Alt-Az head on EQ3 Tripod?

[BargeGazer]

Can anyone suggest a manual Alt-Az head, preferably with slow motion controls, that will fit on my tripod in place of the EQ3 head.

I want one as an alternative to use as a quick grab and go setup with my Mak 127.

All I have seen so far will only fit an EQ5/6 tripod.

Thanks

[John]

The EQ3-2 tripod head has the same fitting as the EQ5 / HEQ5 / Celestron CG5. The EQ6 is different though.

The AZ-4 should fit though it does not have slow motion controls. The Vixen Porta II might be another option that would work.

[BargeGazer]

John, thanks. I had been told the heads were different.

It puts the SkyTee back on the list. FLO had said not compatible while Teleskop Express said it was. Just confusion I guess.

I will check when I actually see one. Trouble is I trust both these suppliers highly so didn't know which was right.

Thanks again.

[John]

While the Skytee II would, I think, fit onto the EQ3-2 tripod head, if yours has the alloy legged tripod it's not going to be a steady combination. The Skytee II is a heavy head and needs at least the 1.75" steel tubed EQ5 / HEQ5 tripod or even better the 2" steel tubed CG5 tripod.

[Steve Ward]

You could always get an AZ3 mount . . . reasonable price and would save all the switching heads palaver . . . . http://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth/skywatcher-az3-alt-az-mount.html

[BargeGazer]

John, thanks re comment re legs. I had missed that point.

I will rethink and probably go for a proper combination of tripod and head rather than a cludge.

A visit to a shop and a chat while looking at some examples seems called for.

Thanks everyone

David

[Naemeth]

If you're going for an AZ3, this might be a better option:

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-sky-watcher-mercury-705-refractor-telescope/p10570

Cheaper by ~£6 and includes a scope which you could sell on .

Seems very weird that a Scope + Mount is less than a Mount on it's own.