collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Spotting scope mounting plate  (Read 2426 times)

Offline Crunchy

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 5110
  • 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: 13141
  • 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: 5110
  • 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: 1937
  • 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: 3513
  • 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: 5110
  • 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: 5110
  • 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: 5110
  • Location: Puyallup
Re: Spotting scope mounting plate
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2025, 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

me and my son headed east for our 2nd turkey season by shorthair15
[Yesterday at 10:52:59 PM]


How to edit title by Rainier10
[Yesterday at 10:33:22 PM]


Discretion !!! by Kingofthemountain83
[Yesterday at 10:23:25 PM]


Attention Sportsmen and Women: Presence needed at April WDFW Commission meeting by Humptulips
[Yesterday at 09:26:29 PM]


E tags by X-Force
[Yesterday at 08:12:35 PM]


2026 turkey season! by brewzer13
[Yesterday at 07:03:21 PM]


WA wolf population increases 17%. by Kingofthemountain83
[Yesterday at 05:41:12 PM]


Wildlife Obsession Duvall WA Taxidermy Closing its doors by time2hunt
[Yesterday at 05:28:33 PM]


Mushroom ID Thread by pianoman9701
[Yesterday at 04:02:06 PM]


You Bear Slayers by Kingofthemountain83
[Yesterday at 03:10:33 PM]


WA 2nd Bear Tag. Is it still a thing? by Kingofthemountain83
[Yesterday at 03:01:45 PM]


6.5 PRC advice by bearhunter99
[Yesterday at 02:32:41 PM]


Blacktail Trophy Tactics Hunting Event: Free for Veterans/Active Duty by silverdalesauer
[Yesterday at 09:42:17 AM]


Looking for Your Help - Donate Used or New Gear by silverdalesauer
[Yesterday at 09:24:31 AM]


Old account recovery by Kingofthemountain83
[Yesterday at 09:08:24 AM]


Hoof rot by HikerHunter
[Yesterday at 08:23:42 AM]


Best Turkey Recipes by erronulvin
[Yesterday at 07:49:22 AM]


Any fans of the 35 Rem, 358 Win, 35 Whelen, 9.3x62, or 45-70? by The Big Game Hunter
[Yesterday at 06:00:15 AM]


Bear ID certification by Scruffy
[April 19, 2026, 11:37:29 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2026, SimplePortal