Which spotting scope base or tripod?

[privateer]

I found a great deal locally on a Celestron Ultima 100 spotting scope. It's a lot better than the cheap one I was using, but the thing is HUGE.

Any recommendations on a base/stand/tripod?

(I have a Bogen tripod I used for my photography but it is pretty big...)

Thx.

 

[fdshuster]

I've never seen a bench top tri-pod that was of any value. To me they are junk! Recoil from the rifle will cause them to jump around, so you have to constantly re-adjust them. They are prone to being knocked off/ falling off the bench top. I made a scope stand that is clamped to the benchtop using one of the carpenters squeeze grip clamps. It does not move, no chance of it falling off, not effected by the wind, rifle recoil, etc. The Sinclair clamp-on seems like a good choice, although I do not like the way the scope is mounted with the clamping surface vertical. Another alternative would be a camera tri-pod set up close to the shooting bench, so you can lean over & look thru it without standing up. I'm not familiar with your spotting scope, but if it's that big I'd use the Bogen tri-pod, for a solid mount.

 

[Preacher]

Simple really----
If you have a huge scope-- get a huge tripod to hold it .....

 

[shot410]

I bought the same scope, and it is huge, as well as very good. I just use a regular camera tripod that adjusts down to whatever height I require.

 

[hulk]

There are 2 tripods that could be table top versions that will support heavy scopes, they are not cheap.

Kirk makes a low boy model and RRS makes a ground tripod. Both great quality and heavy duty.

 

[dlong]

I have the Sinclair bench mount for my Nikon fieldmaster spotting scope. The Fieldmaster is pretty big but the Sinclair mount is fantastic. Solid, well made and expensive at $125.00. You get what you pay for. No such thing as a good bench top tripod for a heavy scope. Either mount it on a good tripod or try the Sinclair mount.