Telescope Tripod Mount Support Pads

Persons who use portable astronomical telescope mounts need to make several adjustments to their telescope mounts in order to be polar aligned. This includes leveling tripod mount and pointing it toward polar north. In the past, I did this in my front yard (grass) every time I set up my GOTO telescope mount - usually in the dark. Since the mount wasn't exactly in the same position each night, it always needed to have time consuming leveling and alignment adjustments. This would take 10-15 minutes of my valuable viewing time. This could have been solved by marking a position on my driveway or sidewalk but I don't have a view of Polaris at those locations.

I solved that problem by using these tripod support pads. After setting up my tripod in the manner described above, I carefully marked the location of each leg. I then pressed one of these support pads into the ground at each of the tripod leg positions. Each pad is flush with the ground so that they are not obvious and they can be mowed over. Now when I set up my telescope I simply locate the three pads and place my tripod legs on each. It is much quicker now since the scope will always be level and aligned without time consuming adjustments. I have more time to enjoy the stars and less time with adjustments!