My Monopod Binocular Mount

Requiring only a few parts, this simple and effective setup provides stable images.

In my Telescope Workshop column in the August 2010 issue of Sky&Telescope, I wrote about how you can build my newest (and best) binocular mount. Presented here are some additional photos to aid you in constructing one.

Although you can get the general idea on how this mount goes together and how it works from these pictures, check out my S&T article for the details. The images presented here are intended to supplement that piece.

After my article appeared, Richard Frederick wrote to say that he’d found a way to make the mount without having to actually build anything. Instead of making a tripod-mounting bracket, he bought a Interfit tripod clamp. (Bogen also makes a similar unit.) So, if you’d rather spend $25 than the time it takes to make the part described in my article, you actually can put together my bino mount completely with off-the-shelf-parts.

Shown here are the various pieces of the tripod mounting bracket before assembly.

Paul Oppenheim wrote in with a tip that’s helpful if you have to shorten the threaded sections (the “legs”) of the U-bolt. Suggests Paul, “thread the nuts on first! After you've cut the legs, gently back the nuts off the legs, and you will have repaired any thread damage the hacksawing might have caused.” This is exactly how I do it, so I can confirm that Paul’s tip indeed works.

This view shows the underside of the bracket after assembly, but before painting. Note the recessed holes that accommodate the nuts for the U-bolt.

Here the mount is fully assembled before painting, just to make sure everything fits properly.

The mount’s penny-ante counterweight (left) and (right) two important purchased items: a tripod ball head and right-angle binocular adapter.