RSPB Hide Clamp (1 Viewer)

[pdwinter]

Does anyone have experience of using the RSPB Hide Clamp (e.g. RSPB Hide Clamp | Viking Optical Centres) ?

I'm thinking of getting one as it's an arca swiss plate and will mostly use it with a lightweight scope or at most about 1600g of camera and lens but wondered how smoothly it works with that amount of weight.

Thanks in advance

 

[dunder]

Hi - i've got one that i've used with about 1600g of scope. It seems pretty nice.

Things i like about it are: fairly robust and nicely dampened movements (though i've not compared to other fluid heads), one touch locking and secure arca swiss release.

Things i don't like: the one touch locking only locks tilt, there doesn't seem to be any way to lock panning. Also the head isn't easily detachable from the clamp (i was hoping to use the same head on a tripod).

As a consequence i don't use it any more as my head uses the Gitzo system now. I see you're in Hampshire; if you're prepared to travel to the Waterlooville area, you can come try it out (no obligation to purchase)

 

[pdwinter]

Thanks for the reply and the offer to test dunder but I'm afraid I was rather impetuous and ordered the RSPB Hide Clamp before there were any replies.

It came this morning and I tried it out with my Kowa 883 and it worked very well although I found it better to have the handle pointing away from me (i.e. mount the scope in the opposite way than i would normally do). As there are never any two bird hides that are the same I expect there will be times when the handle facing towards me will work fine.

I'll check the pan locking next time - I didn't notice that it was only locking the tilt but I got a bit too engrossed in the birdwatching and so didn't test it thoroughly.

 

[dunder]

No problem - hope it works out for you

 

[pdwinter]

I'll check the pan locking next time - I didn't notice that it was only locking the tilt but I got a bit too engrossed in the birdwatching and so didn't test it thoroughly.

On my copy the locking dial locks both panning and tilting - perhaps your panning loosened after a while.

 

[dunder]

Interesting, thanks for letting me know. I might have a look to see if anything can be tightened up