Portable Goto Mounts

[xa-coupe (Jeff)]

I've taken a break from astro for a while for a number of reasons, one of which is a very limited view of the night sky. It gets boring doing the same wedge of the sky all the time.

I have an EQ6 mount so payload was never a problem but I have gained access to a dark site that will severely curtail what weight I can take. I looked at the Star Adventurer GTi but the constant stream of negative reviews has put me off.

I'm using a WO GT81 as an OTA with reducer/ASIAIR/2600MCpro etc so I'd guess it will be over 5kg total so I am planning on downsizing to a Redcat51 in an effort to save weight though keeping everything else if possible.

So to the question, what other portable mounts with goto capability are there that'll do a GT81, if not that a RC51? A HEQ5 is still too heavy.

I'm really only conversant with Skywatcher/Saxon style mounts so I am at a loss as to whatever else may work well.

[xa-coupe (Jeff)]

I might add, 'portable' means I have to be able to carry it by myself for about 500m without rupturing something in my back.

[AdamJL]

What’s your budget, Jeff?
The new harmonic mounts are beyond fantastic but they’re also a bit pricey.
But they are light and work very well.

[xa-coupe (Jeff)]

If I settle on one, I will sell my saxon EQ6 mount to fund it .. so I guess less than $2k, so that kind of rules out the harmonics unfortunately.

[Crater101 (Warren)]

When I sent back my Star Adventurer GTi, I wanted something a bit portable for a similar setup to what you describe. I purchased an iOptron CEM26 with the stainless steel tripod and iPolar scope. The mount and most of the accessories come in a solid case and I find it quite portable. It's a different setup to a Skywatcher rig and takes a little getting used to, but I've found it quite good.


One note. I've paired mine with a modded Canon 60D, and a WO Redcat 51, with a little WO 32mm guidescope on top. With that on the mount, the 5kg counterweight that comes with it is too heavy for that setup. You would have to purchase - as I did - a separate 2kg counterweight to balance it correctly. Not super expensive in itself, but an added cost nonetheless.


Just food for thought. The iOptron would be a little over that $2K budget though.


Good luck!

[xa-coupe (Jeff)]

Originally Posted by Crater101

When I sent back my Star Adventurer GTi, I wanted something a bit portable for a similar setup to what you describe. I purchased an iOptron CEM26 with the stainless steel tripod and iPolar scope. The mount and most of the accessories come in a solid case and I find it quite portable. It's a different setup to a Skywatcher rig and takes a little getting used to, but I've found it quite good.


One note. I've paired mine with a modded Canon 60D, and a WO Redcat 51, with a little WO 32mm guidescope on top. With that on the mount, the 5kg counterweight that comes with it is too heavy for that setup. You would have to purchase - as I did - a separate 2kg counterweight to balance it correctly. Not super expensive in itself, but an added cost nonetheless.


Just food for thought. The iOptron would be a little over that $2K budget though.


Good luck!

thanks mate!

[alan meehan (Alan)]

Hi, Jeff, i know your problem well and it's all a bit confusing with what is on the market today we are are all spoilt for choice. I have a Skywatcher GTI and after a few small problems with the earlier releases. They seem to have. Some of the bugs out my first one had backlash problems. Which i knew i could fix myself. But didn't want to void any warranty.so i sent it back. the price is right for thes mounts so i kept at it and iam so glad i did my replacement now is great to use tracks great, but you cannot overload these mounts originally i had a w\o 90 on it but with camera guide scope etc it was too heavy.keep it portable and this mount does just that the tripod is also important i got the skywatcher tripod as well all up $1400 i my option this mount is as good as it gets and let's face it all gear has some problems you have to overcome somehow but if you want portability this hits the spot ,i suffer with bad arthritis and i can move this around no worries and it has now become my main choice of mount and i have a few hope this helps

[glend (Glen)]

Yes, the concept of what s portable is an individual perception. I have watched people struggle with large Dobs (myself included), and heavy EQ imaging mounts in remote locations. In hindsight, the definition portability definitely changes with age, as the older you get the less portable everything becomes. For most people into imaging, weight has advantages, and many of us gravitate towards observatories if we have the space, resources, etc. Personally, having tried a few light weight portable mounts, I would save my money and buy something that has all round potential, say capable of at least 15kg of imaging load and a good guiding history. Just my 2 cents.

[alan meehan (Alan)]

Hi Glen, how have you been. Yes, you are correct about heavy duty and imaging but also scopes are changing there are scopes out there refractors astrographs that are extremely fast and light, and also wider field lenses are popular that said that's why my large scope stays put in the observatory. these smaller Goto mounts are costing less and working remarkably well. The Gti has 45 arc second of periodic error with autoguiding you can get down to a couple of arc seconds and extremely portable. Take Care Glen clear skies