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Date: 06 Aug 2006 13:27:32
From: Robert Baker
Subject: Unipod for Binocular Stargazing
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Does anyone use a unipod for binocular stargazing? If so, which brand and model do you use?
I am looking for a unipod that is taller than I am (5'10") so that I may observe at the zenith
(though I may fall over backwards!). I've heard that there is a Bogen that is quite tall, but
haven't been able to find one over 65" (5'5") in any of my web searches.
Robin Baker
Portland, OR USA
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Date: 06 Aug 2006 20:48:29
From: rockie2323
Subject: Re: Unipod for Binocular Stargazing
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the brand tat im using is olympus..
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Date: 06 Aug 2006 19:02:00
From:
Subject: Re: Unipod for Binocular Stargazing
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Robert Baker wrote:
> Does anyone use a unipod for binocular stargazing? If so, which brand and model
> do you use?
>
> I am looking for a unipod that is taller than I am (5'10") so that I may observe at the zenith
As far as I'm concerned, observing the zenith through binoculars from a
standing
position is a total disaster. It's far better to use a chair with a
back, so that you
can lean back and only have to bend your neck 60 or 70 degrees instead
of 90.
That also means that you don't need quite such a long monopod.
I've tried monopods, but in my opinion a broom handle works just as
well
when used in a chair. Amazingly effective, especially in bang for buck.
Aside from problems in stabilization, the obvious way to observe the
zenith
is to lie down on your back.
- T ony Flanders
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Date: 06 Aug 2006 15:49:16
From: Shawn Curry
Subject: Re: Unipod for Binocular Stargazing
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Robert Baker wrote:
> Does anyone use a unipod for binocular stargazing? If so, which brand and model do you use?
>
> I am looking for a unipod that is taller than I am (5'10") so that I may observe at the zenith
> (though I may fall over backwards!). I've heard that there is a Bogen that is quite tall, but
> haven't been able to find one over 65" (5'5") in any of my web searches.
Can't help you with unipods, but when I was considering the same, I saw
a picture of a stabilizing frame to mount binoculars (in S&T?).
The frame I made is one foot by four feet, made out of 1x2s (poplar I
think) screwed and glued together. The binos are mounted using the
manufacturers L bracket to the middle of one of the one foot ends. The
frame rests over my shoulders and the eyepieces come right to my eyes.
For my 8x56s I didn't need to add any balance weight to one end or the
other.
I've never tried to quantify how much more stable the view is.
Qualitatively, myself and others see significant improvement over hand
holding. Well worth the $5 in parts and 15 minutes in labor.
Shawn
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Date: 06 Aug 2006 22:17:59
From: VicXnews
Subject: Re: Unipod for Binocular Stargazing
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Shawn Curry <scurryfifenynteam@comcastdotnet > wrote in
news:BfydnYG-XpNA_kvZnZ2dnUVZ_oOdnZ2d@comcast.com:
> Robert Baker wrote:
>> Does anyone use a unipod for binocular stargazing? If so, which brand
>> and model do you use?
>>
>> I am looking for a unipod that is taller than I am (5'10") so that I
>> may observe at the zenith (though I may fall over backwards!). I've
>> heard that there is a Bogen that is quite tall, but haven't been able
>> to find one over 65" (5'5") in any of my web searches.
>
> Can't help you with unipods, but when I was considering the same, I saw
> a picture of a stabilizing frame to mount binoculars (in S&T?).
> The frame I made is one foot by four feet, made out of 1x2s (poplar I
> think) screwed and glued together. The binos are mounted using the
> manufacturers L bracket to the middle of one of the one foot ends. The
> frame rests over my shoulders and the eyepieces come right to my eyes.
> For my 8x56s I didn't need to add any balance weight to one end or the
> other.
> I've never tried to quantify how much more stable the view is.
> Qualitatively, myself and others see significant improvement over hand
> holding. Well worth the $5 in parts and 15 minutes in labor.
>
> Shawn
>
2005 p107
Image Stabilize Your Binoculars by Alan M. MacRobert
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/skyandtelescope/access/936980481.html?dids=936980481:936980481&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:PAGE&date=+2005&author=Alan+M+MacRobert&desc=Image-Stabilize+Your+Binoculars
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Date: 06 Aug 2006 21:37:45
From: Phil Wheeler
Subject: Re: Unipod for Binocular Stargazing
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Robert Baker wrote:
> Does anyone use a unipod for binocular stargazing? If so, which brand and model do you use?
>
> I am looking for a unipod that is taller than I am (5'10") so that I may observe at the zenith
> (though I may fall over backwards!). I've heard that there is a Bogen that is quite tall, but
> haven't been able to find one over 65" (5'5") in any of my web searches.
>
I have, but did not find it too comfortable. Now I use a parallelogram
mount with large binos and Canon IS binos for hand held.
BTW .. if you want to search on the subject (e.g., at Cloudy Nights), I
think "monopod" is the more common term.
Phil
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Date: 06 Aug 2006 21:03:07
From: Florian
Subject: Re: Unipod for Binocular Stargazing
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Hi Robin,
I have a Bogen 3006 unipod with a 3232 head. I use it occasionally with =
my Nikon 10x42 binoculars. But i don't really care too much for it. =
Isn't really that steady and doesn't have the benefit of a tripod in =
staying in place when you let go. And it's useless for viewing toward =
zenith. It does work good for daytime scanning at low angles. I tried it =
with my Fujinon 16x70 once but the whole thing was hard to manage so =
never tried again.
-Florian
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Date: 06 Aug 2006 21:06:41
From: Florian
Subject: Re: Unipod for Binocular Stargazing
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Also you might check out the "bino bar" on my binocular page... =
http://binoguy.com
I prefer the bar to a monopod for handholdable binoculars.
-Florian
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Date: 06 Aug 2006 23:13:48
From:
Subject: Re: Unipod for Binocular Stargazing
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Robert Baker wrote:
> Does anyone use a unipod for binocular stargazing? If so, which brand and model do you use?
>
> I am looking for a unipod that is taller than I am (5'10") so that I may observe at the zenith
> (though I may fall over backwards!). I've heard that there is a Bogen that is quite tall, but
> haven't been able to find one over 65" (5'5") in any of my web searches.
The Manfrotto (Bogen) Neotec 685B extends to 67" at its top without a
head attached;
adding, say, a Manfrotto 3229 head adds another 2-1/4" and that head
can tilt to-and-
fro. The nice feature of the Neotec mechanism (also for tripods) is
there are no knobs
or flip levers -- simply extend the leg(s) as far as you want and they
remain there until
released by a lever (with a safety button).
Frankly I wouldn't use a monopod with binoculars for observing much
above the
horizon due to neck strain and, as you wrote, falling over backwards.
:-)
What I use is a surveyor's tripod and an Orion bino arm; you can see it
here:
<http://thadlabs.com/ASTRO/Projects/Orion_bino_arm/ >
The nice thing about the surveyor's tripod (about US$20 at Home Depot
when I
bought it) is that it can straddle a lawn lounge chair so one can be
reclining in
the chair and simply bring down the binoculars for viewing comfortably
while
lingering on a section of sky for awhile. Changing azimuth requires
moving the
chair and tripod; a large turntable might work if one's position
changes frequently.
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