10 replies to this topic

[CuriousObserver]

Hello everyone!

 

I'm seeking insight into the Omegon binocular mount with a counterweight. Has anyone here had experience using this particular mount?

I am considering using it in a portable binocular setup with the Leofoto LVM-324C tripod with the BV-15 video head.

 

Additionally, I have a question about Arca-Swiss compatibility: the Omegon mount specifies a 41mm width for its Arca-Swiss rail, while Leofoto’s Arca-Swiss clamps are typically around 38mm.

 

Any advice on compatibility, stability, or general user experience would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

[photoracer18]

The ARCA standard is 38mm wide. They also have a substandard called the monoball fix which is 25mm wide. The ARCA Standard is also very close to the Vixen size which you can see if you buy one of the WO rails that is dual ARCA/Vixen. 41mm is not a standard size also most ARCA clamps have a large range of motion so those may fit.

[ihf]

The longer the mount arms are the more it will feel like wrestling a giant octopus. Yes, it is important to move the binocular to the side of the center of the tripod to make space for the body. But the least amount of displacement is sufficient, and interestingly preferable. I have tried setups similar to the Omegon binocular mount and they are terrible (in particular both Leofoto HC-32 Horizontal Panoramic Carbon Fiber Tiltable Center Column System). At some point everything will slowly tip over. What you want is to mount the bino just a tiny bit to the side in Alt-Az configuration. For this get a big "double panorama" ballhead. That is a ballhead that has a panorama plate on the bottom and on the top. The largest such ballheads weigh about 750g/1.7lbs and have panoramic disc diameters of 75mm (3 inches). Alternatively add a second panorama plate like the Xiletu LPC-1 to the top. The ball diameter is mostly irrelevant as it gets locked down, the movement is via the panoramic plates. I just ordered a bunch more from AliExpress for evaluation. The INNOREL L54 looked the most promising (about USD 105), but I am hoping the much cheaper Bexin LH-55 will work too (USD 55).

 

Notice your tripod does not have an adjustable center column. And adjustable center column is absolutely critical for using a binocular on a tripod. The combination of Omegon mount and tripod without center column will be very painful to use. Notice it is not strictly required to have the center column be cranked for binoculars up to about 10lbs/4kg one can typically still move them just fine up and down without cranking feature, but a crank is nicer.

[CuriousObserver]

Thank you very much for your explanations! Should I need a central column if I attach a binocular with an adapter to the video head without using the Omegon mount? The height of the video head plus adapter would be enough to get my face above the top of the tripod body.

[ihf]

You don't mention which binoculars you are planing to use. Most binoculars that need mounting are long, say in the 30cm to 50cm range (12-20 inches). The center of gravity of large binoculars is surprisingly close to the objectives, but the exact location doesn't matter. As long as the center of gravity of the binoculars is not at the eyepieces (say normal glasses or constellation binos), then you need a center column that is about as long as the binoculars. The reason is simple. Imagine you are have them set to be looking at the horizon. From there you slowly want to look up. The binoculars will rotate around their center of gravity (which is near the front). But that means that the eyepieces are moving down a lot. Instead of crawling under the binos and trying to look up it is easier to lift the binos by about their length, which gets the eyepieces back up at eye height.

 

There are exceptions to this rule. But they usually involve a height adjustable chair instead of a height adjustable column. Or of course you can adjust the length of each of the 3 legs each time you want to change the view a little bit.

 

Notice that a lot of center columns are a bit flimsy. The good news though is that magnifications up to 20x don't really need a super solid mount, even though it is nicer. Some folks just use very long monopods. Again, the maximum height of the tripod  should ideally exceed your height[1] by maybe 8 inches or 20cm if you hope to use it standing. For instance the INNOREL RT85C for about USD 200 without ballhead might work for binoculars up to 20x and up to 10lbs if the height is ok.

 

Now if you tell us which binos you are hoping to use it will be easier to give tripod/column/mounting recommendations. It is an individual thing though.

 

[1] Notice that the Omegon does not have a hinge for the bino. This means the length of the center column will probably have to offset the length of the Omegon arm in addition to the length of the bino to some degree. I have a bit of a hard time visualizing how this works. But I honestly suspect the thing is not fit for function. Looks like there was a previous discussion/attempt to use it with no feedback.

Edited by ihf, 07 November 2024 - 09:31 PM.

[CuriousObserver]

Thank you so much for replying and for all the helpful explanations. It‘s a Steiner Nighthunter 8x56 with a Berlebach holder. The whole setup must be portable. Leofoto tripods seem optimal for that purpose. If the central column is critical, LV-324C would be the choice.

Edited by CuriousObserver, 07 November 2024 - 09:53 PM.

[ihf]

Well, I do have a Berlebach holder that I don't use too much. I always thought that if I could nail an Arca-Swiss plate to the side of the Berlebach holder then using it with the RT85C and double panorama head as described above might work. Lets see if I find time this weekend.

[sevenofnine]

Welcome to C/N! 

 

I suggest considering a tall sturdy tripod with an adjustable friction fluid video head. You really don't need a counter weight system with a small bino. This Oberwerk 4000 or 5000 series will easily handle the 8x56 and much larger too if one is in your future. My Oberwerk 20x70EDU balances with zero problems. Best of luck with your decisions! 

 

https://oberwerk.com...ies-tripodhead/.

 

.

Edited by sevenofnine, 08 November 2024 - 01:38 PM.

[Rich V.]

Thank you so much for replying and for all the helpful explanations. It‘s a Steiner Nighthunter 8x56 with a Berlebach holder. The whole setup must be portable. Leofoto tripods seem optimal for that purpose. If the central column is critical, LV-324C would be the choice.

It looks like the LV-324C is quite short at 61" even with its column extended.  Are you planning on sitting while viewing? 

 

I find for standing use, the tripod/head assy must quite tall so as to hold the base of the binos at least 6" taller than I am to get the binos at a comfortable viewing height.  Looking through straight-through standard binos is uncomfortable enough on the neck without having to squat to look up through them.  Consider the height of the setup to be an important factor in your particular use.

[JoeFaz]

As appealing as the simplicity of the design is, I just can't imagine it being comfortable to use over a range of altitude. It's an attempt to provide a simpler alternative to a parallelogram, which is great because p-grams are not without their flaws, but at the end of the day it's just an inferior design.

[CuriousObserver]

Thank you very much, everyone, for your valuable feedback, for highlighting the overall height considerations of the tripod and central column setup, and for pointing out the potential issues with the counterweight mount design.

 

Your input has helped me decide not to proceed with the Omegon mount with counterweight.

 

Regarding the tripod, I agree that the Oberwerk 4000 is an excellent choice, and the 5000 is even better. They would be ideal for a versatile setup for observing while sitting or standing. Unfortunately, Oberwerk does not sell tripods in the EU—only their optics—so these great options are out of my reach.

 

Here’s where I stand now:

 

For the upper part of my portable setup for the Steiner, I plan to use a combination of the Berlebach adapter and the Leofoto BV-15 fluid video head.

 

As for the tripod base, I am considering two options:

• keep the initial plan of viewing in sitting and go for a trustable Leofoto LV-324C or
• opt for a setup suitable for both sitting and standing based on 77-inch-high ARTCISE AS80C+EC2 that got good reviews on Amazon but whom I had never heard of before. This appears to be the tallest portable tripod I’ve found available in the EU.

By portable setup, I mean that all components (including a foldable seat) should fit into a 40-50 liter rucksack plus a tripod bag.

 

What are your thoughts? I would greatly appreciate any further advice or recommendations.