Quote:
Originally Posted by redeye64
Been looking for an upgrade for my 500/102 which is on a AZ2 tripod. lt seems almost every store worldwide has none in stock that l wanted (was primarily interested in a skywatcher az5), ended up with a saxon az5 with steel tripod after 3 days of hunting......why the dearth of az5 sized mounts? ls it a consequence of covid?
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The manufacturer(s) of those alt-azimuth mounts are rather generous in designating them as AZ5s, as that implies that they are the alt-azimuthal equivalent of an EQ-5. They're rather more like AZ3s or AZ4s at most(EQ-3, or the rare EQ-4).
No, even before the troubles began, it has always been difficult to source the larger alt-azimuth mounts, strangely as they seem to be more popular. This is a true AZ5, and the alt-az equivalent of an EQ-5...
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt...uth-mount.html
It even has the same clamping levers for each axis, just like those of an EQ-5.
The Saxon "AZ5" is actually a bit more robust, supportive, over the Sky-Watcher "AZ5". I would regard the Saxon as an AZ4, and the Sky-Watcher as leaning more towards an AZ3. Incidentally, the Saxon is the same as this one sold in the U.S....
https://explorescientificusa.com/pro...ilight-1-mount
This is my Astro-Tech "Voyager I"(GSO) alt-azimuth, and along the lines of an AZ4 as well, but not quite up to that of a true AZ5...
There are mods for the Saxon "AZ5"/ES "Twilight I", and for improving the stability and supportiveness...
https://www.google.com/search?q=expl...h=657&biw=1366
I, personally, would take the Saxon over the Sky-Watcher any day, but the Sky-Watcher "SkyTee-2" over both of those.