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View Full Version here: : Alt-Az Mount - withdrawn from sale


Stu
28-01-2006, 01:31 PM
This is a Motorised Alt-Az mount based on the popular AZ3. There are sigificant improvements though. The original AZ3 had trouble balancing long refractors and some other heavier scopes on the Alt axis, because it was only held steady by friction. This made balancing critical. BUT this version has an Altitude axis lock and a strenthened Azmith axis lock so that this no longer a problem (and increases the amount of weight the mount can carry).

The Motorised part is based on two motors with 50kg/cm torque (much much bigger than the standard motors in chinese mounts) and they replace the manual fine tune controls traditionally found on the AZ3. Slew speed is 1-2 degrees per second over about 20-30 degrees range (enough to pan around a bit before you hit the end stop and have to reverse).

Oh yeh, the left right buttons are switched so the image moves in the correct direction when using a diagonal (or a newt). :)

Batteries and charger included. Electronic hand controller with glowing red buttons included. :)

EzyStyles
28-01-2006, 08:43 PM
interested in the mount. I've got a newbie question to ask, will it fit my newtonian? I have a 8" but not sure if this mount will fit. You can find pics of my telescope here:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=7108

Also, since this is motorised, can i use starry night (astro program) on this?

Thanks.

EzyStyles
28-01-2006, 08:44 PM
oh another question, what are some major advantage over EQ mount?
thanks

Stu
28-01-2006, 10:17 PM
With an EQ mount you can track stars as they move across the sky, by only moving one axis. If you point an EQ mount directly at the south pole, you only have to move the RA axis to track a star.

With an Alt-Az mount you will have to move both axis to track an object. The Meade and Celestron fork mounted scopes do this with complicated electronics.

The mount I'm selling does not track stars. It is more useful for panning around the sky with a wide field eyepiece installed in you scope. Or it's a great travel mount for a small scope.

The 8" would probably fit but it would be better with a smaller scope. I'd say 6" would be the limit.

Stu
30-01-2006, 09:23 PM
I've only got a few days before I pick up the Tak so if the mount is not sold by then I'll keep it as my "going camping" mount.

Rodstar
08-02-2006, 07:57 PM
I note Stu, that this was withdrawn. If you are however interested in selling, can you PM me re what price you were thinking?

Cheers!