Berlebach tripods. Interested in your experiences

[DJT]

I just scored the ultimate imaging accessory, a dark site. A really dark site..


I have a few limitations at the site and I doubt I will be putting up another observatory any time soon. Keeping expensive kit onsite is also a bit of a worry as it's quite remote cabin type building. On the plus side I can get away with a hand on heart pragmatic solution to an imaging setup which goes something on the lines of this

I strip down and rebuild at the dark site when I go up there. So that's the RC8, STL and AP900 plus sundry stuff. Not too concerned about time to setup and the pempro polar align routine is very good, just takes a few minutes.

I just then need to acquire some duplicate cables and power packs to leave up there, a case(s) for the AP900 and a seriously good tripod. Am steering away from piers as I want some flexibility both at the site and also for any other trips. Also whilst I have an awesome view for 270 degrees, I need to move around To get a good Northerly aspect and the site has a bit of a slope.

I have been looking at the Berlebach, probably the Sky, and would be interested in hearing about people's experiences with these. Any other tripod recommends would also be appreciated.

http://www.berlebach.de/?bereich=details&id=351&sprache=english

Also, if anyone has sourced cases for the AP900 in Australia it would be great to here about that too.

Cheers

[Kunama]

Hello David,
I have the Berlebach Planet (tall version) which is very very well made. It is rated at 100kg load capacity. It comes with a leg brace system which can be further stabilised by the addition of an accessory tray. The legs also have clamping bolts at the top to lock everything tight. Price of the Planet is about a third of the Sky. The Sky weighs 2 Kg less and has carbon fibre leg extensions and carbon laminated into the top part of the legs.

I think the Planet will easily take the weight of your equipment but if you intend to extend the legs I would get the double leg locks fitted. They come standard with stainless steel spiked feet, with optional plastic tipped feet.

[DJT]

Thanks Matt

Good info. I missed that completely bizarrely. I would love to know though why there is a $1500 gap between the 2 tripods but on the upside I now have some wiggle room for extra kit :thumbsup:

Am looking forward to having a go at the faint stuff I just can't get from here.