Gitzo Systematic High Tripod

On this page, I provide some information about the Gitzo Systematic High Tripod for the Vaonis telescopes. Vaonis apparently offers it in a special version (without a bubble level). In what follows, I will refer only to this version of the tripod (which can, of course, be used with other telescopes/mount heads with a 3/8" thread as well).

Notes:

See also page Vaonis Vespera Pro - Accesssories

Introduction

Photo: Vespera on the Gitzo carbon tripod

After taking part in the Vaonis competition for the best photos of Messier objects in spring 2023, I received a voucher for Vaonis accessories because some of my photos had been published. However, I owned already most of the accessories for the Vespera, either I had purchased them or had received them with the Adventurer Pack. The only thing I was missing was the Vespera / Stellina Gitzo Systematic High Tripod (Gitzo GT3533S-VS; Series 3, normal length, three leg sections; see Gitzo Website), i.e. a larger tripod. Gritting my teeth, I ordered this one in June 2023 because I did not want to let the voucher unused...

Data...

Here are some data about the carbon tripod (from the Vaonis Website):

Lightweight carbon fiber tripod: less than 2 kg (4.25 lbs).
High tripod with 3 sections, extendable to 1.30 m height (51 in); minimum height 9 cm (3.54 in)
Closed length 61 cm (24.02 in).
Supports up to 25 kg (55 lbs) of load.

Note: The bubble level is not provided (it is with the original product).

Photos

Vespera and General


Vespera with cover on the tripod	Vespera without cover on the tripod	Vespera on the tripod, arm moved

Lever for losening the flat disk* **	Flat disk mounted at the Vespera*	Flat disk mounted at the Vespera*

Tripod from underneath with flat disk	Tripod from above with flat disk	Tripod from above, flat disk removed*

Tripod, one segment pulled out	Tripod, both segments pulled out	Tripod with Vespera, both segments pulled out

Tripod, both segments pulled out, flat disk removed	Flat disk from above*	Flat disk from underneath*

Tripod from "above", segments not pulled out	Tripod head with inserted flat disk	Tripod from the side, segments not pulled out

See the Vaonis Website for more photos.

*) The most convenient way to attach the Vespera to the tripod is to remove the flat disk, attach it to the Vespera (not too tight!) and, then reinsert the disk into the tripod head.
**) There is a catch at the bottom of the tripod head, which must be pressed to remove the flat disk.

AZ5 Mount Head on Gitzo Carbon Tripod

Here are some photos of how the AZ5 mount head looks on the Gitzo carbon tripod! The bottom row shows the standard adjustment knobs on the left and the flexible shafts on the right, which, in my opinion, make it easier to go to and track objects during visual observations.

AZ5 Mount head on Gitzo carbon tripod

Ditto, no knobs/shafts

Ditto, closer view

Ditto, with knobs

Ditto, with flexible shafts

Refractor on AZ Pronto Mount Head with Gitzo Carbon Tripod (for Terrestrial Observations)


TLAPO804 on Gitzo carbon tripod	TLAPO804 on Gitzo carbon tripod (with AZ Pronto mount head)

Refractor on AZ5 Mount Head and Gitzo Carbon Tripod

TLAPO804 on AZ5 Mount Head and Gitzo Carbon Tripod

Ditto, side view

Ditto, other side

Ditto, front view

Ditto, closer view

Ditto, other side

Note: For this mount head, the refractor must be rotated by 90° in its tube clamps!

First Experiences

It took me a while to get used to the finer points of operating this tripod. This mainly had to do with the flat disk (mounting plate), which I find cumbersome to insert and remove. In particular, I never knew which way to turn the lever to release the mounting plate. I have since come up with some German "rules of thumb" for this (runter = zu, rauf = auf)...

I also find turning the lever to insert or remove the flat disk a bit fiddly, because you always have to move the lever so that it "locks into place" before you can turn the screw that widens or narrows the opening for the flat disk.

The flat disk also tends to "stick" to the mount head, and it can be a hassle to get the two apart again. With the Vespera Pro, I therefore never tighten the flat disk too tightly onto the telescope.

These days, I almost exclusively use this tripod with my Vespera Pro, because it raises the telescope higher, allowing me to better observe low-altitude deep-sky objects (otherwise they would be obscured by trees).

First Conclusions

I used the Vespera / Stellina Gitzo Systematic High Tripod (carbon tripod) for the first time in January 2024 and have since used it often. I now use it almost exclusively, amomng others because with this tripod, the Vespera Pro is higher up so that I can reach low-standing DSO better.

All in all, however, I am quite satisfied with the tripod, especially since it is much lighter and handier than steel tripods...

Originally, I had planned to use this tripod together with the Sky-Watcher AZ5 mount for my TLAPO804 refractor as well (see the photos above!), but it never really happened. And now the refractor is on the list of items for sale...