PetersonEng - Giant Field Tripod Shrink Kit

Reduce the height of your Meade giant field tripod (originally supplied with the 12" and 14" LX200GPS and the 12" LX200 Classic scopes) to a more comfortable viewing height. This kit reduces 39" tall tripods shipped prior to November 2003 from 39" to 31", 30", 29" or 28". It also reduces the 31" tall tripods manufactured since then to 30", 29" or 28" (and you want to drop down to 28" for sure if you are mounting your tripod on a Wheelie Bars, a Scope Buggy, or some similar roll-around device).

See the difference it makes when mounting a 12" SCT on a tripod that has been shrunk to 31" (which happens to be the same height as the standard field tripod supplied with the 8" and 10" SCT.

Here's a 12" GPS where this kit has been used to shrink the giant field tripod to 28" tall so that it comfortably rides on JMI's Wheelie Bars. NOTE: Since you are reducing the Giant Field Tripod height to that of the Standard Field Tripod, get the Wheelie Bars for the Standard Field Tripod. The Giant Field Tripod Wheelie Bars shown to the left had to be modified to fit.

And here's a 14" that's been kit shrunk to 30":
(Note cutoff tubing sections on floor)

What's provided in this kit" Three black anodized aluminum spreader arms with stainless steel mounting hardware, extra leg mounting studs and acorn nuts, dowel pin removal hardware, and our usual high quality very detailed step by step photo illustrated instructions.

This is not an easy modification to implement - it requires a basic capability with hand tools and some labor on your part. Tripod shrinking takes anywhere from 1-1/2 hours to 5 hours. You must have access to a commercial grade hacksaw with a 24 tooth/inch blade, 2 adjustable or 5/8" sized wrenches, a hammer, and a file.