Skywatcher EQ3-2 Tripod Upgrade

[Portech7]

Hi all

After some advice please.

Anyone upgraded a SW EQ3-2 with this tripod? it states its compatible with EQ5, HEQ5 AND EQ3-2 mounts. I don't want to buy another setup as my EQ3-2 pro mount is actually very good, stable and smooth following a strip down and grease, but the tripod legs do let the team down slightly as they can flex a tad. The current tripod is ok when extra ballast is added but for £109 the upgraded tripod appears to be a good cheap upgrade on paper.

I think I'm sold on them, but still worth a double check. 

 

https://www.365astronomy.com/SkyWatcher-Heavy-Duty-Tripod-for-Skytee-HEQ5-EQ5-EQ3-2-Mounts.html

[johninderby]

Harrisons is cheaper. While the tripods are priced the same 365astronomy shipping is £8.40 and Harrisons is £2.95 for express courier. 

https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/skyWatcher-stainless-steel-tripod.html#SID=570

Edited October 10, 2019 by johninderby

[Portech7]

Cheers John, every penny helps in this game 🙂 

[John]

Upgrading to the 1.75 inch steel tube legs tripod (who ever you buy it from) makes a lot of difference to the stability of the EQ3-2 mount I found when I had one. That alloy tripod is the weak link for sure.

 

 

[johninderby]

Dare we mention Berlebach.   He, he 🤔😁😁😁

[Portech7]

6 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Dare we mention Berlebach.   He, he 🤔😁😁😁

Yes I've read a few posts about that 🙂

Cheers all, sounds like a good upgrade, so thank you.

 

[steviebee]

I have just gone down this route. I was lucky and picked up a brand New EQ5 tripod still in its box for £50. Not used it yest but surely must be more stable.

[Carbon Brush]

Another thought is essentially the same tripod with 2" legs. No harm in future proofing.

A few years back Skywatcher EQ5 came with the 1.75" tripod, but the Celestron equivalent came with a 2" tripod.

Not sure about the top fixing though. Best to measure up before buying.

There are sometimes minor differences on the mount/tripod interface.

HTH David.

[johninderby]

The EQ5 and EQ6 are different fittings. You can however uae an EQ6 tripod if you get a Geoptik EQ5 adapter.

There is an an EQ6 tripod on ABS at a third of the new price at the moment. It’s listed as an AZ-EQ6 tripod but it’s the same tripod. https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=153369

Total cost would be about the same as the EQ5 tripod but you’d have a heavier duty tripod.

[rwilkey]

Hi Portech, the EQ5 tripod is absolutely solid and will also serve you for any future upgrade, it will make your viewing more pleasurable.  My mount has a SkyTee II mount on it, but it shows how strong and solid it is for now and future options:

[joe aguiar]

I agree it will work if u get that tripod. It will be more solid.

If u want a lighter weight I find the aluminium tripod ok if u live in an apt or condo and carry it downstairs and outside.

[Portech7]

Thanks for all the support and advice all.

I was pretty much sold on it already so I think I'll go with the 1.75" EQ5 tripod.

Cheers rwilkey nice to see one in the flesh 😁

[GKA]

You could buy an Skywatcher AZ4 to , they're using the same tripod as EQ5 and you will have a grab and go head for the lighter tripod ,They're cheap and good value for the Money.

Just a thought , unless you haven't already bought that is 🙂 ..

Edited January 5, 2020 by GKA

[joe aguiar]

the main difference between a eq3-2 and the cg4 is the tripod, the colour being the other thing but that's doesn't matter.

I have one of each the eq3 is better for light weight setups and if you live in an apt/HiRISE or condo where you must take it outside to obseve where the cg4 can be for more stable setups but abit heaver setups.

joejaguar

[Roysten]

Hi Everyone, I have a question relating to the Sky-Watcher steel tripod linked by Portech7 at the top of this thread.

The original aluminium tripod of the EQ3 has a metal protrusion at the top of the tripod that the mount slots into, which provides azimuth left-right movement with the two knobs either side of the EQ3 mount. Looking at the pictures of the steel tripod I can't see the same type of protrusion, is this the case and if so does that mean that this tripod is not compatible with that left-right motion? Is another items needed for this?

I hope this makes sense, I can provide annotated pics if needed to better explain what I mean.

Thanks

[banjaxed]

On 10/10/2019 at 22:09, Portech7 said:

Thanks for all the support and advice all.

I was pretty much sold on it already so I think I'll go with the 1.75" EQ5 tripod.

Cheers rwilkey nice to see one in the flesh 😁

I have that tripod on my EQ3-2 Mount and the difference is very noticeable, you won’t regret it 👍

[Portech7]

On 03/06/2020 at 17:11, Roysten said:

Hi Everyone, I have a question relating to the Sky-Watcher steel tripod linked by Portech7 at the top of this thread.

The original aluminium tripod of the EQ3 has a metal protrusion at the top of the tripod that the mount slots into, which provides azimuth left-right movement with the two knobs either side of the EQ3 mount. Looking at the pictures of the steel tripod I can't see the same type of protrusion, is this the case and if so does that mean that this tripod is not compatible with that left-right motion? Is another items needed for this?

I hope this makes sense, I can provide annotated pics if needed to better explain what I mean.

Thanks

Hi Roysten, the tripod will work fine and has the same little protrusion. 

It really is a direct fit upgrade. 

[Roysten]

3 hours ago, Portech7 said:

Hi Roysten, the tripod will work fine and has the same little protrusion. 

It really is a direct fit upgrade. 

Hi @Portech7, thanks for the response, it's good to know that the protrusion is there and that you've had a good experience with it!

[jonathan]

Great to know that the 1.75" steel tripod is still availble to buy, I wonder why the CG-4 disappeared though.

I own the CG-4 and NEQ6 Pro, the latter comes with (I assume) the 2" version of the same tripod, it's certainly a very stable tripod, as is the 1.75" with CG-4 (EQ3-2) mount fitted.  I might just see if I can buy a Sky-Tee 2 or similar to try out instead of EQ.