Sky-Watcher AZ4 HD tripod and AZ5 Mount compatibility

[Steve72]

Hi, I have a SW AZ4 mount and heavy duty tripod. The tripod is great and very stable but I'd like to upgrade the mount to the AZ5 with slow motion controls but without also having to purchase another heavy duty tripod.

Ive been told the AZ4 tripods connecting rod is M10 thread ( I can't honestly  confirm by just looking) while the AZ5 mount has a 3/8 threaded hole on the bottom. I know M10 and 3/8 are quite similar in size but would the m10 threaded bar of the tripod fit the 3/8 threaded hole in the mount enough to be functional and safe?

 

Any help appreciated.

[Mandy D]

6 minutes ago, Steve72 said:

Hi, I have a SW AZ4 mount and heavy duty tripod. The tripod is great and very stable but I'd like to upgrade the mount to the AZ5 with slow motion controls but without also having to purchase another heavy duty tripod.

Ive been told the AZ4 tripods connecting rod is M10 thread ( I can't honestly  confirm by just looking) while the AZ5 mount has a 3/8 threaded hole on the bottom. I know M10 and 3/8 are quite similar in size but would the m10 threaded bar of the tripod fit the 3/8 threaded hole in the mount enough to be functional and safe?

 

Any help appreciated.

No, M10 male will definitely not screw into a 3/8" UNC female thread. It is larger diameter and 1.5 mm pitch against 1.587 mm pitch for 3/8" You could run an M10 tap into the 3/8" thread, but I don't recommend it, especially if it is in aluminium.

A length of 3/8" UNC studding (threaded rod) can be purchased, onto which you can screw nuts and handwheels to make something similar to the original M10 fitting on the AZ4. You may have to drill out the threads in the AZ4 tripod head to make this work, but all that means is the rod will not be retained in the tripod when unsscrewed from the head. No biggy.

[jjohnson3803]

Probably best to match bolts, so nothing gets messed up.  🤔

Edited November 30, 2022 by jjohnson3803

[ScouseSpaceCadet]

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/astro-essentials-3-8-photo-adapter-for-heq5-az5-tripod.html

Email FLO to check the above is suitable.

Edited November 30, 2022 by ScouseSpaceCadet

[Steve72]

On 30/11/2022 at 13:43, ScouseSpaceCadet said:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/astro-essentials-3-8-photo-adapter-for-heq5-az5-tripod.html

Email FLO to check the above is suitable.

ThIs look like a potential solution if it fits.  I will check this out! Thanks.

 

[Steve72]

On 30/11/2022 at 13:39, Mandy D said:

No, M10 male will definitely not screw into a 3/8" UNC female thread. It is larger diameter and 1.5 mm pitch against 1.587 mm pitch for 3/8" You could run an M10 tap into the 3/8" thread, but I don't recommend it, especially if it is in aluminium.

A length of 3/8" UNC studding (threaded rod) can be purchased, onto which you can screw nuts and handwheels to make something similar to the original M10 fitting on the AZ4. You may have to drill out the threads in the AZ4 tripod head to make this work, but all that means is the rod will not be retained in the tripod when unsscrewed from the head. No biggy.

Thanks for the reply. If I can't come up  with a relatively hassle free solution them cobbling something myself sound like an option. May not be pretty but as long as it works. Cheers.

[Steve72]

On 30/11/2022 at 13:43, ScouseSpaceCadet said:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/astro-essentials-3-8-photo-adapter-for-heq5-az5-tripod.html

Email FLO to check the above is suitable.

As an aside, I'm curious about the purpose of the azimuth pin in my tripod. According to the description of the astro-essentials 3/8 adapter you mentioned, it might not fit some older tripods that have an azimuth pin and my AZ4 does. What does the pin actually do? I can't see how not having it would hamper the use of my mount and  I'm happy to cut it off  if required.

[ScouseSpaceCadet]

7 minutes ago, Steve72 said:

As an aside, I'm curious about the purpose of the azimuth pin in my tripod. According to the description of the astro-essentials 3/8 adapter you mentioned, it might not fit some older tripods that have an azimuth pin and my AZ4 does. What does the pin actually do? I can't see how not having it would hamper the use of my mount and  I'm happy to cut it off  if required.

The pin you speak of aids equatorial mount users. Equatorial mounts have two horizontal bolts that sit either side of the pin. Once the mount is polar aligned the bolts are tightened, locking the polar north alignment.