Telescope Reviews: Re: Binocular Mounts and Tripods

Like my fellow countryman friend Steve N ( yes I classify him as a "friend" in spite of his constant ribbing :-)
I too have a relative paucity of binocular supporting mechanisms -- but since I own only two pairs of binoculars which have built -in tripod adaptors , I actually have more than enough -- which is another good argument I could use to persuade my better half that another binocular purchase would be prudent :-)

As every member and their dogs probably know by now , the only really decent tripod and mount I own / use is the Manfrotto 055B pro ( alias Bogen 3021 / 3011 ) and the 501 head , the combination of which I am eternally indebted to another "friend" Erik D , for advising me to select.

Also following Erik's advice , I purchased the extra panning handle and I like the sturdy , ultimate control feel of the twin -handle arrangement , even though the sheer weight and heft of the combined set -up looks quite ridiculous when only my 10 x 50 Swift Kestrel is attached to it.

It would look even more ridiculous if only I could find a way of attaching the Swarovski 8 x 20 to the contraption.

Much as I like this set -up , it IS a little TOO heavy to hike around with -- period.

Even though I'm barely 6 feet 1 ins tall in my 1972 polka -dot 4 -inch heeled platform boots with Tina Turner wig firmly attached ,and although the combination CAN be adjusted so as to point the binoculars to zenith , I find the position necessary to adopt to make use of such a configuration somewhat conjusive to chronic back -ache, so tend only to utilise the position when I'm in a particularly masochistic mood.

I also have a very lightweight Miranda Triton TP10 tripod complete with pan / tilt head and single handle , which plays an integral role in my "cycling pack" as described in a recent post I sent to the Cloudy Days forum.

The Miranda tripod / head would be ideal for a muscularly challenged dwarf , but is quite useful for those of regular dimension fortunate enough to have a chair by their side , providing the chair legs are located two feet below the level of the tripod legs and the binocular has 90 degree oculars.

Perhaps my most used "binocular support system" is the humble window mount , which comes with the added excitement of it's clamps being liable to snap without warning.

This possibility, I find , keeps me "on my toes"--
--and I'm a firm believer that the more alert one is ,the more pronounced visual acuity tends to be.

Monopods and inverted broom handles have yet to take their places alongside the above items ,cluttering up our hallway or dining room , but even either of those would be infinitely preferable to my most despised mount of all -- the dreaded ,absolutely terrible, EQ1 German Equatorial Mount , which if it were made of wood , I would gladly donate to the local community for it's forthcoming bonfire night -- an act I now regret having done last year with my wooden alt -azimuth mount during a moment of belated spring -cleaning.

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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