Question about AZ3 mount

[Darth Wader]

I'm looking at getting a 150mm x 1200mm Skywatcher refractor soon - would an AZ3 mount handle the weight (OTA apparently weights 5.09Kgs)?

Cheers
Wade

[GeoffW1]

Hi Wade,

The AZ3 is very lightweight and wobbly (I have one just now). I don't think it would be a good combination, especially that long tube model OTA.

Did you see the Skywatcher 150 mm Mr Gazer has for sale here (pickup in Orange NSW tho) ?

Cheers

[chris lewis]

No - a long tube 150mm would be very unsafe. With the AZ3 I have tried a Orion ED80mm - works very well, an Orion ED100 mm- getting towards the limit but doable, a Skywatcher ED120 - no just very unsafe and unstable and a finally a short tube 150 /F5 - again really that is too much also and was unsafe.
I have read on a forum that some have done with a short tube 150 F/5 it but I would hate to see it tip over . It is the length / over hang of the tube really that makes it unstable on a AZ3. Some have used a 6in. SCT with reasonable results.

Chris

[pgc hunter]

To put it bluntly.... not a chance.