Celestron Heavy-Duty Alt-Azimuth Tripod for Spotting Scopes & Telescopes

A very good tripod. I have a 104mm refractor mounted on it. After slightly loosening the tension on both axis it works great. You can easily slew it to position then the slow motion controls make it easy to follow the moon or planets.

I got this Tripod to go under an Orion Apex 90 Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope as an upgrade from the camera tripod I was previously using. It's gotten a fair amount of use since I got it and believe its a 5 star tripod for what it's built for but definitely not for everything. Pro's 1 It's very solid compared to other tripods at this price point. A light breeze or nudge doesn't make you totally loose whatever you're looking at. It's heavier than my camera tripod but I don't feel wary about slapping a big telephoto or actual telescope on my DSLR when using this. That being said... 2 It's surprisingly light. It's pretty much my grab and go tripod now. It's not a chore to pick the whole setup up and reposition for a different view. 3 It's fine controls work well. For sky viewing or photo's at a distance having micro adjustments really help. You manhandle it to get close and then dial it in. Con's 1 They use a nut and screw mechanism for the fine adjustments. So trying to track an object moving across the sky for extended viewing you will find yourself running out of fine adjustment. Then you have to twist the knobs to get everything in the center (or a little bit the other way), and then find whatever you were looking at again by manhandling the scope. This was most likely done to keep the costs down as it's cheaper and easier to do this robustly than for a worm and wheel type adjustment seen on more expensive mounts. 2 Virtually no declination. This scope has a hard stop that prevents you from pointing it more than a few degrees below the horizon when orientated correctly. Now you can always take a rotary tool to the offending lip to free up some more play but as is, no "top of mountain looking down into valleys" action. Not a deal breaker but 10-15 extra degrees would have been nice as I don't like setting anything expensive on a not balanced and level mount. 3 It's a bit short for some applications. This is both a pro and a con but unless you have a 90 degree star diagonal and a shorter scope (like a Maksutov-Cassegrain) looking at things near apex (or straight up and down) will have you about sitting on the ground. Even with the diagonal when I tried out a friends 60mmx700mm refractor there was a limited range of things I could look at "comfortably" . 4 The cheap plastic cover that hides the side to side adjust screw has already broken off. It is just there to hide the mechanism and not worth me taking a star off. Actually this with a little glow in the dark paint made it easier for me to eyeball how much more travel I had left before I need to reset so if it hadn't broke I probably would have taken it off eventually. Overall this is a good deal if you have a compact scope with a decent star diagonal or want to strap a really beefy telephoto lens on your camera and take LONG distance photos. Not so much if you have a longer scope or need something that can track accurately over long sweeps of travel. Still it has a place in my camping kit or when I want to check out the moon or planets and don't feel the urge to drag my much larger and bulkier telescopes out. Also at this price point and with the Apex 90 I don't have a problem letting somebody I don't know handle the scope and tripod (e.g. kids the next campsite over wants to look at Jupiter). Something I can't say for some of my more expensive setups.

