| Many mounts are available for all your birdwatching | | | | when you usually use them in-hand. If you have giant |
| and astronomy needs, and options vary widely to | | | | lenses this would be particularly useful when you want |
| accommodate the particular optical device you use. | | | | to survey a large area while birdwatching over |
| Inevitably, selecting the right mount or tripod means | | | | extended periods. It could also be useful for hunters |
| finding a compromise between weight, size, and | | | | who want to set up camp and watch moving herds at |
| stability. While stronger, heavier mounts will obviously | | | | dusk, and those who may use their existing night vision |
| provide more strength for larger sets, some trades are | | | | binoculars for surveillance during neighborhood watch. |
| made in terms of convenience and portability. | | | | Some mounts for astronomical purpose add even |
| Bushnell offers a number of binocular accessories | | | | more exciting features. While these can improve your |
| including tripods which come in a wide range of price | | | | experience considerably, naturally they add weight and |
| points and specialties. While some are meant to be | | | | size and may only be reasonable when you plan to |
| mounted on a table, others are best placed on the | | | | set up a scope that can be left in place. These mounts |
| ground. There are even car window mounts for when | | | | are usually bigger and heavier, and may be used on |
| you don't want to leave the vehicle. Their table top | | | | your patio or even if you just plan to set them up in |
| tripod is only 9 inches tall, with a weight of only 1 lb, and | | | | one spot and leave them there for the night. For |
| a price less then $20. This could be an excellent | | | | example, Oberwerk binoculars offer a mirror mount for |
| Christmas gift for that friend who has everything, and | | | | giant binoculars used to stargaze. This sets up more |
| can easily be placed on a patio table or picnic table for | | | | like a microscope, as you mount the binoculars so they |
| convenient, portable outside use. | | | | point at the mirror. The night sky is reflected in the |
| Field tripods are larger, and while you want to keep | | | | mirror then up through the binoculars. Ultimately you |
| them reasonable for carrying, they also tend to offer a | | | | end up looking down diagonally, rather than up through |
| little more strength for larger spotting scopes and | | | | the binoculars. For some this angle is much more |
| binoculars. For example, Bushnell binoculars field tripods | | | | comfortable, particularly with telescope binoculars or |
| offers a maximum height of only 3 feet, although it has | | | | giant binoculars. These larger optical devices can be |
| three leg sections so you can adjust it to the height | | | | uncomfortable to use when pointed diagonally up |
| you need up to those 3 feet. It still weights in at only 1 | | | | rather than down. When you're using them for long |
| lb, and is a birdwatcher's favorite for portability and | | | | periods of time, the right mounting device certainly |
| strength. At less than $60 it is also another great | | | | enhance your comfort. |
| option for Christmas gift-giving. | | | | That said, you will want to be careful handling such |
| Apart from size, smooth operating tripod heads are a | | | | mounts, not only because they are heavy, but |
| necessity for birdwatching. You just don't want to be | | | | because the added glass can be fragile. You wouldn't |
| fighting to turn the head around the right way when | | | | want to drop one of these mounts once you have |
| that rare bird appears, so it's important to have a | | | | invested in one. With a price range of about $170-220, |
| reliable head that will move smoothly. It will also be | | | | this can be a great option, provided you have a deck |
| worth it to spend some time working with the head in | | | | or other permanent mounting area. |
| advance to determine it's range of movement and | | | | While choosing mounts takes a little extra time, and |
| how best to manipulate it while keeping it in control. | | | | certainly incurs some added investment, it can be a big |
| That way you won't be wildly whipping it around to | | | | difference towards enjoying birdwatching or |
| catch that endangered raptor, hoping to get it set up | | | | stargazing. Nobody wants to end up with a neck or |
| properly before it's too late. | | | | arm ache from holding optical devices up, nor from |
| If you use more than one set of binoculars or other | | | | struggling to keep binoculars trained on an image. Do |
| optical devices, there are mount adapters available | | | | take the extra time to consider your mount options, as |
| that allow you to use any set of binoculars of any | | | | it can help you gain hours of enjoyment with your giant |
| brand on your existing mount. In using one, you can | | | | binoculars, night vision binoculars, or rangefinders. |
| quickly and easily set your binoculars on a tripod even | | | | |