Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Loc: Sunny California
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: ngc2289]
#3043950 - 04/14/09 05:59 PM
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I'm leery of buying anything from a company that could end up going south. Dealers here are pretty upset with WO heavily discounting items on their website, items that if dealers tried to match the price would make hardly any profit for them.
I also collect model trains and soon discovered the manufacturers who sell directly at huge discounts soon discovered they had no dealers. Of course it saved me money, but I do prefer going into a dealer and actually seeing the item I'm thinking about purchasing.
My days of buying sight unseen are over. That goes for just about everything.
Also, now that WO closed its US office and service center, what do people do when they need service? Ship their items to Taiwan? No thanks.
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ngc2289
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/13/05
Loc: Some Where Around The Maypole.
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Starlighter]
#3044170 - 04/14/09 08:14 PM
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The message from W.O. is they are relocating the service center not closing it for good. I do not know where the new location is W.O. didn't mention where they were going. 
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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
Reged: 02/28/06
Loc: Petaluma, CA
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Starlighter]
#3044175 - 04/14/09 08:17 PM
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What US service center? I think all WO has ever had in the US was a sales office.
Regards,
Jim
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Loc: Sunny California
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: ngc2289]
#3044310 - 04/14/09 09:40 PM
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The message from W.O. is they are relocating the service center not closing it for good. I do not know where the new location is W.O. didn't mention where they were going.
It won't be in California.
Their service center has been moved to Taiwan. Whether they reopen one in the US is pure conjecture. If they remain mostly a company that sells their product via the web, I think it'll remain in Taiwan. But then that's pure conjecture on my part. In any event, I want to buy stuff where I can ship it within the continental US to get it repaired, if that becomes necessary.
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Phil Frederick
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/19/05
Loc: Seattle, WA & La Paz MX
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Starlighter]
#3044618 - 04/15/09 12:51 AM
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Hey Starlighter,
Sorry to hear about your issues with the new SV MG mount. Being an alt-az guy (and an SV fan) I was very much looking forward to the release of this mount and had convinced myself to get one and give it a try. Holding off for now.
That said, and as I've said before in many other posts here and on CN, I've found the Takahashi Teegul (Lapides) to be an extremely nice mount especially if you want slo-mo controls. I own three (just sold a fourth--how can you really justify that many Teeguls?  ), but I've used them with a variety of scopes and tripods and simply have found them to be excellent.
Now I haven't used the Discmounts (4 or 6) or the Half-Hitch or the very high end UA mounts all of which (from all accounts) are great. I have owned the Voyager, Portamount and WO EZT (and checked out the new Orion Alt-Az at a dealer) and IMO none of them stacked up to the Teegul in at least one or more ways.
So, to the point, you might want to check out the Teegul which is avalable at a number of dealers and is a proven quantity as it's been around for years.
And back to the subject of this thread, I'm sad to see that the MG isn't (or doesn't appear to be) living up to the typical quality of SV offerings. Hopefully Vic will get this fixed!
Phil
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DennisF
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Loc: Northern IL
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Phil Frederick]
#3044713 - 04/15/09 02:54 AM
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Phil,
Have you ever piggybacked a scope using the Teegul? I've seen setups with counterweights but somehow I think I would prefer a dual mount setup along the lines of the EzTouch, Giro, etc.
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skyjim
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/13/07
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Starlighter]
#3044846 - 04/15/09 07:02 AM
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Hey Star, when you were on the phone with Lord Vic of SV, did he say something about when they get the bugs cleared up in this mount to offer it as a dual scope alt/az? I seem to remember something in an early post that the mount when finished will have two CG5 heads the way its shown on the UA site. I know that it was in need of adjustment as far as tenssion on the locking controls but once done that might have been a contender, its a shame that it was shipped to you before its time, maybe Ole VIC might learn a lesson here, never ship a mount before its time kinda like wine. I like yourself want a dual scope alt/az, the Orion would have been nice but seemed to change its tenssion after 2-3 weeks of use but when it was working it did a nice job cause I had my SW120ED on one side and the C8 on the other and for 2 weeks it did fine but then the tenssion controls didn provide enough grip after a months use to hold the scope but when it worked it was a solid mount. Maybe Synta will taake a look at what UA did and make there own version and just maybe learn from there mistakes on the mount they produced for Orion. I find on mounts they work a little faster than there scopes so who knows. I will be going to neaf this weekend and I'll look at the MG mount if SV has one on display, sorry I am not a fan of Vic like some here on CN but if he's the only one to import it I'll have to give him a chance. I myself have had not pleasing experiances with my dealing with SV amd Mr.Vic so I would like to see someone else import this mount once the bugs get ironed out but that might be a while. I haave looked at the AYO mount but nobody inports these, maybe if Alpine astro is at the show they might be able to look into it since he does have a germany conection for the Hyperions but that doesn't have slow mos. We are moving in a few months to a new house and I have already claimed Man Space in the two car garage, I'm going to set up some machine work shop there and just might try my hand at my own design if nobody seems to come up with what I want. I also have a buddy with a full machine shop that I might get iterested in the idea but thats a long way off. Good luck in your search.
Jim
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Phil Frederick
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/19/05
Loc: Seattle, WA & La Paz MX
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: DennisF]
#3045233 - 04/15/09 12:04 PM Attachment (55 downloads)
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Quote:
Have you ever piggybacked a scope using the Teegul? I've seen setups with counterweights but somehow I think I would prefer a dual mount setup along the lines of the EzTouch, Giro, etc.
