curvecrazy
Well-known member
Any preferences or experiences/recommendations on car window mounts? I currently have an old Bushnell version which is satisfactory but have the need for a second one because the missis and I are constantly going to overlooks and whatnot and scanning with two scopes from the comfort of the car.
I see a nikon version. Looks well built and some positive reviews. Seems to weigh 1.15lbs or so from what I can find. Around $40 shipped.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=171181&Q=&is=REG&A=details
I see a Vortex version. Also looks well built. A bit more costly and some positive reviews too. About 1.2lbs. Around $50 shipped.
http://www.adorama.com/VORCWM.html
I see an Alpen Optics version. Also looks well built. A ton of positive reviews on amazon. Lighter at 13.2oz. And cheaper at $23 shipped. But only one arm going to the top with a 90 degree bracket.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MF4I7O/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I see a cabela's version that looks much like the nikon and vortex but appears to not have the twisting handle tripod style locking of vertical movement. A feature I highly value from my own experience with the older bushnell. These seem to go for $30 plus.
I see some bushnell light car window mounts. Listed at 8oz weight I think. Not the best reviews and in the $20 range.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/421420-REG/Bushnell_784407C_Car_Window_Mount.html
I see posts of people using small tripods in cars. I guess that could work OK but you would be losing a whole lot of scannable degrees of field with that setup since the window posts would necessarily get in the way.
Older bushnell window mounts seem to be fetching $40 or so on ebay if you can find one. Up to $50 with shipping. Mine was inherited from my dad and I would not say its great but that might be premature because I have not yet received the Alpen I decided to try based on all the positive reviews. I like the idea of being able to lock the vertical tilt with the rotating handle. I'd hate to have the scope pivot forward and slam down on the car door.
btw.. for those of you who have not used one of these devices they straight up rock in many situations. Just the other day it was colder than a witch with serious windchill and we were on the waterfront looking for a rare gull some others had spotted. There were a group of birders out on a peer in the wind freezing their nads off and of course, no bird to be found. It was literally quite cold even for thems dressed heavily. We were out there for awhile and then we opted back to the car. We drove across the channel to the other side and mounted up the angled 82mm scope on the Bushnell window mount. This doesn't work so well due to the angled scope so we turn the scope sideways in the clamp when we use it this way. Thus we were able to continue the search for the bird in comfort in the car. Scanning and enjoying the view without the frigid temperatures. Others came over and copied us but didn't have window scope mounts so were sitting there in their cars with their scopes propped bare on the window ledges. LOL Not very practical and what if you slip and drop your $3k scope thus??
Anyways. These window mounts are no end of handy. I keep it right on the second scope with the scope sitting in a blanket or padded box, usually on the floor in the middle behind the drivers seat. See something interesting beyond the binoculars you just reach back, pick it up and bring it right around to the drivers window. You know the right height for the car window cause you've used it before. Set the height. Clamp it on and you are in business with a solid and steady mount. Once familiar with the mount you learn to put the car at the right angle for the specific situation to allow the widest view and thats about as good as it gets.
And I have tended to keep the second scope on a tripod in the back seat which I can just grab and go for those situations fwiw. This setup has been working so far.
I see a nikon version. Looks well built and some positive reviews. Seems to weigh 1.15lbs or so from what I can find. Around $40 shipped.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=171181&Q=&is=REG&A=details
I see a Vortex version. Also looks well built. A bit more costly and some positive reviews too. About 1.2lbs. Around $50 shipped.
http://www.adorama.com/VORCWM.html
I see an Alpen Optics version. Also looks well built. A ton of positive reviews on amazon. Lighter at 13.2oz. And cheaper at $23 shipped. But only one arm going to the top with a 90 degree bracket.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MF4I7O/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I see a cabela's version that looks much like the nikon and vortex but appears to not have the twisting handle tripod style locking of vertical movement. A feature I highly value from my own experience with the older bushnell. These seem to go for $30 plus.
I see some bushnell light car window mounts. Listed at 8oz weight I think. Not the best reviews and in the $20 range.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/421420-REG/Bushnell_784407C_Car_Window_Mount.html
I see posts of people using small tripods in cars. I guess that could work OK but you would be losing a whole lot of scannable degrees of field with that setup since the window posts would necessarily get in the way.
Older bushnell window mounts seem to be fetching $40 or so on ebay if you can find one. Up to $50 with shipping. Mine was inherited from my dad and I would not say its great but that might be premature because I have not yet received the Alpen I decided to try based on all the positive reviews. I like the idea of being able to lock the vertical tilt with the rotating handle. I'd hate to have the scope pivot forward and slam down on the car door.
btw.. for those of you who have not used one of these devices they straight up rock in many situations. Just the other day it was colder than a witch with serious windchill and we were on the waterfront looking for a rare gull some others had spotted. There were a group of birders out on a peer in the wind freezing their nads off and of course, no bird to be found. It was literally quite cold even for thems dressed heavily. We were out there for awhile and then we opted back to the car. We drove across the channel to the other side and mounted up the angled 82mm scope on the Bushnell window mount. This doesn't work so well due to the angled scope so we turn the scope sideways in the clamp when we use it this way. Thus we were able to continue the search for the bird in comfort in the car. Scanning and enjoying the view without the frigid temperatures. Others came over and copied us but didn't have window scope mounts so were sitting there in their cars with their scopes propped bare on the window ledges. LOL Not very practical and what if you slip and drop your $3k scope thus??
Anyways. These window mounts are no end of handy. I keep it right on the second scope with the scope sitting in a blanket or padded box, usually on the floor in the middle behind the drivers seat. See something interesting beyond the binoculars you just reach back, pick it up and bring it right around to the drivers window. You know the right height for the car window cause you've used it before. Set the height. Clamp it on and you are in business with a solid and steady mount. Once familiar with the mount you learn to put the car at the right angle for the specific situation to allow the widest view and thats about as good as it gets.
And I have tended to keep the second scope on a tripod in the back seat which I can just grab and go for those situations fwiw. This setup has been working so far.
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