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| Rapid Release System (RRS) Family |
The KDC RRS Family consists of
The RRS Shoe is designed to allow rapid mating of the RRS Foot, OBA, Bino Tower, or Yoke. The bottom of the RRS Shoe has a 1/4X20TPI female thread. This thread is the industry standard for optic attachment. The bottom of the RRS Show is skeletonized for weight reduction, resulting in an N0G weight of .48 of an ounce or 13.6 grams. The RRS Foot can be attached to the 3L-V2 Tripod conversion, the Granite Peak tripods or most other brands of tripods.
There is a stop screw on top of the RRS Shoe that prevents the RRS Foot, or RRS Bino tower from sliding through the RRS Shoe, and assures proper alignment. The stop screw has two positions as the accompaning graphic illustrates. This allows the thumb screw to be used from either the left or right side of the tripod. The thumb screw has a limited travel range to prevent total removal and possible loss, as well as fast clamping (see graphic).
The RRS clamping system is based on a modified Weaver Scope style dovetail design.
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| Bottom view of RRS Shoe | RRS Shoe illustrating stop screw placement |
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| RSS Foot | |
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| OBA adjustability using RSS Shoe or the 1/4X20 female threads | |
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| 6-12 Tip Problem |
The OBA solves one of the most frustrating problems with optics on a tripod. We call this the 6-12 problem. If the optic client (camera, spotting scope, binoculars), are attached to the tripod such that the mount plane is not coincident with the balance plane, the optics will be either front heavy or back heavy. If the optic client is front heavy, the moment the operator removes their hand from the tripod/optic combo, the front of the optics will tip down and the back tip up resulting in the target normally in the center of the field of view moving to the 12 o'clock position. Many times totally outside of the field of view. If the opposite is true and the weight distribution is such that the front is light and the back is heavy, then the target normally in the center of the field of view will move to the 6 o'clock position. To compensate for this problem, you have to pan and search, not in the center but near the top or bottom (6-12 positions) knowing that when your hand support is removed, the target hopefully will move to the center (if you are lucky).
On one end of the OBA there is a threaded 1/4X20 male screw. This is screwed into the bottom of your optics, be that a DSLR, spotting scope, or binoculars. The OBA has seven 1/4X20 threaded female holes that allows shifting forward/backward until the balance plane is perfect at the apex of the tripod. The OBA comes in two verisons, one where male screw has a knurled thumbwheel, and another where the male screw is flush. The pictures to the right show the two options. For most applications, the knurled thumbwheel is preferred. However the flush version is nice for the bottom of a DSLR so that the camera will sit flat and level on the ground or a table.
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| RRS OBA Knurled Thumbscrew | RRS OBA Flush Screw small image showing Lincoln Penny Slot |
The OBA also sports the same male dovetail configuration as the RSS foot does. Used in combinations with the RSS shoe, you will enjoy rapid attachment/detachment of your optics, with fine control of balance.
The OBA effectively ends the 6-12 problem
Binoculars that sport powers 10X and above are near impossible to hand hold for extend viewing. To get your best return on investment with these high powered binoculars, you need to mount them to a tripod. That is where the V2-SnipePod/3L combo or Granite Peak tripod plays a role, ultralight, and steady. Furthermore, many of our customers are moving to high power, large objective binoculars. Switching to a 12X-15x power with 50mm-60mm objectives is a common trend.
I recently spoke with customer at the WSF convention who packs a 15X56 SLC Swarovski with dual doublers (30X!). The case he made was sound. Less light or exit pupil per eye when compared to a big spotting scope, but multiply the exit pupils by two for two eyes. Your brain gets two shafts of light!. Incredible 30X dual light power for mid day, and remove the doublers for low light. Obviously, there was no need for a spotting scope, saving space and weight.
The KDC RRS Bino Tower is designed for easy attachment of any binoculars that have a 1/4X20 female thread on the front hinge pin. This is the preferred mount designs of most binoculars manufactured in the far east (Japan, China, Philippines), plus the Swarovski SLC, Minox lineup, and Brunton. There usually is some type of cosmetic plug hiding the 1/4X20 on these binoculars. Then it is a simple process of screwing the KDC 1/4X20 tpi stud into the front of the hinge, and tighten with the 4X40 set screw.
Next, dropping the binoculars into the RSS Bino Tower, pull up on the cam lever, and enjoy the views!
Use of the OBA is highly recommended, as it is rare that binoculars/RRS Tower combinations are properly balanced.
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| Bino 1/4X20tpi Stud installation sequence | Closeup of 1/4X20tpi bino stud | 6-12 problem and OBA solution on faux 12X50 bino |
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| Field installtion of Bino Tower | Bottom of Bino Tower illustrating 1/4X20 female threads for universal tripod install | Closeup action of Bino tower cam lock |
The RRS Yoke is a highly functional adapter that turns any tripod with a 1/4X20 male stud into a shooting support. Beside the 1/4X20 female thread in the base of the RRS-Yoke, it is fully compatible with our RRS-SHOE making for quick/easy installation in the field. CNC machined from 6061 aluminum, the RRS-Yoke weights an amazing .8 of an ounce and is only 3.25 inches long when folded. It is very easy to pack. Great for Pro-Guides to accommodate clients who are unprepared for long range shooting.
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| RRS Yoke (folding) | RRS Yoke skeletonize base |
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| RRS Yoke mated with RRS Shoe on Granite Peak Tripod | RRS Yoke directly threaded on Granite Peak Tripod |