Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 7284
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Hello all you mount aficionados.
I'am thinking about upgrading my borrowed aluminum HILTI surveyors tripod that my Helix single arm mount rides upon to this:
http://www.bigbinoculars.com/obwtri.htm
Seems like a descent price for what your getting. Any thoughts, experiences or opinions?
Here's a photo of the HILTI tripod with the Helix 8" fork. The tripod is OK, but I would like one that has better dampening and a spreader. Bald guy is yours truly with cat. 
Thanks
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<Jim>15x70-Ultra~TV-85/SM-60~MN-66
Unistar Deluxe~Unimount Light~DM-6
 
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gparkerson
Vendor (Astronomy Technology Today)
Reged: 01/21/05
Posts: 999
Loc: Louisiana
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Jim,
I'm a fellow who shares your hair style. I use a large frame, wood survey tripod that's very similar to the Oberwerk and am satisfied that: 1) You will notice a significant improvement in stability and dampening over the aluminum version, and 2) the price of the Oberwerk is very reasonable. It would be difficult to find a wholesale source of quality wood survey tripods and spreader components for much cheaper.
My tripod carries a CG5 and Vixen 102mm. Dampening is well under 2 seconds and that assembly weighs a bit more than you'll be loading with the Helix. The survey tripod configuration allows greater mounting plate height than most traditional scope mount tripods and that's very welcome when viewing at Zenith with the 102mm.
Let us know how it works out if your purchase one and best of luck.
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Gary
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Joel
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 2965
Loc: Merrimack, NH
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Jim,
I have the Helix single arm on the Oberwerk wooden tripod you are refering to. I have an 80mm on it and it's overkill for that scope. Dampening time is 2 seconds or less. It's also very attractive as well. The wood finish is very nice. I got mine from Tim at Helix with my mount with no shipping charge. The tripod ships straight from the factory though. I don't think you can go wrong at that price.
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Joel
AT106LE
Orion XT12g
MI-250
Vixen 80EDsf
SBIG ST-2000XM/CFW-9
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 7284
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Quote:
Jim,
I'm a fellow who shares your hair style
Gary, Joel.
Thanks for your input. Oberwerk tripod it is! The aluminum tripod belongs to a laser level and is not meant to carry alot of weight, though it did serve it's purpose.
I think I'll get it from Helix, with the free shipping included for the same price. 
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<Jim>15x70-Ultra~TV-85/SM-60~MN-66
Unistar Deluxe~Unimount Light~DM-6
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 7284
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Hi again, everybody.
I just got the Oberwerk wooden tripod. A quick comparison with my HILTI aluminum surveyor's tripod has convinced me that this is a worthwhile investment. The Oberwerk is much more solid, with it's hard wood legs and sturdy construction. The urethane finish on the wood is also more pleasing to the eyes than the aluminum. I also like the handy, built in carrying strap.
I have'nt taken it out under observing conditions, but I'am sure it has better dampening ability than the light weight aluminum tripod.
Here's a photo of the Oberwerk and the HILTI tripod that it is replacing.
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<Jim>15x70-Ultra~TV-85/SM-60~MN-66
Unistar Deluxe~Unimount Light~DM-6
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 7284
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Here's a closeup of the tripod with a Helix Hercules single arm Alt/Az mount attached to it.
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<Jim>15x70-Ultra~TV-85/SM-60~MN-66
Unistar Deluxe~Unimount Light~DM-6
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 7284
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Here's one with the Stellarvue NightHawk mounted on it.
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<Jim>15x70-Ultra~TV-85/SM-60~MN-66
Unistar Deluxe~Unimount Light~DM-6
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 7284
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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And one more. Thanks for looking! 
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<Jim>15x70-Ultra~TV-85/SM-60~MN-66
Unistar Deluxe~Unimount Light~DM-6
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Joel
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 2965
Loc: Merrimack, NH
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Looks great Jim. Are those posts on your mount for encoders? I was wondering about putting encoders on mine.
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Joel
AT106LE
Orion XT12g
MI-250
Vixen 80EDsf
SBIG ST-2000XM/CFW-9
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 7284
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Thanks Joel
The small posts next to the large tension knobs act as anchors for the tangent arm part of the encoder. I do have the SkyCommander DSC, but have not gotten around to using it too much since I have a little trouble finding alignment stars in my light polluted NYC location. That has since changed when I got hold of a CG5-GT mount and are now able to find those alignment stars quicker. The SkyCommander will probably go back and forth between the Starfinder dob and whatever is on the Helix single arm.
Here's a picture of an encoder with a homemade tangent arm above another from an installation kit.
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<Jim>15x70-Ultra~TV-85/SM-60~MN-66
Unistar Deluxe~Unimount Light~DM-6
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Joel
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 2965
Loc: Merrimack, NH
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I remember now discussing these Jim! Funny how posts and messages all seem to run together sometimes. I remember your ingenious use of a card for a tangent arm. I just seem to use my credit cards to buy astro stuff!
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Joel
AT106LE
Orion XT12g
MI-250
Vixen 80EDsf
SBIG ST-2000XM/CFW-9
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 7284
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Oh, now I remember now,too!
It's amazing when you think about how many people you communicate with on CN and just forget what you wrote and when you wrote it.
Thanks Joed... I mean Joel.
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<Jim>15x70-Ultra~TV-85/SM-60~MN-66
Unistar Deluxe~Unimount Light~DM-6
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davidpitre
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/10/05
Posts: 3183
Loc: Central Texas
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I'm wondering about everyones' opinion on the Hercules Single Arm mount. How smooth is it?
I'm trying to decide between it and a Microstar.
I'm just planning on putting an 80mm refractor, but would also like to be able to mount a future purchased 5" Mak/newt or Mak/cass.
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David
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 7284
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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David,
With any type alt/az mount, a lot depends on what size ota you plan to put on it. A 80mm Short tube type refractor would be perfect match for that mount. The 5" M/N or M/C should also work fine, though the 5" M/N (MN 56/ 11 lbs ?) might be a better match with the fork version of the Helix mount (check with Tim at Helix).
I've been satisfied with the smoothness of Helix single arm. I don't have any experience with UA Microstar, but read good things about it. Also, a solid tripod helps alot in the mount heads ability to dampen vibrations, especially when viewing at medium to high power magnifications.
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<Jim>15x70-Ultra~TV-85/SM-60~MN-66
Unistar Deluxe~Unimount Light~DM-6
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Joel
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 2965
Loc: Merrimack, NH
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I have a single arm Helix David and I think it can be a little stiff. I know another CNer took his apart and lubed it and made it much better. I might do that myself. I have only had mine out twice and I'm playing with the adjustments a bit each time trying to find that sweet spot. Stability is very good though. Slow motion controls would be a nice feature and I wonder how much of the jerking action you can avoid with a arm that you move yourself.
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Joel
AT106LE
Orion XT12g
MI-250
Vixen 80EDsf
SBIG ST-2000XM/CFW-9
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Chris Schroeder
Postmaster
Reged: 12/11/04
Posts: 8515
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
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My MicroStar is very smooth but for high powers you need a good tripod. I just upgraded to a Bogen 475 and boy what difference.
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Chris
Mallincam Color Hyper Plus
10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT
AT 111EDT, AT 102Achro, ZS80FD 10th Anniv, AT 72ED, ZS66SD, PST
CG5-AGT, EZ-Touch, Voyager
POD XL3
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