Tripod Advice

[Jesh Abraham]

Hi all,

I was hoping I could get some advice please?.

I have a pair of Celestron Skymaster 15x70 Binoculars and I'm looking to get a tripod and the appropriate adapter.

Could you recommend a tripod that is sturdy and would work well with these binoculars?

Many thanks,

Jesh Abraham

[William Bottaci]

Hello Jesh, welcome to the group; I'll send you some introductory information later.

I and others definitely been there, good choice to use binoculars and a tripod will allow you to see many more stars, they have to be steady to see the fainter stars.

Choice of adapter is important, needs to be one of those flanged models to avoid any flexing.

Also tripod is likely to be sturdier than you'd expect, you'll notice the difference.

Most important is how smooth you can steer the binoculars, you'll be very frustrated with the usual head that's designed only for cameras. Typically there'll be a lot of flex and you can't position them accurately, only sweep the sky. There is a type of tripod with a good head used for video cameras and binoculars fall into the same category, known as video or fluid heads. Makes all the difference. Of course they're pricer but if looked after will last nearly forever, and take larger binoculars in the future if you're of a mind.

I can suggest all you need, give me a moment when I get home.

William

[drja...@aol.com]

Don't neglect the need to avoid the fatigue of stooping for long periods.  

Depends on how tall you are but a standing observing height in the region of 170cms may be roughly suitable.  Depends on the altitude of the target also, so sitting may also an option but again the binos need to be at the right height.  

The larger photo equipment dealers may have in store stocks of tripods to try out for ease of adjustment and height capabilities.

This sky at night magazine review may assist

https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/top-astronomy-kit/best-binocular-mounts-tripods

James

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[Roy Easto]

I have a Manfrotto tripod, pictured, for my Meade 20x80s that I also use for a small telescope. The tripod and head are very solid and goes up high enough for someone over 6 feet tall.

Roy

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[Jesh Abraham]

Thanks James and William 

William - I will wait to hear from you.

Many thanks,

Jesh

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[William Bottaci]

These are the kinds I had in mind.

I'm not necessarily recommending the shop they come from, just the type of tripod.

They'll go up to 20x80 easily, maybe more.

Yes, using them looking upwards, not having diagonal eyepiece ends, will be awkward.

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/fotomate-vt-680-222r-extra-heavy-duty-professional-2-way-tripod.html?gad_source=4&gad_campaignid=207107675&gbraid=0AAAAADmyPyWjf1Cpo67_Ls15xTGVgzROV&gclid=CjwKCAjwwNbEBhBpEiwAFYLtGIZpTL4w8OQX4wUITLeXz4sC9dUUZJ721jzp919g-rNVzpViCJBZEBoCJyQQAvD_BwE

https://www.designinfo.in/p/smallrig-ad-01-heavy-duty-tripod-with-fluid-head-3751b-8kg-payload/

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/tripods/fotomate-vt-2900-extra-heavy-duty-semi-professional-2-way-tripod.html

https://www.castlecameras.co.uk/sirui-sh25-aluminum-broadcast-tripod-with-fluid-head/p8532?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12292488613&gbraid=0AAAAAD78Bstyfk-9vVxAJG4wXC3SYkGWR&gclid=CjwKCAjwwNbEBhBpEiwAFYLtGFshk7-sjpG0RJ4ZYbX-bbAIB3ssQT2sKpKgUi0JXd9dMefWeEAgbxoCkW4QAvD_BwE

William

On Fri, 8 Aug 2025 at 11:20, Jesh Abraham <jesha...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks James and William 

 

William - I will wait to hear from you.

Many thanks,

Jesh

On Tue, 5 Aug 2025, 09:16 'drja...@aol.com' via croydonastro, <croydo...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Don't neglect the need to avoid the fatigue of stooping for long periods.  

Depends on how tall you are but a standing observing height in the region of 170cms may be roughly suitable.  Depends on the altitude of the target also, so sitting may also an option but again the binos need to be at the right height.  

The larger photo equipment dealers may have in store stocks of tripods to try out for ease of adjustment and height capabilities.

This sky at night magazine review may assist

https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/top-astronomy-kit/best-binocular-mounts-tripods

James