Binocular Accessories

> Binocular Tripod Adapters

By using a binocular tripod mount or adapter you can very easily attach you binoculars to a tripod, window or hide clamp. This can be very useful if you use high power binoculars, have unsteady hands or if you just want to set up your binoculars in a location and keep them there for quick access.

Most binoculars that can accept an adapter uses a standard screw thread, but there are a few exceptions. There are also adapters that you can use for binoculars that don't accept a screw thread. >> Binocular Tripod Adapter.

> Binocular Harness

Sometimes called binocular suspenders, a bino harness can be a very comfortable and convenient way to carry your binoculars for hours. A good harness strap spreads the weight of your binoculars across your shoulders for more relaxed viewing and can keep your binoculars from jostling around as you walk freeing up the use of your hands.

Many brands now offer their own version of a binocular harness, some are great, some not so great. I this guide, I will take a look at some of the most popular and review to fin out which are the best: >> Binoculars Harness Guide.

> Floating Strap for Binoculars

The best specialised marine binoculars come with a floating strap that will prevent your binoculars from sinking, should you drop them overboard. But what if you have lost yours or if you already have a pair of binoculars suitable for marine use, but don't have a strap. the good news is that you can buy these as an accessory. Take a look at my guide to the >> Best Binocular Floating Straps.

> Optic Lens Cleaning Kits

No matter how careful you are or how good the coatings are on your lenses, they will eventually get dirty and or have smears and smudges that will impair your view. Most quality brands supply you a special micro-fibre cloth with your binoculars, but for the best results and to protect your investment, you should use a special lens cleaning kit. The best have pre-moistened, non-abrasive microfiber optical cleaning cloths, specially formulated lens-cleaning fluid to get lenses sparkling clean without harming delicate surfaces and coatings, flexible lens brush with bellows and absorbent cleaning tissues.

>> How to clean your binoculars
>> Optic Lens Cleaning Cloths & Kits

> Binocular Tripods

Once you have attached some sort of tripod adapter to your optics, they can then be mounted to most standard tripods. Some binoculars, especially those to be used for astronomy have specific requirements when it comes to the tripod. So in this section I take a look at some of the best tripods as well as the most suitable tripods for binoculars. >>

Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT Tripod - Brilliant general use and ideal tripod to use with binoculars for astronomy or plane spotting binoculars.

> Window Clamp/Mount

Similar in concept to a tripod, except this time instead of three legs, your binoculars are attached to a steady base using a clamp. As their name suggests, Vehicle window mounts easily turn your car into a mobile hide. But they are also versatile enough to attach your binoculars, spotting scope or camera to far more objects including railings, branches or even the deck rails at a hide. >> Car Window Clamps

> Binocular Bags & Cases

There are often times when you want or need to take more than just your binoculars with you out in the field.

In this section, I take a look at some of the best purpose made binocular and bird watching bags as well as camera backpacks and bags that work very well with your binoculars and other equipment that are most commonly used.

Carson BinoArmor Binocular Case - This simple but very clever binocular case is designed to protect your binoculars indoors and out in the field, because unlike traditional Binocular Cases, the Carson BinoArmor Binocular Case wraps around your optics and allows for extremely quick and easy binocular access, is virtually impervious to the elements, eliminates the need for lens caps and rain guards and works with standard neck straps or a binocular harness.

Lowepro Field Station Belt Pack - Designed for birders in particular but ideal for any wildlife enthusiast or researcher. This compact bag will not only enable you to carry your binoculars, but it comes with a "shelf" than makes reading from and writing in your bird book, field guide, sketchbook or notebook really simple when out in the field. It can also be used to carry and use your iPad or other tablet type computer.

> EyeShields

These EyeShields from Field Optics Research are a cheap and simple accessory that attaches to the eyecups of your existing binoculars (or scope) and blocks out all ambient light to improve their performance.

Read my full review of the Field Optics Research EyeShields >>

> Hide Clamp/Mount

A hide clamp is very similar to a window clamp, except as the name suggests they they have been specifically designed for the use in hides. The main differences are that their height is usually adjustable and the clamping mechanism is designed to be attached to horizontal surfaces like table tops. As their name suggests, a hide mount is an ideal accessory when using binoculars, spotting or fieldscopes in hides, or at bird or wildlife parks and sanctuaries for example. It is also just as useful for mounting digital SLR cameras (particularly with telephoto lenses) or high magnification binoculars whist in a hide. >> Hide Mounts (coming soon).