I would like to find an inexpensive alt-az head to go on a conventional
photographic tripod. It will carry an Orion ST-80. The telescope is
likely to spend more time pointed at Himalayan peaks from a roof with a
view than at the sky but it will get pointed at the sky for a reasonable
amount of time. Astronomical use will probably be quite casual.

The tripod has a removable head, with a standard threaded stub on which
the alt-az head will presumably go.

The Orion AZ-3 is way too much in the context. I am really looking for
something in the same range as a moderately priced photographic tripod
head. Failing that, I suppose a moderately priced photographic head will
serve reasonably well. It is just not as intuitively obvious a way to
point a telescope.

I could manufacture one but I have a years long stack of things I could
manufacture and am "in the process of making". I think I should accept
that "can" will not translate into "will".

I would appreciate any suggestions anyone might have. The Orion AZ-3 is
way too much in the context. I am really looking for something in the
same range as a moderately priced photographic tripod head.

- Shankar