Hensoldt Spotter 60: ARCA plates with anti-rotation pin?

Conqueror

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Minuteman
Feb 28, 2008
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Hi all,

I have a Spotter 60 and want to upgrade to an ARCA plate for it that has an anti-rotation pin. I have had a lot of difficulty finding appropriate specs or models. It appears that the pin spacing is around 13mm from the 3/8-16 tripod threads but I'm not sure it's exactly 13mm. And I know generally camcorders use the anti-rotation pin but very few models available list the pin spacing. Does anyone know the exact pin hole spacing? Or can anyone point out a specific ARCA base that is known to work properly with the Spotter 45/60?

Thanks!
 
For anyone needing this intel in the future, I actually received a lightning-fast reply from Hensoldt customer service. They say the spacing is 14mm from the center of the tripod threads to the center of the anti-rotation pin. Still looking for an ARCA plate that would fit that requirement.
 
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I spoke to RRS about it, they don't make one any more unfortunately. They only make a single plate with 3/8-16 and there is no pin. I did find that TY-70A earlier but I can't find the pin dimensions anywhere online. May be a case of "buy it and hope it fits."
 
Edit: Sorry, I just realized Gray Ops is 1/4-20. Ignore below...

They don't list the dim, but SAP or Gray Ops directly should be able to give you an answer:
 
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Didn't Hensoldt comes with a reducing sleeve to go from 3/8 to 1/4?

If not, I'm working on a more universal/adjustable ARCA plate design that may solve this issue... What's the size of the anti-rotation pin hole (diameter/depth)?
 
It does come with a reducer (they are also readily available from camera suppliers) but 1/4-20 threads are much weaker so my preference would be to use the native threads. I tried measuring the pin hole but the chamfering out the outside is making it hard to get a good reading with my calipers and I don't have a set of pin gauges handy. It is at least 4.5mm ID but I think it might be 5mm.
 
Hensoldt finally got back to me again, the hole is sized for a 5mm pin, it's about 5.1-5.2mm.
Here you go:

0.4" hole for 3/8" screw (I'd probably tap it 3/8 instead and make a screw with reduced shoulder so it can be captured in the plate)
5mm post
14mm center-to-center
2" OAL

hensoldt.JPG
 
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Also, normally I would say buy one or both and you’ll get most of your money back if you don’t like it.

However, price increases on $4-$5k+ optics have put them in price tiers that sometimes make moving them taking longer than it used to. So it may or may not still be a “if you don’t like, no loss” as you may be sitting on it longer than we used to.
 
i likely have a RRS one (they made specifically for the henny) i just took off my hensoldt 45 as i installed the badger ord slick kit. Let me know. its as new. I dont recall the pin but i know it was damn secure. I just need to find it :)