Alternative Tripod for New Skywatcher AZ Mounts

[DRT]

11 hours ago, Stu said:

Good to see you around @DRT, hope the recovery is going well.

Thanks @Stu - recovery going well but going in for the second knee to be done at end of Jan ?

[Stu]

19 minutes ago, DRT said:

Thanks @Stu - recovery going well but going in for the second knee to be done at end of Jan ?

Good stuff, good and bad I guess, but good to get them both done and out of the way. Hope to see you sometime this year!

[DRT]

On 05/01/2018 at 08:23, festoon said:

Hi Derek,

Thank you for replying I very much hope you recover soon from your operation

I think with a couple of modifications the GTI could be a fantastic and popular mount for astronomy. Such improving the vixen clamp, having a small optional counterweight bar, and a better tripod. Makes me wonder why OVL haven't released such a product. I guess its to keep the cost down - but as optional extras, and as proven on this thread some would have no problems paying more for such a product.

If when you are feeling better, you have the time, please let me know if you can measure up the screws that hold the clamp

Cheers

The clamp is fixed to the mount with 4 x M4 countersunk screws with Philips heads in a square formation with the screw centres 20mm apart.

[festoon]

Thanks @DRT

that link that I sent in my post would be really close to fitting..ill have a search to see if any vixen clamps fit any better ?

Hope you're knee is feeling ok ?

[DRT]

I think the biggest problem is that all of the upgrade clamps I've seen take M6 or M8 bolts. The screw heads on the M4 bolts on this mount would just fall through the holes in the clamp or would require washers, which just doesn't feel like an improvement to me. 

[festoon]

Yes you are completely right Derek

This one may be a option https://www.primalucelab.com/astronomy/dovetail-clamp-vixen-losmandy-plus.html

It has the right spacing (20mm), and holes that look suitable for M4 without needing a washer. What do you think?

Edit take that back - they are for m6 not M4 so sorry about that

[festoon]

If you were OK with m4+washer, this would be a really beefy option for the mount

https://www.primalucelab.com/astronomy/big-dovetail-clamp-vixen-losmandy-plus.html