Best telescope tripod under $200??

[Shepdog]

Hello..

I'm a newbie but quickly realized a good tripod is as important as the telescope..whats good under $200.00? I know I need slow motion knobs but that about it....please share your wisdom..

[NGC 1502]

Hi. Lots of folk on here willing to help.  If you could let us know a few details please that would help us to help you -

What telescope do you have ?  That info is crucial to good advice.

You mention you need a tripod, then say you also require slow motion controls - that sounds like you need not only a tripod but the part that is between the tripod and the telescope - usually called the mount.

Your mention of slow motion controls suggests you need a manual mount rather than an electronic one.

Your dollar $ sign suggests you’re not in the UK ?

If you could give as much info as you can then hopefully you’ll be pointed to something suitable 👍

Ed.

 

[johninderby]

The OP started another thread with details of the scope.

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/363741-what-should-i-get/?tab=comments#comment-3961820

 

[Alan64]

4 hours ago, Shepdog said:

Hello..

I'm a newbie but quickly realized a good tripod is as important as the telescope..whats good under $200.00? I know I need slow motion knobs but that about it....please share your wisdom..

I'm seeing at least two versions of the Gskyer 70/400 online...

If you have the kit on the left, then transferring the telescope to another mount will be easy, in seconds.  If you have the kit on the right, you will need to remove the "bar" that connects the telescope to the present mount, and purchase tube-rings and a dovetail-bar, as the kit on the left is equipped.  The rings...

https://agenaastro.com/agena-telescope-tube-ring-2-9.html

...and bar... https://www.ebay.com/itm/120mm-Telescope-Dovetail-Mounting-Plate-for-Equatorial-Tripod-Long-Version-BLK/193530516415?hash=item2d0f5153bf:g:NgsAAOSwcZ1cB4ON

In either event, this is an alt-azimuth with slow-motion controls...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/570395-USA/Vixen_Optics_3992MINI_Mini_PORTA_Manual_Altazimuth.html

Or, if you'd like to track the objects, and with either slow-motion controls, or automatically with a motor-drive possibly...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1291504-REG/explore_scientific_fl_exosnanot1_00_exos_nano_eq3_mount.html

Incidentally, I have a Barska 70/300...

But I found out shortly after its arrival that it has an effective aperture of only 30mm, and at f/10.  I'm in the process of opening it up inside to enable the full 70mm of light-gathering aperture to be utilised; a bit of DIY there.  Therefore, I would not be surprised if your own is also operating at either 30mm or 40mm of aperture, as well.  This a little-known problem with these short-tubed refractors from China, so I'm spreading the word.  I'll be using my own as a finder-scope for my relatively blind-as-a-bat Maksutov.

Edited October 4, 2020 by Alan64

[John]

2 minutes ago, Alan64 said:

I'm seeing at least two versions of the Gskyer 70/400 online...

If you have the kit on the left, then transferring the telescope to another mount will be easy, in seconds.  If you have the kit on the right, you will need to remove the "bar" that connects the telescope to the present mount, and purchase tube-rings and a dovetail-bar, as the kit on the left is equipped.  The rings...

https://agenaastro.com/agena-telescope-tube-ring-2-9.html

...and bar... https://www.ebay.com/itm/120mm-Telescope-Dovetail-Mounting-Plate-for-Equatorial-Tripod-Long-Version-BLK/193530516415?hash=item2d0f5153bf:g:NgsAAOSwcZ1cB4ON

In either event, this is an alt-azimuth with slow-motion controls...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/570395-USA/Vixen_Optics_3992MINI_Mini_PORTA_Manual_Altazimuth.html

Or, if you'd like to track the objects, and with either slow-motion controls, or automatically with a motor-drive possibly...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1291504-REG/explore_scientific_fl_exosnanot1_00_exos_nano_eq3_mount.html

Incidentally, I have a Barska 70/300...

But I found out shortly after its arrival that it has an effective aperture of only 30mm, and at f/10.  I'm in the process of opening it up inside to enable the full 70mm of light-gathering aperture to be utilised; a bit of DIY there.  Therefore, I would not be surprised if your own is also operating at either 30mm or 40mm of aperture, as well.  This a little-known problem with these short-tubed refractors from China, so I'm spreading the word.  I'll be using my own as a finder-scope for my relatively blind-as-a-bat Maksutov.

 

I think the left hand one below is actually an 80mm F/5. Another version of the ST80:

The right hand one is a clone of the Celestron Travel Scope 70 / Orion GoScope II 70mm

Of the two I would much prefer the 80mm if that is in budget.

No slow motion controls on either though.

[Alan64]

58 minutes ago, John said:

I think the left hand one below is actually an 80mm F/5. Another version of the ST80:

The right hand one is a clone of the Celestron Travel Scope 70 / Orion GoScope II 70mm

Of the two I would much prefer the 80mm if that is in budget.

No slow motion controls on either though.

