I received a Galileo FS-120 telescope as a gift. Unfortunately, as the review in my link suggests, the tripod it came with isn’t exactly rock-solid. The scope itself is nice enough, but so far all I’ve been able to look at is the moon. That’s been troubling enough, I can’t imagine trying to find Mars or Jupiter with things the way they are.
So I’d like to buy or build a new mount for it. But, of course, I don’t even know where to begin. Suggestions?
Thanks very much!
I hate to rain on your parade, but that is not really a very good scope, what often is called a “department store special.” You will never be able to observe much other than the moon, Jupiter, etc.
You have to learn to polar align to be able to keep it locked on anything as the earth turns, but even then with those controls, I’m afraid you will be very frustrated.
Rather than even thinking about a new tripod and possibly a wedge, if you want to get serious about backyard astronomy, you may want to look at better instruments.
See if your library has the book The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide by Dickinson and Dyer. It will tell you all about telescopes, the different types, how to choose one and a wealth of other good information on the subject. I expect you could get a good used copy on amazon.com for a reasonable price, or the library will probably have other books on the subject.
Astronomy is a wonderful hobby that can last you all your life, but untold thousands of people have been discouraged from pursuing it when they get totally frustrated by trying to use inadaquate telescopes that won’t do the job.
Also, check around to see if there is an astronomy club in your area (may through a high school science teacher), and go to one of their “star parties.” Here all members set up their telescopes and will be very happy to let you look through them and will describe to you the pros and cons of each type. They may even have members with scopes for sale.
Good luck, wish had better news.
It depends on what sort of skywathcing you want to do, I suppose. If you don’t need to be able to track an object smoothly (for astrophotography or all-night observation) a dobsonian mount is a rock-solid option. Here is one such set of plans, and another and another. Since you already have your own optics and tube, it’s just a matter of scaling these ideas to fit your needs and sliding your hardware in. Your telesope, that is. Mind the splinters.