I had a post in the wanted section looking for a Explore Scientific Twilight alt-az Mount. Used to own a heq5pro but I never ended up using it and eventually sold it and now my Celestron Onyx ED80 is looking for a mount. It’s a short tube and eventually my dream is to get a Takahashi 100 so I’m thinking a < 10kg payload should be sufficient.
What are the recommendations for a non motorised manual control alt-az. Something around the 300-350 max. Maybe even if I search second hands. This would be for lunar and planetary viewing. No Astrophoto.
Bintel has the SkyView Deluxe for $399, and can handle a 9Kg payload. I have never used one so I can't comment on how good it is. All the cheaper ones seem to only cope with a 5Kg payload.
I've been contemplating the AZ5 as a smaller alt-az as well. In the thread below you'll see a happy owner using it with a Tak FC100DF on a heavy duty tripod.
I have the 4" version and it has belt drives with an 8:1 reduction which turns out to be fine with a small scope like my 70mm pictured below. The downside with this is that it does not include the counterweight bar or counterweight and its a real ***** to find one that fits and these will add to the cost. Details in my post on page 3 of CN if you need one.
- a dovetail base,
- counterweight shaft, and
- 1kg stainless counterweight
These are all available from TS. You also need a solid tripod to support this, and if you have to buy all the bits including tripod other alternatives may be attractive.
3. Skywatcher AZ5 mount. This is a pure manual alt-az mount, with worms for fine adjustment, nicely made and solid. Ive seen one with a 127mm Mak so small refractors will also fit, no problem.
4. Up your budget a tad and buy the Skywatcher All-View mount.
I tried one and I think it is excellent value, and much underrated IMHO as SW seem to market it as a panorama head for cameras, but it has a full function SYNSCAN GOTO handset, and comes with tripod. It is perfect for small scopes like your 80mm.
I like my Stellarvue M2 mount - works very nicely with my 4” refractor and apparently it is useful up to 130mm-class triplet when attached to a sturdy tripod. Stellarvue’s website states capacity of 25 pounds.
It looks like it would definitely do the job but i can't understand why Skywatcher can't get the concept of non-marring saddles , I purchased a AZ-GTI and before i even used it changed the saddle because if you have expensive rings and dovetails the last thing you want is them marked IMO
I like my Stellarvue M2 mount - works very nicely with my 4” refractor and apparently it is useful up to 130mm-class triplet when attached to a sturdy tripod. Stellarvue’s website states capacity of 25 pounds.
Thanks mate. I think I like it. Even more than the ES Twilight only thing it says it’s only 5kg payload vs the ES Twilight which is 8kg
Payload is 5kg with the lightweight tripod but 9kg with the heavy duty tripod (which is the same as the HEQ5 tripod but with 3/8"-16 bolt instead of 10mm). Pushes the price up a bit though and since the AZ5 is quite new you might have trouble finding a used one.
It looks like it would definitely do the job but i can't understand why Skywatcher can't get the concept of non-marring saddles , I purchased a AZ-GTI and before i even used it changed the saddle because if you have expensive rings and dovetails the last thing you want is them marked IMO
Agreed. And unlike Vixen or GSO models the AZ5 doesn't look as if the saddle can be replaced easily.
Bintel has the SkyView Deluxe for $399, and can handle a 9Kg payload. I have never used one so I can't comment on how good it is. All the cheaper ones seem to only cope with a 5Kg payload.
I have one and it works very well with my 130mm F/5 newt. Andrews has the same model under the "GSO" brand for $299. Great grab n go setup.
The AZ motion on my example is a tad stiff, but it might get worked in with more usage. I only assembled mine last month and has been outside perhaps 5 times. It is however a solid mount and will take an 80mm refractor, most definitely a short tube, with ease. That being said, I haven't suffered "stiction" with mine, and is nice and smooth with my ota. The slo-mos work well, although with the ALT, you have to tighten the locking screw when using it at low elevations and/or with heavy eyepieces. The mount does come with both the 2 slow mo cables, and a big knob, you can substitute them depending on whether you are using a frac or newt. I use the cable on the ALT axis and the knob on the AZ for my newt.
I myself am after an Alt-Az for a 72/432mm refractor, so will be watching this thread with interest Goto, computers, etc need not apply
Last edited by pgc hunter; 08-06-2019 at 09:49 PM.
Great feedback mate. Many thanks. Is the aluminium tripod as stable as the SS?
Quote:
Originally Posted by pgc hunter
I have one and it works very well with my 130mm F/5 newt. Andrews has the same model under the "GSO" brand for $299. Great grab n go setup.
The AZ motion on my example is a tad stiff, but it might get worked in with more usage. I only assembled mine last month and has been outside perhaps 5 times. It is however a solid mount and will take an 80mm refractor, most definitely a short tube, with ease. That being said, I haven't suffered "stiction" with mine, and is nice and smooth with my ota. The slo-mos work well, although with the ALT, you have to tighten the locking screw when using it at low elevations and/or with heavy eyepieces. The mount does come with both the 2 slow mo cables, and a big knob, you can substitute them depending on whether you are using a frac or newt. I use the cable on the ALT axis and the knob on the AZ for my newt.
I myself am after an Alt-Az for a 72/432mm refractor, so will be watching this thread with interest Goto, computers, etc need not apply
IF as has been said you could use an EQ5 mount then that defeats lightweight and portability ease, personally I prefer a heavier mount, sorry, and have one in the car at all times.
The SkyTee re badged for Skywatcher (Synta).
ANY of the skywatcher cheap mounts such as the ones used on the AZ5 and Solar Tracker are terrible, I know, I had one free with a scope see attached, get a decent mount that can hold it's own.
I was going to get an AZ5 with the portable tripod for my newly acquired WO Megrez 72. However, the little fella in person is surprisingly big and heavy, and that is only the OTA itself. The thing legit feels like it is bullet proof. I may have to spring for the steel tripod version! Ofcourse, that also future proofs, leaving open options for more otas down the track.
Last edited by pgc hunter; 09-06-2019 at 11:31 PM.
Goto, computers, etc need not apply 