Hi Dennis,
Yes I have and have found it to work quite well. Obviously it moves the CG away from the azimuth axis of the mount and as you would expect this somewhat increases damping time but not unduely so. The Teegul itself, however, is very solid and this does not appear to place undue strain on either of the bearings or affect the slo-mo controls.
Also, when I originally did this I was a bit concerned that moving the CG out would compromise the stability (tipping)of the tripod, however I did not find this to be a problem. Using this on an SV Stablelock (very heavy and solid) created a very stable platform and tipping was not an issue.
I've also considered building a counterweight contraption but so far have just not gotten around to it. Maybe I need a new project!
Here's a pic of an Orion 110ED with an AT80LE CF riding sidesaddle.
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DennisF
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Loc: Northern IL
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Phil Frederick]
#3046324 - 04/15/09 11:51 PM
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Quote:
I've also considered building a counterweight contraption but so far have just not gotten around to it. Maybe I need a new project!
Phil, you already have a pretty good counterweight. It's just made of glass. Put a couple of big Naglers/Panoptics on it and I think you're good to go. 
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Loc: Sunny California
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Phil Frederick]
#3046368 - 04/16/09 12:18 AM
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That's a very impressive setup. 
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Phil Frederick
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/19/05
Loc: Seattle, WA & La Paz MX
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Starlighter]
#3046408 - 04/16/09 01:01 AM
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Thanks guys. Appreciate the kudos.
Yes, the EP tray helps but is not a total solution. I'd really like to develop a good counterweight system for the Teegul besides (or in addition to) the EP tray that's easy to install, effective and affordable. Just haven't had the time or inclination--maybe this discussion will help. Then, there's gotta be a bunch of Teegul owners out there that have come up with something???? How 'bout it???
But then we should probably move this to another thread--sorry Starlighter, I'm sure none of us meant to hijack your thread.
Phil
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Loc: Sunny California
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Phil Frederick]
#3046431 - 04/16/09 01:24 AM
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You didn't hijack it. On the contrary, you all helped me forget the problems I had with the MG mount which I shipped back to SV.
As for the Teegul, I hardly see it listed anywhere for sale new. Is it still something Takahashi manufactures? Also, I noticed your Teegul is black. I've only seen it in Tak green. Did you repaint it?
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Loc: Sunny California
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: skyjim]
#3046434 - 04/16/09 01:27 AM
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It's my understanding that United Optics has marketed the dual head version outside the US. Vic told me over the phone that it's "junk." Well, after seeing what was shipped to me...... 
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DennisF
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Loc: Northern IL
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Starlighter]
#3046526 - 04/16/09 04:29 AM
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Starlighter, last time I looked you can order in black as well.
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DennisF
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Loc: Northern IL
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Phil Frederick]
#3046528 - 04/16/09 04:32 AM
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Quote:
...I'd really like to develop a good counterweight system for the Teegul besides (or in addition to) the EP tray that's easy to install, effective and affordable. Just haven't had the time or inclination--maybe this discussion will help. Then, there's gotta be a bunch of Teegul owners out there that have come up with something???? How 'bout it???
Phil, take a look on Amart at Classified Ad #240866.
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Phil Frederick
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/19/05
Loc: Seattle, WA & La Paz MX
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: DennisF]
#3046984 - 04/16/09 11:55 AM
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Thanks Dennis for the tip on the AM ad. That's exactly what I had in mind--just need to adapt the idea to accommodate the EP tray.
And Starlighter, I know that Anacortes and Optcorp both carry the Teegul. I think Texas Nautical as well. The only issue is whether they are in stock. And yes, Tak makes it in both Black (my fav  ) and Tak Green. And they do come up periodically on AM--I just sold one of my four last week!
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Loc: Sunny California
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Phil Frederick]
#3047035 - 04/16/09 12:30 PM
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I checked with OPT and they don't have what's called a Teegul. They do sell the Takahashi TG-LMLT Lapides Modified Alt-Az Mount in green. It comes with a tripod although I don't know which one. It reads: "We're sorry... But manufacturer specifications are currently unavailable for this product." It runs $799. They also say it's drop shipped, but don't say from where. Anyone have one who can post a photo showing what tripod is included?
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Clive Gibbons
Mostly Harmless
Reged: 05/26/05
Loc: Oort Cloud
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Starlighter]
#3047050 - 04/16/09 12:47 PM
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Anybody seen or tried out the Sky-Watcher HDAZ mount?
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Loc: Sunny California
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Clive Gibbons]
#3047064 - 04/16/09 12:59 PM Attachment (48 downloads)
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I bought one under the Orion brand. I had to ship it back. It lacked proper tension. When I changed out a heavy eyepiece, the scope wanted to pitch forward. I called up Orion and they admitted to me that the tension knob won't work to completely lock off the mount. Balance with this mount is critical. Mounting two scopes at once and then changing out an eyepiece became a nerve-wracking experience. It's really a shame since the mount looked great, was built well. Had the lack of tension not been an issue, I'd have kept it and not gone through the problems with the MG mount.
I called up OPT and talked to a salesman about the Tak Lapides AZ mount. He claimed it's rated to about 12 lbs. He also said the tripod looks like a camera tripod.
Here's a photo of the Orion version:
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rick rian
Seeker of Truth(s)
Reged: 08/03/04
Loc: Upper Mid West
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Re: Stellarvue MG mount
[Re: Starlighter]
#3047075 - 04/16/09 01:05 PM
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Hi Starlighter,
Have you tried these guys yet? Link
I think this is what you're looking for ...
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