Need a tripod for my bino's!!!!! any suggestions please

[KerryAnn23]

I have just recieved my celestron 15x70 bino's and i knew they would be heavy but thought my arms would cope......... not!!!! i'm in quite a rush to get one suitable for these but on the lowest budget possible.... it would be nice if someone has these binos and has got themselves a tripod or at least no exactly what to look for. iv got under 2 month to get one to make sure they are nice and steady at PSP2011. Please help xxx:icon_scratch:

[GJBC]

Get a sturdy tripod and a really good tripod head. quick release heads are OK but beware. i have had an accident and dropped a really nice set of bins when the quick release had not locked correctly but it was my fault i had not put the lock on and had been adjusting the angle of the bins. i just let go and walked away as you should be able to do that and BANG they were on the floor. if you can get a parallelogram mount for them as well it makes SO much difference when observing, but they are expensive to buy.

take the bins to the shop and try them out before you buy, don't do it by site or pictures.

best of luck

[GeeO]

Guess it depends on how you like to do your observing.

I like to get comfy and use a manfrotto 055xprob which is a good solid tripod with good height and the centre column can be fed horizontally to put the head off centre so that you can easily use the binos from a seated position beside the tripod it is also good for viewing at the Zenith. I'm currently using it with my 20 x 50's but sure it will be suitable for 15 x 70's. You will also need a head for it.

Like this but I dont have a counter weight I just splay the legs farther.

http://stargazerslounge.com/diy-astronomer/152394-lazy-observing-binoculars.html#post1916171

Another tripod which has an offset centre column is the benbo trekker havent used one so unsure if it will handle the 15 x 70's.

Heard of some folks using monopods nice cheap option but isnt going to be as versatile as the above

Or how about forgetting the tripod and build a mirror mount like this...

http://stargazerslounge.com/observing-binoculars/76542-binocular-comfort.html

[Nexus 6]

For a set of 15x 70's this is worth looking at First Light Optics - Horizon 8115 2-Way Heavy Duty Tripod

many people on here have bought one for use with their own bins

[Smood]

Hi KerryAnn

Thats funny as i've been researching just today into getting bino's while i save up to buy a big scope..

Now i dont know if this genius is a member on here but i found his posts on the cloudyskies forum with details about his homemade bino viewing setup...

U'll soon want to forget tripods...

Check the link for his vid clip...

AMAZING!

[ScubaMike]

pure genius.

[AliMac]

I use an ancient camera tripod. It's a bit wobbly but better than nothing. I imagine you could pick one up very cheaply on eBay. The other thing to get is a new tripod adapter. The one that comes with the bins is plastic, and I think it accounts for a lot of the instability.You can pick a reinforced one up from FLO I believe.

[great_bear]

I've just ordered the Binoflex Mirror Mount from Scopes 'n' Skies.

- it should be arriving today!

(hope so, since we're camping from tomorrow!)

[jango fett]

that youtube clip is very very good lol

[KerryAnn23]

hey guys, thanks, i will look at all these later, the horizon 8115 was what i've been looking for but as others have said i need a mount, does anyone no of one that would be compatable with my bino's? want to order as soon as i can as last night i had the brilliant sight of Jupiter and even tho i managed to see 2 of the moons it was very hard balancing myself to keep the bins still for about a 10second look. thanks again x

[Nexus 6]

KerryAnn, for use with your bins the Horizon is all that you will need, I would also agree with Alimac and suggest ordering a metal bracket for holding them, much better then the plastic one that comes with them. I have this set of Celestrons and am sure that the Horizon will be fine for you.

[Richp]

For a set of 15x 70's this is worth looking at First Light Optics - Horizon 8115 2-Way Heavy Duty Tripod

many people on here have bought one for use with their own bins

I'll second this - great tripod, great price.

[KerryAnn23]

ok sounds good then so what bracket would you suggest. i will definately go with the horizon tripod so its just the head thing i need then x

[Nexus 6]

The bracket is on the same page right next to the Horizon, get the bigger one.

[Austin]

Love the star rocker vid, that's the way to observe!! better than contorting around an eq mount!! I was looking at the 15 x 70 bins myself, they look like good value for money.

[Space Beagle]

Just to add to your options, he he, ive been using a Red Snapper RS283 tripod and a Triton ball head grip with my Celestron SkyMaster 15 x 70's for the last year or so and have been very pleased with them!

Check out their websites: Home and Welcome to Telescope-Service

Hope you find a combination that works for you!

Doc

[KerryAnn23]

ahhh, i didnt see anything next to it as it went to the full page about the horizon lol

[KerryAnn23]

Hmmmm that red snapper one is only £50 at the moment, hmmmm now im at confusing stage lol, i hate making decisions :-(

[Nexus 6]

Hmmmm that red snapper one is only £50 at the moment, hmmmm now im at confusing stage lol, i hate making decisions :-(

ha, now your in trouble, so many choices

[KerryAnn23]

:-( its sooooo hard, as long as my binoculars are stable on whatever tripod i'm not bothered. just need to no which bracket for the horizon one and the same for the red snapper and then i can decide by price if they are both of good quality xx

[Space Beagle]

The metal brackets that FLO do:

First Light Optics - L-Type Binocular Tripod Adapters

should fit both the Horizon and the Red Snapper tripods as they are made to a standard size I think!

Of course some people get away with using something like an upside-down broom to rest on - whatever works!

Doc

[KerryAnn23]

Right ok then, they will have a returns policy i think anyway so i just need to decide wich tripod to go with lol