Learn About Tripods
Support Systems
Optics support systems vary greatly in design, size, and weight. Each design offers specific benefits, and the best choice depends on their quality, the conditions in which they are used, and individual preferences. While this section primarily addresses supporting scopes, these systems can also support binoculars and cameras. There are no perfect solutions; typically, the trade-off is between stability and weight, and sometimes between weight and price.
Tripods
A good tripod is as important as a good scope. A flimsy tripod will result in poor image quality, regardless of the scope's quality. The right tripod should fit the user's height with minimal extension of the center column, as raising the center column reduces stability. When calculating the proper tripod height, add approximately four inches for the head, another three to four inches for the scope's eyepiece height above the mount, and subtract the distance from the top of your head to your eyes. Scopes with angled eyepieces do not require as tall a tripod.
Key Features of a Good Birding Tripod:
- Heavy enough to minimize wind vibrations but light enough for easy transportation.
- Compact for easy transport yet tall enough for comfortable extended use.
- Quick to set up and take down, with independently adjustable legs for uneven terrain.
- Avoid tripods with cranked center columns as they are slow and noisy.
Components of a Tripod:
- Legs:
- Top-of-the-line models use carbon fiber for the legs and center column, with magnesium for connecting parts. These cost $1000-$2000 but offer sturdiness with 30% less weight than aluminum tripods.
- High-end tripods usually have thick extruded aluminum legs and sturdy plastic or metal parts, costing $500-$1000 and weighing four to seven pounds. These are recommended for high-end scopes if a carbon fiber model is unaffordable.
- Inexpensive tripods, priced $50-$300 and weighing three to four pounds, are often flimsy and unsuitable for larger scopes. They may work for low-end scopes but are not recommended for digiscoping or heavier scopes.
- Leg Lock Mechanisms:
- Coaxial Collar: Self-adjusting and reliable but slow to use.
- Screw Mechanism: Similar to a hose clamp, adjustable in the field with a quick-action lever or a screw with a knob.
- Quick-Action Levers: Common in low-end tripods, prone to failure, and difficult to repair.
Types of Tripod Feet:
- Rubber feet for general use.
- Metal spikes for rough or icy terrain.
- "Snow shoes" for snow, sand, and mud to prevent sinking and protect the lower leg joint.
Heads:
- Preferred by birders are video camera-style heads with two degrees of freedom: pitch (tilting) and yaw (panning).
- Heads for spotting scopes range from 1 to 3 lbs. The size of your scope and your digiscoping needs are the main factors for choosing the right head.
- Ball heads, popular among photographers, offer a ball-in-socket joint with a lever lock. Mini-ball designs with a pistol-grip are also available but may be challenging to aim.
Quick-Release Plates:
Heads that use quick-release plates allow for easy switching between scope and camera. Ensure the plates and heads are compatible.
Monopods
Monopods are single-legged supports, ideal for reducing weight. They are useful in emergencies with scopes but are best for still or video cameras. A head for pitch control is necessary, and it's important to ensure the quick-release plates fit both the tripod and monopod heads.
Shoulder Stocks
Shoulder stocks resemble rifle stocks and are a lightweight option, best used with cameras. They excel at tracking moving birds but require practice and can cause fatigue. Using shoulder stocks that resemble firearms can be problematic in some areas.
Window Mounts
Window mounts allow you to use your car as a mobile blind. These mounts attach a scope or camera to a slightly raised window. Some require an additional head, while others include a mini ball-and-head design.
Conclusions
- Tripods require a balance between height, weight, and price.
- Video heads are best for birding but not ideal for photography.
- Monopods and shoulder stocks are lightweight alternatives primarily for cameras.
- Window mounts convert your car into a mobile blind for convenient birdwatching.
