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Aquatone
sage
Reged: 03/23/06
Loc: Moraga, CA (Bay Area)
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Re: Does a really high quality Alt/Az mount exist?
[Re: Doug D.]
#3038456 - 04/11/09 05:21 PM
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"I'm going to take a slightly different approach here and ask you why you really feel that you need an Alt/Az for a 160, particularly if you've got a Mach 1 on order and already appreciate the solidity of your 1200"
Hi Doug,
It's a perfectly good question. The answer is I am looking for an Alt/Az primarily for astronomy outreach purposes. I do a number of star parties and observing sessions at schools and elsewhere etc, and an Alt Az is really quick to set up, can be moved instantly around the sky more quickly than a GEM, (especially when combined with a laser pointer) and its simplicity is less intimidating to the public as well. (None of those "how does it work" questions) I remember too many "shaky mount" experiences as a teenager, hence my fetish for solidity.
The Mach 1.0 is more for portable astro-photographic purposes and my AP1200 is permanently mounted at home.
I am now thinking that the Eagle Pier (which is easily collapsible) could be used for both the DM-6 and the Mach 1.0.
Chris
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Doug D.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/23/05
Loc: Virginia
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Re: Does a really high quality Alt/Az mount exist?
[Re: Aquatone]
#3038520 - 04/11/09 05:58 PM
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In that case - my vote would be the DM-6 on the Eagle..!!
Only problem I see with outreach on such a set-up though, is that the scope will be easily nudged out of view inadvertently and the lack of tracking can make it tough to show inexperienced viewers high mag views of planets.
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Herenomore
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/29/04
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Re: Does a really high quality Alt/Az mount exist?
[Re: Doug D.]
#3038611 - 04/11/09 07:05 PM
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Quote:
In that case - my vote would be the DM-6 on the Eagle..!!
And mine, too. What is really incredible about these mounts is that the DM-4, a 4" X 4" cube (with an orthogonality of less than 1/50 of the diameter of a human hair), will handle (Tom Peters' defintion of "handle" is a completely giggle-free, rock solid, backlash-free, track-and-observe-and-focus/refocus, all at the same time with one hand at 300X+) ~ 20 lbs and the DM-6 (a 6" X 6" cube) will handle nearly 3X that. Imagine what a 7" diameter (DM-7?) could do. 
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Doug D.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/23/05
Loc: Virginia
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Re: Does a really high quality Alt/Az mount exist?
[Re: Herenomore]
#3038748 - 04/11/09 08:32 PM Attachment (28 downloads)
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That is true Tom - the mistake I think, for some people using a DM-4/6 is to skimp on the legs when trying to mount a heavy OTA. When mated with the right tripod the DM-6 can really "handle" (by TP's definition) some serious weight. I suspect the Eagle and DM-6 would be a killer combination if you've got deep enough pockets.
I've really just gotten attached to high quality GEMs for heavier OTAs. But for my ~4" and smaller refractors there is a lot to be said for an Alt/Az mount. My all time favorite Alt/Az (aside from the DM-6) has to be the Half-Hitch II (with DSCs and SkyCommander).
Sorry, but I never get tired of showing off my baby (i.e., babies)..... While it doesn't quite have the capacity Chris requires for his 160, the HH is clear evidence for the existence of a "really high quality Alt/Az mount" (along with Tom P.'s mounts). When it comes to Alt/Az mounts, you really do get what you pay for IMHO.
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