I see a wide range of opinions on this, and I'm writing this because I think they're all missing a piece of the puzzle. Here's the deal. When I buy an optical instrument for astronomical viewing, my thoughts are that I should expect to pay about as much for my mounting system as for the instrument itself, give or take. However, if I've got something cheap, say a C90MAK or C130MAK or similar, what are my mounting options? A sturdy, but sub-professional photographic tripod is problematic. First, you're probably pushing the weight capacity of the mount. Second, since most tripod manufacturers are thinking "camera" (or maybe camera with a moderately long lens), the moment arm of a telescope is probably larger than the mount manufacturer expects. Third, it's hard to point, especially if you're close to the limits of the mount. The "Heavy-Duty" tripod addresses these three issues. It's sturdy enough to hold small telescopes, and provides fine motion controls which are extremely useful for high magnification optics, and it does so at a reasonable price. That said, there are some issues with this piece of equipment. First, while there is a fine control for altitude adjustment, and both a fine and coarse control for azimuth adjustment, there is no coarse altitude control, like a tilt lever for a "normal" tripod. Instead, you grab the scope and push or pull on it to tilt. I wish there were a lever for this, and I wish I could tighten it or loosen it like on a regular telescope. It's possible that adding the tighten/loosen feature and making it hold the projected equipment isn't possible without adding significant cost. I can see that. So at least give me a lever with which to tilt the existing head. How much could that cost, really? Some parts are also a bit flimsy. The tripod legs are hollow aluminum, and I wish they were maybe one gauge thicker to make them a little sturdier. Of course, this would add cost and weight, but I'd be cool with that. I'm also a bit worried about the leg cross brace/equipment holder. While I think it feels flimsier than it is, I could easily see it getting bent and causing problems. Again, I'd be good with paying a little more for something a little sturdier. Third, the tripod has no bubble level. This isn't a huge deal, at least not nearly the deal it would be on an equatorial mount, but still, if I can get one on a $14.99 photo tripod, it can't be that expensive. Fourth, my only choice for leg tips are plastic points, which will sink into mud or soft grass and transfer vibration well on bricks or paving stones. Having the option to use rubber feet would be nice. I don't expect that making the changes I recommend would cost more than, what, $20 extra? I'd be willing to pay that, bringing the Amazon cost from $80 to $100, in order to make this thing more generally useful to me, but if I'm careful, it works fine with the equipment it was designed to be used with, and it's a lot cheaper than going to the "next step up", which will probably cost about $200. One additional problem with the tripod, though, is that I don't think it's very suitable with the 20x80 or 25x100 binoculars that are listed in the product description. First, with a maximum height of 45" ... well, you do the math. Yeah, you could try to use that combination in a seated position, but once you tilt the binoculars off the horizon, it's going to get crowded, and you'll wind up with a frustrating experience. If you're looking for a real mount for your big binoculars, I don't think you'll be able to do something decent for less than the cost of a decent tripod base plus a low-end parallelogram mount, which means spending $250 or more. For a small, inexpensive reflector, though, such as those listed in the product description or others with a standard tripod 1/4"-20 screw receptacle, it works well enough without breaking the bank. If you've spent $300 on your scope, go ahead and buy a better mount than this, but if you've just bought a C90MAK or something similar on Amazon for $150, this will do.

I was beginning to think I would have to spend $300+ for a decent tripod but this thing has been great. It's very rigid when the legs are retracted, but definitely loses some stability when extended all the way, so I tend not to extend them at all and instead set the tripod on an elevated surface. The altazimuth mount feels of great quality and the slow motion knobs are very responsive. One thing to know, is that the range of motion using those knobs is VERY limited. The vertical control to incline the telescope only lets you point the telescope up maybe 30 degrees or so. I thought I was going to have to send the tripod back but then I learned you can just loosen the bolt on the mount (pictured) slightly and this will enable you to manually tilt the telescope up and down through a full range of motion, and then use the slow motion controls to fine tune your aim.

This tripod does a decent job for basic use, but it’s not perfect. The aluminum build feels fairly sturdy, and it can support lightweight to mid-sized equipment without too much trouble. For casual observing, it gets the job done. However, I expected a bit more stability from Celestron given the “heavy duty” description. There’s some noticeable vibration when adjusting or in light wind, which can be frustrating when trying to get a steady view. The height adjustment is easy to use, but the locking mechanisms don’t feel as solid as they could be. It works, but doesn’t inspire full confidence for long-term durability. Overall, it’s an okay option if you’re on a budget or just starting out, but more experienced users might want something sturdier and more refined.

Very strong, stable, rigid, yet Lightweight. Vibrations damp quickly. Great for telescopes or optics up to about 15# (if well balanced). Slow motion altitude and azimuth controls work smoothly and have little slop or backlash. Great for small astronomical telescopes, spotting scopes, and long telephoto lenses. Mount anything with a 1/4" x 20 thread with the included large thumbscrew.

I'll get right to the point. This is a great tripod for the price. It didn't come with instructions; however, it only took me about fifteen minutes to figure it out once the box was opened. I can see where there may be some potential issues using this tripod with binoculars, but it works great for a refractor telescope. This tripod is not hard to figure out! I don't understand why some reviews state that it's difficult, or impossible, to get vertical alignment. All you do is put your hands on the telescope and point it at your desired target, even if the target is straight up, then let the fine tune vertical and horizonal adjustment do the rest. EASY! My first outing with this tripod, mounted with a Orion 102 mm refractor telescope, involved bird watching and viewing the moon. The vertical and horizonal hand controls made my viewing experience an utter joy. If you're dealing with a tripod that wobbles and shakes, and your tired of trying to stay locked in on a target because you don't have vertical and horizonal fine tune adjustments, I strongly recommend this tripod. As stated earlier, it's easy to figure out and use. Enjoy!

