What Tripod for Giant Binoculars

[Nordo]

I am about to buy a pair of Binoculars - either 20x80T or 25x100Fb from AOE.
These binoculars obviously need a tripod. Can anyone suggest a tripod for these that would suit sky and terrestrial viewing?
Thanks

PS I don't really want to send more on the tripod than the Bins:thumbsup:

[janoskiss]

Hi Nordo. For astronomy they really need something other than a camera tripod - because you cannot look up very high with them. Camera tripod (like the one from AOE (www.aoe.com.au) e.g.) on its own is good up to about 50 degrees altitude. Have a look at this article on CN: http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1344

[Dennis]

Hi Nordo

I have the Vixen 30x125 giant bino’s on the Vixen fork and swing mount bracket, which IMHO are essential for bino’s this size and weight (11kg’s).

I made the pillar adapter and tripod myself and as you can see it is oversize, although very comfortable to use. The tripod tray easily fits a notebook computer. The white cable you can see under the tripod tray is a 4 way power board for the notebook computer and Kendrick dew heaters for the objectives and eyepieces.

To really enjoy using any binoculars, and in particular these giant bino’s, I have found that you need to be seated, comfortable and able to move them smoothly so all those environmental factors can “vanish” and just leave you with the lovely field of view.

If you have to bend, strain your neck, or experience any difficulty in pointing the bino’s or obtaining smooth movements, then the whole viewing experience suffers and you are less likely to use the bino’s or will spend too little time enjoying them once you have set them up.

Cheers

Dennis

[Nordo]

WOW!!!:eyepop:
Now THOSE are binoculars:thumbsup:
The best thing they have is the 45deg prisms.
I don't know of any bins in my budget that have 45deg eyepieces (do you?:) )
Budget is $500, hopefully including tripod. Although I reckon I could build a tripod like yours. I like the alti-azimuth - looks smooth and simple.
Do you have to keep your foot on the tripod to keep it steady;)

PS I just realised from your post that the mount comes with the binoculars.

[Geoff]

Hi,
I bought a pair of 25X100 bins and made a tripod similar to a camera tripod,only larger.
I made it out of 12 mm and 15 mm light square tube. and some round.
Total cost $30 dollars. It works well and is not too bad to lug around.
I found it difficult with any tripod or pillar to view nearly straight up with bins. If you like, I can send photos and sizes.
Cheers
Geoff Liddicoat

[Dennis]

Hi Nordo

Geoff makes a very good point regarding viewing objects at, or close to, the zenith. My oversize tripod, the Vixen 45 deg fork arms and 45 deg eyepiece holders make it reasonably comfortable, although I do use an adjustable observing chair that I made too.

Cheers

Dennis

[Nordo]

Geoff
Yes, I'd definitely be intersted in your photos and instructions on your tripod - although I must admit, I like Dennis's timber monsters (I like his binos as well:rolleyes: ).
Dennis,
Can I ask how much your Vixens cost? BTW, are you going to Cambroon (weather permiting) on Satruday night? See here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=10931). Seem like a nice group of blokes.
On the net I saw someone's tripod, similar to yours, but that could extend so that you could STAND and view through normal binos (no 45's) reasonably close to the zenith without stooping. However, I like your idea that viewing should always be done in the seated position:thumbsup: .

[Dennis]

Hi Nordo

Are you sitting down? The retail price in the shop in Brisbane was marked at just over $5000. They sat in there for over two years as I walked in every weekend and drooled.

One day, I saw them in the clearance room and made them an offer of $2500 and walked out with them!

Matthew Lovell from Telescopes & Astronomy (http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/vixen-pricelist.htm)lists them for $4899 although I am not sure if that includes fork, swing bracket and tripod?

Cheers

Dennis

[Dennis]

Hi Nordo

If you are really serious, you should get a GoTo chair like this one, a real beauty! Unfortunately, I won't be at Cambroon but I hope to be at the Qld Astrofest.

Cheers

Dennis

[Geoff]

Hi Nordo,
Here are a couple of photo's of my Bino mounts,
And a discription, if it all attaches.
Geoff

[Dennis]

Hey Geoff

That is a beautiful piece of work - well done! My wooden tripod is car transportable only, due to its size and weight.

Cheers

Dennis

PS - when you find a good design for a binocular chair, I would be very interested to have a look too.

[johnno]

Hi All,

Hi Geoff,
I agree with Dennis,

Thats a great tripod,
As a bit of a tinkerer,you have given me some ideas,to make something for my larger Binoculars.

Thanks.
Regards.
John