Manfrotto 701HDV Tripod Head Latch Details (1 of 2)
Manfrotto 701HDV tripod head latch details: This photo shows the latch that locks the 501PL QRP in position.
When I first started using the 701HDV tripod head with my Opticron scope, from time to time I found I could only load or unload the scope after a lot of vigorous jiggling around, which I just assumed was some tolerance-related problem. However, I eventually got around to having a look at the design of the latch arrangements, and I soon realised what I was doing wrong:
The locking latch is freely pivoted and not spring-loaded, and as its leading edge is blunt as opposed to angled, if it happens to be in the position shown in Photo 1, it blocks the movement of the QRP along the slider. This problem is easily overcome by ensuring that the latch is fully pushed into its housing before attempting to load the scope.
When the QRP is pushed forward towards the end stop (eg to balance the scope with a camera fitted), then the safety latch can be out of the QRP channel (Photo 2), and so if the release button is pressed before the QRP is moved back, this can stop its retraction. This problem is easily overcome by centralising the QRP in the slider before pressing the release button.
(This photo forms part of a summary of my experience of using the Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 tripod and 701HDV tripod head for digiscoping with my Opticron ES80GAED scope.)
Manfrotto 701HDV Tripod Head Latch Details (1 of 2)
Manfrotto 701HDV tripod head latch details: This photo shows the latch that locks the 501PL QRP in position.
When I first started using the 701HDV tripod head with my Opticron scope, from time to time I found I could only load or unload the scope after a lot of vigorous jiggling around, which I just assumed was some tolerance-related problem. However, I eventually got around to having a look at the design of the latch arrangements, and I soon realised what I was doing wrong:
The locking latch is freely pivoted and not spring-loaded, and as its leading edge is blunt as opposed to angled, if it happens to be in the position shown in Photo 1, it blocks the movement of the QRP along the slider. This problem is easily overcome by ensuring that the latch is fully pushed into its housing before attempting to load the scope.
When the QRP is pushed forward towards the end stop (eg to balance the scope with a camera fitted), then the safety latch can be out of the QRP channel (Photo 2), and so if the release button is pressed before the QRP is moved back, this can stop its retraction. This problem is easily overcome by centralising the QRP in the slider before pressing the release button.
(This photo forms part of a summary of my experience of using the Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 tripod and 701HDV tripod head for digiscoping with my Opticron ES80GAED scope.)