Binoculars and tripod

[tenohfive]

Whilst looking into the practical aspects of getting into astronomy I stumbled into these forums and was hoping I could ask some advice.

I've heard from a few people that binoculars are an option when looking to start out and from a practical point of view that would suit me-I live in an urban area, not far from London-but 30 minutes drive and I can be out in the sticks. The other aspect that appeals is price-I can't afford to spend alot at the moment. Something else mentioned was the advantage of a tripod.

Is it feasible to get a suitable set of binoculars, a tripod and any necessary mounting adapters for £50-60? I'm assuming I'd be looking at 10x50 binocs. If the tripod can be used during the day for photography with a lightweight digital SLR thats a big bonus.

If so, would someone mind pointing me at makes/models and what to look at in terms of the necessary adapters? I've done some digging but I can't make sense of what mount goes with what binoculars and have only a vague idea of what to look for. If able to post links and have recommendations that would be even better.

Thanks for your time-and hello

[nightshade]

Opticron Piccolo,£50-60 I do not have a requirement for a super scope and this one works well for me, even taken pictures through it with my Sony DSC-W50

[tenohfive]

Cheers, but ideally for £60 I'd like a tripod I could use with my camera as well, though if people reckon I can live without it then I'd think about £50 for just the binocs.

[nightshade]

Do not forget that a lot of people on this site use a Monopod
for both Scopes and Camera there is one for about £15 from
****ops

[carlos_dfc]

Is there a 'Lidl' shop near you tenohfive?

If so, from next monday (7th apr) they have Bresser 10x50 binocs on special offer at only £11.99
Don't let the cheap price, or the source (Lidl) put you off - these bins are actually very good - without exaggeration, I can say they are as good as 10x50s I've used that cost £60 and more.
Astoundingly good for £12


The same binocs come up on offer at Lidl every few months, and in the past they've gone for as little as £9-99, up to £14-99.
Depending which specific branch you get them at, they may be branded either 'Bresser' or 'Meade' - I have one of each (bought during different offers in the past), and apart from the logos they are identical, I use one at the telescope, as a sort of 'bridge' between charts and scope (helps finding things) and the other lives in my car's glove-box so I always have a decent pair of bins handy. And if they ever get battered around in the car a bit, at £12 it's no big deal to replace 'em next time the offer comes round.

They are very well known around the astronomy forums now, and every time they come up they sell out fast, so if you want a pair, get there on the first day the offer comes up

Lidl Online

[tenohfive]

Fantastic, thanks very much. Theres a Lidl not far away. I'm pretty sure I've seen these when digging on the internet but not for less than £25. These ones I take it?

I'll do some more digging to see if I can find a mount/adapter to fit them on a tripod, and like you do-I might buy two sets for the same reason.

Very much appreciated.

[tenohfive]

Carlos-as you have a pair would you mind letting me know what size mount I'd need for them? I can't find their dimensions anywhere.

[tenohfive]

Sorry, changing my search from "mount" to "adapter" made all the difference.

[carlos_dfc]

LOL - yep

I assume you found an 'L' bracket, like this....
Bresser Tripod fitting bracket for binoculars
Allows binocs to be mounted on top of a standard tripod. those Bressers have a mounting screw thread under the little plastic cap at the front of the hinge.

[tenohfive]

That was exactly the one I bought. Next question I've got is the tripod-since I'll be using it for digital photography I may hold off and get a better quality one when I've a bit more money to do so.

Roll on Monday...

[caladina]

if you are getting a tripod it's best to go for the ones with three legs
i find the ones with 4 legs tend to rock about on uneven ground and the two legged one just keep falling over










sorry couldn't resist that

i have a pair of tasco 8-20 zoom x 50 binoc's and an old telescope tripod, i made a adaptor bracket myself
i also had a small junior vice from a "beginner work bench set" from my childhood that was light weight enough to carry about that i could clamp to a fence post or simalar, it was the table top kind
this was excellent for getting a stable image

the best telescope i ever managed to get back then was a very cheap on, just £30 , a 50 mm obj refractor, it was the first time i ever saw saturns rings and i remember just crying with shear pleasure,
at the time i was just understanding the shear unbelivable distance that was between the planets and how far away saturn was and there it was with my very own eyes, truly an amazing "first"
unfortunatly living in london i never got around to getting a better scope

[tenohfive]

Quick reminder that they start selling Bresser 10x50 binoculars in Lidl for £12. Bought two sets and thus far I'm impressed.


Just hope theres a few clear gaps in the clouds tonight.