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L bracket - get what you pay for? Any Recs?

Eastridge

By Eastridge
in Discussions - Binoculars

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Eastridge

Eastridge

Posted
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Hi all,

Medium term I am looking to get some specific astro bins, but in the meantime want to try out how I get one with my existing 10x 50's - general use '7 day shop' ones nothing special.  

I have a monopd with no head originally bought for camera use and have just invested in a Camrock trigger head from Mike Photo as recoomended on here, goodness it's a chunky solid beast!

Having not sussed that the monopod had a 1/4 " thread but the head has a 3/8" ,  (doh!) I need to spend a few quid on a little adapter + also get an L bracket.

I know in absolute terms these are low cost, but both items seem to cost quite a bit more from a reputable astro shop than from e-bay.  I can't see an issue with the little adapter being a cheapo but the L bracket, I assume you get what you pay for?  Plastic vs Metal etc.  So, can anyone recommend  a decent but VFM one?    Reviewing previous threads people seem to go for anything from £1.49 on ebay from Hong Kong to FLO at £14+P&P.

In due course  may go for Celeston 15x 70's which I know come with own bracket but reviews say it's not very robust anyway, or I may go for something a little better quality, but sadly don't have the finds to get anything super like the Helios Apollos.

Thanks for any help or nudges in the right direction.

Sharon.

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Damo636

Damo636

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The ones sold by Strathspey on Ebay are very good and a tenner all in if I recall correctly.

Edit: This one....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370956326692?redirect=mobile

I also have this one, its a bit shorter, and as a result decreases the moment arm....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PREMIUM-UNIVERSAL-METAL-TRIPOD-ADAPTER-MOUNT-BRACKET-BINOCULARS-NEW-L-SHAPE-/370727817816?pt=UK_Photography_Binocular_Accessories&hash=item5651199258

Either will be more than adequate for your 10x50, but I do find the shorter one works better with my 15x70 for the reason above.

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BinocularSky

BinocularSky

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Some roof prism bins can't use the simple L brackets

The ones that roofs can't use are the "bent aluminium" type (unless they have cutaways). Ditto for some Porros, like the Helios Apollo 15x70 (the mounting bush is recessed and the prism housings are too close). The Strathspey/TS Optics one is, as near as dammit, universal.

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Eastridge

Eastridge

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Thanks guys, think I'll go for the Strathspey one, but appreciate the comment about the shortness of the other.

Steve - many thanks for the info on your Binocular Sky site it's been very, very useful. If I may pick your brain a little more, I see you prefer the Strathspey Giant version of the many K 15x70 BAK4 'look alikes' .  I am thinking either I get the Celestron version from Amazon where I will have 30 Days to check collimation etc.  or pay the extra for the Giant.  Other than the dodgy QC issues on collimation with the Celestron is there any specific feature / benefit that you know the Giants have?  I have to justify the extra money to other half who would rather spend it on better EP's for the scope!   

Many Thanks,

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BinocularSky

BinocularSky

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If I may pick your brain a little more, I see you prefer the Strathspey Giant version of the many K 15x70 BAK4 'look alikes' .  I am thinking either I get the Celestron version from Amazon where I will have 30 Days to check collimation etc.  or pay the extra for the Giant.  Other than the dodgy QC issues on collimation with the Celestron is there any specific feature / benefit that you know the Giants have?

The Strath has better coatings than the Celestron Skymaster (but the Celestrons are not all the same either; they have "evolved" over the years). Also, the Celestron I have played with has a cemented right dioptre (very difficult to adjust without causing damage) whereas the Strath has one that is splined and grub-screwed: simple to adjust. Also, the Celestron tripod adaptor is not nearly as good as the Strath one.

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Markinaboat

Markinaboat

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If you've not purchased the L bracket yet, I got this one which is extremely solid with a quality metal knurled knob. An additional benefit is that it has a second locating pin underneath which prevents the bins (in this case, Delta Extreme 15x70's) from swivelling on the mounting plate.

http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/bino_tripod_mounts.htm

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Markinaboat

Markinaboat

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If you've not purchased the L bracket yet, I got this one which is extremely solid with a quality metal knurled knob. An additional benefit is that it has a second locating pin underneath which prevents the bins (in this case, Delta Extreme 15x70's) from swivelling on the mounting plate.

http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/bino_tripod_mounts.htm

forgot to mention that it's the 31005 which is the chunky one on the far right.

:smiley:

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Alma

Alma

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Best for the 15x70's i.m.o. would be the Far Sight from Farpoint Astro - completely rigid and has a nice platform on the top to mount a RDF.  Unfortunately, it's not cheap but if you're committed to binocular viewing over the long term then personally I think it's worth the investment.   Several UK dealers stock it.

http://www.farpointastro.com/products.php

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BinocularSky

BinocularSky

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 (in this case, Delta Extreme 15x70's) from swivelling on the mounting plate.

http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/bino_tripod_mounts.htm

Mark, does the Delta Extreme have a recessed  mounting bush like the Apollos,  and, if so, is there space for the bracket between the prism housings at all IPDs?

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Markinaboat

Markinaboat

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Sorry Steve, have not seen the Apollos close up but I would imagine they must be identical in that respect. With the bush cover unscrewed, the female thread is within the framework of the bins. The standard steel bracket that came with the bins (mottled black enamel finish) still allows the bins to be closed to the 57 IPD if that helps. I already had the Opticron from when I had the Skymaster so use that as it has the 2nd locating lug to prevent swivelling.

Cheers

Mark

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F15Rules

F15Rules

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I second the Opticron adapater..you can get it from Amazon with free delivery for £10...http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opticron-Tripod-Mount-Adaptor-Binoculars/dp/B005F51HE8

I use it with my Skymaster 15x70s and it works well.

I really like the Skymasters by the way. Not a premium unit but a great intro to bigger binoculars and you can get some great views  - as long as you use a tripod -for not a lot of cash. I paid £36 in used, but excellent condition, shipped for mine on UKABS :-)

Dave

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