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So much seems to about the mount.
Hi all,
I have been through a medical scare recently and it’s given me resolve to proceed with investing in some quality observing equipment for myself and the family. The kids have done little observing, so any scope will be an adventure for them. I would prefer to buy quality beginner gear that will step me up from the spotting scope on camera tripod that we are currently using.
Storage space is a premium so it has to be small, scopes do spend more time being stored than used. Additionally it will likely ride in the boot as I will have opportunity to spend a night or two outside my city's air and light pollution and do some more serious observing.
A DOB is not really an option for me to store. The fully collapsible truss jobs just too expensive. I wish someone would make an all metal, packable, UltraCompact truss DOB with 8 inch mirror for a good price.
That said I am looking at initially perhaps a Tak FS-60Q. I would perhaps later add a OTA in the form of a 5 or 6" Mak. Mount is where I am stumbling. It seems to me that a lot of the setup is in the mount. The mount can easily cost more than the OTA.
Every time I consider mounts I keep coming back to the Vixen GPD2 on price and quality. There is I understand also an added cost to adapt the Tak to the Vixen. Would this mount suit the FS-60Q or is it over/under kill for the job? How about the newer Vixen AP? What would be a good mount choice for the above?
I could venture so Astrophotography down the track so am convinced a good GEM mount is for us.
Many thanks for the replies.
Tim
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