That is correct, as I had run across an incorrect listing, but then found a correct one; an 80mm f/5 it is in fact.

At this point, I don't know if the OP is considering the Gskyer 70/400, or if they've already purchased one.  I hope the former.  If the former, then the following would be better by far.  It's actually the closest to the Orion(of California) ST80, which has been discontinued here in the U.S.  The mount is an AZ3-class, and with slow-motion controls...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1061428-REG/meade_209004_infinity_80mm_altazimuth_refractor.html

There is also this variant, and for minimal outlay, although with a photo-type mount-tripod...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1295897-REG/meade_222001_adventure_scope_80mm_refracting.html/?ap=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxJO_nfGa7AIVjLLICh0NAQYhEAQYAiABEgLoCPD_BwE

Of course, I would prefer an 80mm f/8 or f/11.

[Shepdog]

Sorry Ed..yes I'm in the U.S....London Kentucky lol...the scope is definitely the one pictured on the right that Alan64 posted..Gskyler 70/400...with the super cheap mount.

I didnt realize this site is in the U.K....just liked it and joined lol

So I need a new sturdy tripod with the mount that has slow motion controls...if the rig includes alt-azmuth even better cause I will outgrow this telescope at some point ...and would like to be able to use it on the next telescope...I will check out your links Alan64...as soon as I get some coffee in me lol 

My first post on the site  was about which 90 degree star thing to get , which a nice feller answered but if anyone reading also knows the best compatable barlow for this scope...in the $50 and under range...please advise. I plan to upgrade to a zoom lens in the same price range..unless id be making a mistake by not going with a kit of lenses.

I'm not expecting too much out of this scope...just want all it has to give before buying another 

 

Greg

[Shepdog]

6 hours ago, johninderby said:

The OP started another thread with details of the scope.

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/363741-what-should-i-get/?tab=comments#comment-3961820

 

Thank you 

[Astrid]

6 hours ago, Shepdog said:

Sorry Ed..yes I'm in the U.S....London Kentucky lol...the scope is definitely the one pictured on the right that Alan64 posted..Gskyler 70/400...with the super cheap mount.

I didnt realize this site is in the U.K....just liked it and joined lol

So I need a new sturdy tripod with the mount that has slow motion controls...if the rig includes alt-azmuth even better cause I will outgrow this telescope at some point ...and would like to be able to use it on the next telescope...I will check out your links Alan64...as soon as I get some coffee in me lol 

My first post on the site  was about which 90 degree star thing to get , which a nice feller answered but if anyone reading also knows the best compatable barlow for this scope...in the $50 and under range...please advise. I plan to upgrade to a zoom lens in the same price range..unless id be making a mistake by not going with a kit of lenses.

I'm not expecting too much out of this scope...just want all it has to give before buying another 

 

Greg

Within this price range you can get an Alt-Az (3 or 4) or an Equatorial.

If you'll want to upgrade your OTA at some point then go with either the EQ 3-2 (which is 288$) or an AZ4. Anything cheaper would probably just cost you extra money (meaning that you'll have to buy another one if you decide to go cheap).

By the way... read some online reviews before you buy anything. It really helps! And pay attention to the maximum capacity so that you don't overload the mount (even though it won't be a problem with your current small refractor, you'll have to take this into account when buying a bigger scope).

Edited October 4, 2020 by Astrid

[Shepdog]

I appreciate the advice from eveyone ..i promise I'm not tryijng to get a McPherson out of a Chevy Malibu lol I know my scopes limitations...just trying to pull the best i can get with what I got.  And avoid wasting money..im not rich ..

[happy-kat]

I've a telescope with the small mounting plate and this has standard tripod thread holes app can fit on a variety of mounts plus the bar fits in clamps mounts.

An inexpensive option is a camera ball head on a sturdy photo tripod, but that won't have slow mo knobs, but it could be used nudging the telescope like a dobsonian mount.

Celestron do a sturdy version on the az3 (Orion should also have similar tripod) this has slow mo knobs. The is an adaptor that is fitted to the tripod head that then can attach to a camera threaded mount (hopefully the holes in your telescope mount bar).

[happy-kat]

Something like this might suit.

https://www.telescope.com/mobileProduct/Mounts-Tripods/Altazimuth-Mounts-Tripods/Orion-VersaGo-E-Series-Altazimuth-Mount/pc/2/c/35/118202.uts

This looks like what is the Az4 in the UK, no slow mo controls.

https://www.telescope.com/mobileProduct/Mounts-Tripods/Altazimuth-Mounts-Tripods/Orion-VersaGo-II-Altazimuth-Telescope-Mount/pc/2/c/35/10105.uts

 

The Az5 in the UK has slow mo controls but I couldn't see it on the website.

Edited October 6, 2020 by happy-kat

[banjaxed]

I have the Skywatcher AZ5 on a Skywatcher stainless steel tripod and although it is a bit over budget it is very solid and holds about 7 kg (from memory), it also has slow motion controls which are very smooth.