Tripod Mount Adaptor for Celestron SkyMaster Binoculars 15x70

[Distorted Vision]

Hi,

I've decided to buy a pair of binoculars for when I can't set up my telescope but there is a clear sky like today.

I was looking at the Celestron SkyMaster Binoculars 15x70 but read that the tripod mount adaptor was very flimsy. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a replacement?

Many thanks!

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

It s flimsy (worse than useless: the free-hand view wobbles less than on tripod with that adaptor). I got a standard metal one from a local shop, mainly because I was leaving for France the next day. FLO must have them as well

[Greg]

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/binocular-accessories/l-type-binocular-tripod-adapters.html

Here you go..

I have the same bins and this metal mount..

Greg

[brantuk]

Checkout these "L" bracket adaptors for bincs - they're pretty solid even on a standard camera mount:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/binocular-accessories.html

[Distorted Vision]

I found these on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opticron-Tripod-Mount-Adaptor-Binoculars/dp/B005F51HE8/ref=pd_bxgy_ce_img_c

I'm also trying to decide on a tripod. I wanted to get a budget one and was looking at the Hama ones on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0000WXD1G/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_g23_i2?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0NPZZMN8N7YWYD881JGF&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294

but I was looking at spending a little more ie around £30. Anyone got any suggestions?

[Alan_B]

With a £30 budget have you considered a monopod ? something like this perhaps http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/Monopod_Mini_Ball_Head.html#a39

Never used Red Snapper myself but they have had good reviews on here and I am thinking about a monopod myself

[astrofox]

I bought the Celestron Bino adapter and it wobbled like jelly. Easy to fix. It's basically an I girder which is strong in bendinding but weak radially. If you fill the space betwen the webs with an epoxy resin it will stiffen up its torsional rigidity

[celkins]

I found these on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co...d_bxgy_ce_img_c

I'm also trying to decide on a tripod. I wanted to get a budget one and was looking at the Hama ones on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co...&pf_rd_i=468294

but I was looking at spending a little more ie around £30. Anyone got any suggestions?

Argos used to do a pretty decent one for just under £30 - I haven't tried using it with my bins, yet, but it seems fine with my Lumix camera, and it got reviews comparable with tripods of twice the price.

- Carl

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Mine was very like this one:

http://www.robtics.nl/product_info.php?products_id=537

very stiff indeed

[BinocularSky]

Mine was very like this one:

http://www.robtics.n...products_id=537

I have the same one; under a tenner from Strathspey (on eBay). One of the better ones I have used.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Strathspey-Binoculars-tripod-adaptor-bracket-metal-/370625744542?pt=UK_Photography_Binocular_Accessories&hash=item564b040e9e

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I have the same one; under a tenner from Strathspey (on eBay). One of the better ones I have used.

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item564b040e9e

I got it elsewhere as well (but for more money, as I needed it instantly ) I prefer them to the ones made from a simple L-shaped strip of metal, which are more prone to vibrational and torsional motions

[Alma]

Try the Far-Sight ...

http://www.365astronomy.com/farsight-stainless-steel-quick-binocular-mount-for-finderscopes-p-2135.html?zenid=c81b5b1a3136da81cb8d0aea5f22a00d

Rock solid, plus it has the added benefit of being able to mount an RDF. It's a little more expensive but worth it i.m.o.h.

[TheNorthernMonkey]

I found these on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co...d_bxgy_ce_img_c

I'm also trying to decide on a tripod. I wanted to get a budget one and was looking at the Hama ones on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co...&pf_rd_i=468294

but I was looking at spending a little more ie around £30. Anyone got any suggestions?

Ive just ordered the mount for my Binos. Jessops currently do a good range of tripods for £35 if you can stretch just a little, or an excellent carbon fibre lightweights manfrotto one if you can manage £90

[TheNorthernMonkey]

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/77485/show.html - £35 Jessops tripod

[Distorted Vision]

I'm considering the Skymaster 20x80 now. The difference in price is only around £30 as I wouldn't have to buy a tripod adaptor. The only thing that slightly put me off were the size and weight. I was wondering if anyone has experience of both and could comment on the image quality.

Many thanks!

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

The advantage of the 15x70 is that you can still do hand-held work for a while (or at least I can). With a 20x80 you do not have a hope. If you are only going to use it from a tripod, this becomes immaterial.

[Distorted Vision]

Not planning on using it hand held. I'm wondering how the quality compares with the increased magnification and objectives.

[Distorted Vision]

Received my Skymaster 20x80s and Velbon CX640 tripod. Had some good viewings of the moon and also saw Venus and Jupiter about an hour before dawn. I saw two of Jupiter moons which I was really pleased about. Looked at Mars and Saturn few nights. I was disappointed with Saturn - I wasn't able to make out the rings but perhaps I was expecting a little too much. Not really sure what else I should try and look for.

With regard to Skymaster binoculars. I'm generally pleased with them but a little disappointed by the build quality. I expected a little more for the money and I thought that the case that it came with is rubbish.

[Chris]

You could look for many things with 20x80 bins, e.g. galaxies such as M31, M51, M81/82 etc, Globulars like M13 in Hercules, the beautiful binary Albereo is stunning, Planetary nebula like M57 and M27, the coat hanger asterism, when winter comes around M42 and M45 would be fab! Do you have Stellarium? if not you can download it and use it to look up objects to find.

I have a couple of pairs of smaller bins and I would like some larger 20x80 bins, I'm thinking about the Revelation 20x80 for 88 quid, I've justed asked about these on SGL because they are ridiculously cheap but I've heard that they are pretty good value for money.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

When I completed my Messier list, I noted that over half were found with bins, and most of those with my cheap 15x70s (similar to the Revelation ones). They also bagged me a heap of Caldwells. A 20x80 should show all this and more!

[Distorted Vision]

I had fun last night with my Celestron Skymasters. Had great views of Venus and Jupiter and two of its moons. Also saw Pleiades for the first - it was really quite beautiful.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

From my campsite in France I spotted Jupiter and Venus a few nights ago with the 15x70s. Brilliant views indeed. As I am far south, I could also spot the Silver Coin Galaxy in Sculptor and NGC 247 in Cetus. Especially the former was great!

[Astralstroll]

If you go for the 20 x 80 binos, make sure you lube/grease the aluminium locking nut on the tripod adaptor. I didnt do this and it siezed up completely. A few squirts of Teflon bike lube followed by a good clean down of the two threads and then some bike bearing grease had it as sweet as anything after.

WARNING!!! Do not get anything like teflon spray / lube or grease anywhere near the optics WARNING!!!

I had mine out last night on a camera tripod and was happily watching M31 for quite some time without wobbles.

Dave.