Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

I just bought myself a little telescope - ZWO SeeStar 50, check it out. It comes with a very small tripod - carbon fibre, good quality, but short. You need to mount the scope and then level it, so that it will track properly.

I cannot get down low enough to perform the leveling - I would need a crane to get myself back up again!

I have a few photo tripods collected over the years, and I want to repurpose one of these, so the scope is at a more reasonable height for doing this task. My problem is that I cannot remove the heads from any of them. I must have done this in the past, as I have several 'spare' heads. Is there some trick which I have forgotten which will let me remove a head?? It's been quite a few years since I messed with any of them, but they were not cheap gear.

I do have a Benbo Mk 1, but if you have ever used one, you will know how it is just about impossible to get it level!

bhapke

I found that "most" heads are mounted with a 3/8" threaded post on the legs and a corresponding hole in the head. The head should just unscrew from the legs. The heads may have "stuck" if not removed in a long time so it could be difficult. Try more force, but not too much. Some of the heads may be built-in and not removable. Look for a line between the head and the legs. Good Luck!

Haenzel Loc: South Holland, The Netherlands

Don't forget to lock the panning mode before trying to remove the head. Otherwise you can twist until you drop..

bigd7200

Some tripods have set screws on the bottom of the platform the ball head sits on. You will need to back them out before the ball head will turn.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

Heads screw in to the 3/8 inch post on the tripod. On some heads, on the bottom is a little set screw. (Allen wrench). It’s to keep the head from coming loose. You can’t get the head off without loosening that set screw. You might check this.

MJPerini

Depending on the tripod some heads were not removable
On more advanced tripods the standard interface is 3/8-16
On the center column there will usually be a platform with the 3/8-16 male screw in its center.
On some tripods especially Manfrotto underneath the center column platform there are 'Grubb Screws'
The purpose of these is to keep the head from loosening. They are essentially set screws with (usually ) a hex interface although some are slotted. Raise the center column and look under it.

It is also possible that the head and center column are just jammed together from overzealous tightening.
You can apply a penetrating lubricant carefully and let it soak a bit.
Don't drench it or you will never be able to grip it.
If that does not do it a plumbers strap wrench might help (used when tightening chrome pieces that can't be marked.
Lacking that, you could wrap the edge of the center column with a narrow layer of duct tape and carefully use water pump pliers to grip it.
All this assumes that you have a tripod with a removable head. So no excessive force.

PS some tripod brands provide a hole on the side of the center column platform.... this allows you to use an allen key for additional leverage
Good Luck

MJPerini

I didn't see @ CamB's answer before I posted

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Thanks guys for the tips. I know that at least some of them do have removable heads, as I replaced a pan and tilt head with a ballhead on at least one. Several of them are in my car, which is temporarily "out of reach". I will go check the one I have here indoors, and see, but I didn't see a setscrew while struggling with it the other day...

MJPerini

Do you have an outdoor table on which you could place the existing tripod?
Many of these small "Go-To" telescopes are designed that way.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

There used to be one at the bottom of the church carpark where I do my astro work, but isn't there any more...

I don't have anywhere at the house where I could set up,

See next message...

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Yes!!! Thank you so much! Thanks also to everyone else who had suggestions.

I have a little device which goes between the tripod and telescope, and allows accurate leveling - without having to get down to the bottom of the legs!

All I need now is a view of the sky... Night or day, it doesn't matter - the scope ships with a solar filter, so if not the stars, I could try for some of these here sunspots. I don't think I have seen blue sky or a single star since I got the thing. Apart from temperatures close to zero, which doesn't help. We are supposed to start warming up tomorrow - but of course the forecast calls for rain... *sigh*

Anyway, thanks again to you all!

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I just read a review on this product and it sounds really good. But the person doing the review cautioned about effects of vibration. Perhaps hang a weight under the tripod with some of the weight on the ground so it doesn't swing.

Be sure to post some images. It builds stacked images which go to your phone. It communicates with the phone via Wi-Fi, plus the phone needs internet access thru phone access.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

I agree... Saw it on youtube, and watched a whole heap of reviews. At this price point, I just couldn't resist... Being remotely operated, on these cold winter nights, I can sit in a warm car and let it do its stuff. Provided I actually get to see the sky one of these days!

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

I don't think it would work here. We have had close to six feet of snow in the last eight days and it is snowing heavily right now. It is supposed to be raining by the end of the week. Not good for astro photography.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Well, if you choose to live in the far north, what can you expect???