20 Best Scope Mount For M1A (2023 Updated)

Celestron never fails to amaze with their high quality products. I purchased this piggyback adapter for my Celestron CGEM II 11 inch Schmitt Cassegrain telescope when using my DSLR camera for wide-angle astrophotography.

This adapter is perfect for using your camera’s long exposure setting while also utilizing the tracking capabilities of your telescope’s mount. The adapter is made of a high impact material which remains solid while mounting a camera and does not contain any sharp edges that would scratch your expensive optical instrument.

The adapter also contains a padded surface for the bottom of your camera as well as a standard threaded camera bolt that will thread into any camera containing a standard threaded hole on the bottom.

The threaded camera bolt stays attached to the adapter and can be easily tightened with your finger tips. If you want to pass-on the tracking capabilities of your telescope to your wide angle camera, this piggyback adapter is for you.

Even though I make most of my own telescopes, optics and all, I have a Celestron C-8 that I use mainly for birding. However it’s still an astronomical scope so it’s quite capable of doing astrophotography if you have the standard fork mount or some sort of tracking mount.

The standard fork mount can handle the change in balance up to my 300 mm f/4 L. (Sony camera though). If you use a telephoto, I’d suggest a telephoto with a collar but otherwise worked great. The Lagoon in Sagittarius shows up nicely even with a 28 mm lens.

With reasonable polar alignment, the Celestron tracks flawlessly for 30 seconds even without guiding. So if you have a Celestron and want to play with it doing astrophotography, this is a cheap, reliable, simple and best of all fun solution.

If we get lucky and get a bright comet, you’ll love it.

I was lucky I didn’t have my $3000 DSLR rig mounted to this when it broke. Other users showed images of broken mount and mine broke exactly in the same spot. I want these products to work and want to rely on them.

I almost never write reviews, positive or negative. But, I dont want innocent folk like me losing access to expensive gear. Use it if it works for you. But by all means, secure your gear in case this breaks on you.

My wife was constantly asking me to take product photos for her items to be sold on Ebay. She doesn’t need my Hasselblad for that. This was easy to set up. Now all she has to do is put her phone on it and turn on the light and her iphone 12 pro max can take care of the rest.

Gives me more time to take photos I want lol. This package does come with a phone holder, but very basic, you would be better to spend money on a proper one. I have one that has an arca bottom plate from Amazon.

It also comes with two L-shaped pieces + two clamps that you can add backdrops. Overall, it’s easy to use, especially if you are using it for unboxing or product photography.

I struggled to get good overhead shots which made my cooking videos look cheesy (pun intended!). I received the Glide Gear PH 100 platform yesterday (well boxed), set it up today (clear instructions, a breeze to set up) and I LOVE IT! It’s well-built, sturdy, and the perfect size (not too big, not too small.

). I love that it has multiple use options (overhead vids, tabletop studio) and accommodates all my cameras (iPhone, DSLR, mirrorless). My quick test videos have me excited at the possibilities. For this newbie videographer, it’s a game changer!.

This is the second party size kettle grill stove in 10 years. The first had so much rust /burn damage, it was cheaper to get a new one. On the third radiant dome now. Although supposedly windproof, it is very easy to blow out, especially if on a low settling.

I liked the idea of being able to use the BBQ as a stove, so the boat doesn’t heat up. But if there is any boat motion, I don’t trust it’s stability. The rail mount is a rediculously expensive “option”, for an already very expensive device.

However, after the clamp pin broke, I drilled the hole a bit bigger, and replaced it with a stainless bolt – still working 10 years later. The BBQ remains outside, but covered. The propane regulators have been problems.

One was so low flow, that the flame blew out with any slight gust, and never got hot enough to sear. The other 3 were so hot that you couldn’t cook anything slowly, promptly flaming up. Immediately after use, the regulator gets stored in a waterproof bag until needed again.

This way it can last years without failing due to corrosion. Silicone spray seems to help a bit. The igniter also fell apart. I now use a flexible BBQ lighter, bent at just the right angle to light it.

Cleaning is a messy chore.

As other reviewers have noted. this thing is insanely expensive. But it works well and does the job. Vertical rod placement is the way to go. or as close to 90 degrees as possible. I just don’t see how this thing could possibly hold with horizontal placement.

