Scoping with a monopod? (1 Viewer)

[alexcropper83]

After many years of birding just with bins I just got myself my very first spotting scope for Christmas yesterday (thanks dad!). A Celestron Ultima 100. The only thing is he's got me a monopod to go with it (Albeit a very good Manfrotto one).

My question is; is it possible to bird well with a scope on a monopod? Or should I say 'thanks a lot for the monopod' whilst quickly saving up for a tripod? I'm going to try it out properly tomorrow but wondering what others think?

Alex

 

[scary-canary]

After many years of birding just with bins I just got myself my very first spotting scope for Christmas yesterday (thanks dad!). A Celestron Ultima 100. The only thing is he's got me a monopod to go with it (Albeit a very good Manfrotto one).

My question is; is it possible to bird well with a scope on a monopod? Or should I say 'thanks a lot for the monopod' whilst quickly saving up for a tripod? I'm going to try it out properly tomorrow but wondering what others think?

Alex

It's a lot better than nothing, and it will help lots when you scan for waders, ducks etc, but a tripod will mean you can keep watching a bird for a period of time and have your hands free. I'd say thanks and save for a tripod. You can get a decent Velbon for about £50. (of course if you can trade in the monopod that would go quite a way to paying for a tripod.)
Chris

 

[Steve Lister]

I would try and trade it in towards a tripod.

I bought a monopod and small scope to take on a trip where luggage was restricted and more or less gave up with it after the first day. Mind you that was at a very windy altiplano lake in Peru.

Steve

 

[provo]

I would go the tripod route you wouldn't want to trip over something or loose grip of the monopod and it all comes crashing down busted. Play it safe and congrats on the new toy

 

[mayoayo]

I have used a Monopod,and know some birders that use one,but usually with a smaller Scope,like the ED50 or other lightweight models up to 60mm maybe,...but a large 100mm scope requires a STURDY tripod to take advantage of the high magnifications that the scope can grant,and because You would get tired!..Try an add in the classifieds here,maybe someone would be interested in trading your quality monopod for a good tripod
good luck

 

[Keith Dickinson]

Agree with mayoayo, you'll never keep a 100mm objective scope steady on a monopod. I borrowed a monopod to take on holiday once, to use with my Kowa 823, after the first time out with it, the scope stayed in the hotel room. I'd get saving to buy a good tripod. In the mean time get a bean bag or similar, by putting the bean bag on a wall or fence and resting the scope body on that, you should be able to use it. Limits you a bit but at least you are out there with the scope.

 

[looksharp65]

I, too, agree with mayoayo.
Using a 100 mm aperture scope with a monopod is not on my list of things one has to try before dying. That said, I do use a monopod+ballhead combo with the ED50A:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=202523.

Now I also own a straight 60mm Fieldscope, but the ballhead is not the ideal solution with that heavier scope. And my stabilising solution with the oblique monopod makes the use of a video head or tilt head impossible.
As a result from the oblique leg, a video head can't be panned horizontally. A tilt head requires that panning is performed by rotating the monopod, which is not possible with the stabilising bracket. Unless I can make a plate with its two surfaces angled about 15 degrees to allow the use of a video head, I'm stuck with the ballhead.

//L

 

[eitanaltman]

Add another +1 ... a monopod is feasible with a really light scope like a Nikon ED50, but a giant beast like the 100mm Celestron absolutely requires a tripod, and a relatively heavy one.

 

[alexcropper83]

Just spent a few hours with the scope and the monopod. It's not all bad. It actually works relatively well in a hide where I can lean the monopod on the windowsill and use it like a clamp where it becomes pretty stable. Out in the field it is really unwieldy. The main problem I found is that it is bloody difficult to switch between scope and bins whilst trying to balance the scope on the monopod. Conclusion; it will do for now but definitely need a tripod!

 

[Robert Wallace]

I've used a monopod since I bought my first telescope (Nickel Supra 15-60x60) in 1975.
Currently use a Gitzo monopod with a 60mm Nikon Fieldscope and a 75mm Swarovski Draw Scope.The Gitzo has the advantage of an optional 12mm stainless steel spike.
Never seen many tripods on the tops of Scottish and Lakeland fells. Monopods are also effective in hides, OK may not be as good as a tripod for absolute stability but much easy to use and less obtrusive.

 

[looksharp65]

I've used a monopod since I bought my first telescope (Nickel Supra 15-60x60) in 1975.
Currently use a Gitzo monopod with a 60mm Nikon Fieldscope and a 75mm Swarovski Draw Scope.The Gitzo has the advantage of an optional 12mm stainless steel spike.
Never seen many tripods on the tops of Scottish and Lakeland fells. Monopods are also effective in hides, OK may not be as good as a tripod for absolute stability but much easy to use and less obtrusive.

