Explore Scientific U-mount with tripod for large binoculars

A giant binocular quickly overwhelms a simple photo tripod with a ball head or video head, Explore Scientific notes. Its U-Mount is a solid fork mount on a stainless steel field tripod, designed for the Explore Scientific BT giant binoculars and carrying up to 12 kg, with adjustable friction on both axes so the binocular holds its position or moves smoothly and evenly.

Key Features

• Fits the BT series and most 70 to 120mm binoculars with a 1/4-inch photo thread underneath, up to 12 kg and 290 mm wide. The BT-150 needs a larger U-Mount.
• Infinitely variable friction on both axes. Explore Scientific says it allows easy adjustment and tracking even at the full payload.
• Large handwheels that run smoothly and work with gloves on.
• 360° in azimuth, 0 to 90° in altitude. No stop in azimuth.
• Low vibration. Explore Scientific says the solid construction keeps vibration to an absolute minimum, so even at high magnification the view does not shake and the finest details can be observed.
• Quick-change adapter plate. Two 1/4-inch bolts in a slot fit different binoculars, and two large clamping screws hold the plate on the mount, so the binocular goes on or comes off in seconds.
• Stainless steel field tripod. 50mm legs with an aluminum head plate, a working height of about 100 to 140 cm, and an accessory tray that also braces the legs outward.
• Travels in two parts. Mount and tripod separate, and the tripod packs to about 80 cm. The mount weighs 5.5 kg and the tripod 5.8 kg.

Ideal For

• Owners of an Explore Scientific BT-70 SF or BT-120 SF, the giant binoculars it was designed for.
• Owners of other 70 to 120mm binoculars with a 1/4-inch thread underneath, up to 12 kg and 290 mm wide.
• Observers who sweep the sky or a landscape and want the binocular to move smoothly and hold still where they stop.
• Cold-weather observers, with handwheels that work with gloves on.

Accessories & Compatibility

The BT-70 SF weighs 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) and the BT-120 SF 18.3 lb (8.3 kg), both within the 12 kg rating. For the BT-150 ED, Explore Scientific makes a larger U-Mount and tripod.