WOW!!!
Now THOSE are binoculars
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.