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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts
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amys
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 06/12/06

Loc: Groton, CT
Upgrading the Sphinx tripod
      #3035620 - 04/10/09 08:08 AM
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I'm considering using some refund $$$ to buy a more heavy-duty tripod for my Sphinx. The only ones I'm aware of are those ash beauties made by Berlebach, which are mighty pricey, but many of which can be used with the Sphinx.

A few questions: am I likely to notice am improvement in stability if I switch to something like a Berlebach ash tripod?

Second: are there any other heavy-duty wood tripods out there I should consider?

And three, where does one get the proper hub/adapter to allow the Sphinx mount to attach to the tripod?

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starbob1
Pooh-Bah


Reged: 03/11/07

Loc: IN
Re: Upgrading the Sphinx tripod new [Re: amys]
      #3035624 - 04/10/09 08:12 AM
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The hal 130 tripod that Vixen makes is quite good.Do not under estimate it being aluminum.Getting a wood tripod IMHO would be only a cosmetic thing,

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amys
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 06/12/06

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Re: Upgrading the Sphinx tripod new [Re: starbob1]
      #3035633 - 04/10/09 08:18 AM
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My understanding of the HAL 130 is that it's longer than the 110 but not much sturdier, except for the fact that I wouldn't have to extend the legs as much. Thanks for your response.

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NHRob
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Re: Upgrading the Sphinx tripod new [Re: amys]
      #3035654 - 04/10/09 08:32 AM
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Try adding/building a wooden spreader which can be tightened up from underneath. This will firm up the tripod legs and add some damping to kill vibrations.

Rob

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Per Stymne
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Reged: 02/05/05

Loc: Söderbärke, Sweden
Re: Upgrading the Sphinx tripod new [Re: amys]
      #3036625 - 04/10/09 05:28 PM
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Quote:


And three, where does one get the proper hub/adapter to allow the Sphinx mount to attach to the tripod?




You don't need a Sphinx adapter for a Berlebach tripod. The Berlebachs can be ordered with a top plate tailored for a Sphinx.

http://www.berlebach.de/?bereich=produkte&kategorie=10&sprache=english

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payner
scholastic sledgehammer
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Reged: 03/22/07

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Re: Upgrading the Sphinx tripod new [Re: amys]
      #3036704 - 04/10/09 06:20 PM
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Another option is the Vixen pillar for the Sphinx SXD. These sell for $700 new and are available from most dealers, but about a one month wait for the boat from Japan to get it here.

Randy

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maknewtnut
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Reged: 10/08/06

Re: Upgrading the Sphinx tripod new [Re: amys]
      #3037373 - 04/11/09 01:17 AM
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I'm working with Berlebach right now to bring about an adapter for Vixen SX mounts(and others later) to use on flat platform models such as UNI 4, 14, and 24. Something like their Losmandy adapter, but for SX. This allows mutliple uses for the tripod. Other than UNI 4 series with a Losmandy adapter, I get more requests for Berlebach tripods to support SX series mounts than any other.

I proposed the idea months ago, but I don't think they found it worth their while and/or it's importance(IMO)was lost in translation. Demand persists. If they don't offer more adapters, or perhaps even interchangeable platforms, I'll work up a line of my own.

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amys
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 06/12/06

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Re: Upgrading the Sphinx tripod new [Re: maknewtnut]
      #3037659 - 04/11/09 08:28 AM
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Hi, Mark.

From your website, I was under the impression that some of the Berlebach tripods did have a top plate for the SX mount. No?

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maknewtnut
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Reged: 10/08/06

Re: Upgrading the Sphinx tripod new [Re: amys]
      #3038386 - 04/11/09 04:39 PM
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Yes, they do. For example, the UNI 8 series. What I'm referring to is being able to use interchangeable adapters on tripods with flat platoforms, such as the UNI 4 series.

The impetus is that customer feedback indicates folks stating they want to keep the tripod. This differs from most cases where tripods come and go as mounts change. Provisions to use either interchangeable adapters or even interchangeable plaforms makes this possible.

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RAKing
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Reged: 12/28/07

Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula
Re: Upgrading the Sphinx tripod new [Re: maknewtnut]
      #3038555 - 04/11/09 06:22 PM
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From the web specs, that UNI-8 looks like a great match for the SXW.

Ron

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Per Stymne
super member


Reged: 02/05/05

Loc: Söderbärke, Sweden
Re: Upgrading the Sphinx tripod new [Re: RAKing]
      #3040131 - 04/12/09 05:06 PM
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Right, the Uni-8 is a perfect match for the Sphinx.

I use the Uni-8 + the Sphinx half pillar for my Sphinx SXW mount. Thanks to the half pillar, there is always sufficient clearance between the OTA (Intes Micro MN66) and the tripod legs even when observing objects in zenith.

And it feels as stable as a rock.

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amys
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 06/12/06

Loc: Groton, CT
Re: Upgrading the Sphinx tripod new [Re: Per Stymne]
      #3040343 - 04/12/09 07:37 PM
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Thanks for letting me know. I'm definitely thinking about it.

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