Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
|
|
I just purchased the Sunpak 7500 Pro at best buy Sunpak Platinum Plus 7500 Pro and I'll give it a go.
It extends to 74.5" and I got to try it in the store. 30-day return if I don't like it so I'll give it a mini-review tomorrow or Monday, depending on weather. It is sturdy and supports up to 11 pounds and include a 3-way head. For the price I'm hoping it will be all I need for my 15x70s and possibly larger binocs later.
This is the image from the link above:
--------------------
Tom 
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
|
StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 11661
Loc: Cyber Space
|
|
Tom
Must be this one.....
http://www.adorama.com/SU757.html
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
That's great Tom! I hope you like it.
|
Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
|
|
Apollo, good catch on a better price. 
Thanks Daniel.
--------------------
Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39760
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
Appears to be a light weight (not in a good way) in the photo, I assume it must be quite stout if you bought it. Hope for a great report!
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
|
Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
|
|
It is quite stout...I've been leaning on it for about an hour and so far I am very satisfied with its performance. It is very stable and the head seems to move easily enough.
--------------------
Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
|
rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39760
Loc: Phx, AZ
|
|
Excellent! I just spent some time with my binochair, moves easier as it gets older. Bearing surface on the plastic blocks must be wearing in. Could use a better way to hold the binoculars against the face without pushing in the eye balls.
I also noticed I like to look over the binoculars to get my bearings - very hard to do if they are holding you down!
--------------------
Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
|
Stacy
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/15/02
Posts: 2076
Loc: The Great Northwest
|
|
Hi Tom,
I don’t want to dis your new tripod, but I saw that tripod at Best Buy a few weeks ago.
I would like to suggest the Slik Pro 700DX AMT-Titanium Alloy Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head (Maximum Height 74.8", Supports up to 15 lbs) at $129 from Adorama.
It is very stable, and hardly any plastic and the all metal quick release head is quite smooth. I bought one locally here and they matched Adorama’s price. No elevator, but that wasn’t much of as issue.
I would still have it if it weren’t for the Bogen my wife got me.
Regards,
Stacy
--------------------
NS11-GPS-XLT, XT-8, 120ST, AEX-10X50
www.darksky.org
Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe.
- HG Wells
|
Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
|
|
Thanks Stacy, I'm still happy with the Sunpak right now. I used it for about 2 hours last night until I started using my scopes. My targets were M81 and M82 and they started off east of Polaris and ended near zenith when I was finished. The pan head is ok, not great, and it works. I was able to get near zenith with the head at full height and it was still comfortable. I had to rotate the head 180 degrees because the different holds were starting to get in the way. The priod is very light and I was moving all over the deck and to the front yard. Very easy to do and I could adjust the legs and fold them in as much as I needed to get through the door and the house.
I found myself leaning on the tripod a lot at zenith as I was look up and it felt very strong and stable. This tripod, for its intended purpose, fits the need as required and is priced to compliment these binoculars and larger ones later.
I do have a 30-day return policy and will take advantage of it if I decide the tripod does not perform its required task to my expectations.
BTW, I found my local Value Village...thought I was at the County Swap Meet!  Interesting place, to say the least! 
--------------------
Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
|
Stacy
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/15/02
Posts: 2076
Loc: The Great Northwest
|
|
OK Tom,
The important thing is that it works for you. Just see if you can find the Slik around town somewhere and take a look at it before your return period is over.
Yes Value Village is an interesting place! I got some nice old 7X50 binos there for $29. A LOT of junk though. 
Regards,
Stacy
--------------------
NS11-GPS-XLT, XT-8, 120ST, AEX-10X50
www.darksky.org
Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe.
- HG Wells
|
Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
|
|
I'll look, any idea what kind of place might have it? I've been racking my brain trying to find tripods around here. I didn't see anything like binocs at VV either. Wish I had!
--------------------
Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
|
jmoore
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/01/03
Posts: 1959
Loc: Beaufort, NC
|
|
Well done, Tom. As you long as you've got that trial period, there's nothing to lose. I assume it's tall enough for you, then?
Sounds like you've had a little clear weather, too. great...wish i could say the same. It's been cloudy for a good week now, with no clearing in sight.
--------------------
Hardin 12"
|
Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
|
|
Hey Jeff, yep, the height is perfect! I had it all over the sky last night (and again tonight), hanging on it, bumping it, just basically using it the way it should be used. So far, happy owner! Please realize it is a dedicate binocular tripod only (and occasionally for my cameras). Looking at the one that Apollo and Stacy have posted, they would also fulfill this requirement perfectly as well.
--------------------
Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
|
werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 7445
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
|
|
I saw one of these at Best Buy when I was buying my mouse for HAL today. One of these is definitely in MY future. Pete BTW $99.95 +Ohio Sales Tax, so 106.95 tax in. Pete
--------------------
Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55 - "The Beast"
Starhopper 6" Dob - "Shiva"
Spaceprobe 130 EQ - "Spacey"
Bushnell Fatboy
The Abomination
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
10X25 Bushnell Camo Roofies
7X35 Tasco Classic Plastic (good views though)
7X42 Tasco Rare Bird
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters - "DroolMeisters"
One ratty old IBM 600E LapTop
|
Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
|
|
Not bad for $100 bucks, is it? Oregon doesn't have a sales tax, so the price you see is the price you pay...we have a state income tax that makes up for it! 
--------------------
Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
|
werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 7445
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
|
|
WE got both, lucky us. Pete
--------------------
Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55 - "The Beast"
Starhopper 6" Dob - "Shiva"
Spaceprobe 130 EQ - "Spacey"
Bushnell Fatboy
The Abomination
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
10X25 Bushnell Camo Roofies
7X35 Tasco Classic Plastic (good views though)
7X42 Tasco Rare Bird
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters - "DroolMeisters"
One ratty old IBM 600E LapTop
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Hello Tom and gang,
I decided to get me a Sunpak from Best Buy for $99.00.
It sounds like it does the job other tripods do for about half the price! I'll use it with my 15x70 and 20x80LW Obies.
Thank you for the recommendation Tom,
Ray A.
|
Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
|
|
Hope it works well for you, Ray. Please let us know one way or the other what your opinion of it is, especially the 20x80s.
--------------------
Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Don't forget the Flea Markets...I got my Sunpack this past Sunday for $20. Sure like that elevator!
|
Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
|
|
Doug, what a steal! Is it the same tripod that we are discussing here?
Ray, have you had a chance to use the 20x80s on the tripod?
Just a quick update. I decided to keep the tripod since it does work as expected. It is a little bit of a light weight, but I consider that a positive in the fact that I can roam the yard (front and back) quickly. The mount itself is sturdy enough and stable enough that my prolonged leaning on it has not hurt it in any way.
Zenith viewing is very uncomfortable since it is just an awkward position to begin with. I wouldn't mind having a 45 degree l-bracket to help alleviate some of that problem...I may have to fabricate something that will bring the binoculars away from the tripod and also increase their elevation by about 3 more inches.
Clear skies to all, Tom
--------------------
Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: 