Earlier in the year at SHOT Show 2020 I came across a binocular adapter at the Really Right Stuff booth that immediately caught my interest.
I covered the initial details in my 2020 SHOT Show After Action Report and had mentioned that I would be looking to acquire one when they became available later in the year.
It just so happens in March 2020, Really Right Stuff started shipping the RRS Cinch-LR BA Binocular Adapter. So I put in an order for one to use with my Vortex Optics Viper HD 10×42 binoculars.
To summarize the specifications of the Really Right Stuff Cinch-LR Binocular Adapter, it is a hard anodized CNC machined 6061-T6 aluminum open ring with a strap. This allows the Cinch-LR to work with a binocular that has a tube diameter between 1.77″-2.56″ / 45mm-65mm.
Of course, the Cinch-LR BA is designed to work with the RRS 1.5″ dovetail standard (often referred to as Arca-Swiss). But surprisingly, the Cinch-LR also has a Manfrotto RC2 dovetail to work with Manfrotto RC2 clamps (rotate plate 90 degrees). I confirmed this using a Manfrotto RC2 compatible monopod that I still have laying around (several years ago, I ditched RC2 for Arca-Swiss for photography).
My Vortex Optics Viper HD 10×42 is roughly 51.5mm around the tube which is within the 45mm-65mm compatibility range of the Cinch-LR BA.
After taking the time to fit the strap appropriately so that the clamp will hold the binocular snugly, the RRS Cinch-LR BA is ready for use.
The open ring design of the Cinch-LR makes this compatible with a wide-range of binoculars, but it also allows the binocular to be rotated within the adapter quickly by half opening the clamp and rotating the binocular within the Cinch-LR.
Some will wonder why you would want this capability. While not commonly deployed in this manner, having the ability to run a binocular in a non-horizontal orientation gives a user more flexibility in certain observation positions (e.g. use like a monocular).
For me, the biggest reason for acquiring the RRS Cinch-LR BA is that it can remain attached on the binocular, yet still fit in the binocular carrying case.
I initially acquired the Vortex Optics Binocular Tripod Adapter (prior to SHOT 2020), but when it is attached to the Viper HD it will not fit into the carrying case.
The idea of having to attach and detach the Vortex in-house solution seemed very tedious, especially when you have to keep track of the thread protector plate when the Vortex Optics Binocular Tripod Adapter is installed.
The one drawback of the Cinch-LR that will become immediate when people start looking into it is the price. The Really Right Stuff Cinch-LR Binocular Adapter currently has a $110 USD price tag. This is quite expensive when you see that the Vortex Optics Binocular Tripod Adapter is only $24.99 USD in comparison (and less at most retailers).
Is the RRS Cinch-LR BA worth the price? That is all up to the user.
I have been a long time user of Really Right Stuff products (initially for photography and adapted to shooting) and I understand the quality of RRS products and the price that it translates to. The ability to have an Arca-Swiss / RRS 1.5″ dovetail adapter for my binocular that is always on the optic and low-profile for all carrying solutions is the primary specification I needed met and the RRS Cinch-LR BA satisfies this requirement.
Thus, I felt it worth my money to acquire the Really Right Stuff Cinch-LR Binocular Adapter.
I’m sure that some people will decide to opt out of the RRS Cinch-LR BA due to the price tag and choose to go with an alternate tripod adapter solution that sacrifices in certain areas. But if you are willing to sacrifice price, I feel like the RRS Cinch-LR BA will be a solid solution for you.
Addendum – 2022-05-11
The Really Right Stuff Cinch-LR BA is discontinued.
The Cinch-LR was revised and renamed the Cinch-LR Elite. The Cinch-LR Elite is the same aluminum binocular adapter design as the original Cinch-LR BA. However, the Cinch-LR Elite is now a bi-directional 1.5″ (RRS Arca-style) dovetail, which means the bottom clamping surface is a square with the 1.5″ dovetail on either orientation.
The original Cinch-LR BA was designed for both 1.5″ dovetail (Arca-style) or Manfrotto RC2 clamps. RC2 clamps are no longer supported by the Cinch-LR Elite.
Also, the current Cinch-LR Elite only has 1/4″-20 threads as opposed to the 3/8″-16 threads on the original Cinch-LR BA (and the later Cinch-LR BA which had both 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 threads).
There is also a Cinch-LR Polymer Molded which is essentially a polymer version of the Cinch-LR BA. It is made out of a polymer material as opposed to aluminum and supports 1.5″ / Arca-style compatible clamps and Manfrotto RC2 clamps.
The current price of the Cinch-LR Elite is $125 USD and the Cinch-LR Polymer Molded is $45 USD.
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