Stable Mount for TV 76

Happy Holidays Everyone!

I have just received a TV76 and use a Panoramic mount. The mount is portable and easy to set up, but tends to get the jitters at higher powers. I love the TelePod head that is on it, but am thinking of replacing the tripod with something beefier.

I am thinking of getting a surveyor's tripod for the kind of stability that I want. Would this be overkill? Should I go for a Gilbralter instead.

If anyone has real life experience with different mounts using a Pronto/76 let me know your thougts. Thanks for your answers in advance!

Chuck

Hi Chuck
Exactly what do you mean by "jitters at high power"? Almost all Alt/Az mounts like the Panoramic and Gibraltar will show some movement while focusing, however it should dampen out within 1 or 2 seconds. I have a TV101 on a Gibraltar that shows movement but will dampen out the instant I let go of the focus knobs or let go of the scope. If you are saying that it jitters with hands off then I would tighten every screw and connection and shorten the legs to see if this helps, also heavy wind could be an issue. The Panoramic should be more than enough to handle the TV76, however the Gibraltar should solve the problem and allow for heavier scopes in the future.
Hope this helps
Buck

Chuck,
Have you tried the vibration dampening pads sold by Celestron, Orion, etc. They help dampen the jitters, particularly if you're set up on a hard surface.

Jim