Anyway, it’s sturdy and the grill works great. But good grief when an accessory item is 35-40 percent the cost of the actual grill (which was only $200) then that’s the definition of gouging. But what can you do? With no competition they charge what they want, and a sucker like me is forced to buy it.

But hey, at least I’m only complaining about something that allows me to GRILL WHILE I’M ON MY BOAT! :).

A nice secure mount for my new Magma grill. Be sure to measure your pulpit railing carefully. There are three different sizes available for a variety of boats.

Purchased for my Arlo cameras because they provide a more secure mount than the magnetic mounts included with the system. These seem more durable, provide more clearance, are more adjustable and lock in place to provide better functionality than the Arlo brand mounts.

If I ever need to replace the original mounts, I’ll be sure to get these instead of the Arlo mounts. They also cost a lot less. to provide a great value.

The Arlo brand mounts while overpriced, are sadly the way to go. I purchased these based on price at roughly half the cost of the Arlo mount. Issue here is that the ring doesn’t tighten enough to hold the camera very well at angle.

I literally had to take a pair of pliers to this to tighten the ball joint to where I felt the slightest wind wasn’t going to readjust the camera angle. And I did get these but if you’re expected to remove the cameras to charge it’s going to be a pain every couple months to readjust.

Buyer beware.

I wanted to mount two Arlo cameras, and needed to do it within some time constraints. So, I bought one Arlo mount, and ordered these at half the price. They look the same as an Arlo mount, but are shorter.

For the price, they are worth it. While the Arlo mount is longer, therefore a bit more versatile, and perhaps better made, the $20 price for one didn’t sit well with me. So, depending on your needs, these are probably just fine at a discounted price.

I think this is the least impressive SmallRig accessory I own. Because there is threading on both ends, I find myself constantly fighting this thing. One end tightens as the other loosens. The coldshoe end tightening ring is really small and difficult to handle, more than once I have managed to tighten it to the point that I could not get it off with my fingers.

I have also had this loosen up on my in use repeatedly, with a light little Tascam audio recorder on it, not a big heavy monitor or something. Overall, this does work, but I find it frustrating to use.

I found that the SmallRig 2905 180 pivot monitor mount works much better than this for my needs.

Not very expensive, and made of strong materials. The ball head is not very smooth, which is why I’m giving it 3 stars. Would work to secure light weight items to a cold shoe mount. A good extra item to have in your bag ‘just in case.

‘.

Now I can attach accessories to my hotshoe mount on my DSLR cameras! Works well, the thumbscrew is secure and holds the accessory in the desired position. I’m giving it 4 stars only because sometimes it tightens too well and I have to use a wrench to get it off the camera.

That seems like a bit much. But I don’t worry about it coming off during a shoot!.

This NISI Focusing Rail is a great, precise focusing rail. The build quality is excellent. Smooth easy to control motion. It can handle large bodies but my Macro setup is small and light by my choice.

I’m using this rail with my Olympus OM D M 5 Mk III and Olympus 60mm. It is a bit large for this small setup but it works perfectly. I’ve also use it with my Full Frame Lumix S5 with the Lumix 70-300 shooting Macro and it balances perfectly making focusing those tight Macro shot a breeze.

You can beat the price for such quality.

Difficult to get aligned on my spotting scope eyepiece. Once aligned works well, The eyepiece part is cast aluminum and has padding inside the attach point. The phone holder is hard plastic and is padded.

I am able to use it with a Otter Defender case intact(which may cause some of my difficulty in alignment). It clamps the phone tightly with very little clamp pressure. Must be sure to keep clamp padding off the buttons on side of the phone!.

UNIT QUALITY IS GOOD, BUT, BEWARE – AS ADVERTISED USAGE ON A RIFLE IS IS OUTRIGHT MISLEADING, AS FOLLOWS: WORKS WELL ON BINOCULARS, SPOTTING SCOPES, TELESCOPES, WHERE EYE IS CLOSE TO EYEPIECE, BUT, WILL NOT WORK ON ANY RIFLE, BECAUSE, THE EYE RELIEF NEEDED TO PROTECT THE EYE FROM RECOIL, IS NOT BUILT INTO THE BRACKET.

