Celestron Tabletop Tripod for the C65 Mini Mak Spotting Scope

by Celestron

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14.2 x 5.1 x 5 inches ; 1.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007UQNYA
• Item model number: 93604
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 18, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Celestron's tabletop tripod is equipped with slow motion controls and a central column that can be raised for more comfortable viewing. To raise the central column, simply turn the central column locking ring, then raise the spotting scope to the desired height. Then turn the ring again to lock into place. Turning the two slow motion control knobs located on the mount head helps center objects at high magnification.

For use with:
Celestron C65 Mini Mak and C65 Mini Mak WP Spotting Scopes.

Product Description

Tabletop Tripod.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite solid enough for non-mini spotting scopes, June 14, 2006

By 

Technology Guy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celestron Tabletop Tripod for the C65 Mini Mak Spotting Scope (Electronics)

First off, the technical details are wrong for this entry which seem to be for a full size Celestron tripod. This unit actually measures 14 inches folded, 10.5 inches with the legs opened and stretches up to 14 inches high with the center column raised. The legs themselves do not telescope. A plastic collar can be tightened to lock the column height and still allow it to turn for panning. The collar can be tightened further to completely lock the column from panning. A knob can be tightened to lock the tilting. A 1/4-20 screw with locking nut allows the attachment of a camera or spotting scope though the rubber used to keep the scope from twisting seems to allow some unwanted vibration. The unit is constructed of plastic and aluminum. The legs are extruded aluminum channel but fairly rigid and connect to an hard plastic base. The fine motion controls do not allow full rotation or tilting but this is not a major drawback and is to be expected for something in this price range.

As a mini camera tripod, the Celestron provides good support and is much more solid than other mini tripods in this price range. It was able to support my 35mm SLR with battery grip and 1.5 pound 24-200mm Tokina lens with ease. The tripod, however, isn't designed to allowed rotating the camera for portrait orientation.

As a spotting scope tripod, the Celestron leaves something to be desired. While the tripod can support the weight of a C90 spotting scope, it just isn't quite solid enough to allow fine adjustments or focusing without causing vibrations that disrupt viewing for up to 10 seconds or more. I would guess this to be a problem for any tripod this small but it does limit the usefulness of the Celestron, particularly with a camera mounted to the scope. The fine controls do work well enough and the Celestron is sturdy enough to hold a spotting scope without danger of it toppling over.

All in all, this is a sturdy mini tripod with useful fine motion controls but it may not be all that useful for high power scopes or those heavier than the C65 or for through-the-scope photography.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Wow this is a terrible piece of equipment., July 1, 2009

By 

Ibuyonline (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celestron Tabletop Tripod for the C65 Mini Mak Spotting Scope (Electronics)

This item is terrible. Shoddy shoddy shoddy. Cheap cheap cheap. In another review, somebody claimed this item was completely made of plastic. While that person is not 100% correct, I can totally understand why you might think it's entirely plastic because this tripod IS 90% plastic. Indeed, the others reviews that respond are correct in saying it's NOT 100% plastic. Indeed the legs ARE made of thin aluminum but seriously, ALL of the important parts (you know, the parts that move, the knobs you turn, the gearbox or even the locking mechanism) are 100% PLASTIC.

The knobs are tight and difficult to turn at all, let alone smoothly, which defeats the entire purpose of this tripod. Honestly, I don't know how this item is useful for spotting anything. It's so difficult to even get it to turn or angle up at all. Everything that E. Villegas "photograframer" says in his review is spot on, except I wouldn't even give this thing the 2-stars that he did.

If you've ever seen those $1-store 6" tall mini tabletop tripods that are mass produced in Hong Kong and given away in ebay auctions as part of a "photo package", you'll understand exactly what the quality of this item is. This is just a bunch of poorly molded plastic that's been screwed together around three aluminum legs.

I rarely post reviews on Amazon, but this item is so cheap and poorly made and has SO many 5-star and 4-star reviews that I had to come post a reality check. I wish I hadn't given so much creedence to the high praise it gets in other reviews here. I sent this thing back the day after I got it. If you want a small tabletop tripod to hold something steady, I guess this would suit you fine, but if you actually wanted to put a scope or camera on this and look though a lens to try and sight something, look somewhere else.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Adequate for very small cameras., February 23, 2008

By 

E. Villegas ""photograframer"" (Gurnee, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celestron Tabletop Tripod for the C65 Mini Mak Spotting Scope (Electronics)

If you have a small camera, this one is adequate. The all-plastic design makes it difficult to adjust the height and the tilt because plastic tends to stick together when tightened. Loosening the knobs is a big pain and the legs tend to "give" a little bit when you use it with a bigger camera.