AZ mount for 10" f4.7 OTA

[JoeBlow]

Hi guys,

Wondering if anyone is aware of a suitable, and available, AZ mount for a 10" f4.7 OTA. I'm preferably looking for something as light weight as possible and with slow motion control ability. I'm also not afraid to overload the mount by a few kilos, I've done that before on other mounts with no issues.

Thanks,

Joe

[kon1966]

Hi, there is a combo mount available from skywatcher called Az eq5 synscan which combines both az and you can change to a eq mount.

http://ca.skywatcher.com/product/product/az-eq5-synscan-gps-wpier-tripod/Regards


Kon

[glend]

Since you mentioned slow motion control i will assume your looking for a manual AZ mount. These two are manual push to, with slow mo knobs.

The TS AZ5 might be adequate:

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p4537_TS-Optics-AZ5-Alt-azimuthal-Mount-with-tripod-and-fine-adjustment.html

I have one and it carries weight well, will accept most standard 20mm shaft counterweights as well. A bit stiff when i got mine, some simple adjustments made it smooth. Also known as the SkyTee II i believe. Just buy the head unit, it will sit on any EQ5 type tripod. The Astroshop sells EQ5 tripods.

There is also the Losmandy AZ8:

http://www.losmandy.com/AZ8.html

The Mercedes Benz of AZ push to mounts, with great capacity but more expensive. Has etched setting circles and there is an encoder system available as well. Price is for head only, you will need a tripod for it.

Finally, the Orion UK, knock down Dob mount would certainly carry the 10" f4.7 tube, and weighs just 12kg.
http://www.orionoptics.co.uk/MOUNTS/dobsonianmount.html

[JoeBlow]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm looking for something similar to the TS AZ5. Does it accept manual slow motion control cables?

[glend]

Well maybe if you can source SkyTee accessories. Mine came with just the dual knobs on each axis, but they are removable and have the standard cable attachment end.

[dannat]

ive got a UA unistar in the classifieds

[JoeBlow]

If they have standard cable attachment ends, then I'm guessing they should accept any generic standard slow motion control cables like the ones in the attached photo. Sorry for the many questions, but this was one thing I didn't find any information on when researching this mount.

[JoeBlow]

Does it have cable attachment ends for slow motion control cables like in the photo in my previous post?

[glend]

I can measure the shaft diametre with my micrometre if that will help.

I just did a quick Googke search for SkyTee II cables and found several forum threads on the topic and yes it will accept slo mo cables.

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/128255-fitting-flexible-slow-motion-cables-to-the-skywatcher-skytee-2/

http://s843.photobucket.com/user/sp3nc3r74/media/IMG_1182.jpg.html

[JoeBlow]

Thanks for the links!

[MortonH]

You'll need a serious tripod as well as a strong alt-az head for a 10" Newt. A T-Rex might be the way to go.

[Tinderboxsky]

Yes, a T-Rex would be ideal. However, one will need to be very patient waiting for a second hand one to come onto the market as these are no longer available new.
They are so good I doubt I will ever sell mine.

[glend]

I have mine on an EQ5 tripod and its fine.

[Wavytone]

Ok...

Sky-Tee - had one, sold it. Good for 2 scopes side-by-side e.g. 4" refractors, but a 250mm Newt will be pushing the friendship too far. Simple bush bearings with friction. No slow motions and clutches are effective but crude. No encoders so a push-to setup is not possible.

Discmount DM4/DM6 - A lot better than a SkyTee. The DM4 is inadequate for what you want but a DM6 will easily take a 130mm refractor, C11 or 250mm f/6 Newt just fine. And encoders are available. Side-by-side not possible, and no drives or manual slow motions. Huge oversize bush bearings with friction. Low-res encoders (6k steps) are a factory fitted option, not possible afterwards.

Losmandy AZ8 - as Glen suggested its the benchmark to compare the rest. It's a lot stiffer than a SkyTee, and it has axes that run very free in ball races plus worm drives (both axes) and superb clutches that do what they should. The downside is that if not properly adjusted the worms will be loose and chatter, or too stiff, so you'd better be reasonably mechanically aware and have a set of allen-keys handy. High resolution encoders (311,000 steps/rev) are available from Astro Devices.

AYO mounts - like the SkyTee, with encoders built in (factory fitted) which means you're stuck with low-res ones.

NOTE: With all of these mounts a lot depends on the tripod underneath.

With a SkyTee, the usual Skywatcher tripod is quite simply inadequate and you will need to step up to a surveyors tripod (head to Bunnings).

For the Dismount DM4/DM6 or AYO the tripod is up to you; importing one from DiscMounts is costly; alternatives are a Berlebach Planet or GeOptik Hercules, either will cost well north of $1k.

For the AZ8 Losmandy can supply their LW tripod, its a pretty good one and a bargain.

However.. a Wild-Heerbrugge military theodolite tripod is both stiffer than all the above, and taller (1.8m) which is useful if you have a refractor. look for these on eBay, they do come up occasionally.

FWIW I currently have an AZ8 on a Wild-Heerbrugge tripod and am adding the encoders and a Nexus II (for a push-to setup) and considering motorising it.

