Mount for Coronado Solarmax 60

[telecasterguru]

I have a Coronado Solarmax 60 and want to start imaging.

Any suggestions as to a cheap and portable mount?

Thanks

Frank

[Merlin66]

Frank,
A motorised EQ3 would do the job.
(I use a HEQ5 - only because I have one....)

[telecasterguru]

Thanks,

I'll look at the EQ3 but I already have a G11 and wanted something a little bit lighter and easier.

Anything in the Ioptron line maybe.

Frank

[Merlin66]

Frank,
The EQ3 is a "baby" version of the EQ5 - small, light and portable

I think the ioptron is more designed for cameras than small telescopes.....

[barx1963]

I have had some success with just a regular camera tripod with my SM60. With a DMK41 camera I was able to get reasonable results with a 10sec run which gave me 150 frames. The thing I found with using a tripod was I needed a camera with a big enough chip for the entire disc as trying to mosaic it was not successful, hence the DMK 41. I also used an Orion slow motion adaptor to manually track (see http://www.bintel.com.au/Mounts---Tripods/Mount-Accessories/Orion-Precision--br-Slow-Motion-Mount/1168/productview.aspx )
Longer runs I was able to use an old EQ2 mount with an RA. motor.

Best results were in still weather and a heavier duty mount would help, but for starters I was pleased!

Malcolm

[traveller]

There is an iOptron in the classifieds....

[John W]

I presume you have read the IIS equipment reviews - Solarmax 60 Part 2.
There is a really solid alt az mount I use in it - available from Andrews.
Cheers, John W.

[pw]

I recently purchased a Lunt 60mm solar scope, I went with a Celestron Advanced VX mount and it's been great. I'm yet to get a proper astro camera, but it tracks we'll and keeps the sun in the middle of the view for hours.