"Shankar Bhattacharyya" wrote in message
...
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.
Seriously, the AZ-3, is about as cheap as you'll get. Remember it has 'slow
motion' drives on both axes. There are similar photographic heads, but they
cost _more_ (Manfrotto for instance do one, which starts at about twice the
AZ-3's price). The cheaper photographic tripod heads, lack the slow motion
adjustments (which is why they are cheaper). Versions with the slow motion
gears, from any reasonable photographic supplier will be at least as
expensive, getting even more expensive if they are reasonably rigid (for
instance The MN400 photographic head, goes for about £400...). The problem
is that once your magnification goes above perhaps 30*, having the finer
pointing accuracy becomes important. I don't know what price you are seeing
for the AZ-3, but on it's own (without a tripod), it is not expensive (in
the UK about £99). However you also have to remember that many of the
cheaper photographic tripods, have the same problems as cheaper astronomical
designs, of not really being stiff enough.
That all being said, have you considered secondhand?. Quite a few scopes
(like the Skywatcher 120), are sold on the AZ3 mount, which for such a large
scope, is really 'undersized'. Hence a number of these mounts do appear
secondhand on Ebay, and AstroAds, and could be a good way of getting one at
a sensible price.
In general, you will need the adapter plate, to fit a normal tripod, unless
the AZ-3 you buy already has this fitted.
HandsOnOptics, do the Celestron Alt/Az mount, for $129, while Kendrick, list
The AZ3 for $117.

Best Wishes