Maybe. Depends on the wind and the magnification. If you use high magnifications in high winds NO tripod will be stable enough for a good view. My heavy tripod is a 2 section wooden tripod, weighing about 5 kg without the head, and it's ok at high magnification up to about 7 Beaufort, even at 60x magnification. But any higher than that, especially in gusts, there's some movement. And don't forget: In really windy conditions YOU are shaken by the wind as well ...
The only possible solution is to sit down behind the tripod to keep a low profile. That's what I usually do on a seawatch in autumn.
Hermann
BTW, a friend of mine always says the only *really* stable tripod is a block of concrete of the appropriate size. Not that easy to carry around though ...
While I agree that a chunk of cement would be the most stable, my back might have a bit of resistance to the idea. LOL.
That being said, an 11 or 12 pound tripod is not the end of the world, if it is stable enough to hold steady in 30mph winds. THAT is impressive. But, I am guessing that it is something that is in the Berlebach line, so $$$. Still, though, that is impressive. What does it weigh with the head.
Thanks for clarifying that my goal of stability in steady wind is a bit of a pipe-dream. I still want to get as close as possible, while keeping my investment relatively low. This Birder tripod, and a heavy-duty head might be my best option.???
Hi,
6s dampening time is indeed quite terrible - was this on the tower in the wind or is this the normal time? My kit can be focused w/o oscillations if you're careful and will take less than second to dampen when rapped. Of course this is in normal conditions - it will be quite impossible to reproduce your experience on a shaking observation tower in strong wind.
In astro circles we prefer a concrete column for maximum stability - about two to three meters into the ground... portability is obviously not a primary concern there...
Joachim
I agree, Joachim. You hit the nail on the head when you first saw the photo of my tripod under my Zeiss Diascop, in the thread I started. The claimed capacity might be 9#, but that is just what it might support, not what it can handle without serious vibration problems. 6 SECONDS!!! LOL.
And, reference your question about conditions, this took place INSIDE my house. It was sitting on my floor, and protected from any wind. Just lightly brushing my hand against the stay-on cover (unzipped and folded over, loosely fitted around the scope) results in at least 4-6 seconds of vibration. It is a struggle to focus.
I should clarify, with just my naked eye looking through the scope, it is still a struggle, but when trying to digiscope, it is far worse. I still would not be happy with its performance, but less motivated to replace the tripod and head if digiscoping was not my main goal.
I was on the tower.
It was a 3 level steel structure with thin planking, and was vibrating, especially when someone else was climbing the stairs. I'll try to go test it, but I'm sure the tripod stabilizes a lot quicker that 6 seconds.
Back in California my stucco home shook when the earth quaked. Here in New England my wooden house (on a hill) shakes when the wind blows (or the Bosch washer takes off).
I understand that the tower scenario is nearly impossible to allow stability. So, in my opinion, just having ANY success with the scope on a platform like that tower is sort of impressive.
Don't go to too much trouble, but I would be interested in your dampening/timing test.
Hi Scott
Under the name Weifeng 7-717A, that's the one I've got. They also go under the names Fancier & Kingjoy). It's on EBay at the moment from a Spanish seller....both at £129.
Very sturdy, well made .....seems shake free - good fluid head.....QR plate same as Manfrotto....takes my Diascope same as yours....
View attachment 722459
It's still sideways !!
Thanks, Ian. Shipping from Italy might kill the deal, but I will look into that. I appreciate the input. I will do some searches for the name.
I guess, all, that I am thinking spending the money on a bit of overkill for the tripod and head is a good idea. Within reason, relative to the weight for carrying it long distances, I am willing to go big. If it is a substantial tripod, with a solid and silky smooth head, even if I move to a different scope sometime, the platform can stay. Less advancement in the tripod/head realm, I would think.
I found an old Manfrotto 3066 head for sale relatively close by. For $200 with the tripod, it seems like a reasonable deal. If they would sell without the tripod (not a typical field tripod, it appears), would the 3066 be a viable head?
I found a 509, but probably more than I want to spend (?) at $500.
A 502, bare, at $100 might be a good deal, but waiting on confirmation that all of the parts are there.
If any of these would be simple "bolt-on" heads for the Birder, maybe I will go this route.
Meanwhile, I will research Ian's tripod configuration further. Looks interesting too.
Thank you for all of the help. Also, to the OP, I assume you have purchased what you were looking for, so I hope I have not hijacked, but just continued this thread. I hope this is ok...
EDIT to add:
I also found a Manfrotto MVH502A for $150. NIB, it says. If the payload is only up to 15 #, would I be still dealing with the shakes, if my tripod is beefier?
