{"product_id":"sky-watcher-cq350-tripod","title":"Sky-Watcher CQ350 Tripod","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe CQ350 Tripod is the field support Sky-Watcher publishes for the CQ350 and EQ8-R\/h mount heads. Its legs are 70 mm in diameter and adjust from a retracted 30.5\" to an extended 42.5\", so the head can sit low for a wide, stable stance or be raised for clearance under a long tube. The tripod itself weighs 34.5 lbs. and folds to 11\"x11\"x37\" for transport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the tripod for an observer running a CQ350 or an EQ8-R\/h head. It is the natural choice as a replacement for a damaged set of legs, as a second support so one tripod can stay set up at home while the other travels, or as the base for a head bought on its own. The head, counterweights and shaft are separate items — this is the tripod only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e70 mm leg diameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e the legs are the largest section Sky-Watcher publishes in its tripod range, which is what allows them to sit under an observatory-class head like the CQ350 or EQ8-R\/h.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e30.5\" to 42.5\" height range:\u003c\/strong\u003e twelve inches of adjustment. The low setting keeps the centre of mass down for imaging in wind; the high setting lifts the tube so the counterweight shaft and camera clear the legs near the meridian.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e39\"x56\" spread retracted:\u003c\/strong\u003e the published footprint with the legs collapsed, useful when planning a pad, a deck or a spot inside an observatory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e11\"x11\"x37\" folded:\u003c\/strong\u003e the transport dimension. It fits across a car boot or behind the seats rather than needing a full estate load.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e34.5 lbs. tripod mass:\u003c\/strong\u003e heavy enough to damp quickly under a large head, and light enough to be carried out in one trip separate from the head.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong-exposure deep-sky imaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e the 70 mm legs and 34.5 lbs. of mass give the CQ350 or EQ8-R\/h a base that settles fast between dithers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge visual instruments:\u003c\/strong\u003e big SCTs, Newtonians and long refractors carried on either head sit at a usable eyepiece height across the 30.5\"–42.5\" range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePortable dark-sky work:\u003c\/strong\u003e at 11\"x11\"x37\" folded, the tripod travels as its own piece rather than as an assembled mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSky-Watcher publishes this tripod as compatible with the EQ8-R\/h and CQ350 mount heads. Those are the two heads named; other Sky-Watcher heads pair with their own tripods and pillars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is one published restriction: the tripod cannot be used with an EQ8-R\/h head below 27° latitude. Ontario sits between roughly 42° and 57° N, so an EQ8-R\/h used from anywhere in the province is well clear of that limit; it matters only for a mount travelling to the tropics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are unsure which head you have, or you are matching a tripod to a head bought second-hand, send us the model and a photo of the base casting and we will confirm the fit before anything ships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTripod only:\u003c\/strong\u003e the mount head, counterweight shaft and counterweights are separate purchases.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEQ8-R\/h latitude restriction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sky-Watcher states the tripod cannot be used with an EQ8-R\/h head below 27° latitude. The CQ350 head carries no such published restriction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e34.5 lbs. before the head goes on:\u003c\/strong\u003e with a CQ350 or EQ8-R\/h on top the assembled mount is a two-piece carry, which is how most owners move it anyway.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo standalone load rating is published:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sky-Watcher lists the tripod's dimensions and mass but not a separate payload figure. The number to plan around is the payload published for the mount head.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction detail is not published:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sky-Watcher does not state the leg material or finish for this tripod, so we do not quote one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It is the standard tripod routine — spread the legs, set the extension anywhere between 30.5\" and 42.5\", level it, and the head goes on top. The only unusual part is the mass: 34.5 lbs. of tripod is a deliberate two-hand lift, and the head is normally carried and fitted as a separate trip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich mount heads does it fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe EQ8-R\/h and the CQ350. Those are the heads Sky-Watcher publishes for this tripod.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much height does it actually give?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tripod stands 30.5\" retracted and 42.5\" fully extended, measured to the head seat. The mount head and telescope add to that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit in a car?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFolded it measures 11\"x11\"x37\", so it travels as a single long parcel rather than needing the mount to stay assembled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is there a 27° latitude note for the EQ8-R\/h?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSky-Watcher publishes it as a hard compatibility statement for that head on this tripod. At Ontario latitudes it has no practical effect; it applies to observing sites nearer the equator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 70 mm-leg tripod built for the two heaviest heads in the Sky-Watcher equatorial line, adjustable from 30.5\" to 42.5\", 34.5 lbs. on its own, and small enough folded to travel. If you own a CQ350 or an EQ8-R\/h, this is the support Sky-Watcher publishes for it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sky-Watcher","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53896763408495,"sku":"S30805","price":1300.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/S30805_CQ350Tripod.jpg?v=1785253673","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/sky-watcher-cq350-tripod","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}