I'm proud to say that I pitched the idea of a G8/G11 compatible tripod to Berlbach, helped in the development, and that this project helped bring them to the U.S. where they are now sold by Teton (that part was arranged by Berlbach and Mark R., I wasn't involved.)
You can take a quick look on the home page here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/extremeastronomy
If you go to the Losmandy group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/losmandy_users
You will find in the PHOTOS section a complete photo essay on the tripod in the Berlebach folder.
I have now used the PLANET/G11/FS128 configuration for, I guess, a year, although my first iteration with it was a prototype that differed somewhat from the current model (& I had to provide an adapter).
So what should I say: I think these beautiful pieces of equipment to use and the FS128/G11/Berlebach is a rock solid combination. YOu can get asphalt ball bottoms or use the spikes. The spike tips when pressed into the grass give an unbelievably stable platform. The damping time is next to nothing...not meaningfully measurable with any technique I have. It seems to do equally well on asphalt, too. It's very easy to work with this tripod in cold weather, and on the whole I find it easier to set up and use than the Losmandy default tripod.
I have used wood tripods made by Vixen for SP mounts and those "aren't bad" but compared to other kinds of equipment upgrades I have made, the Berlebach is really in the "wow" category because it has taken the whole concept to a different level. I'm afraid I have no comparative basis for Tak or AP tripods. However, if you buy a Berlebach I can't imagine that you would regret it. One of the things I like about it is I can get much better height for the refractor but I can also lower it if I want to. For example, if I'm going to be at an event with kids, or use a different kind of OTA. The Losmandy G11 tripod really needs an adapter to get to a good refractor height--leastaways something in the f/8 five inch category.
I love having a chance to show this thing off so I'm attaching a picture. I will say that to my knowledge this is the ONLY tripod that comes with a fully compatible G8/G11 adapter that has the mounting brackets for the Losmandy electronoics. To my knowledge the AP adapter (brought out in haste, I speculate, in response to the Berlebach) has no such provision; and most folks have to go with the rather unattractive Meade adapter from Losmandy to go to a wood tripod, and even then the adapter may need modification (concerning the center hole) for such mounts as AP, Tak, etc.
The Berlebach G8/G11 tripod adapter is surprising in that its machining and strength actually exceeds the OEM. When I got the finished version I was quite stunned at the quality. It seems the engineers said "lets not make this as good as, let's make it better."
regards
Greg N
You can take a quick look on the home page here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/extremeastronomy
If you go to the Losmandy group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/losmandy_users
You will find in the PHOTOS section a complete photo essay on the tripod in the Berlebach folder.
I have now used the PLANET/G11/FS128 configuration for, I guess, a year, although my first iteration with it was a prototype that differed somewhat from the current model (& I had to provide an adapter).
So what should I say: I think these beautiful pieces of equipment to use and the FS128/G11/Berlebach is a rock solid combination. YOu can get asphalt ball bottoms or use the spikes. The spike tips when pressed into the grass give an unbelievably stable platform. The damping time is next to nothing...not meaningfully measurable with any technique I have. It seems to do equally well on asphalt, too. It's very easy to work with this tripod in cold weather, and on the whole I find it easier to set up and use than the Losmandy default tripod.
I have used wood tripods made by Vixen for SP mounts and those "aren't bad" but compared to other kinds of equipment upgrades I have made, the Berlebach is really in the "wow" category because it has taken the whole concept to a different level. I'm afraid I have no comparative basis for Tak or AP tripods. However, if you buy a Berlebach I can't imagine that you would regret it. One of the things I like about it is I can get much better height for the refractor but I can also lower it if I want to. For example, if I'm going to be at an event with kids, or use a different kind of OTA. The Losmandy G11 tripod really needs an adapter to get to a good refractor height--leastaways something in the f/8 five inch category.
I love having a chance to show this thing off so I'm attaching a picture. I will say that to my knowledge this is the ONLY tripod that comes with a fully compatible G8/G11 adapter that has the mounting brackets for the Losmandy electronoics. To my knowledge the AP adapter (brought out in haste, I speculate, in response to the Berlebach) has no such provision; and most folks have to go with the rather unattractive Meade adapter from Losmandy to go to a wood tripod, and even then the adapter may need modification (concerning the center hole) for such mounts as AP, Tak, etc.
The Berlebach G8/G11 tripod adapter is surprising in that its machining and strength actually exceeds the OEM. When I got the finished version I was quite stunned at the quality. It seems the engineers said "lets not make this as good as, let's make it better."
regards
Greg N
Attached Image:
"Scope will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no scope." --Freewheelin' Franklin
