EQ 5 tripod adapter help for star adventurer

[shaztronomer]

Hey guys, I've got an eq5 tripod that came with my skytee 2 last month. Just bought a star adventurer to try a bit of astrophotography. The star adventurer will not fit onto the tripod because of the alt az pin. Pic below (not my pic but same tripod)

Flo does an adaptor but does not fit the eq5 tripods with the welded pin which I have, they said I could always file the adapter to make clearance but I'm not really handy with that kind of thing 😭

There is another adapter but not UK based unfortunately and just not worth the price tbh

https://www.astroshop.eu/other-adapters/astoptics-photo-adapter-for-eq3-eq5-tripod/p,57914

I could obviously just buy another tripod but I really begrudge buying one just for the star adventurer as the eq5 is really nice IMO. 

I saw a post on here where someone has made their own adaptor (pic below) again doubt I'd be able to but I might give it a try. Any ideas or help would be appreciated, I'm dying to get out and take some pictures 😅

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 15, 2023 by shaztronomer
Spelling

[Tomatobro]

how high does that pin stick up above the top of the mount?

[shaztronomer]

1 hour ago, Tomatobro said:

how high does that pin stick up above the top of the mount?

2.3 cm 

[Tomatobro]

is it possible to unbolt the legs and turn the base upside down and reattach the legs?

[shaztronomer]

6 hours ago, Tomatobro said:

is it possible to unbolt the legs and turn the base upside down and reattach the legs

That does kind of work but for safety reasons I wouldn't because the legs are able to go horizontal if they were to slip. I think I'm going to get a wooden block, drill a 3/8 hole and get a 3/8 threaded bar and see what I can do, I'll update once I've attempted it 😂🤙

[wongataa]

On 16/04/2023 at 21:57, shaztronomer said:

That does kind of work but for safety reasons I wouldn't because the legs are able to go horizontal if they were to slip. I think I'm going to get a wooden block, drill a 3/8 hole and get a 3/8 threaded bar and see what I can do, I'll update once I've attempted it 😂🤙

Don't drill a 3/8 hole.  You want the hole to be larger than the threaded part going through it.  A 10/10.5mm hole will be just fine. Also metric bits are more available in the UK.

Personally I would just saw off the AZ pin, file the stump flat, and put some paint on the wound to protect the exposed metal.

[shaztronomer]

2 hours ago, wongataa said:

Don't drill a 3/8 hole.  You want the hole to be larger than the threaded part going through it.  A 10/10.5mm hole will be just fine. Also metric bits are more available in the UK.

Personally I would just saw off the AZ pin, file the stump flat, and put some paint on the wound to protect the exposed metal.

I made an adapter out of a wood block, using a 10mm drill bit, all fits, my only problem is now my 3/8 threaded rod from my az5 tripod won't thread onto my star adventurer, the top thread catches but won't go any further, I assumed the star adventurer was a 3/8 thread hole, any ideas? 

[adyj1]

I have one of these for my AZ-GTi;

Astro Essentials 3/8" Photo Adapter for HEQ5 / AZ5 Tripod | First Light Optics

£39 plus the postage.

If you're still keen to DIY, at least it gives you an idea of what works...

 

Ady

[shaztronomer]

7 minutes ago, adyj1 said:

I have one of these for my AZ-GTi;

Astro Essentials 3/8" Photo Adapter for HEQ5 / AZ5 Tripod | First Light Optics

£39 plus the postage.

If you're still keen to DIY, at least it gives you an idea of what works...

 

Ady

Unfortunately that adapter won't work as I have a fixed az pin on mine and flow said there would not be clearance, I have just made an adapter out of wood which works, my only problem now is my 3/8 threaded rod won't screw I to my star adventurer, which I assumed had a 3/8 thread

[adyj1]

8 minutes ago, shaztronomer said:

Unfortunately that adapter won't work as I have a fixed az pin on mine and flow said there would not be clearance, I have just made an adapter out of wood which works, my only problem now is my 3/8 threaded rod won't screw I to my star adventurer, which I assumed had a 3/8 thread

D'oh, didn't read your post properly, sorry.

Have you confirmed the thread on your tripod is definitely 3/8" ? will it screw into something you know to be 3/8?

Edited April 18, 2023 by adyj1
typo

[shaztronomer]

15 minutes ago, adyj1 said:

D'oh, didn't read your post properly, sorry.

Have you confirmed the thread on your tripod is definitely 3/8" ? will it screw into something you know to be 3/8?

Oh I believe it may be a M10 center bolt on my tripod actually 🤦

[Stu1smartcookie]

On 15/04/2023 at 13:48, shaztronomer said:

Flo does an adaptor but does not fit the eq5 tripods with the welded pin

i bought an adapter from them and it worked fine ! 

 

[shaztronomer]

1 hour ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

i bought an adapter from them and it worked fine ! 

 

Do you the eq5 tripod with welded pin?, they told me it wouldn't clear the pin unless I filed it 😭

[wongataa]

3 hours ago, shaztronomer said:

I made an adapter out of a wood block, using a 10mm drill bit, all fits, my only problem is now my 3/8 threaded rod from my az5 tripod won't thread onto my star adventurer, the top thread catches but won't go any further, I assumed the star adventurer was a 3/8 thread hole, any ideas? 

The Star Adventurer wedge does have a 3/8 UNC threaded hole.

[shaztronomer]

3 hours ago, wongataa said:

The Star Adventurer wedge does have a 3/8 UNC threaded hole.

Yeh it's my eq5 tripod that has a M10 threaded rod my mistake 😭

[Stu1smartcookie]

16 hours ago, shaztronomer said:

Do you the eq5 tripod with welded pin?, they told me it wouldn't clear the pin unless I filed it 😭

That was the case with some early ones but i never had a problem with mine 

[adyj1]

20 hours ago, shaztronomer said:

Yeh it's my eq5 tripod that has a M10 threaded rod my mistake 😭

a screw only going in a turn or two is indeed a good indication of M into UNC 😞

[shaztronomer]

1 hour ago, adyj1 said:

a screw only going in a turn or two is indeed a good indication of M into UNC 😞

I'm new to all of this, nothing seems standardised, I seem to be buying adapters right left and center 😂, I managed to build myself a little adapter anyway so saved me buying another tripod, thanks for all the help guys 🙏🤙

[adyj1]

It's the feeling of hope as it starts to turn, then the crashing disappointment that always gets me... 

Eventually you'll have all the adapters you need. Eventually 😂