DIY binocular stand

[Walter Kanezza (Phil)]

I thought I already posted this but I can't find it.....

Just thought I'd share this with you. It is my binocular stand and I think it works really well for quick no-fuss observing. Its only a stick with a bit of ply wood sliding up and down. In fact you can probably tell where the idea came from, it could be called the Denver observing stick.

1) 1 - 2.4 metre length of dressed 15mm square timber
2) Some 3 ply scraps
3) Non-slip self adhesive tape

I started with the pole, cut off a piece just a bit longer than my binoculars are wide for the support arm and two smaller pieces to each side of the sliding tube

Marked up two 'L's out of the 3 ply, and glued the support together.
Front and back spacing should be a comfortable sliding fit around the pole.
The left/right spacing should be a couple of mm wider to allow non-slip tape to be glued inside

Rounded the top of the pole so I wouldn't take anyone's eye out
Filed the bottom of the pole so I could glue a rubber foot on.
Spread contact glue on one side of the pole and then put on the non-slip tape
Glued another piece of the same tape just on the bottom inch or so inside the sliding tube (on the binocular side) so that when downward pressure is applied the two non-slip surfaces are pushing together

Thats it.

The arm could be designed a heap of ways but I'm happy with mine.

Good for -
Steadying binoculars
Whacking predatory animals
Helping yourself home after 'those' observing nights
Hiking stick (thanks Mike)

Make it in 2 hours and leave outside the back door.

[erick (Eric)]

Looking good Phil. Is that non-slip tape a Bunnings item?

[Walter Kanezza (Phil)]

Yep, everything from Bunnings - 3M tape. Used one shim of cereal packet cardboard to get the front/back clearance

[dannat (Daniel)]

weel done - have you mounted the binocular tripod adpater onto the cross piece? i can't quite see in the pic

[Stardumb (Nigel)]

Phil,

Now this is the sort of device that is well within my budget

Believe it or not, I have been trying to figure out how to improvise on an old "Totem Tennis" adjustable pole to do the same sorta thing. The GOTO database of such a device is unlimited!

Nigel

[mercedes_sl1970]

Excellent idea - well done. Love the ingenuity.

Andrew

[Mike21 (Michael)]

That looks great.

This months Aussie Sky and Telescope has a DIY image stabiliser too. For those who haven't bought AS&T, their design consists of a pair of timber rails that project backwards over each shoulder as counterweight. The binos are strapped to the bit that projects out the front. The idea is that the inertia of the frame lessens the wobble. I can't help thinking of Mr Bean using one of these at a star party and knocking everything for six.

Yours looks a great deal more user friendly; and many times less embarressing if used in public.

[Robh (Rob)]

Very clever.
The best solutions are often the simplest.

Regards, Rob

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by Mike21

That looks great.

This months Aussie Sky and Telescope has a DIY image stabiliser too. For those who haven't bought AS&T, their design consists of a pair of timber rails that project backwards over each shoulder as counterweight. The binos are strapped to the bit that projects out the front. The idea is that the inertia of the frame lessens the wobble. I can't help thinking of Mr Bean using one of these at a star party and knocking everything for six.

Yours looks a great deal more user friendly; and many times less embarressing if used in public.

Re the design published in Oz S&T, on observation of the photos, three things worry me:-

1. Look at the way the Occi strap is connected. If it is taut enough to hold them in place, imagine what will happen to your eye if one dislodges off the screw. It might even send the screw into your eye followed by the strap hook.

2. Swinging around risks collecting things with the protruding wooden frame behind you, Classic "Mr Bean" performance, as you observed.

3. If some idiot decided it would be a good idea to grab the wood and give it a pull while someone is observing!

I don't think so.

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

nice design

never fails to amaze, the wonderful solutions that people come up with for mounting binos

[GrahamL]

great stuff Phil But could you maybe take two steps back to give us a better shot of how it works

[anj026]

Well Done Phil.

Thanks for sharing it, I haven't seen anything like that before.

I made a little bracket to help hand holding my 9x63 that works great for scanning the sky. It makes it steadier and easier on the arms.

[Walter Kanezza (Phil)]

nightstalker,
2 steps back would put me right in the pool - 11 degrees at the moment - see pic 1. Seriously though its just a stick with a sliding arm that you just rest the binocs on. Because of the non-slip tape, the harder you push down, the firmer the support arm. I just hold the binocs almost as normal except I include the pole and the arm in my grip. Its also left or right handed Just make sure the neck strap is on for guests otherwise the lot may end up on the ground.