Becoming more mobile

[Brent274]

Hi All,

My current gear is way to big and bulky to be mobile. To give you an idea, I have an 750x150 Newtonian telescope, HEQ5 Pro Mount, plus all the other trims. The trouble is I can’t keep it semi permanent setup at home cause the is no space and also I do a lot of camping so picking up and moving around is daunting.

I was looking at the WilliamsOptics range with something like the star adventurer mount. Is this a good way to go or other recommendations would be appreciated

Thanks in advance

Brent

[that_guy]

whats your budget?

[multiweb]

If you move around much I'd get rid of the Newt and replace it with a small refractor like an ED80 on a light mount.

[Outcast]

Do you want the scope for visual or Astrophotography purposes or both?

[Wavytone]

If budget is not a concern one of these babies https://www.365astronomy.com/crux-170hd-harmonic-drive-mount-up-to-18kg-capacity.html
Plus a wooden lightweight tripod from Berlebach and a scope of your choice - maybe an 80mm APO or a 127-150mm maksutov.

You’d need a small SLA battery to power it too, say 9AH.

[LewisM]

I sold my bulky EM200 and Tak FSQ-106 and scaled WAY WAY down to a Tak FS-78 and a SW EQM-35 mount. Fully loaded, I can pick up and carry the entire rig with zero effort out the door to the side yard. LOVE it - back to how I used to love astronomy! Never have had aperture fever, never will.

Just couldn't be bothered carrying out the big stuff any more. I am not going permanent setup ANY TIME soon.

[Wilso]

Yeah I do a lot of camping as well , so if you go off road you don’t want anything that will need collimation every time you set up. There’s some very nice refractors and mounts on offer in the classifieds, depends on your budget and preferences. I personally just take my binos when camping and just enjoy being away!

[Ukastronomer]

100% in fact I got this to go with my scopes and it is now the most used, birding, Ha, etc

72mm Ed Skywatcher I use it on a Gitzo tripod

[xelasnave]

Welcome Brent.
I have been there.
You may find an 80 mm with the heq5 will work.
Every fortnight I lug the 115 mm the 80 mm and heq5 and camera etc do that each two weeks so that it's no longer a problem. Last trip I had the eq6 and eight inch as well...you just need to be patient loading and setting up..and so many trips (750 KLM) and it will be cloudy or smokey. Work with what you have is my advice. Lugging what you have is not the end of the world..it's already a liite but powerful setup.
You gotta do what you gotta do��
Alex