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Do you currently have the older 1 1/4" legs? If so, wouldn't it be more stable to upgrade to the 2" legs tripod? That's what I have and it suits me and my two 'scope set up just fine.

If not, wont a 12" tall by 4" diameter pier be just as wobbly?

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Greg,

Welcome to CN ... and that's a great first question by the way.

A few years ago I did something similar ... I had a CG-5 that I wanted to raise the head on (bought a new refractor). I used the Orion SVP extension which is 16" and quite heavy due to it being made of steel.

In comparisons between having the stock head and the tripod legs extended vs. the raised head and the tripod legs retracted I found the later to be more stable vibration wise. Sure the wider leg stance did make the whole setup less tip prone, but vibrations die out at the eyepiece better with the extension and shorter legs. I believe this was due to a couple of factors ... the shorter legs were stiffer and didn't enhance any vibrations and the extra weight from that steel extension helped dampen vibrations.

I was sensitive to the problem of moving weight upwards on my mount. Theoretically you should experience a bit more ringing or harmonic vibration if you have weight positioned farther out on a lever ... but in my case the added overall weight seemed to counteract this effect. You do have to watch the "tipability" of the new setup, particularly if you add a heavy scope to the mix. Overall it was a good tradeoff, only a bit more tip prone but with a reduction in vibrations, and of course the primary advantage of no interference between the longer refractor and the tripod legs.

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Been thinking on what you said regarding the weight of the steel extension also contributing to the vibration damping and have to agree.....In my case since using aluminum I might not see that benefit as much.....BUT I can always fill it with depleted uranium or the like if it is a problem

Again thanks for the input

Greg

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Greg,

Welcome to CN ... and that's a great first question by the way.

A few years ago I did something similar ... I had a CG-5 that I wanted to raise the head on (bought a new refractor). I used the Orion SVP extension which is 16" and quite heavy due to it being made of steel.

In comparisons between having the stock head and the tripod legs extended vs. the raised head and the tripod legs retracted I found the later to be more stable vibration wise. Sure the wider leg stance did make the whole setup less tip prone, but vibrations die out at the eyepiece better with the extension and shorter legs. I believe this was due to a couple of factors ... the shorter legs were stiffer and didn't enhance any vibrations and the extra weight from that steel extension helped dampen vibrations.

I was sensitive to the problem of moving weight upwards on my mount. Theoretically you should experience a bit more ringing or harmonic vibration if you have weight positioned farther out on a lever ... but in my case the added overall weight seemed to counteract this effect. You do have to watch the "tipability" of the new setup, particularly if you add a heavy scope to the mix. Overall it was a good tradeoff, only a bit more tip prone but with a reduction in vibrations, and of course the primary advantage of no interference between the longer refractor and the tripod legs.

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Its not bad at all when the tripod is not extended....Extend the legs and bam you have pretty severe dampening issues. Problem is I DONT LIKE BEING ON MY KNEES LOL

Yep, tripod is tensioned....OTA is 7 no more than 8 lbs bare. Add a 2" diagonal and a EP.....thats it. 12 maybe 14 lbs with rings total....on a mount that is rated 30lbs visual. LXD75 head should handle this payload with no issues....and does as long as the tripod legs are not extended. Hence going to a MUCH more stable tripod for less than 300.00 including the custom adapter.....

Significantly better mount? $1000.00+ used? Cant see it

You did ask some pertinent questions.....Thanks!

Greg

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Before you go on a campaign to correct things you believe are broken, you should make sure first that they are actually broken. Why do you believe that the tripod is the source of the lack of rigidity? Could the mount itself be a contributing factor? Is the tripod tensioned? What kind of telescope are you using and what is the weight of the payload? Could it be better and less costly to upgrade to a heavier mount?

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Thanks....Looking at the adapter Ken D makes I imagine it could be 2" tall or less if asked for. Since I have to have an adapter anyway it occured to me I could make the adapter a 12" pier instead I would benefit from less vibration issues leaving the tripod fully down yet still have 12" of added height. That is assuming the "pier" extension of the adapter doesnt introduce more than I save be leaving the tripod collapsed. Hence I came here to ask the experts

So far I get the impression I am headed in the right direction without buying a whole new better more good doin it entire mount.....Going to be a while before imaging is on my plate as I know the LXD75 will need to go or at least take a back seat along with some pretty serious investment in imaging gear investment.....

Greg

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hey greg - here is a pic of an lxd 55 on the lx mount. i found that for visual this set up was ok if the legs where partially extended (about half way) for imaging i brought the legs back into short position. i like the idea of a 12" extention but it isn't necessary for imaging. extending the legs part of the way should meet your visual needs.
i would have liked to get you a closer look at the adaptor as it was no more than 3/4 inch high. (old pic)
best david

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I have a SVP and EQ6 mounted on Meade LX200 field tripods with the Orion mount extensions. The combination is quite stable and holds my 100ED and 8 inch SCT with little vibration - legs are usually not extended. When necessary I also use anti-vibration pads. Another option is to use surveyor tripods to gain height and stability - wood, not aluminum. The surveyor tripods can be purchased in a variety of heights and can provide a very stable platform for you mount.

Pierre

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You're welcome... here's a photo of my mounts on the Meade tripod.

Pierre

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