Telescope Reviews: Binocular Mounts - Tripods - Adapters - Motions

We don't have a Minireviews post set-up to list mounts, but this thread is as close as it gets. There are over 30 links here to mounts and tripods threads. some of those threads have 3 or 4 or even 10 more links. Many of the posts you will find are much like mini-reviews of the tripods and mounts mentioned. Also included here are some links to full length articles over on the CN Rreports side. This post is your comprehensive index card linking you to Binocular Mounts. edz

A CN Report on Binocular Mounts, Tripods and Mounting Accessories
http://www.cloudynights.com/documents/thoughts.pdf
pick the right tool for the job. Enjoy. edz

And if you just want to know,
"What are the motions of a binocular parallelogram mount?",
then check this out, it explains the 6 degrees of motion.
Binocular Parallelogram Mount Degrees of Movement

Amateur Made Binocular Chairs and Paralellogram Mounts
Probably the single most comprehensive list of links to Amateur Made Binocular Chairs and Paralellogram Mounts (collected from 60-70 locations, and growing) that you are likely to come across anywhere on the internet. This thread includes a good collection of advice based on lessons learned on "How To" make some of these mounts and chairs. Thanks to Craig Simmons for this collection.
Amateur Binocular Mounts

Many times people ask, Why do you always say you can't mount an 8# binocular on a tripod that is rated for 8#. That is because the load rating for tripods is determined with the load weight directly over the tripod head and directly over the tripod column. Furthermore, load ratings are based on cameras with little to no magnification. With binocular viewing, we often have a big load hanging off of one side. That is like a cantilever or an eccentric load. In all things mechanical, it takes a beefier support to hold an eccentric load than it does to take a direct load. Add to that some 10x or 12x or 25x magnification and you can see the need for stability goes up exponentially.
Binoculars Create Eccentric Loads on a Tripod

Mounting Giant Binoculars on a Budget
There are a lot of different suggestions in this thread. They are not all low budget. But there is a wide variety of suggestions made by all the various users, how they view their performance, and a lot of links to various types of products. very good information here.

Binocular Mirror Mount

Neck Monopod Review

I'm looking for a tripod for my binocular. Which tripod is good for holding a binocular up to 25x100?
This question comes up once or twice a month. here's some advice. And links to more advice.
Tripods?

A 7.5# 20x80 mounted on a Bogen 3011 tripod / 3130 fluid head.
Is this a good combination?

Binocular Mounts and Tripods - Farvorite Combos
Several users post what they like to use best as favorite binocular mount combinations

Excellent summary of differences between using photo tripods, parellograms, binocular mirror mounts and binocular chairs. Also, excellent summary of various models of Bogen legs and heads , how tall they are, their weight capacities and some links on where to get good prices.
In addition, references to other tripods and links to articles.
Binocular Tripods

Bogen Manfrotto Models for Heavier Binoculars This discussion took place around selection of a tall tripod to hold 16# load. The recommendations are for big heavy duty Bogen models.

Very good comparison of two models of Bogen tripods. Lots of pictures
Bogen 3051, 3046 side by side

Manfrotto-Bogen Cross Reference

Here's information about the use of the new Universal Astronomics Microstar
Microstar Bino Mount

Here's some info on the popular Orion Paragon Tripods
Orion Paragon or ??

Orion Paragon Tripods

This particular post is located in the Mounts Forum but it includes about 10 links to discussions on
Bogen/Manfrotto tripods, Orion Paragon tripods, UA Microstar Mount and a few others.
Manfrotto 3130/3011N for PST, ST80? Other Bogen?

A variety of tripods are listed here with user experiences. It's a good thread to compare one to the other. Must be 10 tripods list in here, everything from department store camera tripods to a link for a full length article on what to look for in a parallogram. Users note some instances where a camera tripod might be all that's needed and some of the pitfalls of using camera tripods for heavy binocular mounts.
Need a sturdy tripod, what do you recommend?

