#1  
Old 09-05-2021, 11:06 AM
garymck (Gary)
Registered User

garymck is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Geelong
Posts: 788
Skywatcher AZGTI + Esprit 80mm?

Hi,

wondering if anyone has any experience of the Skywatcher AZGTI in equatorial mode with an Esprit 80mm or similar with a camera? The Esprit is a bit weighty, but since the equatorial mode has a counterweight for dec, and thus things can be balanced well, seems like it might work?

Opinions/experiences please...
TIA
Gary
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-05-2021, 09:50 PM
Camelopardalis's Avatar
Camelopardalis (Dunk)
Drifting from the pole

Camelopardalis is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 5,425
Gary,

Waaaayyy too heavy. It’s not just about the balance but the pressure on the gear train. It just wasn’t designed for the tracking precision for imaging with that sort of payload...

Most I’ve used is a WO Z61 + Canon and it does OK.

If you fancy stripping it down and giving a re-lube and a bit of tuning, you may have some luck. An Esprit 80 is still not a small scope though.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-05-2021, 07:43 AM
garymck (Gary)
Registered User

garymck is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Geelong
Posts: 788
Thanks Dunk, will give it a miss...any ideas for a super lightweight mount for the Esprit 80?
cheers
Gary
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-05-2021, 09:28 AM
Steffen's Avatar
Steffen
Ebotec Alpeht Sicamb

Steffen is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Toongabbie, NSW
Posts: 1,965
For imaging or visual? If just visual, the Az-Gti easily swings around an Astro-Tech 80ED (ca. 3-4kg). The tripod is the weakest link, it’s wobbly. It is easily replaced, though, since the mount uses a standard 3/8” photo thread bolt.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-05-2021, 09:37 AM
AstroJunk's Avatar
AstroJunk (Jonathan)
Shadow Chaser

AstroJunk is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Moonee Beach
Posts: 1,909
I have a 100 on an AZ-EQ5 as my travel scope. It's a little larger than I would have hoped for but is a fine mount.

You may be able to get away with the smaller EQM35 provided you don't expect too much from it. Its about as light weight as they get to carry 5kg with some rigidity.

I also considered iOptrons CEM 26 which looks great, but ultimately I chose a mount that could be used in alt-az mode for daytime birding/whale watching etc etc.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-05-2021, 10:24 AM
garymck (Gary)
Registered User

garymck is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Geelong
Posts: 788
Thanks...will have a look at the eq35m pro, rated at 10kg, so might be ok with an imaging load of 6kg...

Gary
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-05-2021, 10:45 AM
Camelopardalis's Avatar
Camelopardalis (Dunk)
Drifting from the pole

Camelopardalis is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 5,425
There's a bit of a gap in the market IMO. I'd go with Jonathan and the AZ-EQ5... be a pretty versatile mount, but not small and light.

Fwiw I find my Esprit to be very sharp, and like to push the resolution limits (challenging in SE QLD!), but as a result it demands a mount that tracks well.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 06:28 PM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement
Testar
Advertisement