THE BRACKET IS TWO DIMENSIONAL, TO BE USED ON A RIFLE, THE BRACKET WOULD NEED TO BE THREE DIMENSIONAL. IT SIMPLY IS MISSING A BRACKET MEMBER, TO PROPERLY POISITION A SMARTPHONE CAMERA, FOR RIFLE USE AND EVEN IF IT HAD THIS BRACKET – YOU WOULD ONLY SEE A SMALL CIRCLE SIZED PICTURE OF WHAT THE SCOPE VIEWS – NOT A FULL SCREEN PICTURE AS SHOWN IN ADVERTISEMENT, UNLESS, IT HAD A ZOOM FEATURE, WITH MACRO CLOSE-UP FOCUS.

Took a little to get the correct positioning on my spotting scope, but once i got it adjusted, my kids were impressed. Also, it’s pretty well constructed. The only problem i had was with one of the rubber boots popping off, but i believe i had it squeezing the phone to hard, thereby slipping it off gradually.

Still a great buy!.

It’s hard to trust when attached to a vertical surface, it definitely has to be attached to glass or metal. It won’t stay put on walls or wood panels. On horizontal surfaces will resist better. Adjusting the knobs and placing the heads in the right position requires time and some practice.

It requires a small tripod/monopod head to make camera or lighting positioning easier.

It’s a really nice feature for my tripod and works great except for one thing that is a big deal in the high winds of Colorado. It fully locks down my spotting scope but there is no way to secure the rotation on the switcheroo shaft with the ball bearings.

In high winds, it rotates very easily.

I bought this after seeing and using my buddies! We were on a pronghorn hunt in WY and it was so handy. I purchased this and put it in an adrenaline tripod and could not be happier. Used it in a javelina hunt in AZ this weekend and am still super impressed by it.

This is a game changer and well worth the money. I will be buying more in the future for sure!.

The website said it worked with BOG tripods, so I bought the BOG Death Grip. I can’t figure out how to make it work with the Death Grip. I emailed their support, but never got a response. The adapter looks and feels good, but I think it is a paper weight right now!.

Desiring a more stable mount for my Logitech Brio webcam than atop a monitor on my standing desk, I opted to deploy it atop the Elgato Master Mount L. Mounting to my desk was very simple, and the flexibility of this mount is well beyond my requirements.

My only wish is that the there were additional cable clips for each of the telescoping segments, but nothing a few cable tie straps can’t handle.

I love the Google Nest Battery Cam. It’s held to its base only by a very powerful magnet. To remove it, you just pull it away from its base, no tools needed. That’s great, but it dawned on me that any neighborhood kid could just walk away with the camera.

This is the reason for the Wasserstein anti-theft mount. It works exactly like the thin anti-theft cords you see at retail stores, keeping smartphones and laptops secure. It took only about 5 minutes to install, and I feel secure that my camera will still be there day after day and month after month.

I look at it as very low cost insurance. Two thoughts though: 1) It’s mainly just to keep someone from easily taking your camera. If the bad guy had enough time, privacy, and a torx wrench, he could remove it.

2) The anti-theft mount makes it harder for you to charge up the battery. If in your particular installation you can get its charger cord up to the camera where it’s mounted, you CAN charge it that way because the Wasserstein mount does not cover up the camera’s charger port.

Otherwise, using this device means that it’ll take longer for you to remove the camera and bring it in for charging. Sort of a balance between camera security and easy charging. For its low price, I think this anti-theft device is well worth it.

So — if you have your battery Nest Cam outside where people can get to it, there’s always the risk that they’d just take it, since it’s just held in place by a magnet. It makes it convenient for us to pull it down for charging, but also anyone who recognizes the device knows that they could just grab it.

This cable adds a degree of deterrence. You see the security cable, you’ll know removing it will take a lot more work. It won’t stop someone who is determined to take it, but reduces your overall risk.

The shell fits nicely around the body of the camera. There’s no physical features that positively position it, but once you get it lined up right it looks like it’s always been a part of the camera. There’s usually a compromise between security and convenience, and that applies here.

The camera’s battery is not removable, so you have to plan how you’re going to recharge it once you place the camera. Overall, it’s well-made, a good solution, and a great value.

In the box is the anti-theft mount, two screws, security chain, torx screwdriver and the user manual. First off, I am super happy that this is now available. I live in a neighborhood that is pretty safe but things do disappear every now and then and when I purchased the camera, I was thinking, why isn’t a mount included.

