Olivon Chest Pad w Magic Rig CP-1 (1 Viewer)

[Harry Stottle]

Has anyone tried one of these with a small scope?
I have a Nikon ED50 and would like to find a practical lightweight support for it. The alternative would be a monopod. I have never tried any sort of shoulder pod, but imagine they may be awkward to use.
Sometimes a full-sized scope with tripod is a bit of a monster to lug about.

 

[Boogieshrew]

I have used a shoulder stick with an ED50 in the past. It was great for reducing weight carried but I wouldn't want to use it over 20x mag at most. It was best at 16x.
Every sway of your body is noticeable. Whether that being buffeted by wind or even the slight movement caused by your breathing.
A shoulder pod is good for IDing birds but not for long periods of viewing.
Having said that I would use one again. I preferred it to a monopod because the monopod also showed up every movement but was heavier than the shoulder pod.
Accept the limitations and a shoulder stock is a useful thing.

I'm not familiar with the Olivon model, I'm talking in general terms, but it looks quite slim and possibly flimsy in photos. But hard to tell without handling one.

 

[4John]

Has anyone tried one of these with a small scope?
I have a Nikon ED50 and would like to find a practical lightweight support for it. The alternative would be a monopod. I have never tried any sort of shoulder pod, but imagine they may be awkward to use.
Sometimes a full-sized scope with tripod is a bit of a monster to lug about.

Harry,

I have used an ED50 on a monopod for over 10 years, because like you I found a full size scope with a tripod was sometimes a monster to lug around. However, IMO it only works above say 16-20X magnification if you have a fold down foot to stop it twisting. All the information is in a current thread :

Monopod support for Swarovski STC

 

[Harry Stottle]

Thanks Boogieshrew for your reply, I have a straight ED50 with a X27. It seems like I need a lower magnification.
The Olivon shoulder pod looks flimsy to me too. There is a Manfrotto: Shoulder Brace for Monopod that may be better.
Most of the shoulder pods mentioned in older posts like the Stedistock are no longer available.

 

[Harry Stottle]

Thanks for the link 4John, I will try the single foot idea to retrofit to one of my monopods. Have you tired the 3 legged foot for monopods?

 

[Boogieshrew]

Thanks Boogieshrew for your reply, I have a straight ED50 with a X27. It seems like I need a lower magnification.
The Olivon shoulder pod looks flimsy to me too. There is a Manfrotto: Shoulder Brace for Monopod that may be better.
Most of the shoulder pods mentioned in older posts like the Stedistock are no longer available.

Hi Harry
The shoulder brace looks useful. I'd like to try that.
My shoulder pod is an old one with no brand on it. I got it used on eBay. I think I'm correct to assume it was intended for cameras rather than scopes.
Re ED50 eyepieces the DS16x is a joy to use and very comfortable with eyeglasses on. I also have the 20x wide which works with my glasses but is not quite as user friendly as the 16x but the extra mag is very useful.

 

[Harry Stottle]

Hi Harry
The shoulder brace looks useful. I'd like to try that.
My shoulder pod is an old one with no brand on it. I got it used on eBay. I think I'm correct to assume it was intended for cameras rather than scopes.
Re ED50 eyepieces the DS16x is a joy to use and very comfortable with eyeglasses on. I also have the 20x wide which works with my glasses but is not quite as user friendly as the 16x but the extra mag is very useful.

Thanks, I will get the X16 and use my X27 for detail rather than buy a X20 as well.

I have tried the Manfrotto shoulder brace in a store, it is well made, lightweight and folds flat against a monopod when not in use. I did not buy it because it is articulated at both ends (not rigid), so that I needed to pull it towards my shoulder when looking through the scope. If I relaxed my grip a little it would fall off my shoulder. If the articulated parts were stiffer it would work better.
I may look at it again to see if I can modify it.

 

[4John]

Thanks for the link 4John, I will try the single foot idea to retrofit to one of my monopods. Have you tired the 3 legged foot for monopods?

No I haven't. However grackle314 has, and has written a good review in the thread I pointed you to which is worth a read. In short they work, but IMO they are too heavy, too complicated and too expensive compared with the very light, simple and cheap concept here :

New 70" Pan Head Tilt Travel Monopod Adjustable Digital Camera Lightweight Stand | eBay

The three-legged foot monopod grackle314 has is not far off the weight of a tripod, which IMO completely defeats the object of a monopod !

 

[Harry Stottle]

No I haven't. However grackle314 has, and has written a good review in the thread I pointed you to which is worth a read. In short they work, but IMO they are too heavy, too complicated and too expensive compared with the very light, simple and cheap concept here :

New 70" Pan Head Tilt Travel Monopod Adjustable Digital Camera Lightweight Stand | eBay

The three-legged foot monopod grackle314 has is not far off the weight of a tripod, which IMO completely defeats the object of a monopod !

I will have a look at grackle314's post, thanks.
I have ordered one of the single foot monopods. If the monopod itself is too flimsy I will take off the foot and try to fit it to better monopod.

 

[4John]

I will take off the foot and try to fit it to better monopod.

Harry,

That's exactly what I did. Why and how is post #5 of this thread :

Monopod support for Swarovski STC