GREAT GEAR RECOMENDATION - The Outdoorsmans Tripod Adaptor System
I have had a large number of questions lately both in my email and on the forums about what is the best way to mount high end optics to high end tripods and tripod heads. My answer is The Outdoorsmans system but this subject gets a little confusing so I have used of lots of pictures. You know, a picture is worth a thousand words and all.
Tripods/heads, left to right. The Manfrotto 3001BD/Manfrotto 3265 Pistol Grip, Manfrotto 190XB/Jim White Fluid Head, Manfrotto 190XV/Manfrotto 700RC2, Slik 613CF/Outdoorsmans Pistol Grip, Outdoorsmans Medium/Outdoorsmans Pan Head, and a Manfrotto 681B Monopod/Sure-Loc Bar (not pictured).
Not a great picture but that is my tripod/head roster. I have tried just about every combination on the market and if it isn't in this picture, it doesn't rate in my not so humble opinion. The only exceptions to that statement are that I am going to be switching my Manfrotto aluminum tripods to the carbon fiber equivalent model, the 190CXPRO3, to save a little weight because there are times when I carry it into the field. I also need to add a full length Manfrotto 055XV for stand up glassing but that is about it. And the answer is "no" if your wife is asking the same question my wife does. There is no one perfect tripod for all situations and "yes", we do need two or three or eight! Why is your wife reading this blog anyway?
So, those are the platforms but how do you mount your binoculars to the heads? The Outdoorsmans Tripod Adapter, plate and stud is my answer. They are easy to slip on and off, work with binos, spotting scopes, cameras, range finders and all kinds of other things if you are willing to do a little innovating.
The add on dove tail plate on the bottom attaches to a tripod head, the adapter slides into the dove tail and is secured with the twist knob. The hole near the top of the adapter is for the binocular stud which slides in with a click. Everything tightens down nice and quiet for a secure, steady mount.
This is what the adapter looks like attached and secured to a set of Leica 10-15 Leica Duovids. The binocular stud screws into the threads that hold the hinge cap on and stays with the binoculars. The adapter slides into the plate attaches to the tripod head and stays there.
See the binocular stud at the distal end of the hinge? Once you remove the cap, the stud (there are model specific versions) screws right in. I have a stud on every one of my Vortex, Leica, Swarovski and Nikon binoculars so I don't have to fiddle around with changing them out. So solly for you Zeiss folks, this system won't work for you. It's a shame too, I'd love to see a set of FLs mounted up correctly.
Here is the whole system. Top to bottom. Binos with Stud, Adaptor, Accessory Plate, Pan Head, Medium Tripod. Want to switch to a different set of glasses? Just loosen the knurled knob on top of the Adaptor, push the button down, slide the Leicas out, slide the Vortex in until it clicks, tighten the knob. Quick, easy, secure, quiet. Note that eye piece width adjustability is not affected at all.
Here is the system with the Nikon EDG...
....Swarovski ELs...
...Nikon Monarchs...
...and Vortex Vipers.
OK, you get the point. The Outdoorsmans system works for most good binoculars but it also works for spotting scopes and cameras too. How you ask? Well, gentle reader, allow me to illustrate with more bad pictures.
This is the Outdoorsmans Pan Head. Note the stout dove tail on the top. The Outdoorsmans Pistol Grip has the same configuration or you can mount an add on dove tail to other type heads by attaching it directly or to a Manfrotto Accessory Plate #200PL.
Here is the same picture but with the Outdoorsmans Adaptor Plate slid into the dove tail and secured. Note the threaded screw sticking up. This can be screwed into anything with a threaded mounting hole like a camera or range finder. Again, it is easier and quicker to have a plate for each of your devices.
Here it is being used with a Flip internet video camera...
...and a Pansonic hard drive video camera.
The tripod adapter mounting system from The Outdoorsmans in Phoenix is well thought out, well made, precise, lightweight and highly flexible. Just like pretty much all of the products they make and sell. It works great for glassing, taking pictures or filming your kids football game.
After a great deal of searching, this is what I use and recommend. I don't think that you can do better. However, there is a catch. Try to keep it fairly clean or it will get all gummed up. Seems like a small price to pay for great gear don't you agree?
There you have it. Happy now?
