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Equipment Discussions >> Binoculars

Pages: 1

JustBlaze2478
newbie

Reged: 06/18/12

Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

#5282176 - 06/21/12 12:08 PM

Hi everyone, noob here. Does anyone know a good tripod around $150 that would work with a Celestron 20x80? I can't find any info on this anywhere on the internet.

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rydberg
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/25/04

Loc: Richmond, KY, USA

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: JustBlaze2478]
#5282241 - 06/21/12 01:05 PM

Hello:
You will need not only the tripod but also a fluid head with it. The fluid head allows the binoculars to be panned and tilted to look at objects of interest and the tripod holds the head and the binoculars. $150 is not a lot: you will not be able (unless you find a good used deal) to get the better tripod-head combinations: Bogen, Manfrotto etc. But you can get Chinese clones which are workable.
Take a look at this LINK.
I am sure someone else will chime-in as well.
Marco

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JustBlaze2478
newbie

Reged: 06/18/12

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: rydberg]
#5282282 - 06/21/12 01:35 PM

Thanks Rydberg. How much would i have to spend for a decent tripod head combo?

What about the link you sent me? I can spend more than 150 so should I even consider buying the one in the link?

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BillC
on a new path

Reged: 06/04/04

Loc: Lake Stevens, WA, USA

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: JustBlaze2478]
#5282322 - 06/21/12 01:49 PM

JustBlaze2478:

Welcome to Cloudy Nights!

Please know that most tripods and adapters are 1/4-20; so you need not look for a tripod for a particular tripod.

Cheers,

BillC

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EdZ
Professor EdZ

Reged: 02/15/02

Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: BillC]
#5282449 - 06/21/12 03:33 PM

make sure you take into consideration the maximum height of the fully extended tripod. if you are 6 feet tall, you would need a tripod/head that extends maybe to 6'6".

edz

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rydberg
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/25/04

Loc: Richmond, KY, USA

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: EdZ]
#5282701 - 06/21/12 06:14 PM

Hello JustBlaze2478:
The link I gave you is for a serviceable tripod+head combo. At that price, it very likely of Chinese origins. If you scroll down the page you'll see that the claimed max height is 78" (the 6'6" that EDZ mentions). The head on it is a bit rougher in finish that the classic Bogen-Manfrotto heads, but it will hold the Celestron fine. Now, if you want the "real deal", with a bit of patience you can get something decent used, either at a major photo-video retailer (on line there are many) or via e-bay. Things to look for: make sure that the central column of the tripod is geared (moves up and down by turning a handle) and that the max height is at least 0.5' higher than you. Legs and video head can be purchased separately, but usually is cheaper if bought together.
New? Try to find a Manfrotto 475B or 028B (about $260 new) and Manfrotto 501HDV (about $175 new).

To get an idea, read this article (by the fellow above, EDZ):
Binocular Mounts

Marco

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Phb
member

Reged: 09/25/10

Loc: Singapore

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: rydberg]
#5282972 - 06/21/12 10:10 PM

HI Justblaze,

I am pretty new in comparison to the folks here. I wanted to share my story, as short as I can.

Being new, money was an issue, did not want to over indulge etc etc, ended up getting second hand "heavier" photography tripods. This I mean, ball heads, no leg bracing etc etc, fairly light, for example Vanguard 263 AT or something similar.

The thing is, after 18 months, I find myself wanting desperately a
a. Pan head, fluid or friction teflon. Ball heads just dont quite give the satisfaction everytime you wanna change your view.

b. Its annoying waiting for the tripo to stop vibating within itself, when you touch it.

My bottom line advise is, you can pay about 150 bucks and start with where I started. IN about 18 months, you going to go to the stuff recommended here by these guys, for example;
http://www.cloudynights.com/documents/thoughts.pdf
curtesy of Edz. Good stuff, and thank you edz.

Welcome to the addiction.

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Phb
member

Reged: 09/25/10

Loc: Singapore

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: Phb]
#5282977 - 06/21/12 10:12 PM

Side Question.

I was told that the 501HDV is phased out. Can anyone comfirm this? Thats what I have been informed here in Asia.

