Log in

View Full Version here: : Travel tripod: current thinking


Plossl68
19-05-2024, 08:26 AM
Hey all,
I’m putting together a lightweight travel rig for an O/S trip and am looking for current advice on a travel tripod please. The gear it will carry is my Skyguider Pro, DSLR and a wide field lens….about 6kg all up. My tripod budget is $500 and it needs to be backpack compatible.

There are a number of threads on lightweight travel tripods that date back a few years, but nothing I can find that’s got the most recently available tripods.

The two options I’m considering at the moment are:
1. Leofoto LS-284c (carbon and gets a great rating on TheCentreColumn.com)
2. Preowned PeakDesign aluminium.

Does anyone have any experience using these please? Alternatively, if you have another you love for lightweight astro in this budget then I’m open to ideas.

Cheers,
Paul

PS: I already have a TC40 for use for local travel and love it. It’s just too bulky for this kind of O/S travel though.

Crater101
19-05-2024, 05:23 PM
I don't have either of those, but I have dealt with these folks on one or two occasions and found them reasonably good. A link to their travel tripod page, just for info.
https://landscapephotogear.com.au/product-category/camera-supports/tripods-camera-supports/tripod-kits/


Cheers!

Plossl68
19-05-2024, 09:45 PM
Cheers Warren,

Will definitely check them out.

Crater101
20-05-2024, 08:34 AM
No worries!
I forgot to mention that I picked up their TX-VK "Voyager" about 18 months ago. It's probably a little bit light for your needs, but for a general lightweight travel tripod, I've found it fine.

Plossl68
20-05-2024, 01:42 PM
Thanks Warren,

Yes, I’ll be going for a model without any vertical riser I think. I’ll just be screwing the Skyguider base directly to the tripod and never raising the tripod more than ~1.5 leg segments at the most to keep it as stable as possible.

Thanks again for the lead,

Paul

Graman
20-05-2024, 01:57 PM
Check out the Innorel tripods on Amazon. The RT90C model is rock solid (and similar to your TC40) - but they also have other models that are smaller and may suit your needs better, e.g.:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Tripod-INNOREL-RT85C-Professional-360%C2%B0Panoramic-ballhead/dp/B08771BSXQ/ref=sr_1_10?crid=O3MUYWOKTASN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zIO7Qc-LPA2WjhmSCJ3bTL1Y-E7mos5WculU_E56GQVPQGszBxRdOs7x2mwC 7OYHXNuokjPduybejfe3C_zQW2gq8US2feU fFVf1lvLVfVlzfOFmE_G0c_2CgnnJRoDGNs uuK-WPfnD58msMgHXFzPbneO6pqjqr3COqFQiGn dqC7Xa-CGD2zLA3Ik5Gm0U4toFUmZ-ASGEMBnLYPnYutB93wByPC4CnLQOywcGx3c SW-ccA0b9KayY9V2w1T6G6P5J4HTD70w25ifb3 34mKxG-cC7MJaG19HIpipvwhjJ8.YDVHrrVyKlOMg5 68eQDZmB0DJn1t1ZtnceYRpSQ75nc&dib_tag=se&keywords=innorel+tripod&qid=1716177242&sprefix=innorel%2Caps%2C516&sr=8-10

Graman
20-05-2024, 01:59 PM
Also see:
https://www.amazon.com.au/INNOREL-NT364C-Professional-Stainless-Standard/dp/B099MZGKGR/ref=sr_1_8?crid=O3MUYWOKTASN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zIO7Qc-LPA2WjhmSCJ3bTL1Y-E7mos5WculU_E56GQVPQGszBxRdOs7x2mwC 7OYHXNuokjPduybejfe3C_zQW2gq8US2feU fFVf1lvLVfVlzfOFmE_G0c_2CgnnJRoDGNs uuK-WPfnD58msMgHXFzPbneO6pqjqr3COqFQiGn dqC7Xa-CGD2zLA3Ik5Gm0U4toFUmZ-ASGEMBnLYPnYutB93wByPC4CnLQOywcGx3c SW-ccA0b9KayY9V2w1T6G6P5J4HTD70w25ifb3 34mKxG-cC7MJaG19HIpipvwhjJ8.YDVHrrVyKlOMg5 68eQDZmB0DJn1t1ZtnceYRpSQ75nc&dib_tag=se&keywords=innorel%2Btripod&qid=1716177242&sprefix=innorel%2Caps%2C516&sr=8-8&th=1

https://www.amazon.com.au/INNOREL-NT364C-Professional-Stainless-Standard/dp/B099MZGKGR/ref=sr_1_8?crid=O3MUYWOKTASN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zIO7Qc-LPA2WjhmSCJ3bTL1Y-E7mos5WculU_E56GQVPQGszBxRdOs7x2mwC 7OYHXNuokjPduybejfe3C_zQW2gq8US2feU fFVf1lvLVfVlzfOFmE_G0c_2CgnnJRoDGNs uuK-WPfnD58msMgHXFzPbneO6pqjqr3COqFQiGn dqC7Xa-CGD2zLA3Ik5Gm0U4toFUmZ-ASGEMBnLYPnYutB93wByPC4CnLQOywcGx3c SW-ccA0b9KayY9V2w1T6G6P5J4HTD70w25ifb3 34mKxG-cC7MJaG19HIpipvwhjJ8.YDVHrrVyKlOMg5 68eQDZmB0DJn1t1ZtnceYRpSQ75nc&dib_tag=se&keywords=innorel%2Btripod&qid=1716177242&sprefix=innorel%2Caps%2C516&sr=8-8&th=1

Geochron
20-05-2024, 07:08 PM
Hi Paul,

the PeakDesign is a great tripod but you would probably also need the accessory Universal head to provide a stable platform for a SkyGuider.

