Can you reccomend a sturdy camera tripod?

Howerye.
I was thinking about getting an Astrotrac in the new year and if so then
I'd say I'd need a sturdier camera tripod (my current one is a Hama Star 75 )

Any suggestions as to a better one?

Frank,

I have used a Slik 550DX and a Manfrotto 190ProB with a ball head.
I don't like the quick release mechanism on the Slik.
The Manfrotto is a steady tripod capable of carrying up to 12lbs, I used it a 6lb camera and lens and it is very sturdy.
With the Manfrotto tripods, there is a choice of heads like ball and socket and pan and tilt.
But for being very sturdy, it gets pretty pricey, the Silk 550DX cost me around €150 and the Manfrotto cost be €250 with the ball head.
Having said all that, you might be better doing what Seanie did and get a Skylux mount for €70 in Lidl and motorise the mount with an EQ1 motor.

Regards
Darragh

Frank,
ou might be better doing what Seanie did and get a Skylux mount for €70 in Lidl and motorise the mount with an EQ1 motor.
Regards
Darragh

I'd personally go down that route if I was working at a motorised mount.
The 70mm refractor is a fine scope for imaging the complete moon with a DSLR.

Frank,
ou might be better doing what Seanie did and get a Skylux mount for €70 in Lidl and motorise the mount with an EQ1 motor.
Regards
Darragh

I'd personally go down that route if I was working at a motorised mount.
The 70mm refractor is a fine scope for imaging the complete moon with a DSLR.

You can also get a dovetail plate that will fit into the mount on the Skylux and has a screw that will connect to the tripod socket on your camera.

Darragh

Having said all that, you might be better doing what Seanie did and get a Skylux mount for €70 in Lidl and motorise the mount with an EQ1 motor.
You can also get a dovetail plate that will fit into the mount on the Skylux and has a screw that will connect to the tripod socket on your camera.

The best and most clever option I think too. The mount is affordable and (more or less) portable, and once you attach your motor, all you need to worry about is getting it on level ground. It took a little bit of thinking, as the new Skylux mount has no horizontal flat surface, but I got a bubble level attached! Now all I am waiting for are clear skies and a free evening to test it out for trained exposures.

Seanie.

I've also been looking at the Astrotrac, and it seems that the only thing going for it over a GEM is its portability. Certainly its not cheap at £500 (w pol scope), and you still need to spend quite a few £££s on a decent tripod and head.
So unless its airline friendly ultra portable your looking for, go for a GEM, or make your own Barndoor mount.