Choosing the right tripod for a harmonic drive mount is not a secondary concern. It has a direct impact on guiding performance – and therefore on what ends up on the sensor.
From Telescope to Mount to Tripod
The starting point was my Baader Apo 95/590 Travel Companion – a lightweight travel telescope weighing just under three and a half kilograms. The goal: a lean, mobile astrophotography setup. Accordingly, I spent a long time looking for a correspondingly light mount with a payload capacity of around 13 kg.
At the same time, it quickly became clear what the telescope actually weighs in operation: with tube rings, reducer, Raspberry Pi, power supply, dew heater, camera, and filter drawer, the system comes in at around seven and a half kilograms. A mount that barely tolerates this weight was no longer a sensible choice.
The decision fell on the WarpAstron WD-20P – a harmonic drive mount with 22 kg payload capacity and direct drive, representing a significant step forward from the previous conventional mount (here: HEQ5 Pro with up to 20 kg including counterweights). The selection process is documented separately: https://astrocamp.eu/en/warpastron-wd-20p-the-decision/.
Why a Lightweight Carbon Tripod Was Ruled Out
With a 5.7 kg mount and 7.5 kg telescope payload, the question arose which tripod would be adequate for this combination – and what realistically happens during operation.
Harmonic drive mounts operate without counterweight balancing. This means: the load distribution on the tripod is asymmetric and changes with every telescope orientation. In research – both from community experience reports and direct conversations with other astrophotographers on AstroBin – this point comes up regularly. Several users of lightweight carbon tripods report hanging water bottles or sandbags beneath the tripod to stabilise it. That is not a sign of a suitable tripod, but of an unsuitable one.
A tripod weighing between 8 and 12 kg is not a compromise for this setup – it is a quality criterion. Mass stabilises.
The Decision for Berlebach
Berlebach is a German manufacturer of wooden tripods for professional and semi-professional use. The build quality and breadth of accessories convinced me to look more closely at the Uni series.
Within the series there are three sizes: Uni 8 (short legs), Uni 18 (standard height), and Uni 28 (longer legs). The essential difference is leg length. The Uni 18 matches the typical working height of an astro tripod and is therefore the right compromise for mobile use.
The Uni 18 carries up to 50 kg payload. Even with the largest conceivable expansion of the current setup – a heavy APO or a 10″ telescope – I will not come anywhere near this figure. The reserve is more than sufficient.
Three-Angle Spread Instead of Standard
A concrete driver for choosing the three-angle spread was the already-mentioned asymmetric load distribution of harmonic drive mounts. With the standard spread, the angle is fixed. Berlebach’s three-angle spread allows three adjustable positions, making it possible to open the legs wider – which makes the stand significantly more stable under asymmetric loads.
In practice I almost always use the middle setting. This is an excellent compromise between footprint, centre of gravity, and handling.
Single or Double Leg Clamp
With widely spread legs, forces act on extended leg sections that can cause sagging. The double clamp is the consistent choice in this configuration. For most standard applications, single clamping would be sufficient – but since I wanted to actively use the spread option, I opted for the double clamp.
The Adapter: ZWO Plate in the Premium Version
The WarpAstron WD-20P uses the same mounting connection as the ZWO AM5 and AM5N. Berlebach offers a specific adapter for this connection in three price tiers: without plate, with standard plate, and with advanced plate.
I chose the highest-quality version. The reason is practical: the advanced plate has small notches on the mounting plate that prevent the mount from rotating on the tripod. This is not a comfort feature – it is a function that matters at every single session.
In retrospect, that was the right choice.
ZWO PE 200 Extension Pier
Harmonic drive mounts have a compact form factor. This has consequences: when imaging near the zenith, there is a real risk of the camera striking the tripod legs – particularly at shorter mounting heights.
I purchased the ZWO PE 200 extension pier. This fits directly onto the ZWO plate on the Berlebach and raises the mount to a height at which this risk is completely eliminated for my setup. It cannot be ruled out that other configurations may still experience collisions – everyone needs to check this for their own setup. In my case, it solved the problem.
A further practical aspect: the PE 200 comes with an adapter for the Skywatcher HEQ5 format. This means the extension also fits on the pillar at our astronomy club in the Eifel, which uses exactly this connection. It allows the complete telescope setup to be used there without modifying the mount.
Stainless Steel Feet and Levelling Feet
I chose the stainless steel version of the foot tips.
Additionally, I purchased Berlebach’s astronomy levelling feet. These replace the standard rubber feet and allow fine height adjustment of individual legs. The result in operation: aligning the mount is considerably simplified. I am very pleased with this accessory.
Configuration Summary
| Component | Selection |
| Tripod | Berlebach Uni 18 |
| Spread | Three-angle spread |
| Clamp | Double clamp |
| Plate | ZWO adapter, advanced version |
| Foot tips | Stainless steel |
| Levelling feet | Berlebach astronomy levelling feet |
| Extension | ZWO PE 200 |
This setup is compatible with the WarpAstron WD-20P and WD-20, as well as the ZWO AM5 and AM5N, since all share the same mounting connection. All necessary screws and fixings are included in the delivery of the mentioned products.
Conclusion
The Berlebach Uni 18 is not a compromise that eventually becomes a problem – it is the right choice from the outset for a setup of this class. Mass, quality, and accessory availability are what you expect from a tripod paired with a mid-to-high-end harmonic drive mount. The Uni 18 delivers.
The levelling feet are an unconditional recommendation. Anyone configuring a Berlebach tripod for a harmonic drive mount should include them.