After leaving a tepid "it's alright" comment on Troy Reidel's comment I thought it only fair and do an update. I've had this tripod for a week now and I have to tell you.... its garbage. I lent it to my neighbor and he set it up for his wife who was going bird watching with a bird group. According to a couple of others in the group who witnessed what happened it seems she became extremely frustrated having to wrench the head around to use it and she tossed it on the ground and began kicking at it and banging it against a large tree. She slipped and hit her head on a large rock and died..... More investigation turned up that a load of thses were left at the gate to Bin Laden's compound early on the nigfht of the raid. When Seal team 6 arrived they found bodies strewn around all the telescopes. A witness described the event saying that an individual would begin lining up a night time object and when they didn't get it lined up quickly enough because the tripod was inferior their viewing partner would become impatient and shoot them. A Seal team 6 member mentioned that they had Celestron design this specifically for psychological warfare. He really couldn't understand how they got released to the public. Okay, all joking aside.. if you want to get rid of your significant other or maybe cause your kids so much frustration that they'll never ask you for another telescope this is the tripod to buy. If on the other hand your intention is to use it for viewing the night sky or field use you best stay away from this one. I have 11 scopes and tripods besides this. I had an extra 102 mm Apex scope from Orion which I had hoped to use this tripod on.... Now I'm not sure of the level of experience some of these reviewers here have but I guarantee you that if they received the same tripod head as me with this purchase that they can not point their tripod straight over head unless the bolt on the yoke has been readjusted in which case they can't point level and horizontal without another wrench adjustment. This is a huge design error and I'm totally surprised that some moron at Celestron actually released the product for sale! I used to recommend Celestron for all things astronomical...... no more on that. Do yourselves a favor, buy another product. And one more thing I almost forgot... this tripod is to short even if the head did work right. I'm 5' 9" tall and I had to stoop way over to use it with my 102 mm scope... what a waste..

I was surprised of the quality of this tripod... it's well made, and adjustable to a good height. Just right for a small telescope or heavy camera.

I am satisfied with this device's stability, that is the reason I purchased it. Ordinary camera tripods is not capable. I mounted my Celestron C90 scope on it. The images were stable. The movements up and down and left a d right is slow enough that you don't loose the planets or stars. The third, smaller control knop disengages the upright axle to enable rapid movement to the left or right or I lift everything and point it to the right direction. I welded a smal steel rod to the back of a metric 19mm impact socket, and now I have a handy tool to disengage the large nut, to enable rapid up and down movement. This is not an equatorial mount, mut light enough to carry, but stable. I will recommend as a good purchase for a small telescope, for stargazing.

Worth the 110.00 and I got it quick. After reading lots of reviews on Amazon.com, I thought I would give an honest assessment. PROS: - Full range of altitude and azimuth - strong large movement friction clutches - Decent gauge aluminum construction - solid alloy cast mount with large balance plate surface - fine alt-azimuth adjustment flex rod handles - locking free spin azimuth - very simple and easy to use - Overall a very sturdy tripod CONS: - Center piece hinges are flimsy and weak - Eyepiece tray too thin and fragile - should be 60" total height - could have large adjustment handles as well FINAL THOUGHTS Other than moving the mounted scope to the object by hand, the fine adjustment handles work well keeping it in view. It should be taller. Either have another section or have solid adjustable feet extensions with the screw in type for different surface applications. The flex rod handles work well with a scope, but apparently not for binoculars. Could have removable flex rods or just the handles. Some plastic parts on the tripod may wear out or break, but for the money, it's a great altazimuth tripod. Can't go wrong. Very happy with the purchase. No regrets.

La verdad quedé muy contento con la montura, necesitaba una montura mas estable y precisa para mi telescopio pequeño y no me defraudó. La montura es robusta y con las perillas de ajuste milimetrico pude seguir el movimiento de la luna de manera muy estable. Nada más creo le haría falta un dial de ajuste de azimut vertical, porque ahi si lo tuve que ajustar con las manos desde donde se enrosca el telescopio ya que la perilla del ajuste milimetrico vertical tiene un limite, de ahi en fuera todo genial

Lo compre de segunda mano y para mi telescopio en visual para iniciación y es impresionante puedes moverte por el cielo con mucha precisión y cuando le coges el truco tambien rápido.