Just a quick post to show the latest arrival ..... Avalon TPOD-130 Tripod.
Im currently in the process of getting a Pier for my Takahashi EM400 Mount .....which is still going strong and silent after all these years......so have shuffled things around and have a modified TREX on top of my Takahashi Tripod which is well suited for my TOA150.
This left my TSA120 on my Vixen SXW Mount and Vixen HAL130 tripod. The Vixen SXW is a nice match for the TSA120 but the HAL130 Tripod while OK is the week point.
Looking at multiple options including Berlebach, I decided the Avalon was the best fit for what I wanted.
Additionally the Avalon looked like a perfect match for TREX as well.
The TPOD-130 comes shipped direct from Avalon in Italy, packed in well padded cardboard and foam lined boxes.
Inside is the Mount Carry Bag which is nicely made and holds the Tripod inside wrapped in additional plastic and bubble wrap protection.
The tripod is designed to be very easily transportable both in the bag and once extracted out in the field as you will note a convenient carry handle on one of the legs.
For its size and sturdiness the mount is quite light and sets up in a couple of minutes. Feet are self levelling feet so all that remains after opening the tripod up is to bubble level the mount. I have not tested the accuracy of the inbuilt bubble but will do so later and update here.
Construction is a lovely anodised red and silver brushed aluminium and everything appears to be very well finished.
Apart from initial setup I have not had the chance to do much else so please see attached pictures (also side by side with the Takahashi Tripod for a bit of comparison) and I will follow up with additional discussion over the next couple of days.
