Tripod for telescope

[Plymouthwelshboy]

Hi folks. I managed to pick up this brand new telescope for a bargain price on FB market place. It is to tide me over until my 150p arrives. Trying to use this on a table and actually use the red dot finderscope is proving to be a contortionist act.  

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/skywatcher-heritage-100p-tabletop-dobsonian.html

It says it can be out on a tripod which I could see would be advantageous. As a newbie to all this I'm not sure what kind of tripod I'd need....anyone have any tips or suggestions? Appreciated

[Louis D]

I think any tripod with a 3/8" screw will work.  A Manfrotto 055 or equivalent would work fine with it.

[Cosmic Geoff]

I am not sure why accessing the red dot finder should be a particular problem. Would you not have the same issue regardless of what you mount the scope on?

I think 'tripod' in this case means 'mount and tripod'.  You may find that the scope is connected to the tabletop mount by a standard dovetail, in which case you can take it off and attach it to a mount with the standard dovetail - which means most mounts. (preferred solution)

The catch here is that unless you find another bargain on FB, the mount and tripod are likely to cost more than you paid for the Heritage 100p.

Turn the base over and see if there is a 3/8" threaded hole on the underside.  If there is, asides from photo tripods, you could put it on a substantial tripod with flat top and 3/8" connector sold by FLO for around £100.

[Plymouthwelshboy]

thanks guys - thats helpful.  the issue with the finderscope is one that sky at night reviews picked up - it seems to be awkwardly located and on lowish tables if the OTA is at steep angle - you have to crouch really, really low to be able to see the red dot - gets uncomfortable. I will see if I can find some bargain tripods

 Thanks for your tips and advice. 

[RT65CB-SWL]

14 hours ago, Louis D said:

I think any tripod with a 3/8" screw will work.  A Manfrotto 055 or equivalent would work fine with it.

Agreed!

Below are some images of my binoculars and two* of my 'scopes using a Manfrotto 055 [the PROB model/version] as mentioned by @Louis D above...

<--- my binoculars

 

<--- my 're-modded' ETX105
 

<--- my TeleVue Ranger
 

 

* three 'scopes if you include this one too! 

 

I sometimes use these mounts with the tripod as well...

[RT65CB-SWL]

BTW - some photo ball head mounts will accept a Vixen type dovetail bar.

Edited April 5, 2021 by Philip R

[Pixies]

Note about the Manfrotto 055. 

If you are only going to be using it for a telescope mount, you won't need the 'Pro' version. As this only provides a way to have the extension bar mounted horizontally. The plain old non-Pro version is a little cheaper.

[Louis D]

Check for used photo tripods with removable heads and a 3/8" mounting stud.  You don't need to buy a brand new and shiny tripod.  A beat-up one will generally work just as well.

There are also a bunch of slightly up-market Chinese photo tripods that would probably work at a lower cost.  I have no experience with them, so I can't make any recommendations about them.