Mirador 22-47 x 75mm spotting scope, balance? (1 Viewer)

[bugbear]

I just bought a cheap, old-ish cope from eBay, per thread title. (Slightly discoloured rubber sleeve at the objective end)



Mounting on my heaviest photographic tripod (Manfrotto #144, #168 ballhead), the views into my garden are bright and sharp - I am well pleased.

However, the tripod mount point (I inserted a 1/4" bolt to make it super visible in the photo) is a very long way from the C of G of the scope, so when aiming the scope, I'm fighting the overhanging weight.

Is this just a "thing" I have to live with, or is there something I can do about it?

Second question, out of curiosity; the serial number is 90248; can anyone put a date on it?

BugBear

 

[jring]

Hi,

congratulations and thanks for showing.

The balance problem could be fixed with a head or adapter which can take a long plate (e.g. Manfrotto 500PLONG or any Arca Swiss compatible head or adapter).

No ideal about the serial numbers, unfortunately...

Enjoy the view!

Joachim

​

 

[GeorgeL]

Longish plate with do but may require a riser block to clear the tube.

 

[pete_gamby]

As noted above you may need a spacer but this might help:

Balance Plate | Opticron

Click to view this page on www.opticron.co.uk

www.opticron.co.uk

The screw is a couple of inches long so should give clearance. You'd need to remove the circlip, put some washers over the screw and then replace the circlip.

Cheers, Pete

 

[bugbear]

As noted above you may need a spacer but this might help:

Balance Plate | Opticron

Click to view this page on www.opticron.co.uk

www.opticron.co.uk

The screw is a couple of inches long so should give clearance. You'd need to remove the circlip, put some washers over the screw and then replace the circlip.

Cheers, Pete

I have "shed grade" workshop abilities - I can certainly fashion a spacer (AKA square of aluminium with a 1/4" hole it)

Thank you for your post - most helpful.

BugBear

 

[bugbear]

Shed productions inc presents...



That's some scraps of mahogany, 74mm radius cut in the "fat end" support, lined with felt. The entire device was assembled and fixed to the telescope via a 1/4" bolt through the hole in the left; a chopstick was used as a pivot to locate the balance point, and a 1/4" T-nut fitted in a 8mm hole drilled per the chopstick.

The balance is now perfect. The new fixing point is a rather huge 100mm from the original one! Moving the balance point of a 1.2 Kg scope over that distance has made a very big difference.

BugBear

 

[bugbear]

And ... it balances (on a small length of stick!!)



BugBear

 

[Tringa45]

Well done!
If you're carrying the scope in the field though it might be advisable to load the felt support. A thick rubber band perhaps?

John

 

[bugbear]

Well done!
If you're carrying the scope in the field though it might be advisable to load the felt support. A thick rubber band perhaps?

John

I thought I'd need that, but since the wooden platform under the screw is actually a shade too low (by about 1.5mm), there's a slight leverage from the rear of the platform providing very definite downforce at the felt end. A convenient error that I didn't design in

BugBear