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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sirius Birder" data-source="post: 1112340" data-attributes="member: 60842">Greg,My fluid head is a very old one, and the manufacturer's label has fallen off.  Modern fluid heads with the same kind of stability are much more elaborate and costly, in the $500+ range.  In looking at Manfrotto products, something in the 501 series probably offers equivalent stability.  These products are capable of supporting 8-10 pounds or more and have spring damping of movement.  My tripod is also old, but the same type is available.  It is the Davis & Sanford Prolift "A", for about $310.  The Prolift has a spring-loaded center column which helps you lift the center post easily even with heavy equipment on it.  I did not need to lift the center post with my gear, so I have removed the spring and tightened the center post so that it can't move.  It is an extremely stable platform, but much lighter than the typical Celestron field tripod.One of the problems you may encounter is the mating of tripod with fluid head.  How you solve that one is generally buying from one source of compatible products.I have found that it takes a lot of adapting to convert photographic and/or astronomy designed products for birding purposes.  But the results can be worth the effort.  Birders sometimes gawk at my big scope, but they always want to look through it, and are always very impressed.  As far as I'm concerned, the binoviewer is what makes it all worthwhile.  It is the easiest high power view I have ever had, and with good eye relief lenses, you can't beat it.John Wright</blockquote>

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