What type of Binocular Mounts do you use?

addy · Post by **addy** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 3:21 pm

Hi All,

Just wanted to check how many of the singastro members use Astronomical Binoculars and which mounts they use.. I have a 20x70 binocular and I find its heavy to handhold, though with practice I can use it for around an hour or so.. Though the bino comes with a L adapter its not very useful.

What kinds of mounts do you use? Anyone using those specialised Parallelogram mounts or any other DIY mounts..

regards
Addy

Post by **weixing** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 3:34 pm

Hi,
WOW... you can use a 20x70 bino without a mount??? You must be very strong...

Anyway, you don't need special mount, a normal camera mount should do... get a field chair also if you want to use a mount for the bino...

harlequin2902 · Post by **harlequin2902** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 3:41 pm

Actually, a basic Manfrotto tripod with a heavy duty head (such as the 410 head) is more than solid enough for most mini-giant binoculars.

My 22 x 100s are mounted on such a setup and it can still handle the weight nicely. The Manfrotto setup is also much more portable and manageable than any parrallelogram mount (do remember also the additional counterweights you need to balance things up on those things).

addy · Post by **addy** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 4:02 pm

Yes.. I have been using it using a manfrotto tripod and a ball head (I am still in a process of getting 410), but I didn't find it very comfortable.. The L bracket which comes with it is not really good.. I think it would be ok to use it with a field chair.. But I was looking more for one of those mounts which I can use while lying on a arm chair..

I got used to hand hold the heavy SLR and Lense so a 1.2 kg Bino is OK..

Post by **Airconvent** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 6:58 pm

For a Bino with wide view, you don't really need to spend the $$$ on an expensive precision slow motion head like the 410. your ball head, if not undersized should do nicely and facilitate quick scanning....

rich

Kcsquare76 · Post by **Kcsquare76** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 12:26 am

I am using a 128LP head 1st on my 7x50, & then subsequently 22x100
Like the panning capability
With a 190PRO tripod, I can mount the head horizontally that allows me to view objects near the zenith without too much difficult.
But whenever I surf around, those pple with a parallelogram mount always have a contented, no-sore-neck look on their face

addy · Post by **addy** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 12:49 am

what is 128LP head.. is it from manfrotto.. any specs..

Kcsquare76 · Post by **Kcsquare76** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 12:35 am

yes it is from manfrotto
it is a video pan head, so it allows me to pan around
I don't quite like the ball head bcos once you unlock it, the bino can "flop"
anywhere
you can look up the specs at the manfrotto website

harlequin2902 · Post by **harlequin2902** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 1:55 am

Hi,

Ok, regarding this 128LP head :

I was at Cathay just 2 weeks ago shopping for a pan head for mounting my scopes for birding purposes. The 128 was out of stock and they recommended a close alternative - the new 700RC head. Works and looks just like the 128LP, just physically a little smaller and with a lesser max load capacity. The guys at Cathay told me also that they will soon stop bringing in the 128LP and will replace it with the 700RC. Other than being made in Italy (the 128LP was made in China - Kcsquare76 can check ?) , the new 700RC has the added advantage of a "quick release" feature via a quick release plate. I think the shelf price was S$155 or something but I got it for less as I'm sort of a regular there

Kcsquare76 · Post by **Kcsquare76** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 9:59 pm

I checked the head but all it says is "Manfrotto Italy"
The quick release will be quite convenient bcos at the moment it is a bit unwieldy for me to screw my bino on the head