VANGUARD PH-304 Window Mount

So far, not a single complaint. This is by far the best all around window mount that can be used on so many other applications. The movements are smooth and it feels incredibly sturdy. Works perfect for my needs. Great product!

I just received this mount in the mail yesterday (fast shipping, as usual). I have not had a chance to use it yet, however I was impressed enough with the mount right out of the box to write a review. It appears to be VERY well made, solid, and the pan/tilt movements are extremely smooth. The mount is heavier than I expected due to it's all-metal construction, so it will add considerable weight to a camera bag but I also won't worry about it holding my expensive camera equipment securely. Clamp opens to 1.25" wide, allowing it to mount to things other than a window such as a fence or a tree branch. Another feature I love is the quick-release plate in case of the need for a hand-held shot on the fly. I would highly recommend this product!

This may lack some of the bells and whistles of the higher priced alternatives but for my needs it fills the bill. I use this with my Pentax 200D for wildlife photography. When in parks or reserves where you must remain in your car, a good window mount is indispensible. This one is sturdy enough to easily support my camera with a long lens. It has a wide mouthed (1 1/4") clamp so it can be used on locations other than window glass. Adjustments are possible in all three axes with secure clamping. It's a pan head, so it is not as readily adjustable as a ball head, but I don't need that functionality.

I used to own a Nikon window pod, but I sold it because I never used it. Shortly thereafer I found a need for a window pod again, and this is a superior purchase to the one made by Nikon. It is sturdy, well-made, and user friendly. It is a product for very specific uses, so it cannot be compared to a traditional tripod or monopod. The controls are well made. The movements are smooth and steady. The result is a reliable product when used as intended in its design.

I bought the Vanguard mount even after reading the reviews about the loose mounting plate because it appeared well made otherwise and I thought that I could shim the plate as another reviewer mentioned. I was right. The mount is very well made and I took up the play in the plate by trimming and applying two layers of black electrical tape to the front face of the base and the same to the mating face of the plate. Now my big Nikon spotting scope is nice and solid on the car window. I have no idea why this is made this way but it is easy to remedy.

The Vanguard Ph-304 Pan Head Window Mount Is made with professionals in mine. The quality of metal is just excellent. It will last a lifetme. I used mine today taking pictures of sandhill cranes and whooping cranes. I used a minolta reflex 500mm lens mounted on the Vanguard Ph-305 and worked wonderful. There was a lot of wind so I kept warm also. Wildlife will run or fly away if they think you are getting to close so this type of window mount tripod really keeps you hidden away. The window tripod is very easy to use. I am really glad I bought it. Thank you Vanguard.

This is a well-built window mount. It has separate vertical and horizontal adjustments. The quick release does a good job to secure the plate in place, but is not arca-Swiss compatible. Out of three that I tried, this was the best one.

So far, it has worked perfectly. I see by a review or two the thing loosened up a little on the window after a time, and apparently could not be tightened. After moderate use, it still appears to be a quality product for the price, and works far better than my 20 year old Bushnell. I really like the advantage a quick release plate gives me when I change lenses, as some of my large lenses have their own mounting brackets. You can order, from Amazon by the way, the Vanguard QS-36 1/4" Camera Screw Quick Shoe, which is compatible with this mount, as needed. This enables me to place one on each lens when I need it and another on the camera. You could also order one for a spotting scope and/or binoculars if you needed to. This saves a lot of time if you are switching equipment. The PH-304 mount has the quick release plate code (QS-36) inscribed on the mount base plate below the quick release plate, so you can check for yourself, but I also went to the Vanguard website to confirm it. My old Bushnell was a chore to change lenses or cameras because it used a large screw to secure and tighten the equipment. It also did not have the tilt feature which the Vanguard does. Using a release plate, which can be turned in four different directions as an example, enables you to move the handle out of the way of your face and off to the side. That helps a lot, especially if you need to get your eye close to the camera or other optic lens. All in all, I like this window mount very much. Perhaps the gentleman who had the other tightening issues just got a bad one.