is 'over' zooming. Zoom ability is NOT the most important factor... clarity, (resolving capability) is. Now with planets zoom becomes more important, a lot more... but still less important than clarity.

With planets ... you can actually see surface features... even with binoculars, (not all planets with binoculars). With stars nope...not even the most powerful telescopes in the world can make a star anything more than a pinpoint of light. Never the less... with good 'clarity' viewing stars is much much better than without.

NONE of the above offers any help for you, sorry. That because I have never tried what you're doing so know nothing about it. I can say this, however:

A simple tripod will not match the performance of a quality mount used on telescopes.. OR used on a camera for that matter. Reason: Stability.