· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Mounts Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 Taylor scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 07/10/05 Loc: Owasso, OK Oberwerk wood tripod and iOptron SmartEQ Pro?       #5680106 - 02/14/13 07:40 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I am looking at purchasing an iOptron SmartEQ Pro and would like to get a wood tripod that will work with it. Would the Oberwerk wood tripod with 3/8" adapter be compatible with the SmartEQ Pro? This is the tripod I'm looking at: http://www.bigbinoculars.com/obwtri.htm Post Extras:       Astronewb sage Reged: 09/19/11 Loc: Connecticut Re: Oberwerk wood tripod and iOptron SmartEQ Pro? [Re: Taylor]       #5680344 - 02/14/13 10:36 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   That will work Taylor, but you're still going to have to fab an adapter with a pin for the azimuth adjusters to work. You should look at wood/fiberglass surveyor's tripods, they are less expensive, very sturdy and will accept a fabbed adapter also. Imho... Paul Post Extras:       Taylor scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 07/10/05 Loc: Owasso, OK Re: Oberwerk wood tripod and iOptron SmartEQ Pro? [Re: Astronewb]       #5680374 - 02/14/13 10:58 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Paul! Your excellent reviews of this very portable mount are what piqued my interest in it. I think with a solid tripod and some of the mods you have listed for it, it will be a perfect portable mount for camping and driving up to my folks dark backyard. Especially with a light refractor like that AT72ED or my DSLR with a wide lens. Do you have any links to the wooden, more inexpensive surveyors tripods you mentioned? Are they also 3/8" adapters so the mount will slip right into it? Edit: Looks like this wood tripod is the same as the Oberwerk tripod, but has an equatorial mount adapter with the azimuth post built-in. Little more pricey though, but it is ready to go. http://www.canadiantelescopes.com/Accessories_2/Mounts-Tripods/Canadian-Teles... Edit 2: It doesn't look too difficult to make the azimuth post to ensure the tripod will work well with the SmartEQ. I attached an image from a product no longer made where they just put in a threaded post, should work find here too. Or I could just snag an adapter from Universal Astronomics: http://www.universalastronomics.com/ Post Extras:       Astronewb sage Reged: 09/19/11 Loc: Connecticut Re: Oberwerk wood tripod and iOptron SmartEQ Pro? [Re: Taylor]       #5680559 - 02/15/13 01:42 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   As far as surveyor's tripods, most large box Home Improvement stores have them in their tools sections? You can google it..here's just one example: http://www.tigersupplies.com/Products/CSTBerger-Fiberglass-Heavy-Duty-Tripod_... Most survey tripods come equipped with 5/8-11 threads, but I'm sure you could adapt almost anything...? Yep, the post is no big deal..it's so easy a 'Caveman' could do it....:) As far as the SmartEQ Pro...I find myself in a quandry when the weather forecast is favorable..do I setup the iEQ45..or just grab the SmartEQ, with OTA..in one hand to go out and have fun? It's really a delightful little package. The heavier tripod may take some of the fun out of carrying it around. The standard tripod can be modified quite easily to get rid of all the 'standard shipping slack'. Take a look here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/astronewb2011/sets/72157632518747500/ Have fun playing with it... Paul Post Extras:       Taylor scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 07/10/05 Loc: Owasso, OK Re: Oberwerk wood tripod and iOptron SmartEQ Pro? [Re: Astronewb]       #5681234 - 02/15/13 11:35 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I know an Atlas weight class mount would serve me better in the long run, but for this point in my life mobility is more important than weight capacity. When I buy a house in the next 12-14 months and start planning an observatory I'll purchase the heavy stuff. But for the next 12 months I want something light, small, and easy to set up. No point in buying big gear if it gets used once a month. Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 25 registered and 44 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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