92mm F6.65 Stowaway

[Hans Tucker]

Any Stowaway owners here? Your thoughts after using the scope.

Received the long-awaited AP email offering a Stowaway in the next production run.

Don't know why I am second guessing this offer but just curious on what current users think of their scope.

[wavelandscott]

It is a wonderful scope. I use mine for quick grab and go…I am only visual so can not speak to astrophotography.

Quality and convenience in a single package that is so easy to carry around.

I do a lot of public outreach with it and it is a joy.

I am certain that it is capable of much more than I use it for but I have no regrets and it will be included in this stuff my kids have to divide when I die.

[Hans Tucker]

Thanks Scott. Deposit paid .. now I wait. :D

[wavelandscott]

Assuming you have funds available, I believe it is a no-brainer to make the purchase. If you do not like it, you can likely resell it for a profit if you are so inclined.

I hope you enjoy it!

[Peter Ward]

I have a number of AP 'scopes, including the AP92

It's superb....as are all the rest.

Artisans like Rowland are rare birds....rest assured, a well cared for AP scope (apart from being a joy to use) will appreciate in value.

Enjoy!

[Hans Tucker]

I love the new telescope smell. It should be a wearable fragrance

[wavelandscott]

Congratulations! Enjoy the new scope.

[gregbradley]

Congrats on your AP scope. I am sure it will provide plenty of good times.

Greg.

[ChrisM]

I had completely forgotten that I'd even put my name down for a 92 Stowaway, and now I have one!

It will be used as a travel scope, so am hoping to find a lightweight yet sturdy mount - initially for visual observing but probably for some 'light' AP down the track.

I'm interested in any recommendations for a tripod and mount that can comfortably carry about 5 kg, and comes with a hand controller.

[OzEclipse]

Hi Chris,
Congratulations on your new Stowaway. An AP 11GTO can carry 5kg. :rofl:

Seriously, how light? Airline light, or easily throw in the boot light?

Second hand Losmandy Starlapses (discontinued) come up for sale from time to time. A Starlapse will easily handle that sort of load although it has no declination adjustment for AP. The polar finder is sold separately and for some reason costs about $700. I use one for my overseas eclipse travel. I have a home made very strong low to the ground tripod. It only weighs 400g. Very strong and rigid but needs added mass to get the centre of gravity down low. So I buy and tape 1.5L/2L water bottles to each leg once I fly to location. One of the many strainwave type mount offerings from ZWO, IOptron etc would also do the job and they have full GOTO and auto-guiding capability.

Cheers
Joe

[ChrisM]

Hello Joe,

Thanks for your suggestions. With the not-inconsiderable unexpected drain on funds to land the Stowaway 92, I don't have much$ for a fancy mount at this stage.

I'll be packing the kit into a vehicle rather than an aircraft, but on trips, the astro equipment will be competing for space.

I did look at the Starlapse but without dec control, it's not really what I'm after. The strainwave mounts look promising in terms of being small and fairly light weight, but still require a modest outlay. I much prefer to use a hand controller (which not all of them appear to have) rather than a mobile device or laptop.

I like your idea of acquiring your tripod weights on-site! That is quite nifty.
Cheers, Chris

[gregbradley]

IOptron CEM70 is hard to beat. Quite compact and quite accurate.

I was offered a Stowaway a few weeks ago but had to decline as I just got the 110gtx and I already have a CFF 105 f6.

Did a first light finally the other night. The Joshua Bunn adapters worked perfectly.

Greg

[OzEclipse]

If you want economic and not airline friendly, there are frequent listings for belt modded HEQ 5’s for about $1000 or less. Provided you don’t want to add 4kg of cameras and accessories you should get away with an HEQ5. It is not the best around but does meet your requirements for easily car portable and cheap.

I built the lightweight tripod and a diy ultralight tracking head in the late 1990’s for solar eclipse photography before all the micro trackers started coming on the market. I found that I could make the tripod very strong but it was prone to tipping because it had no counterweights. The load sat centred around the polar axis and the longish dec arm could slide laterally to balance the load. But all the weight was hanging forward. Eventually I started using the Losmandy as the head but adapted it to my tripod. Tripod is low profile. I have to sit on the ground.

Joe

[ChrisM]

Thanks Greg - I may well have got 'your' Stowaway, and a nice recent purchase with your 110 gtx too. Thanks for the CEM70 suggestion, but I think it will be too heavy for my needs.

Cheers, Chris

[ChrisM]

Thanks again Joe - I'll check out the HEQ5 too. And all okay on your diy equipment and CoG considerations. As they say, 'Gravity never fails'.

Cheers, Chris