Too windy for scope? (2 Viewers)

[Jeff51]

Advice appreciated. In open wind prone wetland, winds of 8 mph gusting to 18mph - I’ve got an 88mm scope with a benro Mach 3 tripod. Would one expect a lot of wind vibration in that setup or should it be ok?` Thanks, Jeff

 

[Andy Adcock]

Advice appreciated. In open wind prone wetland, winds of 8 mph gusting to 18mph - I’ve got an 88mm scope with a benro Mach 3 tripod. Would one expect a lot of wind vibration in that setup or should it be ok?` Thanks, Jeff

I'd be more worried about the scope, blowing over which I've seen happen, numerous times, the reason I used to have my scope wrapped in bubblewrap, inside the case.

 

[Rotherbirder]

Agree, don't leave it unattended in windy conditions. The bigger the scope the more risk of this happening!

RB

 

[FVG]

Wind vibrations are often a problem with scopes. A good tripod helps (the heavier the better). Also a good solution is to set up your tripod as low as possible and sit kneeling or with a walkstool behind it. And if possible, stand in the shelter of an object such as your car, a tree or some shrubs.

 

[Dyrlege]

Weigh down the tripod! Plastic bag with stones (or mud) hanging from the hook in the middle.

 

[tenex]

See this recent thread: Stability in wind

I don't find the windspeeds you mention much of a problem, but higher ones can be.

 

[corvid-8]

One thing I have always done is attach a Dyneema climbing long sling (long loop) c8mm thick, with a small Karabiner to the tripod. with a "Hitch" tied too other end which slips around ones wrist. You can operate the scope / tripod as normal with the added protection of being able to react to a falling tripod.
It acts like a rein and can be "halved & quartered " with a hitch for storage dangling from tripod for carrying/ storing.
Also at a pinch can be used to tie to an object- tree/ post / bag etc for extra stability.
hope this tip helps.

 

[Jeff51]

See this recent thread: Stability in wind

I don't find the windspeeds you mention much of a problem, but higher ones can be.

Thanks. The wind speed question is really the advice I was looking for. In past visits to this wetland the wind blew hard enough so the tripod and scope vibrated enough to be generally unusable. But I didn’t check wind speed. Forecast for a planned visit day was 16 mph gusts and I wondered if that might get the scope shaking again.

 

[Dyrlege]

Thanks. The wind speed question is really the advice I was looking for. In past visits to this wetland the wind blew hard enough so the tripod and scope vibrated enough to be generally unusable. But I didn’t check wind speed. Forecast for a planned visit day was 16 mph gusts and I wondered if that might get the scope shaking again.

That is a light breeze gusting, and should not be a problem. But weighing the tripod down puts a little more stress on the legs and dampens vibrations.

 

[jring]

Hi,

weighting down the tripod in windy conditions helps a lot. Ideally the bag should be only partly suspended so it will not be swinging back and forth...
Another quick way to do it is to let one shoulder strap of a backpack slide down the opened tripod legs and adjust it that it resides around halfway down... just remember to take off the backpack before closing the tripod legs ;-)

Joachim

 

[Mike Crawley]

If your viewing point has a clear line of sight to your wetland habitat (not blocked by bushes, shrubs, long grass, etc.) set the tripod legs lower and if necessary sit down.
This is how I set my tripod for sea watching