Why don't we see Equatoral Binocular mounts?
Very few positions would ever afford you a level eye position. You would almost always have your head tilted to one side.
mounts and binos

converting a surveyor's tripod to take a mount for a binocular
tripod help

tripods, parallel mounts, and a skywindow for binocular astronomy, some subjective opinions on the virtues and shortcomings of each.

experience in search of the best tripod/fluid combo for astro binos

What do some other people use as their binocular mount setup? Putting together a versitle parallelogram setup.
Help with a new binocular setup

Home made binocular chairs and parallelogram mounts. Lots of pics.
Observing chair/mount for binos or scopes

One member comments "...I think the 3046 is the best "non-hiking-capable", "budget" astronomy tripod in the Bogen line at around $200. The 3265 head serves its purpose, but I'm now sure that a parallelogram mount is in my future"
Tripod & head report

after a month and a half search, this member chose the Slik 700DX Pro. There were atleast a half dozen other choices offered up as suggestions. Here's the results. Read the rest of the thread for all the other suggestions.
Report: Slik 700DX Pro Tripod

Comments on Binocular to Tripod Adapters

IMHO, the two best tripod adapters are Orion's deluxe (search in Orion accessories), the simple tall L bracket and Universal Astronomic's deluxe. UA's is by far the best. Orion's is thicker metal and taller than most simple L brackets. UA's deluxe is even thicker than Orion's deluxe and it allows the binocs freedom of movement to tilt a little left right. Orion's sell for about 18.95. Ua's sells for $29.95, but it's worht it..

20x80 binoculars are too big for a small L adapter. I'd advise picking up a tall heavy duty binocular L adapter, not just a short thin one. That will help eliminate shakes.

Most large 20x90, 22x100 and 25x100 binoculars do not require a separate adapter. The center mounting post is the adapter.

edz

Orion adaptor

Pentax adapter

Window adapters and tripod adapters

Celestron's adapters, one's metal, one's plastic

comments on plastic adapters

an assortment of adapters, metal, composite and plastic

Nikon 12x50 SE Tripod Adapter

...high quality binoculars in that aperture/magnification range (i.e., the Doctor 15x60 Nobilems, the Zeiss 15x60 B/GATs and the Nikon 18x70 Astroluxes) all use non-standard tripod adapters. The one that Nikon sells for their Prostar and Astrolux binoculars also works for the Zeiss 15x60s and costs less than half as much as Zeiss's tripod adapter. The Doctor Nobilems use a metal tripod adapter that is unique to their binoculars.

Minireview of the Adorama adapter not the favored choice here.

What? No tripod adapter screw hole? Try a strap mount.
Eagle Optics Plate with Velcro Strap mount.

Tripod mounting an old bino with no socket

Narrow body L adapter for mounting Oberwerk Ultra / Garret Signature
standard wide brackets will not work with thiss model binocular. Of course they both come supplied with this bracket, but it's a good one.

a website offering 20 different kinds of adapters
not necessarily all the cheapest offers, but just look at the variety!

FarSight Binocular Mounting Bracket

A not on using a laser pointer on a mount
Here is the paragraph from the FDA's guidelines on laser pointers:

"Laser products promoted for pointing and demonstration purposes are limited to hazard Class IIIa by FDA regulation.

21 CFR 1040.11(b) and 1040.11(c), limit surveying, leveling, and alignment, and demonstration laser products to Class IIIa. This means that pointers are limited to 5 milliwatts output power in the visible wavelength range from 400 to 710 nanometers. There are also limits for any invisible wavelengths and for short pulses. Pointers may not exceed the accessible emission limits of CDRH Class IIIa or IEC1 Class 3R."

Lasers of greater power than 5mW are designated as being Class IIIb lasers and, therefore, are not legal for use as pointers.

Edited by EdZ (10/10/08 10:35 AM)

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