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The above image of a plate
of T-6061 3/8" aluminum plate being cut to form the first of fifteen
individual faces plates (three small and three large) for the North
Star II field tripod. I know it may be overkill, but we are talking
about the tripod! Over the years, I, as well as other amateurs have
had a dickens with the construction and shear wobbliness of today's
field tripods. So emphasis on using strong lightweight components
was my premise. Typically, if you wanted a really good stable tripod
(as in the TeleVueŽ Gibraltar series of tripods), you had to invest
a sizable amount of currency. Well, in my own frugal way, I was able
to construct a tripod that would stand up against the high-end units
on the market using inexpensive high quality parts, scrap pieces,
and some ingenuity. The end result isa fabulous easy to setup and
transport field tripod that supports a tremendous amount of weight.
And, it was designed to support and accommodate a wide range of
telescopic instruments and optical systems!
If I had to say what is
my most favorite, cost effective, and highly prized
astronomical accessory within my collection, it would be the North
Star II field tripod.
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