Telescope Reviews: Mount for TEC160ED

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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

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southmike
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/22/04

Loc: Fayetteville, NC

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: scope dog]
#2434797 - 06/02/08 10:56 AM

is the atlux a goto mount?

Post Extras:

scope dog
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 07/26/04

Loc: USA

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: southmike]
#2434923 - 06/02/08 12:00 PM

The one Eric is using is the new Atlux w/skybook.
This model uses different motors, well the gear box is high precision and much higher toque than the older Atlux. I like the Skybook very advance and simple. It seems to automaticly do time consuming things. Like when you zoom on a object, the align button is displayed and the mount adjust
speed for this process of aligment.
In than manual is states 22kg (48lbs) excluding counter weights " my mistake". manual

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Paul G
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/08/03

Loc: Freedonia

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: gordianknot]
#2437051 - 06/03/08 12:00 PM

Quote:

AP says on their web site: "Will accommodate Astro-Physics and similar fast refractors up to our 160mm f7.5 StarFire EDF, 8" - 11" SCT's and 6" - 8" Maks"

I've had my 155 f7 on the Mach 1, no issues at all. The 900 would be my long term choice if extreme portability isn't important.

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southmike
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/22/04

Loc: Fayetteville, NC

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: Paul G]
#2437075 - 06/03/08 12:09 PM

how heavy is your speed racer unit..

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blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories

Reged: 07/20/07

Loc: California

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: insinu8]
#2437228 - 06/03/08 01:33 PM Attachment (58 downloads)

How about a Losmandy G-11? I handles my 5" f/9 and 3" f/11.3 piggy backed quite well and does astrophoto with it.
Blueman

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insinu8
sage

Reged: 01/22/08

Loc: Sunnyvale, CA

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: blueman]
#2477129 - 06/23/08 12:57 AM

I've found a G-11 tripod for a good price. Anyone know of an adapter I can get to put the Atlas on it?

The reason I got the G-11 tripod was so I could mount a DM-6 on it, btw

And yes, I plan to use both the DM-6 and the Atlas for the 160ED (If I can find someone who makes an adapter for the Atlas/G-11)

I may start another thread to see if anyone knows of an adapter for this...

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SPACEMAN
sage

Reged: 01/30/05

Loc: grömme,Belgium

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: scope dog]
#2477309 - 06/23/08 05:21 AM

Just go for an Atlas EQ6 mount. Can handle the load.

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blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories

Reged: 07/20/07

Loc: California

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: insinu8]
#2479424 - 06/24/08 02:41 AM Attachment (77 downloads)

The choice is clear of course, but the money is way over my head.

Blueman

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Jared
Post Laureate

Reged: 10/11/05

Loc: Piedmont, California, U.S.

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: southmike]
#2482233 - 06/25/08 12:33 PM

Quote:

how heavy is your speed racer unit..

I'm not Paul, but I do own a Mach1. The head is 36 pounds (per the Astro-Physics spec sheet--I haven't actually weighted mine). That's actually quite light for its capacity. It is physically about the same size as a G-11, though I manage to fit it in the same Pelican 1600 case that I used for my GM-8. In fact, it fits in the case a little better than the GM-8 since the motors don't stick out to the sides (which required I remove them every time I packed up the GM-8).

Post Extras:

insinu8
sage

Reged: 01/22/08

Loc: Sunnyvale, CA

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: Jared]
#2687985 - 10/08/08 08:38 PM

An update on this situation:

I just got the call. My 160ED is shipping in the next 2 weeks!

I also talked about mounts with some folks and another idea came up. Takahashi EM-400. This would be comparable (fairly close) with the AP900GTO I'm thinking of. Someone said I should consider the AP1200 but that's just too hefty for me to consider moving about.

Any input comparing the AP900 to the EM-400?

Post Extras:

Bill Cowles
MacGyver

Reged: 04/16/06

Loc: Utah

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: insinu8]
#2688235 - 10/08/08 11:11 PM Attachment (67 downloads)

The Celestron CGE is also a nice mount for a TEC 160.

Bill

Post Extras:

RAKing
Postmaster

Reged: 12/28/07

Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: insinu8]
#2688761 - 10/09/08 09:55 AM Attachment (48 downloads)

Christopher,

Congrats on your impending new scope.

I'm sorry I came into this thread so late, but I had a nice adapter made for my Atlas mount that allows me to use the A-P 6 inch Portable Pier.