I'm planning to use mine with an AM-3 mount for overseas travel. It is supposed to have a 9kg capacity...which should be plenty.

cheers, Jon

Plossl68
20-05-2024, 10:06 PM
Thanks for the tip. I hadn’t thought about Innorel at all. I’ve taken a look the range and this one might be an option. My only concern is that the centre column lock/unlock might foul with the base of my Skyguider. Seems like a bargain though at $220.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Tripod-INNOREL-GT284C-Professional-Compact-Special-Shaped/dp/B09JWBTGX9?th=1

Plossl68
20-05-2024, 10:12 PM
Thanks Jon,

It certainly looks the part and is the most compact of all. Do you have the aluminium version or the CF? I’m afraid the CF peak design is beyond my budget so I’m interested in hearing how people have gone with the aluminium version for Astro applications.

Cheers,
Paul

Geochron
20-05-2024, 10:38 PM
I have the CF version but it was purchased for general photography (not astro) purposes as I was tired of lugging a heavy tripod around in my pack and had gone through any number of cheap versions over the years. The PD design is outstanding - I have never seen/used anything like it before and it looks like it will outlast me (though not difficult at this rate - lol)

It only recently occurred to me that this could also be repurposed for astro work and made for the very real possibility (though probably still a huge hassle with Customs etc) of taking a small astro rig on an overseas trip. Later this year will be my first venture of that kind - and I am both looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time:)

xa-coupe
22-05-2024, 01:04 PM
I use a Manfrotto Element in caron fibre, they're under $300.

Plossl68
23-05-2024, 07:08 AM
Thanks Jeff,

Out of interest, do you use it with any kind of star tracker or just with a camera and ball head for short(ish) exposures?
Cheers,
Paul

xa-coupe
23-05-2024, 02:04 PM
I do have a star tracker I will use on it (ioptron), but at the moment I haven't done it as the tracker is a few hundred kms away from the tripod and I CBF travelling to get it. I got this tripod specifically for the tracker as I will travel a bit with it.

It is VERY light and I would want to be sure it won't tip over when I use it so I'll be messing around a bit trying to tip it over deliberately to give myself confidence.

Camelopardalis
24-05-2024, 03:08 PM
Have a look for a Benro Mach 3 tripod. Without the head, they come in around your budget. Good solid tripod, payload around 15kg. Nice and sturdy. I use mine with my AZ-GTi and small scope when I'm travelling.

Geochron
24-05-2024, 04:52 PM
BTW - Neewer sell a 'reverse engineered' (I'm being polite:)) version of the Peak Design CF tripod for half the price.

https://au.neewer.com/collections/super-sale/products/neewer-litetrip-lt35-61-carbon-fiber-travel-tripod-66603918?_pos=1&_fid=d60332cf2&_ss=c

I don't know anything about their quality but it looks almost identical.

Plossl68
24-05-2024, 09:34 PM
Cheers Dunk,

I think I’ve narrowed it down to either the Benro Mach 3 (although I also considered the tortoise) and the Leofoto LS284C. Just about ready to pull the trigger. Great to hear if your experience with the Benro.

Plossl68
24-05-2024, 09:37 PM
Thanks Jon,

It does look similar although, as you say, hard to know on the quality. I’m tossing up now between Benro and Leofoto, both with really strong reviews.

Cheers,
Paul

Plossl68
26-05-2024, 09:53 PM
Well, I finally went ahead and ordered a Benro Tortoise 24C. In the end I felt the centre column of the Mach 3 or the Leofoto wasn’t going to add anything for my needs and it’s hard to find anyone saying a bad word about the Tortoise.

I look forward to it arriving and its first test.

Thanks all for you input,

Paul

NCRAW
05-06-2024, 09:14 PM
I’ve been reading lots of good things about the Artcise. There is the CS travel range or the slightly heavier AS which I’m considering.

Saturn488
05-06-2024, 09:22 PM
I got a Manfrotto Element MII purely for travelling. No complaints.

Plossl68
05-06-2024, 10:13 PM
I took a good look at Artcise and thought it was just too good to be true at the price. Would love to know what you think if you buy.

Plossl68
05-06-2024, 10:18 PM
Well, the Benro Tortoise arrived and it’s a beautiful piece of kit. Super lightweight. So light in fact that I’ll certainly weight it (built in hook supplied) when using it in the field. I’ve set it up with the SkyGuider at home and it all hangs together well. Now, we just need some clear skies.

NCRAW
06-06-2024, 10:23 PM
A gentleman on cloudy nights bought the AS90C earlier this year and he loves it. Says its rock solid and highly recommends it. I am waiting on a sale to get the AS95C. That's their flagship with 40KG max load and 2.7kg weight I believe.

Thinking of either using an old Vixen Custom D I have in storage or buy a Sightron which has the 3/8" female.

Plossl68
07-06-2024, 07:30 AM
Yes the 90 and 95C are serious tripods…closer to 4.5kg though I thought, which ruled them out for my ultralight rig. TBH, they look a lot like the TC40 I bought a year ago which is about that weight. It’s very stable for light rigs, but was just too bulky to backpack around 😢

NCRAW
09-06-2024, 12:40 AM
This does sound like what I want. Something for home and move it to the back yard or verandah then fold away.

Have a look at the C range from Artcise. They are the Compact ones designed for travel. I believe this is a C90

r2d2
26-06-2024, 10:01 AM
I would like to buy an Innorel RT90c. Is the central column sturdy enough to rise it just a bit to avoid hitting the tripod legs when you point the telescope above your head?

NCRAW
28-06-2024, 02:33 PM
Have a look at the Articise range on eBay. There are the "C" models which stand for Compact and are made for travelling.