Now, the mount is finally here! So, setup is super easy. Attach the camera, peel the strips, attach the chain and mount. Because I already have the camera installed and ready to go, all I had to do was install the mount.

The instruction manual is VERY helpful and walks you through each step. Overall, there is not much to comment and I definitely know that I will be purchasing one of these with every new camera that I install! This mount actually makes me want to purchase more now that I know the camera will be somewhat secure.

Would I recommend to friends and family, absolutely.

I was really tired of battling shaky legs and a head that changed position whenever I tried to lock it down. The CCT legs along with Swaro’s compact head is rock solid and nicely made. The telescoping leg locks work without having to use excessive force.

I have a small pack that hang’ s from the hook on the bottom of the vertical extension, makes you feel a lot more comfortable about the wind not blowing your rig over if left unattended. Also, the multiple leg angle locks really help if you’re on a slope and in rugged country.

The setup is about 1-1/2 lbs heavier than my old rig but it’s well worth it to get rid of that annoying shake.

Though this tripod was recommended for the scope I bought they are not compatible without ordering extra screws/adapters. Swarovski is not taking service orders at this time so there’s no way to use the scope with this tripod eve though it is the recommended one from both BH/Swarovski.

I saw this in a store in Windsor and liked it, so I bought it. Kudos to B&H for quick shipping. Tripod seems well build and is a good height for me. I also appreciate how compact it folds down to and the weight.

The only reason I’m rating it 4 stars is because it’s a good tripod but my old Benro that was half the price felt more sturdy. Good tripod, well made but not the right one for me.

You know you can’t go wrong with Leupold. I bought these after what appears to be a slightly bent rifle barrel moved groups beyond what my scopes could adjust for. I had checked the prior mounts and had Leupold check the scope to verify they were not the source.

Having used these type of Leupold rings in the past for a rifle with misaligned scope mounting holes (some 20+yrs ago) I knew they could handle the windage adjustment needed. They did save the day and the rifle.

Installation challenges (only reason for 4 stars not 5, the quality is a 5): Leupold uses torx screw but they do come with a small torx allen wrench. The wrench supplied had a damaged fin on the short side (no leverage the other way).

Fortunately it was the same wrench for the bases I bought so I was able to get it done same day. I do know that a quick call to Leupold and they would have mailed me a knew one no questions asked (and without treating you like an idiot for not just going to the HW store to buy one).

Another challenge, the screws on the rear base were extremely difficult to turn and I couldn’t find my fat/wide slotted screwdriver to match. The regular screwdriver kept slipping and had too much slack; that was a real pain.

Lastly, they don’t supply a tool for twisting the front site into position and its not easy to get it perfectly aligned to the rear mount. It did seem to self align once the scope was in place and I started tightening it down i.

e. didn’t pinch the tube. I could have had Cabelas install since I bought them there but its a bit out of the way and I didn’t have the rifle the day I bought them. Bore sighting got me 3″ low with first shot and perfect bullseye on 2nd after adjustment (Leupold scopes do that extremely well.

) They do come with a blue coating already on all the screws so they do stay in place. (No hassles forgetting to buy it separately. ) Now if they just made a shoot thru version.

I’ve mounted a few scopes before, never had an issue. Took to range, couldn’t hot the paper. Back home checked top rail to base, was more than. 04 out of parallel with base at 4 inches long. Thats 1 yard off at 100 yards.

Shimed up low end. 04 inches and now is working ok. Make sure to check the rail relative to barrel with a good level before heading to range.

I bought a savage mark 2 with pre drilled holes. On the weaver chart it says it takes #16, so I ordered these and as I try to put the bases on it feels very very tight screwing them in, I could only go half way then I took the screw out and the screw is definitely not the right size? the bases themselves look great and fit the rifle, just not the screws? maybe this was a mistake from the factory but as it sits the bases are 5 star, the product itself 2 star.

Screws are mounted upside down making them top heavy some times allowing them to tilt. Screws are to short, barely 2 threads in camera. C clips holding screws on fall off allowing screws to fall out.

They work fine to hang a camera on. I haven’t found any other products like it. My needs are more complex, such as to hang solar chargers along with the camera. If I were to improve the product it would be an easier starting screw and replacing the circlip with an o ring.

Bought this to use with my cameras. Remember that you need a camera with a attachment on the bottom to use this. Mine do so it wasn’t a problem. One other handy piece of advice, bring a phillips screwdriver and mallet if you plan using them in a place with hardwoods like mesquite.

