Scarcity of alt-az mounts

[redeye64]

Been looking for an upgrade for my 500/102 which is on a AZ2 tripod. lt seems almost every store worldwide has none in stock that l wanted (was primarily interested in a skywatcher az5), ended up with a saxon az5 with steel tripod after 3 days of hunting......why the dearth of az5 sized mounts? ls it a consequence of covid?

[raymo]

Just about all imported astro equipment is in short supply due to COVID,
but don't worry, you got your Skywatcher AZ5; Saxon just put their name
on Synta equipment, and other manufacturers products too.
raymo

[Eldest_Sibling]

The manufacturer(s) of those alt-azimuth mounts are rather generous in designating them as AZ5s, as that implies that they are the alt-azimuthal equivalent of an EQ-5. They're rather more like AZ3s or AZ4s at most(EQ-3, or the rare EQ-4).

No, even before the troubles began, it has always been difficult to source the larger alt-azimuth mounts, strangely as they seem to be more popular. This is a true AZ5, and the alt-az equivalent of an EQ-5...

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth-astronomy-mounts/skywatcher-skytee-2-alt-azimuth-mount.html

It even has the same clamping levers for each axis, just like those of an EQ-5.

The Saxon "AZ5" is actually a bit more robust, supportive, over the Sky-Watcher "AZ5". I would regard the Saxon as an AZ4, and the Sky-Watcher as leaning more towards an AZ3. Incidentally, the Saxon is the same as this one sold in the U.S....

https://explorescientificusa.com/products/twilight-1-mount

This is my Astro-Tech "Voyager I"(GSO) alt-azimuth, and along the lines of an AZ4 as well, but not quite up to that of a true AZ5...

281087

There are mods for the Saxon "AZ5"/ES "Twilight I", and for improving the stability and supportiveness...

https://www.google.com/search?q=explore+scientific+Twiligh t+I+mods&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiohLiez47zAhXSglMKHXl6Cv sQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=explore+scientific+Twilight+I+mo ds&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1D0NVj1cGCZdGgAcAB4 AIABqQGIAaoQkgEEMS4xOJgBAKABAaoBC2d 3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=mg1JYajPC9KFzgL59KnYDw&bih=657&biw=1366

I, personally, would take the Saxon over the Sky-Watcher any day, but the Sky-Watcher "SkyTee-2" over both of those.

[Eldest_Sibling]

Actually, the two differ...

https://i.imgur.com/ClndEr6.jpg

[doug mc]

Here is a picture of the mods i made to my twilight 1.
Strengthened the vertical arm with two laminated pieces of plywood. Also drilled and tapped four extra 1/4 inch UNC holes in mounting plate to vary the vertical arm position. I didn't need to lower the arm by 45 degrees, so i put in extra tapped holes at around 23.5 degree position and two extra(top and bottom) for extra clamping.