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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2712
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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As many of you know I am a big fan of the Bogen 501 fluid head for 80-100mm giant binos. From my central NJ location there are very few clear moonless weeknights each year when I want to set up the big 6 in F8 refractor(~100lbs with tripod & mount). I use giant binos for over 95% of my week night astronomy. For these short sessions I feel a good fluid head is much quicker to set up than using a parallelO mount. I also like having extra QR plates attached to my various binos so I can exchange them quickly.
I purchased my second Bogen 501 fluid head with the 3221WN tripod and 3280 MV bag combo from Adorama about two years ago for ~US$275. This combination with a 20X80 LW bino has became my most used set up for both astronomy for long range terrestrial observation. Last week there were some additonal discussions here about the 501 head so I did a quick price check. I discovered price of the same combination has jumped nearly 25% to $342. However, anothr NYC mail order company lists the same combo for $ 299.99. The 501 head/3221 tripod combo will extend to 76 inchs. For those who needs a taller tripod you can get the Bogen 3046/501 head combo without a carrying bag for $299. The above combo will extend to over 90 inches. The 3046 tripod is rated for 26 lbs. The 3221 is rated for 13 lbs. The Bogen 501 head(Manfrotto 3433) head is rated for 13.5 lbs.
I think most of you are aware that Euro has risen more than 40% in value against the US$ during the past year. This makes European goods that much more expensive for US customers. However, if you shop around it's possible to find retailers who have not increased prices the full amount. I'd guess friend Kenny J paid more than $300 for his Bogen 3433head and tripod in the UK a few month ago. :-))
Erik D
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Joe Ogiba
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/14/02
Posts: 3471
Loc: NJ USA
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Erik,
I ordered the Bogen 516 Head to put on my Bogen 3046 tripod and it's on backorder with eCOST.com for $459.39 including FedX overnight delivery. I plan on getting the 3068 tripod in a few months. This will be my quick setup with the Apogee RA-88-SA.
Joe
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Pentax PF-80ED,Meade 102ED APO,Orion EON 72,120ST
Apex 127,C6 XLT,CR150,C9.25,XT10
Zeiss 7x42 FL,Canon 10x42L IS WP,15x50 IS
12x36 IS II
Garrett Optical 28x110 HD-WP Signature Series
Oberwerk BT-80 45, Apogee RA-88-SA
Denk II Power x Switch binoviewer w/13mm Ethos, 20mm Pentax XW's, 20mm Widescan III's.
17mm Ethos, 22mm Nagler, 40mm Pentax XW, 14mm Pentax XL, 5.2mm Pentax XL, 8-24mm Pentax XL Zoom
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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2712
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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Joe,
The Bogen 516 head looks very nice. It's one of the very few fluid heads under $500 rated for 20+ lb load. I don't have one myself but plan to get one if I ever decide to get a Miyauchii 100mm Flourite or a Kowa Highlander. You may want the check tristatecamera.com if eCost delivery strechs out too long.
Are you sure you want the Bogen 3068 next? I know max load of the 3068 is 40 lbs but max ht is ~68 in. It may be OK with the RA-88 with 90 deg EPs but it maybe a bit short if you ever want to mount a staight thru 100mm bino such as the Oberwerk 22X100 or the Burgess Series II. Since your Bogen 3046 is rated or 26 lbs it should be fine for the Bogen 516 and the RA-88. Another option is to consider the Bogen 3058. It's more expensive than the 3068 but will reach over 8 ft.
Erik D
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Joe Ogiba
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/14/02
Posts: 3471
Loc: NJ USA
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Eric,
If I need something higher than the 3068 one of my HD surveyor tripods should work.
Joe
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Pentax PF-80ED,Meade 102ED APO,Orion EON 72,120ST
Apex 127,C6 XLT,CR150,C9.25,XT10
Zeiss 7x42 FL,Canon 10x42L IS WP,15x50 IS
12x36 IS II
Garrett Optical 28x110 HD-WP Signature Series
Oberwerk BT-80 45, Apogee RA-88-SA
Denk II Power x Switch binoviewer w/13mm Ethos, 20mm Pentax XW's, 20mm Widescan III's.
17mm Ethos, 22mm Nagler, 40mm Pentax XW, 14mm Pentax XL, 5.2mm Pentax XL, 8-24mm Pentax XL Zoom
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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nice colors!
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Joe Ogiba
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/14/02
Posts: 3471
Loc: NJ USA
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Quote:
nice colors!
I'm cheap, black was $30 more. 
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Pentax PF-80ED,Meade 102ED APO,Orion EON 72,120ST
Apex 127,C6 XLT,CR150,C9.25,XT10
Zeiss 7x42 FL,Canon 10x42L IS WP,15x50 IS
12x36 IS II
Garrett Optical 28x110 HD-WP Signature Series
Oberwerk BT-80 45, Apogee RA-88-SA
Denk II Power x Switch binoviewer w/13mm Ethos, 20mm Pentax XW's, 20mm Widescan III's.
17mm Ethos, 22mm Nagler, 40mm Pentax XW, 14mm Pentax XL, 5.2mm Pentax XL, 8-24mm Pentax XL Zoom
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10446
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Joe,
Being aware of all the binoculars you own ,not to mention that list of scopes ,one thing you ain't is "cheap" :-)
Clear Skies , Kenny.
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If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10446
Loc: Lancashire UK
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< I'd guess friend Kenny J paid more than $300 for his Bogen 3433head and tripod in the UK a few month ago. :-))
Erik,
The combo I purchased in the UK cost more like £300 UK including V.A.T rather than $300 US.
For those not given to mental arithmetic or the complexities of exchange rates , that is close to $500 US.
Mind you , that V.A.T adds a final touch of quality not to be found anywhere outside this country :-)
Regards , Kenny.
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If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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There are some pricing issues I'll never understand--$30 more for black. Is there gold dust in the black paint? Ronald MacDonanld or someone wearing a radiation suit go well with your tripod, but $30 is $30.
I dig it! 
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