Building a Better Binocular Mount (5 Viewers)

[Bramberg]

Habichtmount

Although, very stable and functional, it is a very simple design in its core. It is just a piece of wood with some bungee cords basically.

Since I had to place a few cuts in the wood I thought I would try to do the cuts so that they enhance functionality and aestethic appearance if possible. In top view, the angle of the adapter follows the angle of the Habicht. I then angled the cut a bit inwards to make the bungee fasten around the knob a bit more securelly, or atleast look so.. The angled cut also make the grip feel nice when holding the binoculars in freehand viewing.

I have been looking at birds for a couple of hours today with the binoculars on the tripod. Amazed at the resolution I get out of this compared to freehanded viewing. I have to admit that I'm not a real birder when it comes to spotting many different species. I mostly enjoy watching the white-tailed eagles, which there are plenty of here, and now I can all of a sudden experience the little hairs around the eyes and the sharp and sometimes splintered tips of their sharp claws and beek. Tripod!

Also discovered that the bungees can be locked down for pocket carry. This makes the adapter not tangle on stuff and feels really small and portable.
Weight is 130g.

@Hauksen - I would be happy if you could send me the link to the bungee you have used. I agree that black would look a lot better. The one I have was sold as 5 mm. I Think a good quality 3 or 3.5 mm would be perfect, black of course :t:

 

[Hauksen]

Hi,

The angled cut also make the grip feel nice when holding the binoculars in freehand viewing.

I'm quite thrilled you also like to use the binoculars with adapter attached! That this actually works so well was a pleasat surprise for me, too.

This is the shock cord I'm using:

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00BIJAI5E

It's available in different diameters, I bought the 4 mm one which I think was a good choice.

Regards,

Henning

 

[Bramberg]

This is the shock cord I'm using...

Hi. I updated with new shock cord. Looks a lot better in black and most important the thinner cords feel better suited for the pupose.

I didn't get the one you linked to because the listing was in german. Instead I bought one from thEbay.

Many shock cords are of poor quality and the spring is way to stiff or to short or to loose. I lucked out and got a really good one. It's 3.5 mm thick, black with the black rubber inner cords that seem to be the higher quality rubber. Sold by the meter.

With the binoculars mounted it is a way easier than handheld to do some guerilla style digiscoping and just snap a picture through it with the phone.

 

[Bramberg]

Another thing I thought I'd share. In my case the length of the shock cord is important to get right. Too loose and the binos will not be secured tight enough and slide around on the mount. Too tight and it is difficult to attach it to the mount, the cord will rub hard against the leatherette and just put unnecessary clamp force on the binoculars.

I had a lot of difficulty adjusting the length and then maintain that after the tightening the knot. And once you do make a knot and tighten it, it is quite difficult to get that to come loose again for another adjustment. And in this case there are two loops that I want to have exactly the same length.

So I first found the right length for the cords plus the overlap. I had burned the ends with a linghter so there are som lumps on the ends. I then used "whipping twine" to join the ends together. I've never used the stuff before but it is really simple and effective and looks great. I got it on a boat store locally and it is commonly use to fuse or "whip" the ends on finer types of boat rope.

Also, this way of joining the ends is a lot smaller than doing a knot, so now there is no problem to fit the ends of the rope in the hole under the monting plate.

To establish with great certainty that I had gone absolutelly bonkers with this design, I also sealed the whipping twine with clear nail polish3

 

[Hauksen]

Hi,

I then used "whipping twine" to join the ends together. I've never used the stuff before but it is really simple and effective and looks great. I got it on a boat store locally and it is commonly use to fuse or "whip" the ends on finer types of boat rope.

Thanks for sharing this technique! Doing away with knots or cord stops really helps to make the adapter compact and tidy, and it looks highly professional with the black cords now!

One reason I don't consider my compact adapter design finished yet is exactly the question of what to do with the end of the cord. I'd like to keep it adjustable with a cord stop, but I've shrunk the adapter to the point where the cord stop sticks out and interferes with use ...



Hm, looking back at this thread, I think I might simply have lost my momentum in developing the design!

Regards,

Henning