Celestron EQ 130

Visionary (David) · #1 09-02-2015, 10:09 PM

I have finished stage one of getting my little Celestron EQ 130 up and running, well almost finished. Each leg of the tripod has a mind of its own and chooses an unrelated and separate path of travel to that of its brethren. The tripod is like a herd of cats, screaming off in unrelated directions.
The only way I can see to build a more stable platform is to construct a brace for the tripod. I doubt the fix will be decorative but I am searching for function not form. The obvious measures like weighting the tripod have already been done. If you can think of anything, or you have solved a similar problem, I am all ears!

Cheers

David

michaellxv (Michael) · #2 09-02-2015, 11:43 PM

I don't think this will help but your description reminded me of this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7yqlTMvp8

If your tripod it like I think it is (picture may help), my best suggestion is don't extend the legs. I have something similar and while I never did it I thought that setting a fixed height and then putting a bolt through to hold it all tight might help. But in the end it is a light weight tripod.

BeanerSA (Paul) · #3 10-02-2015, 04:25 AM

hanging a sandbag or similar heavy object hanging from the centre of the tripod may help. it adds mass, lowers the centre of gravity.

Visionary (David) · #4 10-02-2015, 03:35 PM

Michael,

I think what I will do is fit the head unit to an old steel framed stool. The optics are quite acceptable, I was doing some terrestrial observation this afternoon and it is a very useable s ope other than for the tripod. I am also going to try Beaner's suggestion in lowering the centre of gravity.

Cheers

David