Tripod for a smallish (10x50) binoculars?

[Alasdair]

While I faff about not being able to decide about telescopes, I thought I might at least get a tripod for my binoculars.

I understand that with tripods, as with everything else, you pretty much get what you pay for. Also that it's not worth skimping on price, as weak and wobbly tripods will be worse than useless: you need solidity and strength.

I've done a bit of hand-held binocular astronomy in the past - and of course the virtues of binoculars are their wide field of view and simplicity. However, I've never used a tripod with them. The ones I have are Nikon Action 10x50 6.5° - not top of the range by any means, but perfectly satisfactory.

OzScopes sell a SkyWatcher tripod and mount for $179; this plus a Nikon adapter ($40 from Digital Camera Warehouse, which happily is just up the road from my house), puts me at about $220 for the lot. Is this a reasonable price, or can I do better?

Thanks!

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Personally, I think you are into overkill territory.

A binocular adapter you can get for a few bucks on Ebay.

For the tripod you want one with a handle that when rotated easily moves the central post up and down (as opposed to one where you unlock the central post and push it up and down by hand).

For me, even a $30 tripod does the job if it is relatively heavy (though there are some that are too light).

The next good option is a tripod with a fluid pan head for smooth panning (which you won't find in cheap tripods).

The panning handles of all my tripods always hits my chest, so I mount the binoculars backward and use the tripod with the panning handle aimed away from me (you soon get used to it).

You can then use the tripod in three ways.
1. With all three legs on the ground - the steadiest way, but hard to see overhead.

2. While seated on a stool, raise the central post and move the tripod back so that it rests on two legs - you can see much further overhead, and still have a steady view.

3. Just pick up the tripod and look through the binoculars. Not as steady as the previous two methods, but because of the extra weight, you get a much steadier view than that from hand holding the binoculars alone - and you can aim anywhere in the sky. I get relatively steady views even with 20X80 binoculars by hand holding the tripod.

Though, if you intend to use the tripod for other purposes (e.g video or with a small telescope) then you may well want to consider a better quality, heavier, more expensive tripod.

Regards,
Renato

[dannat (Daniel)]

Try andrewscom & telescopes-astronomy.com.au, you can buy same/similar for less.
A tripod is a good idea for 10x50, keeps them steady & you can see a little deeper
You may find an old velbon slik heavy tripod on gumtree, very good value

[julianh72 (Julian)]

For "smallish" binoculars (I have a pair of 10 x 50 and a pair of 15 x 70), I find a monopod with a pan-tilt head is ideal.

In fact, for 10 x 50, I usually don't even bother with the monopod - I find that as long as I'm sitting comfortably (I use a sturdy folding canvas camping chair - the type with a stubby-holder in the arm rest), I can hand-hold them perfectly well. The trick is be seated comfortably, and to hold them gently at their balance point, which may be a bit further towards the big objectives than the "natural" grasping point. If they are well-balanced, you only need a very light grip, and this reduces fatigue. If you are holding them too close to the eyepieces, you have to hold them tight to stop them tilting downwards, and this increases fatigue and shakes.

The 15 x 70 are just a bit over my hand-held limit - I can almost manage the weight, but they start to shake after 5 seconds or so. With these sized binoculars, you just need something stable to take the weight, but preferably easily adjustable for height and inclination. A monopod allows me to sit comfortably in my camping chair, adjust the height to take the weight on the monopod, and then lightly hold the top of the monopod for a beautifully stable and comfortable view, anywhere from the horizon to the zenith. I find it much more convenient than any "fixed" tripod for this size binocular.

If you have a camera tripod with a pan-tilt head, you can try it out by just folding the legs together and using it as a monopod - but a purpose-built monopod is even more convenient.

[inertia8 (Australia)]

Normally with Bino's I use two legs and hold the tripod by the legs with my arms tucked into my body and the bino's pressed against my eye sockets. That said I used a tripod that has a ball head, which I got for using with my laser leveller... not ideal but does the trick. Build quality has been fine, it's a Weifeng from ebay about 7yrs or so back...

I have Vortex Diamondback 8x42's with their adaptor and would love to get a set of andrew's for use as well for wide field sky scanning.