Mount for TS 15x85 MX Marine (4.65 kg)

[CHAMACO]

Hi guys,

I just ordered the TS 15x85 MX Marine binoculars (BA8, 4.65 kg weight). Since no monopod applies to this giant binoculars, I'm wondering which mount do you think is suitable for my new toy. Not too much wind in my place. 

Thanks guys!

[Hawkspar]

I use the Amazon Basics Pistol Grip Tripod for my 15x70's and it works perfectly. Of course my binocs weigh 3 pounds and yours weigh just over 10. I still am sure this tripod would work for you. It's a heavy and very sturdy tripod. The tripod weighs 10 pounds itself. I'm very impressed with mine and I love it. You could go online to Amazon and take a look for yourself. It's very reasonably priced as well. I got mine for 70 US dollars including shipping. Good luck with your new bins, I'm sure you'll love them!

[Damo636]

Having experimented with various mounting options for my 20x110, I'd recommend a decent Parallelogram mount above all others for this binocular. Although a decent tripod and some sort of pan/tilt head would suffice ( to a point), a P-mount combined with reclining lawn/deck chair will allow access to the entire sky in unrivalled comfort. That said, a lot depends on how much you want to spend?

[CHAMACO]

I use the Amazon Basics Pistol Grip Tripod for my 15x70's and it works perfectly. Of course my binocs weigh 3 pounds and yours weigh just over 10. I still am sure this tripod would work for you. 

Thanks Hawkspar. My first thought was for this mount. Theoretically it can support up to 5 kg, so my new binos should be OK on top of this mount. But here is where comfort comes to play, and I don't want to have neck pains... How do you watch objects at 60 degrees or higher? Too much neck pain?

Having experimented with various mounting options for my 20x110, I'd recommend a decent Parallelogram mount above all others for this binocular. Although a decent tripod and some sort of pan/tilt head would suffice ( to a point), a P-mount combined with reclining lawn/deck chair will allow access to the entire sky in unrivalled comfort. That said, a lot depends on how much you want to spend?

I agree a P-mount provides unrivalled comfort. Which one do you recommend? Just provide one for a budget, and another one with no money restrictions. 

[Damo636]

When I had the 22x85 I used it to good effect on my Unimount light, imported from here .......http://www.bigbinoculars.com/unimount.htm

The only other suitable commercially available (that I'm aware of) is the Orion Monster.......http://www.amazon.co.uk/Orion-Monster-Parallelogram-Binocular-Tripod/dp/B00QK0VJ8Q

Another option is to build your own. I had to do this for the 20x110 as a suitable commercially available unit would have cost approx £600!

[CHAMACO]

When I had the 22x85 I used it to good effect on my Unimount light, imported from here .......http://www.bigbinoculars.com/unimount.htm
The only other suitable commercially available (that I'm aware of) is the Orion Monster.......http://www.amazon.co.uk/Orion-Monster-Parallelogram-Binocular-Tripod/dp/B00QK0VJ8Q
Another option is to build your own. I had to do this for the 20x110 as a suitable commercially available unit would have cost approx £600!

Thanks Damo. Excellent info. What about the Paragon Plus? 

[Damo636]

I'm not intirely sure if the Paragon Plus would support the 15x85. From memory I think it has a 6-8lb capacity. I think Steve Tonkin has one, hopefully he might chime in soon with some info. Ps, check out his website @ http://www.binocularsky.com/

Edit. Another to consider is the UA T-mount, shorter than the Unimount so probably not as easy to use seated, but should be more rigid......

http://www.bigbinoculars.com/tmount.htm

[CHAMACO]

I'm not intirely sure if the Paragon Plus would support the 15x85. From memory I think it has a 6-8lb capacity. I think Steve Tonkin has one, hopefully he might chime in soon with some info. Ps, check out his website @ http://www.binocularsky.com/

Edit. Another to consider is the UA T-mount, shorter than the Unimount so probably not as easy to use seated, but should be more rigid......

http://www.bigbinoculars.com/tmount.htm

YES, Steve's website is my reference for binoculars. Actually, I ordered my first binoculars (Nikon Action EX 8x40) after reading his website ;-) Great stuff.

[BinocularSky]

Chiming in as requested...

Forget the Paragon Plus; it needs the tensions done up (or a bit more weight on the counterweight) in order to hold the Helios Apollo 15x70 - that is right at the limit of its ability. It's ideally suited to 10x50s and will have no chance at all with the 15x85.

Damo has hit the nail on the head here: parallelogram. There is no point in spending good money ona capable binocular then ruining it with a sub-optimal mount. Other than making your own, the only ones I know to be suitable for yours are the Universal Astronomics ones (I've had a T-Mount for over a decade and wouldn't be without it -- and the new ones (friend recently got one) are even better!). I can't comment authoritatively on the Monster but:

• It appears to be a Chinese clone of a UA mount
• It appears to use bits from other mounts, e.g. the Skywatcher dovetail L-bracket
• A lot of places that used to stock it no longer do
• There are allusions on CN to bad reviews on the Orion T&B site; there are no longer any reviews there.

I'd be wary.

You can get away with a good tripod and fluid head, but you will struggle like mad anywhere above 60*, especially with straight-through eyepeices (and you'll probably have to reverse the head to get above that anyway). If you choose that option, unless you are an accomplished limbo-dancer, make sure you have the contact details for a good physio! A good tripod and head is not quite as frustrating as a not-so-good one, but that's the best that can be said for it (IMO, of course).

[CHAMACO]

Thanks Steve, great review. I'm not a limbo-dancer, so I forget the tripod & fluid head combo. I'll have a look to the UA mounts.

Your best sentence: "There is no point in spending good money on a capable binocular then ruining it with a sub-optimal mount."

[BinocularSky]

If you're going for UA, deal directly with Larry Patriarca (the proprietor) - and take his advice.