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Jimmy2K63
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/26/09
Posts: 1127
Loc: Kentucky
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A couple of months back, I purchased an Orion Paragon HD-F2 tripod to mount my 15x70 binoculars on. Today when I took them outside, I noticed that some of the threads are stripping from the crank up pole in the middle. The reason for this is that you have to tighten the azimuth and altitude clutches so tight to hold binoculars on them with any rigidity/stability and the minute you begin to push on them, it rotates the pole slightly, which is less than desireable. It's not heavy enough, maybe you can mount a finderscope on them, or a small camera.
In all good faith, I cannot recommend this tripod be used for binoculars of this size. It is far too light and the cheap thin aluminum that it is made from is easilly damaged. I am usually pretty careful with my stuff, so if I've found this out this fast, it must be pretty lousy. At $100 it is in a category where one should expect more, especially from a company this big in the Astro marketplace.
Just a heads up in case you are looking to a tripod to mount larger binoculars, you may want to reconsider.
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http://astronomyguy63.blogspot.com/ (Updated 11/7/09)
LXD75 SN6-UHTC
Cave Astrola 10" f/5
Garrett 15x70/FarSight
Canon XS (1000D)
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joe colontonio
sage
Reged: 03/02/06
Posts: 206
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Send it back.
Joe
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2126
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Quote:
Send it back.
Joe
Ditto
Stan
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Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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daniel_h
sage
Reged: 03/08/08
Posts: 469
Loc: VIC, Australia
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3rd send ing..i suppose for 99 it couldn't be that sturdy
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regal 10x42, 10x50ultras, 15x70 ultras, 20x80
Oly e-500, vixen 100/1000 with 0.965"/1.25",
2 old sturdy tripods for the bins (slik & velbon)
zeiss f5.6 refractor/lens (under construction)
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14611
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Seems to me you need to readjust how you are tightened knobs and locks. I find little need to keep azimuth very tight at all. However, once I set my center column height, I do lock my center column knob. With the center column locked, it's nearly impossible to twist the center column.
I've been using this tripod for about 10 years and have never had a problem with the center column gears or teeth. I recommend this tripod for binoculars up to about 5-6 pounds.
In addition, I use this tripod to mount a UA parallelogram, although only with the legs in low height setting without using the bottom tube extended and only with the center column down. In that manner I put 25# on this tripod without problems.
I also use it with a Microstar and small scopes for low power (up to 100x) scope viewing. No problems there either.
My only complaint about this tripod is the leg locks in winter are to hard to loosen.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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Jimmy2K63
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/26/09
Posts: 1127
Loc: Kentucky
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Quote:
Seems to me you need to readjust how you are tightened knobs and locks. I find little need to keep azimuth very tight at all. However, once I set my center column height, I do lock my center column knob. With the center column locked, it's nearly impossible to twist the center column.
I've been using this tripod for about 10 years and have never had a problem with the center column gears or teeth. I recommend this tripod for binoculars up to about 5-6 pounds.
In addition, I use this tripod to mount a UA parallelogram, although only with the legs in low height setting without using the bottom tube extended and only with the center column down. In that manner I put 25# on this tripod without problems.
I also use it with a Microstar and small scopes for low power (up to 100x) scope viewing. No problems there either.
My only complaint about this tripod is the leg locks in winter are to hard to loosen.
edz
It's my fault that I had tightened the azimuth head down too tightly. The problem with this tripod is I can only push it in azimuth in one direction, clockwise. If I push it counterclockwise it loosens the azimiuth head setting, just a very poor clutch. Couple that with lightweight parts and you have a disaster. That's how I got it too tight in the first place.
I'll make due with it for now. So what should I get for a replacement tripod down the road? I want something with clutches that are smooth as silk, and capable of sustaining a lot more weight in a decent panhead?
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http://astronomyguy63.blogspot.com/ (Updated 11/7/09)
LXD75 SN6-UHTC
Cave Astrola 10" f/5
Garrett 15x70/FarSight
Canon XS (1000D)
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Rich V.
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/02/05
Posts: 1379
Loc: Carson Valley, Nevada, USA
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Jimmy, I would certainly have a talk with the Orion folks; it couldn't hurt.
Quote:
I'll make due with it for now. So what should I get for a replacement tripod down the road? I want something with clutches that are smooth as silk, and capable of sustaining a lot more weight in a decent panhead?
The next step up with a geared center column would IMO be something along the line of the Bogen/Manfrotto 475 tripod with a 501HDV head. This combo holds my 13# 100mm binoculars nicely. Their 3046 (028) tripod is another good choice. Expect to pay $450-500 for a setup like this though.
On the used market, the discontinued 3036 tripod with the 3063 head shows up frequently on Ebay. The 3063 head is common and quite sturdy; it's rated at 11# and has nice smooth clutch action. For my 5# 70mm Fujinons I actually prefer the 3063 head to the 501HDV; the 3063's clutches are smoother.
Sadly, $100. really doesn't buy too much these days. The Bogen/Manfrotto tripods and heads are a good quality/price compromise and are quite popular around these parts. They will provide years of good service.
Rich V
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Binoculars:
33/50/75/150x100 Saturn III, 16x70 FMT-SX, 10x50 PCF-V, 10x43 DCF-SP, 10x35 E2, 7x35 E, 8x30 E2, 7x26 Custom, 8x23AS Diplomat, 8x23 Travelite
Scopes:
C9.25, 6" f8 reflector, SV80S
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aa5te
Genial Procrastinator
Reged: 08/30/08
Posts: 388
Loc: Clinton, TN
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I tend to like my Sunpak tripod very much - it holds my 9lb 25x100 binos with no problems, but my model doesn't have the crank up elevator; this one does, though, and is much less than $100:
Sunpak heavy duty tripod
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Binos: Apogee 25x100 / Burgess Optical 25x100 / Pentax 20x60 PCF WP / Tasco InFocus 10x50
Tripods: Sunpak PlatinumPlus Ultra 7500TM / Quickset Samson
Refractors: Meade DS-2102AT-TC 102mm f/7.8; Sears Discoverer 3 (4454) 80mm f/15; Jason 313 Discoverer 60mm f/15.2
Reflectors (Dob): Hardin Optical DSH10 10" f/5
EP's: Zoom: Zhumell 8-24mm & Circle K 7.5-22.5mm 0.965"; 9-52mm Plössls; Zhumell 2x barlow
Kodak Z760; Orion SteadyPix camera mount
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Littlegreenman
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/09/05
Posts: 1346
Loc: Southern California
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I have a Bogen/Manfrotto 3046 Tripod with a 501 head. This head is an early, smaller version of the 501HDV head. You can find them on eBay at much less than new. With patience you can get something like this for under $200.
These use a shoe that fits with a 1/4-20 threaded screw onto the binocular bracket. The shoe attaches to the head. Shoes can be unique to onc exact head, or a shoe can be campatability with several heads.
When buying used, be aware that if you get a head without the shoe, you will need to buy a shoe. As I found out the first time I bought a used tripod, new shoes can cost $15,25, or $35. Then it's a matter of paying full price for a new shoe or waiting days, weeks, months, years to find the shoe you need on eBay or here for $5 or $10. It's a yellow flag or a red flag if the seller can't or won't tell you if they are including a shoe with the head.
SL
Edited by Littlegreenman (07/09/09 09:02 PM)
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