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Hi Matt
Being left permanently outside would subject the mount and its components (mechanical & electrical/electronic) to accelerated weathering, from extremes of temperature and possible moisture ingress due to condensation on metal parts. Plastics would age more quickly due to UV if directly exposed for long periods. Not too sure what lubricants (oils, greases) are used in the mount and how these would be affected by temperature and possible moisture or dust contamination?
Several years ago I was fortunate enough to correspond with Vixen’s chief design engineer of the Skysensor 2000 GoTo, regarding some MT2 motor problems I was experiencing. I described for him the environment that I was operating the system in, as ranging from -4 ºC to +35 ºC with humidity from 30% to 95%, where dew was forming on the hand controller.
He responded by saying that Vixen tested the SS2K beyond these limits when designing the system, in addition to performing extensive beta testing in the field by experienced amateur astronomers in Japan. He indicated that they had water condensation actually running off the hand controller in their lab tests.
Given the influx of the Chinese Clones, I wonder if their R&D program has a similar rigorous materials and components selection process? Are these clones field tested by experienced amateur astronomers? Given that mounts are hopefully designed and manufactured to be used outdoors, in unheated/uncooled observatories, I wonder how the Chinese Clones will fare over time compared to say the original Vixen designs?
Cheers
Dennis
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