When it comes to backcountry hunting, every ounce counts. That’s why the Wiser Precision PH170 Nighthawk is turning heads—it’s lightweight, durable, and built for hunters who demand performance without the extra bulk. If you’re looking for a reliable pan head for your tripod setup, this might just be your next essential piece of gear. Let’s break it down.
Built for the Backcountry
The Nighthawk is compact, coming in at 7 inches long, 3 inches wide, and 3 inches tall, but don’t let its size fool you. This ultralight pan head weighs just 6.1 ounces with the carbon fiber handle attached. If you’re looking to shave off even more weight, you can swap the handle for the included aluminum knob, dropping it down to 4.9 ounces. That’s practically nothing for such a functional tool.
For many hunters, leaving the handle on is the way to go—it offers better control, and at such a minimal weight, it’s worth it. The machined aluminum body and stainless steel components ensure this pan head is both tough and long-lasting. Plus, the sealed internal parts keep out dust, dirt, and moisture, so it stays smooth in any conditions.
Smooth, Precise Movement
The Nighthawk’s pan and tilt adjustments are simple yet highly effective:
Tilt Control: Adjusted using the carbon fiber handle or the aluminum knob.
Pan Control: Controlled via a side knob, allowing you to customize the tension for smooth, precise movements.
This independent control over the X and Y axes makes it easy to grid a hillside without worrying about skewing your view. The motion is incredibly smooth, making it a joy to use with binoculars or lightweight spotting scopes. However, with heavier setups—like an 85mm spotting scope—you’ll need to crank down the knobs a bit more to keep it locked in place.
Arca-Swiss Compatibility
The Nighthawk uses an Arca-Swiss compatible clamp, which means it works seamlessly with a variety of plates and adapters. The open-jaw design makes attaching your gear quick and hassle-free—no fiddling with safety buttons or awkward alignments. Wiser even includes an Arca-Swiss compatible plate with the pan head, so you’re ready to go right out of the box.
What’s It Good For?
This pan head shines with lightweight optics like binoculars and small spotting scopes. It can handle larger setups, but it’s not built to compete with heavier-duty heads like the VA5. If you’re primarily glassing with binos or using a compact spotter, the Nighthawk is perfect.
For heavier use, like all-day glassing with large scopes, you might want to consider other options—but for cutting weight without sacrificing performance, the Nighthawk is a game-changer.
Small Quirks
As with any ultralight gear, there are trade-offs:
Knob Tightening: The smaller aluminum knob can feel cramped during adjustments, especially when mounted on compact tripods.
Handle Clearance: On steep angles, the handle can hit the tripod legs, requiring some repositioning.
These are minor issues that don’t detract much from the overall performance, especially when considering its weight and build quality.
Final Thoughts
The Wiser Precision PH170 Nighthawk is a standout pan head for backcountry hunters who prioritize lightweight gear without compromising on reliability. Made in the USA, it’s durable, smooth, and incredibly easy to use. Pair it with a lightweight tripod like the Slik 632, and you’ve got a bombproof setup that’s under 2 pounds.
Yes, it’s an investment, but cutting weight always comes at a cost. If you’re ready to up your backcountry game, the Nighthawk is worth every penny.
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