Binoculars with tripod
Binoculars come in a wide range of sizes and designs. This is because they are used in an equally wide range of applications, from watching operas and concerts to bird watching; from hunting to battlefield patrolling; and from sightseeing to stargazing.
Stargazing often requires binoculars equipped with objective lenses that are at least 50 mm in diameter. This is because smaller lenses cannot gather enough light into the optical tube to produce a clear and sharp image. Indeed, for the observation of celestial bodies, binoculars with 125 mm objective lenses are better suited. These are big and heavy equipment, often classified as giant binoculars, that require tripods for smooth and comfortable use.
Tripods are three-legged stands used to stabilize and support optical devices such as binoculars, telescopes, and cameras. They are also used to support surveying equipment such as transits or compasses.
There are several types of binocular tripods. These are the full-length lightweight, compact, table-top, and traveling types. They are usually made of lightweight materials such as aluminum or carbon fiber, but sometimes they can also be made of wood. A center post serves as a brace for the legs of the tripod for sturdier support. The legs themselves are collapsible, with one end telescoping into the other. The feet are usually cased in rubber to prevent them from sliding on slippery surfaces.
Binocular tripods come in three basic designs:
1) Altazimuth Tripods. An altazimuth, or alt-azimuth, tripod features a mount that has two perpendicular axes. These are the horizontal (altitude) axis and the vertical (azimuth) axis. This simple designed is used by home and field users as well as amateur and professional astronomers who work with huge research telescopes. A major drawback of this design is that it cannot follow the apparent movement of celestial objects in the sky with a single motion on its axis. The altazimuth mount has to be moved in its two axes to follow such movement in the skies.
2) Dobsonian Tripods. These are a variation of the altazimuth tripods. Invented by the amateur astronomer John Dobson, this design is suited for visual astronomy. It is made of wood with a simple and inexpensive construction.
3) Equatorial Tripods. Equatorial tripods carry a mount that has two perpendicular axes. These are the right ascension and declination, which allow the binoculars attached to the tripod to follow the apparent motion of any celestial object across the sky with only one motion.
