’t have any complaints on the Slik Pro CF-734 or 733. There are really only two minor things that could be improved upon. If it is possible to shave some weight on these babies, but keep them as sturdy as they are, that would be a huge win. Typically, however, the lighter the weight, the less stable a tripod tends to be, so it’s a give and take for sure.

I would also love to see these tripods with spring loaded folding ratcheting hardware. Once you go to fold the legs back together, the stop stays open without automatically retracting to its original position. It’s not a huge deal, but I found it slightly annoying having to manually retract the stop. 

Conclusion: Slik Tripod Review

After getting the chance to use these tripods and pan head on many different hunts I was very pleased with how they perform. They are extremely user friendly, versatile and well built making them a great option on the market.  

There are many tripod options out there, and each person has different needs for their hunt or outdoor adventure, but these Slik tripods will meet a lot of folks needs no matter what you’re wanting in a tripod. As I mentioned earlier, ask yourself the questions of how you’re going to use the setup, but if you’re someone who doesn’t want a different tripod and head for each hunt, this combination is a great option for all seasons. 

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