I'm not alone! :t:
Since you also use the Nikon 60 mm, how do you deal with the fact that it is so back-heavy?
What head do you use? Do you use any kind of stabiliser to prevent horisontal rotational shakes?

//L

 

[Hermann]

I'm not alone! :t:
Since you also use the Nikon 60 mm, how do you deal with the fact that it is so back-heavy?
What head do you use? Do you use any kind of stabiliser to prevent horisontal rotational shakes?

You're not alone ... I've been using a monopod with a Nikon ED 60mm for years now, mainly when hiking in the mountains. I use a Monostat - pricey, but the funny looking foot stabilizes the monopod in the horizontal plane. The quality of the Monostat is even better than that of the Gitzos.

Hermann

 

[Robert Wallace]

Apart from the 12cm spike do not often use any other aids when out in the field. The spike can support the monopod/Fieldscope combination unaided in certain environments where there is appropriate soil vegetation conditions.
I have a fairly substantial ball and socket head which can be used for viewing birds in flight, but I use this very rarely.
I never "trek" with a tripod which I have always found cumbersome even when I was younger and fitter. I appreciate the portability of a well made monopod. Monostat not common or as widely available in the UK, my previous monopod was a Tiltall.
Have to say that many of the cheaper brands of monopod look a bit fragile, perhaps lacking quality.
Never found the "backheavy" Nikon ED11 Fieldscope a problem on a monopod because of the position of the focussing ring. The focussing hand prevents any upward movement and the other hand is holding the monopod with the wrist through the strap.

 

[looksharp65]

Robert, Hermann,
should I interpret that as you aren't using any heads at all? Not even a tilt head?

Tonight I modified the ballhead by removing the security peg. Now I can use the longer Velbon quick release plate to balance the undeniably back-heavy scope.
The biggest problem remains. The Fieldscope III (or, as in this incarnation, the Sony Zoomeye) is much heavier than the ED50A and is prone to tip sideways.
The red markings are supposed to show an added elongation of the collar around the ball, intended to prevent the tip. The exact width and shape of them are subject to further experiments.

//L

 

[Hermann]

Robert, Hermann,
should I interpret that as you aren't using any heads at all? Not even a tilt head?

Sorry, I wasn't all that clear. I normally use a simple tilt head, a Manfrotto 234. Cheap, relatively light, quite well-made. It does the job, even with a heavy scope like the ED82.

Hermann

 

[MPeoples]

After many years of birding just with bins I just got myself my very first spotting scope for Christmas yesterday (thanks dad!). A Celestron Ultima 100. The only thing is he's got me a monopod to go with it (Albeit a very good Manfrotto one).

My question is; is it possible to bird well with a scope on a monopod? Or should I say 'thanks a lot for the monopod' whilst quickly saving up for a tripod? I'm going to try it out properly tomorrow but wondering what others think?

Alex

Hi Alex,

I have done it with a monopod but with only small spotter 65mm and under. I own a Ultima 100 but its big!!!! I would recommend a tripod.

Best
Mike

 

[looksharp65]

Sorry, I wasn't all that clear. I normally use a simple tilt head, a Manfrotto 234. Cheap, relatively light, quite well-made. It does the job, even with a heavy scope like the ED82.

Hermann

Thanks for clarifying that! When the horisontal positioning is made by twisting the monopod, a tilt head like the 234 is fine. If I remember correctly, it has no quick release.
Tried the scope like pictured above with the new, balanced position. The whole thing was a lot better than before and I could use the ballhead with a lot less effort, although it looks a bit awkward. With a higher collar to restrict sideways tipping, it will become nearly perfect.

//L

 

[John Russell]

When the horisontal positioning is made by twisting the monopod, a tilt head like the 234 is fine. If I remember correctly, it has no quick release.

There is an RC version of the 234 (QR), which I used to have on my monopod.
It has since been replaced by a Sirui L-10 (recommendation from john3f), which is Arca Swiss compatible like the Berlebach 552 on my tripod.
I only use bins on the monopod though, 30x mag with the scope is just too much.

John

 

[St. Elmo]

Rock Solid Setup...

Consider a two section leg tripod... see at link.... I've been using one for years now. It sets up quickly.

http://www.theaudubonshop.com/products/tripods

 

[etudiant]

Consider a two section leg tripod... see at link.... I've been using one for years now. It sets up quickly.

http://www.theaudubonshop.com/products/tripods

Rock solid, to be sure, but not all that compact.
If anyone has found a stable, lightweight tripod that folds compact but does not cost 2 years of GNP, please tell us.