my £21 astroboot tripod...

[Gonzo]

... :D

I just need to ask a friend to make an aluminium adapter to properly fit the EQ1 to it

It might not be a Berlebach... but hey, that will do for now

[Dave-Ryan]

Very nice. What size scope are you going to mount on it?

[Quark]

Baaaaargain.

[Jamie]

Looks good for the money.

Could easily be converted into a driven mount for a camera set up...

[Gonzo]

Very nice. What size scope are you going to mount on it?

Megrez 72

[Gonzo]

Looks good for the money.

Could easily be converted into a driven mount for a camera set up...

The EQ1 has the little motor.

[Gonzo]

Baaaaargain.

It's money well spent I think.

[angusb1]

Nice bargain.

[todd8137]

looks great could do with one of these for widefield photos

[Gonzo]

Very nice. What size scope are you going to mount on it?

[Gonzo]

As I can't edit my own posts after 10 min, and I screw up something on my website, here are the pictures again from the mount

[AndyH]

Outstanding.

Gotta love AstoBoot !!

[Gonzo]

Just finished adding the control box of the EQ1

[Gonzo]

The downside of this cheap aluminium tripos was: VIBRATIONS!!!!

I had a hard time focusing on anything due to vibrations, you touch the focuser and it goes all wobbly...

Well not anymore, after reading many posts on many forums on how to improve a cheap aluminium tripod, I fixed mine by doing the following:

I filled up the bottom legs with fine sand, now the trick is that you do need to tap them with a rubber mallet after filling up the leg to compact the sand. Fill up more as needed.

I then used some expanding foam in the upper legs (messy job....).

Cost: just shy of £10

Results:

Vibrations are 99% gone, seriously gone. I can now focus with ease on objects. Night and day difference.

I still want to buy the anti-vibration rubber pads too and do the hanging heavy weight trick.