clutch/hand strap for small spotting scope? (2 Viewers)

[iseegeorgesstar]

Hey,

I once saw a picture on these forums of a hand/clutch strap for one of the small nikon straight spotting scope. (Sorry, I don't remember which post.)

Like the way there was a handstrap to hold old school camcorders for example. Picture I found off google images:

https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/NNyjMUw6EyqBI1Q4.full

My question is are there any small straight spotting scopes that have this feature now? That lets you hold/stabilize the spotting scope in one hand so you can hold it your face more accurately for a better viewing experience. I presume this will only really work with the straight spotting scopes that have the small finger turning focuser like on the kowa.

What 60mm straight spotting scope and accessories are people using handheld for quick long-distance views on their nature walks?

Thanks for your thoughts and expertise.

 

[Hermann]

I once saw a picture on these forums of a hand/clutch strap for one of the small nikon straight spotting scope. (Sorry, I don't remember which post.)

I've got one of those. It can also be used on the angled ED50 no problem. Don't use it though because I don't use any scope handheld (except for the Zeiss 20x60 S Mono, but that's an entirely different kettle of fish).

My question is are there any small straight spotting scopes that have this feature now? That lets you hold/stabilize the spotting scope in one hand so you can hold it your face more accurately for a better viewing experience. I presume this will only really work with the straight spotting scopes that have the small finger turning focuser like on the kowa.

I don't know any scope other than the ED50 that has this feature now. If you really want one, you'll have to make one yourself. I think that's well possible.

However, if I want to use the ED50 handheld, I much prefer to use a shoulder pod like the old Novoflex "Pistock-C": Brust- und Schulterstütze. That gives you far more stability than any clutch strap. You may find one used somewhere, the old Novoflex Schnellschussobjektive were very common before autofocus arrived on the scene. Some other makers like Cullmann also made such shoulder pods, however, the Novoflex is by far the best I know.

Hermann

 

[wllmspd]

If I had no mono/tripod on me and nothing nearby to use as a support I would prefer an angled scope and would securely hold it pressed close to my chest to keep it as securely as possible. Straight through would be harder to hold still, especially with one hand. The lower the magnification the easier. I tried a monopod with my 60mm and found it still to unsteady even though it took the weight and provided a degree of stability.
The chest pod looks like a good option

Peter

 

[WRL]

[...] I don't know any scope other than the ED50 that has this feature now. [...]

KOWA offers one for the TSN-55x:

Kowa TSN-HD Hand Strap​

Kowa TSN-HD Hand Strap

Kowa TSN-HD hand grip Hand-grip for use in combination with the C-550 cases (TSN-550 scope series) and the C-500 cases (TSN-500 scope series). It allows easy one-hand operation from both sides of the spotting scope. Attaches via...

www.kowaoptic.com

Werner

 

[iseegeorgesstar]

I've got one of those. It can also be used on the angled ED50 no problem. Don't use it though because I don't use any scope handheld (except for the Zeiss 20x60 S Mono, but that's an entirely different kettle of fish).

I don't know any scope other than the ED50 that has this feature now. If you really want one, you'll have to make one yourself. I think that's well possible.

However, if I want to use the ED50 handheld, I much prefer to use a shoulder pod like the old Novoflex "Pistock-C": Brust- und Schulterstütze. That gives you far more stability than any clutch strap. You may find one used somewhere, the old Novoflex Schnellschussobjektive were very common before autofocus arrived on the scene. Some other makers like Cullmann also made such shoulder pods, however, the Novoflex is by far the best I know.

Hermann

Yes I was wondering how plausible a DIY option would be.

I'm not sure I've ever heard of a shoulder pod. Maybe only once before. Thank you for putting it on my radar. I have a torn shoulder (old injury) and forward-head leaning posture so I don't know how plausible it would be for me to use such a device. But truth be told, when holding handheld binos I do sometimes try to brace my arms with my other arm or on my chest so maybe this might be an option.

If I had no mono/tripod on me and nothing nearby to use as a support I would prefer an angled scope and would securely hold it pressed close to my chest to keep it as securely as possible. Straight through would be harder to hold still, especially with one hand. The lower the magnification the easier. I tried a monopod with my 60mm and found it still to unsteady even though it took the weight and provided a degree of stability.
The chest pod looks like a good option

Peter

Very interesting! Thank you so much for sharing your first hand experience. (Pun not intended. Lol). I don't know how plausible it would for me to lean my head down like that into an angled scope though. I'm someone who would get a neckache for easily that way I think.

I was thinking/imagining of bracing the arm holding the scope with the other one or on myself or I guess on some object like a tree potentially.

My monopod is currently broken but I wouldn't want to use it anyone.

Also I have no delusion's about being able to use long distance zoom handheld of course. Sometimes my regular binos shake too much, other times theyre okay.

KOWA offers one for the TSN-55x:

Kowa TSN-HD Hand Strap​

Kowa TSN-HD Hand Strap

Kowa TSN-HD hand grip Hand-grip for use in combination with the C-550 cases (TSN-550 scope series) and the C-500 cases (TSN-500 scope series). It allows easy one-hand operation from both sides of the spotting scope. Attaches via...

www.kowaoptic.com

Werner

Exactly what I was looking for and wondering about! It seems the nikons aren't the only ones.

I wonder if this would work on the 501/502 and not just the premium 553 with flourite.

Thank you for the link.

Edit: Link mentions both series.

 

[iseegeorgesstar]

But truth be told, when holding handheld binos I do sometimes try to brace my arms with my other arm

Lol. At my typo. Yes, I have several arms!