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View Full Version here: : New Alt-Az mount from Losmandy - AZ 8


Logieberra
13-02-2015, 07:22 AM
Bumped into this vid: "AZ 8 Alt-Azimuth mount" http://youtu.be/NUq0I2mo0nw

Sounds like a re-worked GM8.
Dual saddle.
Holds 18KG of equipment weight.
$800 USD with tripod.
Feb/March 2015 release.

Some good info here: http://www.highpointscientific.com/losmandy-az8-alt-azimuth-dual-saddle-mount-and-tripod-az8

If anyone come across a pic, please share. Cheers.

mikerr
13-02-2015, 10:37 AM
Logan, thanks for posting.:thumbsup: This really interests me.

Here are some conversations on Cloudy Nights including input from the Losmandy owner.

Second link has some photos of the Prototype.

http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/485162-losmandy-alaz-mount/

http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/488171-goto-alt-az-mount-recommendations/

Michael

MortonH
01-03-2015, 03:32 PM
Now listed on the Bintel website at $1599. Says first production run expected in April.

http://www.bintel.com.au/Mounts---Tripods/Alt-Az-Mounts/Losmandy-AZ8-Alt-/-Az-Mount/1949/productview.aspx

$1599 seems a reasonably good price considering it includes a tripod. I'm assuming the price reflects the current exchange rate, but not sure.

Bintel are also listing an optional encoder kit for $549.

If I didn't already have my DSV-3 I'd be all over this one.

killswitch
02-03-2015, 11:18 AM
Looks pretty good. Not sure how i feel about the rat cage though.

This could be a cheaper alternative to the T-Rex

dannat
02-03-2015, 11:30 AM
as Losmandy mounts are modular you can actually disassemble either a gm8 or g11 & make an alt/az mount yourself

Camelopardalis
02-03-2015, 05:00 PM
I wonder how conservative their payload figures are? A C11 with diagonal and a nice eyepiece is mighty close to 15kg, almost seems a missed opportunity :shrug:

MortonH
02-03-2015, 05:26 PM
Good question.

If I can use my DSV-3 as a reference, the Desert Sky Astro website lists the capacity for SCTs as 28lb, which is around 12.7kg. But they have run adverts on Astromart saying it can handle a C11 provided the tripod is capable.

So I wonder if the Losmandy tripod might be the limiting factor rather than the mount head? :question:

Kunama
02-03-2015, 05:35 PM
Only a cheaper alternative if you don't intend on using encoders/DTC.
Once you add the cost of the encoders you're pretty close to the T-Rex.
A very nice looking mount though ......


$2148 vs $2183.

The real question is when Losmandy will come out with the Motors and Gemini to suit this AZ-8 :question::question:

Camelopardalis
02-03-2015, 06:29 PM
Good point. The dustbin shape of the SCT might make it doable moreso than a large frac.

killswitch
02-03-2015, 09:50 PM
It should be able to do a 15kg+ scope as long as its counter balanced evenly on the other side. The bearings and column should be solid enough, it weights 13lbs!



Yes true but you do get two saddles.

Deep field scope on one side and rich field finder on the other!

Wavytone
03-03-2015, 02:59 PM
Seriously considering this mount for 2 x 180mm Maks. I'd equip it with the encoders, Argo Navis and SkyFi to make it PUSH-TO when coupled to an iPad/iPhone running SkySafari. My only concern is shimming the dovetails to make the scopes reasonably parallel.

The Skywatcher AZ-EQ6 is nice but overkill...