Tripod Height Help

Hello,

I recently bought an Orion 8" Newt here on Astomart and it is a pretty good scope; not great, but good.

My frustrating problem with it is that I am kinda short at 5'7" and my Skyview Pro mount frequently puts the eyepiece height just beyond where I can comfortable view without using a small ladder. I guess I could make some sort of platform, but it would better for me if I could just get a shorter tripod.

I have two Skyview Pros and I have thought of cutting down the legs on one of them, but that would mean less stability. I've also though of grinding down the stops on the tripod so the legs would spread out farther. That might work, but I'm not too keen on doing it.

The ideal solution would be a shorter tripod. Just three or four inches would do it. Any suggestions???

Maybe I'll just take a shovel with me when I observe and dig a hole for the tripod. :S

Anyway, any suggestions, reasonable or not, will be appreciated.

I really like this site, btw. The accumulated knowledge here is enormous.

Clear skies and good luck everyone.

Tom Bourg,
Baton Rouge

Tom,
AstroSky (can be found on the sponsors page)can make you a portable pier for your mount. Their prices are very good and he's in your neck of the woods. I have one of his older tripods with two sets of legs and am very happy with the product.
Bob