Quote:
Originally Posted by GodsPetMonkey
The heaviest load I put on mine comes in at 11.2kg, and it handles that just fine. I did need some new counter weights though; the two it come with were practically hanging off the edge to balance it, so a new EQ6 counterweight has been added.
However, that setup is pretty squat, based around an Esprit 100 with extras strapped on top, so the weight is nicely distributed and easy to keep over the centre of gravity. It’s more temperamental when I use the Vixen VC200l, but it’s weight is poorly distributed and quickly becomes a wind sail in anything more than a very light breeze - but weighs less then 9kg all up. A big solid tube newt would be asking for trouble I think!
I think the advertised weight limit is ‘right’, but in common practice for these consumer mounts, apply the rule of two-thirds and keep weight to about 10kg. Over that and it’s down to things are built and distributed. The mount is a good performer though, from my backyard in Brisbane, where seeing is rarely better than ok-ish, I get 0.7 to 1” total RMS error per PHD2 in otherwise good conditions. It’s no AP or Paramount killer, but I’m pretty happy with that for a small, light and easy transported mount.
|
Thankyou, good to know..
Won't be putting a big solid tube Newt on it.. my Vixen R130SF is only 650mm long & quite light.. Would carry that or Meade 80mm triplet for AP duties in EQ mode & an Intes M715D for visual & planetary in Alt/Az mode so, pretty happy it would do the job I need after chatting with Tony & from what you have posted...
Be keen to know if anyone has experience with the pier/tripod setup; I live in Cairns & with no moveable azimuth peg (ala the Celestron tripods) I will need either the pier/tripod mounted version or an extension pier on the full tripod model in order to not hit a tripod leg with the counterweights...
Now, just need my CG5 to break (
) or come into some money or sell more body parts...
Cheers