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rydberg
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/25/04

Loc: Richmond, KY, USA

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: Phb]
#5283007 - 06/21/12 10:31 PM

Hi PHB:
It seems that is still available here in US. A quick search shows plenty for sale, but that could change.
Marco

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hallelujah
Post Laureate

Reged: 07/14/06

Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: Phb]
#5283015 - 06/21/12 10:38 PM

Quote:

I was told that the 501HDV is phased out.

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-501HDV-Video-Head-Replaces/dp/B000N26QVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340332570&sr=8-1&keywords=manfrotto+501hdv

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Manfrotto-501HDV-Pro-Video-Fluid-Head-with-Quick-Release-Supports-13-2-lbs-/320921821124?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab86e5fc4#ht_4570wt_793

Edited by hallelujah (06/21/12 10:40 PM)

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Phb
member

Reged: 09/25/10

Loc: Singapore

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: hallelujah]
#5283152 - 06/22/12 12:14 AM

rydberg/hallelujah - Get em while ya still can?

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JustBlaze2478
newbie

Reged: 06/18/12

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? [Re: rydberg]
#5283823 - 06/22/12 01:06 PM

Marco,

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely look for a good used one first. I'd rather have better quality over a cheaper Chinese clone.

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Rich V.
Post Laureate

Reged: 01/02/05

Loc: Lake Tahoe area, Nevada, USA

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: JustBlaze2478]
#5284585 - 06/22/12 11:19 PM

At the peril of shifting too far OT, here is the new head that replaces the 501HDV:

Manfrotto promo page

New head specifics:

New MV502AH replaces 501HDV

The claimed improvement in pan and tilt action would be welcome. They claim improvement in "just about almost every aspect" but with a lower price than the old 501HDV; could this suggest a change of origin from Italy?

This head and accompanying tripod will be way north of $150.

Perhaps the OP could consider one of Garrett's offerings.

Rich

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rydberg
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/25/04

Loc: Richmond, KY, USA

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: Rich V.]
#5284622 - 06/22/12 11:45 PM

Hi Rich:
It looks better, but the price does not appear less (for now anyway). Bhphoto has both and the 502 hd is about $20 more expensive. I wonder if it is because the 501hdv is phased out?
Marco

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Rich V.
Post Laureate

Reged: 01/02/05

Loc: Lake Tahoe area, Nevada, USA

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: rydberg]
#5284708 - 06/23/12 01:11 AM

Marco, I was just repeating what the Manfrotto blurb stated; "we have been able to improve just about every aspect of the 501HDV; ergonomics, performance and cost as the cost of our new MVH502AH is less than the 501HDV."

What the current retail realities are, I haven't paid attention to the specifics. There probably are some good deals on the 501HDV at the moment.

The new 502 looks like a nice head. I'd like to try one out.

Rich

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EdZ
Professor EdZ

Reged: 02/15/02

Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: Rich V.]
#5284874 - 06/23/12 08:01 AM

I know what the Mnfr ad copy states but, that 502 head is rated for 8.5#

the 501HDV head is rated for 13.5# and with the tension springs our users have found it works for 16#.

Just sayin, that 502 might not replace the 501HDV.

If your 20x80 is in the 5#-6# class, I'd even suggest the 128RC head (old 3130), available for about $69 from Oberwerk.

edz

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Rich V.
Post Laureate

Reged: 01/02/05

Loc: Lake Tahoe area, Nevada, USA

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: EdZ]
#5285066 - 06/23/12 11:00 AM

Ed, there seems to be the typical Manfrotto capacity confusion going on with their website; the "501 replaced by 502" promo page linked above clearly shows a 13.2 lb. capacity with an 8.8# counter balance spring. The spec page strangely shows an 8.8# capacity which I think is in error.

If they are replacing the 501 with the 502, I would be pretty certain that the 13.2# "static weight capacity" as they call it is the correct one.

Rich

Edited by Rich V. (06/23/12 11:15 AM)

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guangtou
sage

Reged: 03/27/10

Re: Tripod for Skymaster 20x80? new

[Re: Rich V.]
#5289725 - 06/26/12 08:57 AM

I've tried several different mounts, including pan heads and mirror mounts, and nothing has been more comfortable to me than the peterson pipe mount. Not very portable, but I leave it in the yard and walk out with the binocs, mount them, and get to the observing.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2028220072998.2130225.1468974439&type=3&l=f361955820

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