[glend]

I would agree with Wavy that the standard tripod that comes with the SkyTee II, aka AZ5, if ordered as a package, is inadequate for your purposes. If you just purchase the head unit, which you can from Teleskop-Express, you can then sit it on your choice of tripods. I use an EQ5 tripod that i picked up from the Astroshop and it works fine with my APO and Edge HD 8 ( not at the same time). I tend to use my Orion Astro binos on the opposite side from the scope, and that makes a great finder scope. The weight maybe an issue with your newt, do you know how much it weighs, it is maybe more than 13kg. The AZ5 also benefits from a tear down, clean and regrease with SynLube, this makes the teflon bearings run much smoother without binding.
Another point to consider with newts is focuser position. Extensions favoured for refractors are not required for newts obviously, unless your trying to improve leg clearance.
BTW most any slo-motion control cables can be used on the AZ5, it has a 6mm shaft These would do:

http://agenaastro.com/agena-flexible-slow-motion-cable-with-rosette-handle-13-5.html

[JoeBlow]

Thanks for all the information everyone.

I'm seriously considering the Skytee, it might not be the sturdiest mount available, but I want something light weight and don't want to spend too much on a mount for a relatively cheap 10" ota. I've found examples of other astronomers mounting a 10" on a Skytee with no serious problems.

Also I'm thinking of putting it on a wooden tripod. Just wondering if it will need counterweights and how accessible the slow motion controls are?

[netwolf]

I have skytee2 and had to replace the saddles with ADM ones as the ones that came with were loose even after tigtenng them. I bought at low price with the knowledge it had issues as it was imported used From uK and had some damage that caused play in alt movement as well as a bend on the az worm this was ok as the other side of the az worm was fine and could be turne from there.

If you follow the uk and us forums you will see common theme of people needing to replace saddles etc. if you got a good mount new and made the upgrades it's a very capable mount. One other point there is no easy way to mount encoders to use a DSC, you'd need a custom encoder mount.

I would suggest th AZ8 is far far better mount. There is skytee2 with some mods for sale on eBay in Perth it's been there for a while, may not be there now. Note skywatcher and there local distributors were of no help in getting parts for this as they dont sell it in Aus.

[glend]

I found a couple of Stargazer forum posts on upgrading the SkyTee2 with Skywatcher motors, and a guy has his mounted on a wedge to turm it into an EQ.

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/118625-the-skytee-2-synscan-goto-mount/

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/159977-skytee-2/

https://stargazerslounge.com/uploads/monthly_12_2011/post-14522-133877705449.jpg

[JoeBlow]

I'll probably be doing the saddle update immediately after purchasing the mount. Also I'm not interested in encoders, so that wont be an issue for me.

I saw the Skytee for sale on eBay, he is asking $800, Andrews Comm is selling them brand new for $500 including the tripod.

[glend]

Joe are you sure the one on the Andrews website us a SkyTee2? I can see one in the Skywatcher section of the website but the photo looks like the Giant Alt-Az mount shown here:

http://www.365astronomy.com/Giant-Alt-Azimuth-Telescope-Mount-with-Stainless-Steel-Tripod.html

The Giant has less capacity than the SkyTee2, no counterweight bar but i guess you could stick a Vixen Bar holder on the other side. Check the specs.

[Wavytone]

I'd say it would be under-mounted. Its doable but I'm not sure its a good idea and it will need (1) a very solid tripod and (2) counterweight or a second scope, or it will fall over sideways.

[Wavytone]

Glen

http://www.365astronomy.com/Giant-Alt-Azimuth-Telescope-Mount-with-Stainless-Steel-Tripod.html

is the same as the one I had 10 years ago. They are surprisingly steady (I had my first Mak on one). Has been sold under various names including SkyTee, though there is another (different) with same name...

Joe, One reason I didn't like it is that the dovetail base is secured to the alt axis with three tiny grub screws that engage a groove machined in the inner boss on the end of the shaft. All the parts are bog-standard aluminium, i.e. quite soft - and there is a high risk the grub screws will strip if you over-tighten them, or worse, they will rip out without any warning if the mount is overloaded with a scope that is too heavy - with the scope landing on the ground.

The second reason I parted with mine is that there is simply no effective adjustment to align the two dovetails if you're using this as a side-by-side setup, and you will have to shim one dovetail just to get them close. to parallel.

IMHO these are really only suitable for scopes up to a 4" f/7 refractor.

I was always worried that my 7" Mak was too heavy at 10kg and I would guess your 10" will strain it even more.

If the crucial parts holding the base on the shaft had been steel or better with much larger screws I'd have been a lot more confident. It's a great shame because otherwise this mount really is incredibly steady and great for grab & go use on a short trip.

[JoeBlow]

I spoke to Andrews Comm last week and confirmed it was the new Skytee 2 he is selling for $499 inc tripod. The photo he has on the website is incorrect. Ive seen photos of people using some heavy scopes on the Skytee 2. The scope I'm looking at using is about 13kg.

[netwolf]

Joe was not aware Andrews sold the skytee2 as the photos are of the old unit.
Note the motors mod that the person did on U.K. Forums is something I have tried to contact him about without success. They key thing is that using the eq5 foto kit you will not be able to do alt/az mode I have tried this. Hence the chap made a wedge to use the skytee2 as an equatorial mount. But then you essentially have an azeq5 without the az.

The eq5 go to kit has a mc board that tells the hbx that it's an eq mc board and so no option to override, unless you can get az mc board from Dobsonian kit.

For capacity with the mods for saddles the skytee2 is a good mount if as you say it's 499 that's. good buy.