Mounting brackets/dovetails for ordinary binoculars?

[TonyD]

Hello,

I'm wondering what setups members of the binocular-wielding community have for putting regular binoculars (I'm thinking of my old and trusted 10x50s) onto a regular telescope mount using a dovetail (or any other Heath-Robinson concoction that may have been constructed).

In short, if I have a telescope tripod and a pair of binoculars, what's the easiest way of getting those binoculars on the tripod for stargazing (even if the binoculars have not been designed for mounting)

Cheers

Tony

[cantab]

If your binoculars have a mounting bush on the end of the hinge then an L bracket, otherwise a hinge clamp. Then that will need to go onto a dovetail bar with a 1/4-20 screw (photo tripod standard) on it.

[TonyD]

Aha! Excellent answer, thank you.

Are these hinge clamps available from normal binocular stockists?

[foundaplanet]

This is the thing http://www.green-witch.com/acatalog/Tripod_Accessories.html

[TonyD]

This is the thing http://www.green-wit...ccessories.html

Thanks so much, foundaplanet

PS how is that Lyra 4" turning out? Everything you expected?

Tony

[stargazerslivingroom]

I used the bracket previously recommended and found it too wide...I had to machine out semi circles as shown in photo BIN1.

Far better, I feel, is the design shown in BIN2 where the thickness (strength) is in the same plane as the tubes.

HTH

[BinocularSky]

Far better, I feel, is the design shown in BIN2

Absolutely agree. I use a similar one with my 2.5kg 15x70, with no hint of flexure (and it's a lot less expensive!).

[stargazerslivingroom]

Absolutely agree. I use a similar one with my 2.5kg 15x70, with no hint of flexure (and it's a lot less expensive!).

Well done, Steve....I'm sure that's the exact one shown in the second of my pics.

Steve (also)

[TonyD]

Absolutely agree. I use a similar one with my 2.5kg 15x70, with no hint of flexure (and it's a lot less expensive!).

Thanks so much. That is what I love about this forum. I have used/owned these bins for almost forty years ( ) and never knew about this removable plastic cover for mounting.

All I can say is WOW!

Thanks again so very, very much.

Tony

[estwing]

funny Tony..the answer was right in front of you!!

[TonyD]

funny Tony..the answer was right in front of you!!

Talk to my wife about that... story of my life!

Tony