Best tripod?

[AlexM]

Hi everyone.

I'm thinking about upgrading from my handheld 8x56 bins to something fatter - at least 70mm. I'll probably go for the revelation range - 15x70, or 20x80 or similar. The thing I'm least confident on is the tripod. What do I go for in order to satisfy my desire for an economical grab n go setup for my back garden or to throw(gently) in the boot of the car for trips away?

[nicnac]

i have the horizon 8115 that i bought from first light optics, it is a rock steady tripod. i use my 15x70s and my mak 90 on this mount, fantastic value.

[Wobbly Bob]

Have a look at car boot sales, a ew years ago i found two heavy duty Manfrotto tripods which have been used to carry allsorts of scopes ad bins. Only this week we picked up a very nice lightwieght but sturdy Velbron tripod WITH carry bag for........................£8

Bob

[muddy]

got one of these and well pleased read the reviews from amazon

Heavy Duty Professional Aluminium Camera Tripod with: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

[AlexM]

That Amazon tripod looks pretty good. Anyone got a view on why the Horizon one is better?

Alex

[callisto]

I use one of these with my Megrez 80II as a grab & go

Tripods - William Optics Tripod

Exellent, and steady as a rock

[ollypenrice]

I have a low end Manfrotto with 15x70s. Seems fine.

Olly

[AstroNinja]

I can't comment on the Amazon tripod, but I have had a Horizon tripod for 3 years and it has not let me down.

Normally I mount 15 x 70 Skymasters on it, but recently it has had 20 x 80 on and these were rock steady. From my experience I'd say that up to 90mm binoculars should be OK, over 90 it might be a bit top heavy.

Jon

[scogyrd]

My redsnapper tripod seems pretty sturdy, so much so that I even attach a laser line to it and use it to tile walls at work. It works fine with my 15x70s too.

Red Snapper | Tripod RS-324 & RSH528 Head.

The head's not up to much though.

[jgs001]

I was going to suggest having a look at the redsnapper tripod. It's great. I've used mine with my C80ED mounted on it, with a 2x TC both for wildlife and the moon with my 450d. And whilst it can take a couple of seconds to settle for the moon (as the exposure time can get a little long), it holds up well. The the three way head doesn't seem up to much (it's rated for 6.5Kg whereas the legs are 10Kg) then the large ballhead is supposed to be great.

[AlexM]

I bought the Horizon one today from Telescope House(I live nearby). That plus a pair of 15x70 cheapo bins has delivered some great views of the moon already this evening. It was great watching the kids(4 and nearly 3) taking it in turns to get a good view of the moon - much easier for them to operate than the dob(!)

Thanks to everyone for their advice. The Horizon seems very sturdy and handles the 15x70s no problem.

Alex

[LukeSkywatcher]

The Revelation 20X80 are a fine set of bins and the Horizon 8115 is a great tripod that can more then handle them.

Its a very good combo.

Also check out Redsnapper tripods.

[kidlands]

Horizon 8115 does the job nicely for me.

[ashworthacca]

Horizon 8115 does the job nicely for me.

And me too, very nice and sturdy.

[LukeSkywatcher]

And me three. Rock solid tripod for under £100.

[nicnac]

might aswell be the forth.....

[Doug]

I was at my club this week and a pair of Revelations 25x100

and a Horizon 8115 was fantastic combo

or a william optic tripod I will ask Steve at First Light optics

Doug

Essex

[AlexM]

The horizon I bought has proved to be rock steady as suggested. It's great being able to give the kids an easy view of the moon and so forth. The milky way is looking v nice in the 15x70s.

[LukeSkywatcher]

The 8115 can easily deal with 15X70. It happily deals with my 20X90 bins.

Its a GREAT TRIPOD.

[enigma]

What is a good tripod for 25x100 binoculars? I don't think the Horizon 8115 is strong enough for these.

[johnnyp]

another vote for the horizon..nice bit of kit