The folks who made my adapter (ATS) are out of business, but you could easily have one made by a good machine shop. The cost was about $250 - way under the cost of a new mount, etc.

On the A-P pier, that Atlas can easily carry your TEC 160.

Take care,

Ron

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NHRob
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/27/04

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: RAKing]
#2688901 - 10/09/08 11:35 AM

Ron,
Do you still use the Atlas on the portable pier or have you downgraded to the GM8 in its place?

I am thinking of getting an AP portable pier ... 6", 48" high ... to try with my Unistar. I'm thinking it will be an upgrade in stability from the wood surveyor's tripod.

Rob

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RAKing
Postmaster

Reged: 12/28/07

Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: NHRob]
#2689157 - 10/09/08 01:31 PM

Quote:

Do you still use the Atlas on the portable pier or have you downgraded to the GM8 in its place?

Rob,

I prefer to call it "downsizing", not a downgrade. The Losmandy is a superb piece of workmanship.

I still have the Atlas and it still works well, but my back has been acting up so I prefer the lighter GM-8 with the TV-102 or the I-M 703. Both mounts are super stable and super accurate.

I could not believe how much difference the pier made over the stock tripods. It was well worth the expense. BTW - it also breaks down and transports easily.

Ron

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EricCCD
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 04/14/04

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: RAKing]
#2689187 - 10/09/08 01:43 PM

FWIW,

It appears that ATS is reopening for business.

Eric

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LLEEGE
True Blue

Reged: 03/03/05

Loc: Cloud-chester,NY

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: insinu8]
#2689218 - 10/09/08 01:59 PM

Quote:

An update on this situation:

I just got the call. My 160ED is shipping in the next 2 weeks!

I also talked about mounts with some folks and another idea came up. Takahashi EM-400. This would be comparable (fairly close) with the AP900GTO I'm thinking of. Someone said I should consider the AP1200 but that's just too hefty for me to consider moving about.

Any input comparing the AP900 to the EM-400?

Tak makes fine mounts. The EM400 is going to be heavier then the 900. The EM400 will also require a 24v power source to get 500x slew speeds. The EM400 requires a computer or PDA for GOTO function. The EM400 includes 2 CW's. The EM400 is $500 cheaper. They both are spec'ed at +/-3.5". The EM400 includes the world class PA scope. It's a tough call, but I think the 900 is more portable.

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RAKing
Postmaster

Reged: 12/28/07

Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: EricCCD]
#2689299 - 10/09/08 02:35 PM

Quote:

FWIW, It appears that ATS is reopening for business.

Eric,

Thanks. That is great news. ATS does nice work.

Ron

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insinu8
sage

Reged: 01/22/08

Loc: Sunnyvale, CA

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: RAKing]
#2690080 - 10/09/08 09:35 PM

Ron,

Wow, that's what I have been looking for. And now, thanks to Eric's news, I'll wait patiently until next week and then contact ATS to see if I can get a hold of one of those adapters. Maybe they could make one for my G-11 tripod?

Did they give you a part number? Any way to identify it so I could order one as well?

I had no idea the EM-400 was so, uh...complicated. Sounds like maybe I'll stick to my guns and wait for my pennies to keep breeding while I watch for that e-mail about the AP900GTO...of course, in the meanwhile, if I can get that ATS adapter for my Atlas and find a 48" tall AP portable pier, or get the G-11 tripod adapter instead .... well!

Post Extras:

RAKing
Postmaster

Reged: 12/28/07

Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: insinu8]
#2690686 - 10/10/08 09:17 AM Attachment (46 downloads)

Quote:

Wow, that's what I have been looking for. And now, thanks to Eric's news, I'll wait patiently until next week and then contact ATS to see if I can get a hold of one of those adapters. Maybe they could make one for my G-11 tripod?

Did they give you a part number? Any way to identify it so I could order one as well?

Christopher.

It's a custom part and I'm sure they could turn it to fit any tripod you specify. If Stephan is still there, he should have the specs I sent. If not, PM me and I can get them to you.

My adapter is out on loan right now, but I can get it back and measure it. I've attached another photo and you can see it's not a difficult machining job. But ATM does a lot of extra work to make it light and fit well.

Take care and best of luck with your new scope.

Ron

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NHRob
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/27/04

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

[Re: RAKing]
#2690980 - 10/10/08 12:06 PM

Ron,
Very nice adapter. Btw, what height pier are you using?
I am thinking of 48" high, 6" pier.

Rob

Post Extras:

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