Portable telescope tripod

[04Stefan07]

Can anyone recommend a compact and very small tripod for a telescope that can be taken with you overseas?

It should be able to hold about 3kg-4kg comfortably.

[doppler]

Heavy duty tripods can get expensive, my way around it was to buy a sturdy but sub $100 tripod locally and then fit it with a heavy load ball head from a ebay supplier.

[glend]

It really depends on where your going, because buying one overseas can be a good idea. If your going to Europe or the USA, there are heaps of choices, and you can have it delivered to your hotel etc.

[04Stefan07]

That's a good idea as well.

When I used to have the Coronado PST I had the malta table top tripod which was great for taking around.

Maybe something like that?

[OzEclipse]

Stefan

Depends what you want it for? What height? etc
Do you want a standard tripod for photography or something to hold a scope or tracker?

For my eclipse telescope mounting, I use a home made tripod made from the top plate of a builders tripod and 25mm square hollow aluminium tube. It weighs 500 g and is incredibly stiff and strong.Pulled apart, it flat packs and is compact. Because it is so light, the rubber bands around the base are used to hold water bottles to stop it tipping. Since that photo was taken, I've added a centre brace which has further stabilized the tripod and I can place my camera bag on the brace to weigh down the tripod.

If you want a more standard tripod, I have 2 Manfrotto tripods.

I have a 475 is definitely strong enough but much too big & heavy to take away.

I also have an old 190 legs / 141 head which although rated at 6kg payload is not strong enough IMO to hold 4 kg solidly. For eclipse trips I take the home made tripod, for regular travel, I take the 190/141 but I'm not hanging 4kg off it, generally no more than 1-2kg.

I can't give you a definite recommendation for what you are asking.

Joe