grab and go tripod for my PST?

[BigDunc78]

Hello i know this is the imaging section and im not posting an image, but looking for some advice.

I am awaiting on a PST 40mm to arrive im just wandering what tripod or mount to get, preferably a grab and go arrangement, although i would like to get into Ha photography at some point too, i own an heq5 and dmk21 so just looking to see what other folk on here are using? I have a cheapo camera tripod but its really wobbly, any help appreciated.

[pmlogg]

I use a Half Hitch Alt Az Mount on a Manfrotto 351MVB tripod. The tripod has a 75mm half ball which makes levelling in conjunction with the bubble level really easy. As its quite tall I do not need to extend the lower leg sections.

[Pete Presland]

a 2nd hand eq3 would be enough i guess, the pst does not weigh too much

[Photosbykev]

grab a Acuter Merlin Alt/Az mount which is battery powered (8 x AA) and will track the sun all day for you and easily handle the PST.

[iwatkins]

A good quality photographic tripod and head is going to cost around £150-£200 anyway, so as Kev suggests, a Merlin would suit nicely and you would get tracking and with the PST upright as well. (visually using a PST on an EQ mount gives me neck ache as the eyepiece cannot be repositioned).

I use a SkyTee2 at the moment for visual use (which is great, but manual tracking) and my NEQ6 for imaging use. But I'm also considering a Merlin even for use at home. Could have the whole thing setup and tracking in a couple of minutes, cannot say that for the NEQ6, takes me that long just to carry the while thing outside.

I've found that for visual, you may only use the PST for say half an hour, but you want to use it everyday you can see the sun. So anything that cuts down on time spent faffing about setting up, the better.

Cheers

Ian

[JamieW]

Can't wait to see your pictures from the shed Ian.

[iwatkins]

Nor me Jamie. Still waiting on a DMK camera, hopefully next week when back in stock.

Cheers

Ian

[Montana]

I have a Merlin Acuter too, great portable mount for my PST.

Alexandra