Drive the scredriver in about a half inch for a starter hole.

I have come to really like and respect the Vortex brand as being good quality with an affordable price tag. Some may have had a negative experience but as for myself it has all been positive so far. I paired this mount with a Crossfire II 6-18×44 AO on a SA Saint Victor in.

308 and it clears the rear flip up sight in the down position. No spacer needed. Very pleased so far.

I bought two of these Vortex scope mounts and I am pleased. I put one on my 458 SOCOM and the other on my grandson’s 450 Bushmaster. Both are rock solid on the pic rails and we’re holding zero after 25+ rounds each.

Time will tell, but much better than previous mounts. We used Vortex scopes with these Vortex mounts.

These look good and fit exactly my scope to rifle. They have a screw in scope stop in the rear base. The screw is conical, I turned it upside down so the flat end was the connection to the flat recess hole in my receiver.

My objective bell is 1. 8 this fitted with about 1/16th space so my scope is as low to the stock as it will go, but I can adjust the objective focus ring. Perfect.

As an astronomy addict for nearly six decades, I have used mounts of every kind ranging from a fence post rig using a young kid’s slide-tube 60mm refractor to large SCT fork mounts. Include in that the various Dobsonian boxes as well.

I do know an excellent mount when they appear now and then. Celestron far surpassed their competitors with this basic Equatorial system built specifically for small to mid-range sized OTA’s. I suggest one limit insrument apertures of no more than an 8″ Newtonian or a 6″ SCT if precision is required in either viewing or photography.

A previous reviwer giving a 4-star rating,mounted a 102mm refractor with a 1000mm tube length. So it is certainly adaptable. When using the dedicated CG-4 Motor Drives (highly recommended), going beyond the recommended OTA + augments obviously significantly increases opposing torque force.

That is readily exhibited in tracking error, not to mention the damaging of the drives themselves. Motor drivn tracking with the CG-4 is excellent. Using but a center-hole alignment without a centered bubble, both scope types and sizes mentioned previously slewed and tracked effortlessly with but a touch of PEC during long-period, deep space photography.

Simply perfect for shared visual sessions. Pardon what seems to be a sales promotive presentation. I seriously rate this mount as one of the BEST I have ever used. One previous reviewer reported a single-axis grease binding.

Sadly, that is common in ALL Taiwan originated mounts, no matter the size or style. Why Celestron (as well as all other EOC suppliers do not “request” a corrective measure to this simple but serious problem? Obviously an industry-wide example of “acceptable” quality, a serious business flaw.

With what could be a milestone setting ahead of its competitors’ similar product-lines, Celestron’s “toy” philosophy is so evident yet again.

Solid well built, heavy duty, tripod legs. Everything is solid steel. Craftsmanship is superior to any other equatorial mount on this price. I work as a quality inspector. And this mount meet and exceed my requirements and expectations.

I would definitely recommend to any one looking to buy a good quality built equatorial mount.

I haven’t used the Base Plate but I have used the Viking Arms. They are wonderful. We are working on a kitchen remodel and my husband is hanging wall cabinets. I don’t have the stamina to hold them level for the install.

He set up the Viking Arms on a scaffold and 3/4″ plywood base and used the Viking Arms to hold and level the cabinet. He was then able to screw the cabinet to the wall. We will be using them for the rest of the kitchen walls and may need them for the cabinet bases when we need to level and shim if needed.

They are extremely well built and I am happy I didn’t fall for the cheap knockoffs.

The REAL Viking Arms is amazing. I was tricked like many others with the Fake version of the Viking Arms and the difference is Night and Day. Its so good that I am think of getting a second one. I’ve been using the REAL Viking Arms for multiple projects and it’s been serving me well.

Thank you.

These are good for lifting things where you don’t have much space. For example lifting shed wall panels where you only have 3/8 of an inch to lift it.

Mario was awesome! Start to finish. I called for additional info on the product, then again for tracking info. Product was as advertised and looks amazing in person. Delivery smooth and seamless, as well.

Thanks again Mario!.

So far, so good. Love the “real feel” of this hoop. Feels like I/m shooting in professional gym.

This is a well made system and we are enjoying it. Love the ability to lower the arm for the smaller kids.