I have 15x70s and have found tripods to not be a very effective way of using them. For objects at any height you have to nearly fully extend the centre column which makes it really unstable. I have just finished a homebuilt parallelogram mount. Total cost for timber and bolts, nuts and screws etc was probably about $120. It works very well and is very stable and also means you are not standing right next to the tripod and knocking al the time. It can also be used while sitting or even lying on a lounge chair.
The thread describing is here
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=116122
I can send the plans if you want. You will need some very basic woodworking skills and tools to complete.
Bintel sell a commercial one (see
http://www.bintel.com.au/Binoculars/...oductview.aspx ) but is quite exxy!
Malcolm