eq1 mount

Does any body know how I can mount the head of an Orion EQ1 mount to a more stable tripod than the one supplied with it by Orion?

Thanks

Gary

Gary Calobrisi said:

Does any body know how I can mount the head of an Orion EQ1 mount to a more stable tripod than the one supplied with it by Orion?

Thanks

Gary

I don't claim expertice with that mount, but assuming that it has a 1/4 thread (or something metric) you either tranfer it to a photo tripod of heavier duty or buy a bolt with the correct thread and use that to clamp it to something like a surveyor's tripod by putting a pice of plywood (5/8 or 3/4) under the hole in the tripod with the bolt (and fender washer) passing through the plywood washer and up to the mount.

If you want to upgrade to a half pier a PVC plumbing connector 2 or 3" can be fit as a pier (or sspacer) on top of the tripod with a suitably long bolt.

It's kind of hard to explain without an illustration, but it's actually very simple.

In addition to all the good advice, I'd like to make a suggestion about stabilizing the tripod you already have. There is a black coveing over the top of the center extension tube on each of the tripod legs. I removed that cover, and unlike some who have suggested using sand (which could be very messy if it is fine enough to spill out between any gaps), I went to a local gun shop and purchased 6 lbs. of #4 lead shot. I then poured 2 lbs. into each one of the extension tubes, hot-glued the cover back on top, and now, my tripod sits very solid on the ground with no wobble or vibration. Hope this helps.