Tripod Accessories

There are some accessories for tripods that are worth considering. Cases, bags and carrying straps are available for most models. Some offer such accessories as all-weather shoes for snow, sand and other irregular surfaces or spike tips to dig in and prevent shifting of the tripod in gravel, dirt or grass. Tripod aprons are convenient for holding extra eyepieces or other various scope attachments.

One of the best investments in tripod accessories is the slow motion control attachment. This precision device fits between the tripod and your spotting scope and gives very fine, precise adjustments in both altitude (up and down) and azimuth (right to left) directions. This is exceptionally convenient for birdwatching, nature observation and telephotography and also works nicely for tracking celestial objects like the moon and planets.

The shoulder brace might be a consideration for some, offering convenience and lightweight at the expense of some stability. The same could be said of the monopod (a one-legged tripod) although they work quite well with relatively low power instruments for hiking, backpacking or where compactness and lightweight are a major consideration. Table-top tripods are available which are very compact and lightweight but have limited versatility.

Thanks to our friends at Eagle Optics for providing this information!

See also:
Bird Watching Binoculars—Tips for choosing the right birding binocular
Spotting Scopes—Tips for choosing the right spotting scope