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Tripods/heads, left to right. The Manfrotto 3001BD/Manfrotto 3265 Pistol Grip, Manfrotto 190XB/Jim White Fluid Head, Manfrotto 190XV/Manfrotto 700RC2, Slik 613CF/Outdoorsmans Pistol Grip, Outdoorsmans Medium/Outdoorsmans Pan Head, and a Manfrotto 681B Monopod/Sure-Loc Bar (not pictured).
Not a great picture but that is my tripod/head roster. I have tried just about every combination on the market and if it isn't in this picture, it doesn't rate in my not so humble opinion. The only exceptions to that statement are that I am going to be switching my Manfrotto aluminum tripods to the carbon fiber equivalent model, the 190CXPRO3, to save a little weight because there are times when I carry it into the field. I also need to add a full length Manfrotto 055XV for stand up glassing but that is about it. And the answer is "no" if your wife is asking the same question my wife does. There is no one perfect tripod for all situations and "yes", we do need two or three or eight! Why is your wife reading this blog anyway?
So, those are the platforms but how do you mount your binoculars to the heads? The Outdoorsmans Tripod Adapter, plate and stud is my answer. They are easy to slip on and off, work with binos, spotting scopes, cameras, range finders and all kinds of other things if you are willing to do a little innovating.
The add on dove tail plate on the bottom attaches to a tripod head, the adapter slides into the dove tail and is secured with the twist knob. The hole near the top of the adapter is for the binocular stud which slides in with a click. Everything tightens down nice and quiet for a secure, steady mount.
This is what the adapter looks like attached and secured to a set of Leica 10-15 Leica Duovids. The binocular stud screws into the threads that hold the hinge cap on and stays with the binoculars. The adapter slides into the plate attaches to the tripod head and stays there.
See the binocular stud at the distal end of the hinge? Once you remove the cap, the stud (there are model specific versions) screws right in. I have a stud on every one of my Vortex, Leica, Swarovski and Nikon binoculars so I don't have to fiddle around with changing them out. So solly for you Zeiss folks, this system won't work for you. It's a shame too, I'd love to see a set of FLs mounted up correctly.
Here is the whole system. Top to bottom. Binos with Stud, Adaptor, Accessory Plate, Pan Head, Medium Tripod. Want to switch to a different set of glasses? Just loosen the knurled knob on top of the Adaptor, push the button down, slide the Leicas out, slide the Vortex in until it clicks, tighten the knob. Quick, easy, secure, quiet. Note that eye piece width adjustability is not affected at all.
Here is the system with the Nikon EDG...
....Swarovski ELs...
...Nikon Monarchs...
...and Vortex Vipers.
OK, you get the point. The Outdoorsmans system works for most good binoculars but it also works for spotting scopes and cameras too. How you ask? Well, gentle reader, allow me to illustrate with more bad pictures.
This is the Outdoorsmans Pan Head. Note the stout dove tail on the top. The Outdoorsmans Pistol Grip has the same configuration or you can mount an add on dove tail to other type heads by attaching it directly or to a Manfrotto Accessory Plate #200PL.
Here is the same picture but with the Outdoorsmans Adaptor Plate slid into the dove tail and secured. Note the threaded screw sticking up. This can be screwed into anything with a threaded mounting hole like a camera or range finder. Again, it is easier and quicker to have a plate for each of your devices.
Here it is being used with a Flip internet video camera...
...and a Pansonic hard drive video camera.
The tripod adapter mounting system from The Outdoorsmans in Phoenix is well thought out, well made, precise, lightweight and highly flexible. Just like pretty much all of the products they make and sell. It works great for glassing, taking pictures or filming your kids football game.
After a great deal of searching, this is what I use and recommend. I don't think that you can do better. However, there is a catch. Try to keep it fairly clean or it will get all gummed up. Seems like a small price to pay for great gear don't you agree?
There you have it. Happy now?
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who won't or can't turn back.
Posted by Wade Nelson at 6/3/2009 5:15 PM 
Categories: Optics-Ranging
Tags: binocular tripod adaptor The Outdoorsmans binocular tripod mount best tripod adaptor
Categories: Optics-Ranging
Tags: binocular tripod adaptor The Outdoorsmans binocular tripod mount best tripod adaptor
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