#1  
Old 16-09-2021, 09:00 AM
redeye64 (Paul)
Registered User

redeye64 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Currarong
Posts: 17
Scarcity of alt-az mounts

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?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 16-09-2021, 02:08 PM
raymo
Registered User

raymo is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: margaret river, western australia
Posts: 6,070
Just about all imported astro equipment is in short supply due to COVID,
but don't worry, you got your Skywatcher AZ5; Saxon just put their name
on Synta equipment, and other manufacturers products too.
raymo
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21-09-2021, 07:47 AM
Eldest_Sibling's Avatar
Eldest_Sibling (Alan)
Registered User

Eldest_Sibling is offline
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Mid-South, U.S.
Posts: 136
Quote:
Originally Posted by redeye64 View Post
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?
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...

Click image for larger version

Name:	ATVI mount18 - reversed2.jpg
Views:	49
Size:	74.7 KB
ID:	281087

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.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 21-09-2021, 08:07 AM
Eldest_Sibling's Avatar
Eldest_Sibling (Alan)
Registered User

Eldest_Sibling is offline
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Mid-South, U.S.
Posts: 136
Quote:
Originally Posted by raymo View Post
Just about all imported astro equipment is in short supply due to COVID,
but don't worry, you got your Skywatcher AZ5; Saxon just put their name
on Synta equipment, and other manufacturers products too.
raymo
Actually, the two differ...

https://i.imgur.com/ClndEr6.jpg
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 22-09-2021, 08:34 AM
doug mc's Avatar
doug mc
Registered User

doug mc is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Mt Tamborine
Posts: 587
Here is a picture of the mods i made to my twilight 1.
Strengthened the vertical arm with two laminated pieces of plywood. Also drilled and tapped four extra 1/4 inch UNC holes in mounting plate to vary the vertical arm position. I didn't need to lower the arm by 45 degrees, so i put in extra tapped holes at around 23.5 degree position and two extra(top and bottom) for extra clamping.
Attached Thumbnails
Click for full-size image (20210922_092356_copy_585x1040.jpg)
150.2 KB52 views
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 08:51 AM.

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