collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Spotting scope mounting plate  (Read 613 times)

Offline Crunchy

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 5021
  • Location: Puyallup
Spotting scope mounting plate
« on: November 22, 2025, 10:10:19 AM »
Ok what am I doing wrong?  This has been driving me nuts for years.  Swarovski STM spotter.  Gitzo fluid head and mounting plate.  The brass stud is too small and for the hole on the bottom of the spotter so eventually the screw will loosen.   Do I need a different plate?  I would assume the holes are all the same size. 

Offline Stein

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 13170
  • Location: Arlington
Re: Spotting scope mounting plate
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2025, 10:43:33 AM »
One thing I found out is that although they are sold as interchangeable and all the same size from brand to brand and model to model, the dimensions on plates are all slightly different.  I've never had a brass button not fit, but certainly the dimensions of Arca plates vary.

Are you sure the brass button is too big and not just slightly off center? 

I gave up on cheap arca gear and went with one brand so they are all pretty similar from glass to glass.

Offline Crunchy

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 5021
  • Location: Puyallup
Re: Spotting scope mounting plate
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2025, 11:24:24 AM »
The brass button is too small in diameter.  if it were bigger the scope would not be able to wiggle side to side and work the mounting screw out.  That button should lock or prevent side to side motion

Offline elkaholic123

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+10)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 1871
  • Location: Lake Stevens
  • Groups: Montana Dirty Dozen,Life member RMEF,NAHC, WSF
Re: Spotting scope mounting plate
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2025, 02:56:32 PM »
The brass button is too small in diameter.  if it were bigger the scope would not be able to wiggle side to side and work the mounting screw out.  That button should lock or prevent side to side motion
How far is pin sticking out? Might need to have it poke out further!
elkaholic

Offline kentrek

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2012
  • Posts: 3504
  • Location: west coast
Re: Spotting scope mounting plate
« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2025, 03:26:45 PM »
Not a popular opinion but ditch that plate, get a bi directional arca plate from RRS, no rubber just metal on metal and then use the 3/8s stud and then drill and tap your own 1/4-20 and then on top of that use a bit of loctite blackmax 380 between the two surfaces but not in the threads

Offline Crunchy

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 5021
  • Location: Puyallup
Re: Spotting scope mounting plate
« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2025, 04:28:05 PM »
The brass button is too small in diameter.  if it were bigger the scope would not be able to wiggle side to side and work the mounting screw out.  That button should lock or prevent side to side motion
How far is pin sticking out? Might need to have it poke out further!

it stick out far enough it is just to small in diameter and that allows the scope to move side to side.  Almost needs to be twice as big in diameter. 

Offline Crunchy

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 5021
  • Location: Puyallup
Re: Spotting scope mounting plate
« Reply #6 on: November 22, 2025, 04:36:19 PM »
Not a popular opinion but ditch that plate, get a bi directional arca plate from RRS, no rubber just metal on metal and then use the 3/8s stud and then drill and tap your own 1/4-20 and then on top of that use a bit of loctite blackmax 380 between the two surfaces but not in the threads


I like your thinking. I have sent them an email to see what they suggest.  This can't be an unusual problem I am having. 

Offline Crunchy

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 5021
  • Location: Puyallup
Re: Spotting scope mounting plate
« Reply #7 on: Today at 10:38:16 AM »
Not a popular opinion but ditch that plate, get a bi directional arca plate from RRS, no rubber just metal on metal and then use the 3/8s stud and then drill and tap your own 1/4-20 and then on top of that use a bit of loctite blackmax 380 between the two surfaces but not in the threads


The guys at RRS had exactly what I needed.  Fast response as well.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

New world record mule? by dvolmer
[Today at 04:51:59 PM]


Wowzers by dvolmer
[Today at 04:48:30 PM]


Panhandle whitetail dates by 762Gunner
[Today at 03:32:57 PM]


Homemade saltwater fishing gear by Wetwoodshunter
[Today at 02:40:47 PM]


2025 OILS! by Mfowl
[Today at 02:04:19 PM]


Calling Bears by Boar
[Today at 01:15:55 PM]


Any MT deer updates? by Craig
[Today at 11:12:27 AM]


Question about hunting wilderness areas by EnglishSetter
[Today at 11:07:38 AM]


GM 6.6l gas 6 speed vs. 10 speed? by Happy Gilmore
[Today at 10:44:31 AM]


Spotting scope mounting plate by Crunchy
[Today at 10:38:16 AM]


5 Points......(mule deer or blacktails) by raydog
[Today at 10:18:03 AM]


Real world feedback needed: Rangefinder Binos by carpsniperg2
[Today at 10:09:28 AM]


2025 Quality Chewuch Tag by boneaddict
[Today at 10:05:39 AM]


I can only take duck at a time! by pianoman9701
[Today at 09:40:15 AM]


2025 deer, let's see em! by mountainman
[Today at 09:21:17 AM]


Cougar license question by Blacktail Sniper
[Today at 08:59:24 AM]


2024 Ford Edge Opinion/Bought a Chevrolet by C-Money
[Today at 08:47:16 AM]


Drew Pogue Quality by HikerHunter
[Today at 08:36:39 AM]


Aladdin unit 111 mule deer quality tag by tgomez
[Today at 12:49:11 AM]


Where can one find hides from hunters? by paninilord
[Yesterday at 09:12:37 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal