Alternative tripod for Star Adventurer - am I crazy?

[Icearcher]

Hi All

Just got a star adventurer for my bday but my camera tripod is not going to cut it.

Im looking for a cheaper alternative to a dedicated expensive tripod.

Would something like a builders tripod work? Something like:

http://www.bosch-pt.com.au/au/en/building-tripod-bt-170-hd-131499-0601091300.html

Its only $80odd and with a little modding it seems like it should work.

Am I missing something? is there any reason this would be a silly idea? did i just stumble on a new budget astro tripod idea? :P

Regards
Chris

[bojan]

Those tripods are very good, but light and easy for transport. I have one for my LXD75 mount, I used it in Cairns for imaging total Solar eclipse back in 2012.

I only added aluminium ring with proper tread as adapter for mount.

[dannat]

yep you just need ot make up an adapter to get it ot 3/8", surveyor tripods work well

[netwolf]

yes i have done this also , to mount a skytee2 on a surveyor like tripod. you can get an adapter from Universal Astronimics
http://www.universalastronomics.com/PriceList.html
I did read on CN that UA is shutting down or closed. so email and check. Very helpfull in getting me what i needed. Just makr sure your tripod top is flat some surveyor tripods i have seen have a slight curve on top.

[alan meehan]

Hi Chris if you go to bintel website you can buy the proper tripod that goes with the star adventurer I have one myself fits like it is made for it and is about $100
ALAN

[bojan]

It is $140 (https://www.bintel.com.au/product/skywatcher-star-adventurer-tripod/) (+ postage).
Surveyor tripods are stronger, and this one seem to be subject to torsion stress as well because it has only one rod per leg (surveyor tripod has 2)

[Icearcher]

Hi Alan, I did look at that one on Bintel but the surveyor tripod just looked a who lot stronger plus about half the price.

Thanks for the info everyone, I thought it wouldn't be to hard to make work.

I dont even mind if it ends up harder to lug around then some others as it will just ride in the back of the rav.

[OzEclipse]

I use these sometimes. They are much more solid than a photographic tripod of the same price. You'll need to spend around $400-600 on a photo tripod to get something as strong. They have sharp feet and most rigid when the points can be pushed into soft ground.

You can buy an adaptor but it is easy to make one in a few minutes.

You can make one that works perfectly well from a piece of 3/8" whitworth threaded rod or a long 3/8"W screw threaded full length, a 3/8" steel washer, and a small piece of hardwood with a 3/8" hole.

See drawing (not to scale).

Joe

[SteveInNZ]

Another option is to find someone that bought an iOptron telescope mount with 1.5" legs and then upgraded. They're quite light for a telescope but work great for the Star Adventurer.

Steve.

[Icearcher]

Hi All

Thought I might update this post with my solution.

I spent about $100 at bunnings for the tripod plus a few bits and bobs (washers & nuts), list below for those who would like to replicate it.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/bosch-blue-5-8-x-11-thread-heavy-duty-laser-level-tripod_p5660257

https://www.bunnings.com.au/zenith-9-5-x-125-x-16mm-zinc-plated-j-bolt-1-pack_p4220728

As you can see in the pics the bolt was a little different but I cant see it on their site, but the specs for it work.

It hasn't see first light yet but seems rock solid so far.

Let me know what you think and feel free to ask questions.

Regards
Chris

[dannat]

well done chris, whats the thread on the hook bolt, 3/8"?

[Icearcher]

Hi Daniel

Yep, its a 3/8" thread but that also converts to 9.5mm, the hook I found was a 9.5mm thread and i just checked it against the base instore and it worked well.

For conversion, check out this link.

https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/US-Metric-Conversion-Table.aspx

[bojan]

Very good!
Some people really have too much money....
This solution is definitely good enough, even better that some "dedicated", Original" etc.

[OzEclipse]

Excellent:thumbsup: