Need help identifying this "Tak" clone mount, please - Southern Cross Scopes anyone?

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

I have this eq mount, but it has no identifying markings on it, be it for brand or model. The Bintel dovetail puck I put on the mount, so it has nothing to do with it.

I've looked at many pics of similar mounts, and the best i can do is its head resembles more an EQ6 than an HEQ5 - it certainly is a beefy mount and the same size as an EQ6. But it doesn't have the same electronic connections on the side. The handset controls both axis, but the fastest slewing speed is not very fast.

The mount itself is very sturdy, and didn't skip a beat when I put a C8 on it.

Might anyone be able to shed some light on what this mount might be?

Thanks for looking.

Alex

[mental4astro]

A chance listing on ebay has given me a big clue to this mount:

2004 Southern Cross Sirius reflector on Ebay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Southern-Cross-200mm-Sirius-Reflector-Telescope-/222251569324?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276)

The photos of this scope shows the exact same mount I have. The clue being an old scope retailer called "Southern Cross Telescopes".

I picked up an old 8" f/4 set of optics from an old Southern Cross scope last year. I suspect that it could be a rebranded GSO from a few years ago.

I did a search on Southern Cross 'Scopes and came across this old IIS thread started by Lars also asking about the providence of this same mount. Here Lars actually has spotted a similarity to the Takahashi EM-10 mount, even the EM-11 - the body castings/moldings are identical:

Tak EM-10 Clone mount? (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=140266)

So, I guess I should re-fire Lars original question too on this: does anyone recall Southern Cross Telescopes? Was Southern Cross Telescopes an earlier version of today's Sirius Optics? Anyone have some idea on this mount?

[rrussell1962]

I used to have a 12 inch Southern Cross Dob that I bought from Sirius Optics in, I think 2004. From memory it was a rebranded GSO. Logo and tube colour was the same as in the ebay photo you posted. I can't remember anything about the eq mounts though.