Which Alt/Az Mount for Megrez II SD?

[Miaplacidus]

Hi Guys,

This is my first post here (actually, my first post anywhere), so I'll apologize in advance for any etiquette goofs I happen to make. (Excellent place you've got here, by the way.)

I've tried searching the site for suggestions but couldn't see that anyone had asked a similar question. I've just bought the Megrez II package from Frontier Optics (nice work, Daniel), and my previous suspicions are now confirmed, namely, my Giottos camera tripod is just barely adequate to the task. Since this is intended for the ultimate in quick-look scopes, I don't want to stick in on a GEM, and figure I'll need something like a Manfrotto mount (I tried out the 190 Pro B tripod and the 486 RCZ Ball Head mount today, and they were pretty good). I need something that will allow me to point the Megrez at zenith. Before committing, I thought I'd seek your expert advice about the best way to mount this scope.

Thanks for your help.

[iceman]

Hi Brian!
:welcome: to the forum! We've got a collection of growing tassie members, which is good to see! Spread the word among your southern neighbours! :)

Another forum member, grandpanancy has the same scope I think (bought from the same place), and his is on an alt/az mount as well, just a camera tripod I think. Search for posts by him and you might see some pictures of his setup.

I think you'll have to go something quality like a manfrotto to be able to hold the scope steady enough, you certainly don't want any slippage of the head or wobbling in the wind.

Daniel is also a forum member (frontieroptics), so you could also try sending him a PM and see what he recommends.

[ausastronomer]

Hi Brian and welcome to the group.

You can buy a proper alt/az telescope mount from Andrews Comms called the AZ-3. This mount is specifically designed for the job at hand. The mount is manufactured by Synta in China and is a clone of the precision Vixen Custom D, Alt AZ mount, which I believe is no longer available. The Synta AZ-3 has a few minor balancing issues out of the box but can be easily modified to work well. Here are some articles on modifying it.

http://www.spacegazer.com/balancing-an-az-3-mount-g.asp
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=401&pr=2x8x35


CS-John B

[Miaplacidus]

Hi Mike, hi John. Thanks for your replies. I've heard of the AZ-3 mount but was unaware that there was a supplier in Australia. I'll get in touch with Lee at Andrews, but first I better check out Mike's suggestions. Thanks again,

Brian.

[Starkler]

Got a cheap eq mount doing nothing?

I did and by removing the pin in the base and converting the bottom part to a bearing I was able to make a nice serviceable alt-az mount with fine adjust controls out of it :)

[Miaplacidus]

Geoff, there are far too many geniuses in this hobby! (Makes it embarrassing for us ordinary guys.) Great idea!

:bowdown:

[beren]

Tried the idea on my EQ5 mount , took a few minutes and bingo a ALt mount, what a pearler of a idea, great for a short tube 120mm refractor :D

[Starkler]

Even better if you can ditch the counterweight and bar :)

I reckon these mounts new on the market look good.
http://www.helix-mfg.com/hercules.htm

[beren]

just worried about the weight off-set but its okay plus using the counterweight bar as the moving point instead of touching the scope works well . Only drawback for general sweeping and keeping the dec unlocked the OTA needs to be balanced which means the diagonal will be lower to the ground when looking higher in the sky {some wrap around gym weights should remedy this}. Using the scope in this mode for a while last night was great.

[Starkler]

By positioning the RA axis Im able to put the centre of gravity pretty close to the centre of the tripod. This works as my main az bearing is now a plastic bearing (milk bottle washers) that sits between the eq head and the base which the tripod legs attach to. My aim was to make the whole setup as light and easy to transport as possible which means I have to reverse the mods if I ever want to use it again as an eq (which isnt likely).

[johnno]

Hi All,
Thanks Geoff,
What a Brilliant idea,I have converted my 20 yr old vixen gp mount to alt az for the ed80,it works a treat,also much lighter by removing the counterweight,which is no longer needed.
I can now swing the scope to any position simply by releasing the 2 locks,retighten,and using the slow motion controls keep track of any object.
Thanks again.
Regards.John

[dhumpie]

That's a great idea. I just got a 102mm f/5 as a dark sky scope as I hate carrying my C6 (6" f/5) EQ down 3 flights of stairs with the weights and all. Will try your method out Geoff and see if I can do away with the weights. Does yours balance nicely??? If so that will be a brilliant solution to my carrying woes :)

Darren

[Starkler]

The trick is the new bottom bearing which means you arent relying on the old RA axis for the azimuth movement. I leave the RA locked with the scope as close to the centre of the tripod as the legs will allow without banging into them at zenith.

I also had to add a wire tie around the bottom to stop the whole lot falling forward as I couldnt tighten the polar altitude adjusment enough to secure it. See photo above.

[dhumpie]

I will be investigating that. Last night I tried the new/old (it is a second hand OTA) 102mm f/5 on the EQ but did not bring the head all the way back so that OTA is level with the tripod head and could not get it to balance without the counterweights. Will try it again on the weekend. Problem is my C6 (6"f/5) shares the same mount as the new refarctor and this EQ mount is a very poor EQ3 clone :)

Darren

[beren]

Tried the idea with my 20x80 binos , made up a rough "prototype" adapter thingo to attach the binoculars to the mounts dovetail plate . It was a rushed effort but it worked , much sturdier then the camera tripod i normally use and using the slo-mo controls makes observing easier . Need to get higher to make it more comfortable when pointing near zenith.

[iceman]

Very nice Stuart! When you've got it working, you should write a how-to!