Suggestions For An Alt-Az Mount For An ED120

[DJ N]

Hi everyone.

I want to purchase an alt-az mount for my ED120. This will enable me to take a scope on our upcoming getaway with out compromising too much on “loading space” in the car for the rest of the family ;).

All up, the scope weighs around 6kg. I do have a Moonlite focuser with the DC motor on this scope, so that should at least minimise vibrations when focusing.

After perusing a number of the suppliers, I am finding it difficult finding many alternatives.

One which does seem interesting is the Vixen Porta Mount II. According to the manufacturer’s website, it has a capacity of 20 lbs (9.1 kg).

http://www.vixenoptics.com/mounts/porta2.html

Anyone had experience with this mount? I believe is an upgrade to the original Porta Mount which had 10 lbs (4.5kg) capacity.

I suppose the other contenders could be the Skywatcher T-mount and also the Bintel (GSO) Skyviews…….. I realise there are other alternatives such as the Televues and so forth, but not really wanting to spend that much. I was also thinking about a "small" GEM such as the EQ3 or EQ5, but I think I would prefer the simplicity of an alt-az.


Looking forward to some suggestions.

Cheers,

Daniel

[casstony]

I'm not sure there's an ideal option for carrying your scope. A used EQ5 with steel legs converted to alt-az would be stable but not quite as portable as the Porta mount.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=71298&highlight=eq5

[dannat]

I still thunk there a bit tinnie', a used William optics altaz with wood tripod would be good, of the ones I look at in store the skywatcher with the stainless steel legs seems pretty sturdy

[jjjnettie]

iOptron Mini Tower?
I love mine for visual work. It's got a huge database and the goto is super accurate.

[alistairsam]

I havent used it but there is a discmount for sale in the classifieds which is an alt az mount and doesnt need counterweights, its not that expensive either.
looks interesting. it can fit encoders as well.
http://www.discmounts.com/

meade has a mount similar to the ioptron which can be used as a alt/az or equatorial.
not sure of the weight carrying capacity though.
6Kg's should be easy enough for most decent mounts.

[jamespierce]

If we could justify it all at I'd be buying that Disc Mount DM6 too... Perfect for a big refractor in an Alt Az setup... Pop an argo navis on it and you would be set.

[DJ N]

Hey thanks for the comments everyone. Will investigate each of the options further.

To be honest, I am not too concerned about goto, as I do have the EQ6 Pro for that. This will be more so for casual viewing when away and limited by the amount of equipment I can take. That was my thinking for a simple alt-az.

I will let everyone know what I end up with. Whichever way, will be getting something in the next few weeks. I might investigate this Porta Mount II a bit further and maybe then can do a first light review.

Thanks all:thumbsup:

Daniel

[jjjnettie]

As an addendum, the Mini Tower can run on 8 AA batteries so no need for an external power supply.

[DJ N]

Thanks for that Jeanette. At least it would mean no need to take along the power pack.

Cheers,

Daniel

[mercedes_sl1970]

Another option is the Giro mount - very robust, simple and good weight capacity. Not sure if they are available locally?

Andrew

[DJ N]

Hi all,

I have got a box sitting at my feet......... cannot wait to go home tonight!!!!

Ultimately, decided on the Skywatcher AZ4 mount with the stainless steel legs. I have read favourable reviews on it on a couple of the overseas astro forums, and so managed to get a real good price from a local dealer.

Hopefully can get a first light in tonight. Fingers crossed it will carry the 6kg OTA with ease........

Will try and post some photos once I have put it all together.


cheers,

Daniel

[MortonH]

Not sure about "with ease" but it will carry the ED120. This was the mount used when Sky & Telescope reviewed the scope.

If it's not up to it, Andrews has a "New AZ mount" heavy-duty alt-azimuth "dual-telescope" mount with tripod. Accepts up to 10kg. of weight on each side of the mount". Price is $299.

I believe this is probably the Skytee-2, which according to forums in the UK is actually capable of handling TWO 15kg scopes!!! I have it on a
Meade LXD75 tripod and it handles my 7" Mak easily. The Mak weighs around 9kg with accessories.

http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astronomy/Astro-Mounts-Skywatcher.asp?p=0_10_2_0_91



Regards

Morton

[DJ N]

Well had a very quick first light. The mount holds the ED120 quite easily. With the 24mm Panoptic in place, when I give the scope a very solid tap, damping time is about 6 to 8 seconds. However, as I have the DC motor Moonlite focuser, this does eliminate the need for touching the scope during focusing.

As part of first light, did a quick view of Jupiter with the 24mm Panoptics, 13mm Nagler and a 6mm TMB Planetary. At 150x, Jupiter was quite steady in the mount, then a slight nudge to recentre.....no problems.

There is adjustment to the amount of tension in both alt and az and this seems to work quite well.

I tried to "push over" the scope, but the stainless steel tripod is quite stable.

Absolutely no problem moving the whole mount and scope in one go. In fact, a very 'balanced' feel to it.

If I had to fault it, probably the fact that there is only a single screw retaining against the dovetail.


But all in all, a very positive first light!!


Cheers,

Daniel