Wood tripods

I've got it in my head that I want a relatively easy set-up to use for my backyard. I've had a G11 Gemini and that was way too much trouble for me to drag all that outside. What I seem to have settled on is some type of alt-az head on a nice looking adjustable wood tripod supporting a 4 or 5 inch apo. Does anyone have any tripod comparisons between the Televue-AP-Takahashi, Etc ??
Thanks, clear skies and municipal power failures,
Robert Swafford

Well, I have had a few different combos of tripods and alt-az heads, including the Gibraltar, Telepod, etc.

Recently I got a Universal Astronomics Unistar Deluxe with a heavy wood tripod. Now I couldn't be happier. The mount is extremely stable and easy to carry outside. I have a 4" APO on it, and all I have to do is take the dovetail off the mount (both pretty light) and attach them outside.

No stress, low maintenance setup. You also might want to look at the Stellarvue mahogany tripod and head. It is really nice looking and sweet, but a bit pricey. On the other hand, there is probably a wait for the UA mount.

I have noticed that some of you have some very heavy tripod spreaders, much more sturdy than the "standard Bogen" one.

I'd appreciate any information about where these came from, where to get them, etc. They look really cool!

BTW, some nice scopes on those mounts, guys!

You can easily make a tripod that is steadier than virtually anything you can buy, easy to set up, and quite light too. Look up "Structural Considerations for Telescope Makers" in the June, 1976, issue of Sky & Telescope (page 425). I have made three tripods based on this article, and they work very well.

If you need a bit more clearance from the legs, you can add a short, partial pier to the top.

Clear skies, Alan