Telescope Reviews: Mount for TEC160ED

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insinu8
sage

Reged: 01/22/08

Loc: Sunnyvale, CA

Mount for TEC160ED
#2429506 - 05/30/08 03:23 PM

Folks,

I've just put a deposit on a TEC160ED. I'm concerned, however, about my mount. I have an Orion Atlas. Although it is rated at 40# and this OTA will probably weigh about 30# (just visual work - no finder, just rings & a Telrad) some folks have expressed dismay at this combination and I take that seriously.

My obvious choice is to try and get an AP900 + pier for this OTA, but I've just spent my budget on the OTA. I'll have to wait for the AP until next year.

So, what I'd like to know is...can I put the Atlas head on a different tripod/pier and make it more stable while I wait? One thought I had was to get the AP pier I would expect to get for the 900 mount and try to find an adapter plate for the Atlas...has anyone done this before? Will this be a more suitable platform for the short run?

I have heard about people filling their tripod legs with sand or other things to make them heavier/more stable. I use shock mount pads for my tripod now and they do a good job of minimizing vibrations, but that's different, right?

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LLEEGE
True Blue

Reged: 03/03/05

Loc: Cloud-chester,NY

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: insinu8]
#2429596 - 05/30/08 03:55 PM

MI250, NJP, AP900.

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gewehr43
sage

Reged: 07/07/06

Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: LLEEGE]
#2429666 - 05/30/08 04:21 PM

AP1200, Paramount, or Parallax Instruments

http://www.parallaxinstruments.com/mount.htm

Edited by gewehr43 (05/30/08 04:22 PM)

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Strgazr27

Reged: 10/04/04

Loc: StonyHill Observatory

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: gewehr43]
#2429780 - 05/30/08 05:10 PM

Although I know of 1 TEC160 on an Atlas I consider it insane or at the least REAL gutsy. I would consider the minimum a CGE and to reduce the "Pucker Factor" a bit more I would agree with Luke......MI-250 - NJP or the 900.

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southmike
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/22/04

Loc: Fayetteville, NC

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#2429811 - 05/30/08 05:21 PM

titan?
what are the aprox current values of these mounts too..
including the titan..I have never sen one for sale but I know the hold around 100# iirc.

i have been out of touch for a while now on pricing

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Jeff Young
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/04/05

Loc: Ireland

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: southmike]
#2429897 - 05/30/08 05:57 PM

Well, sure guys, that TEC160 deserves an AP900 or equivalent. But it's not like the Atlas is going to break in half and drop the 160 on the ground.

I think putting the Atlas on one of APs portable piers until the piggy bank fattens again is a great idea. Even if you can't find an adapter off the shelf, any competent machine shop could whip something up from some scrap aluminium.

Another option would be to get a Losmandy G11 tripod. AP sells an adapter to mount the 900 on it, and you might be able to find someone who makes an adapter to mount the Atlas on it in the meantime.

I wouldn't fill your existing legs with anything. Hanging one or two gallon jugs of water from the spreader might help, though.

-- Jeff.

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David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: southmike]
#2429961 - 05/30/08 06:31 PM

Quote:

titan?
what are the aprox current values of these mounts too..
including the titan..I have never sen one for sale but I know the hold around 100# iirc.

i have been out of touch for a while now on pricing

The Titan is around $6000 new (no tripod) and are rare as hen's teeth on the used market. The last I heard, there's about a 6 month wait for a new one.

David

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southmike
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/22/04

Loc: Fayetteville, NC

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: David Pavlich]
#2430236 - 05/30/08 08:51 PM

soo

atlas 1500 Payload 40lb
lxd750 1500~2k Payload 75?
g11 2k+ Payload 60lb
cge 3k Payload: 65 lbs
titan 6~7k+ Payload 100lb
njp 6k ish Payload 70lb load
MI-250 Go-To $7k Payload 75lb
ap900 8k+ Payload 70 lbs
Tak EM-400 Temma 8k Payload 85 lb
ap1200 9k plus Payload 140lbs
paralax 8~10k Payload 150 lbs.
paramount 12k 150 pl
EM-500 12k+ 120lb

I am liking the titan a lot...for big boys
but I still like the 750.

if meade had a foward thinking person they would make a
new lxd750,,,lxd 1000 75~100 lb payload 400~5500 and they should have a market.

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Eddgie
Postmaster

Reged: 02/01/06

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: insinu8]
#2430259 - 05/30/08 09:03 PM Attachment (84 downloads)

If you just need something to tide you over, a CHEAP way to go might be a used Meade LXD 750.

I picked one of these up a while back for my 6" f/8 AP.

Works QUITE well...

They don't take a Losmandy dovetail without an adapter... But they apparently are simple to make.. The guy that traded me the mount turned one out pretty quickly. Many others I have seen already have this mod...

Edited by Eddgie (05/30/08 09:42 PM)

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insinu8
sage

Reged: 01/22/08

Loc: Sunnyvale, CA

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: Jeff Young]
#2430504 - 05/30/08 10:56 PM

Jeff,

That is what I had in mind. It seems to me that, unless I'm misunderstanding, the tripod is the weak link. This was why I was thinking of mounting the Atlas onto an AP portable pier until I could afford the AP900.

I may have a solution for the mounting plate as well. Orion sells a pier extension for the Atlas for their own tripods. It's only $70. I may be able to modify the adapter plate it has to work with the AP pier.

I've written to AP to ask about an adapter plate that will work with the Atlas. If they can't suggest anything, I'll go buy the Orion extension and take the adapter plate & AP pier (once I get it) to work where I can have a couple of the engineers figure something out for me in the machine shop.

I'm just looking for a way to enjoy the 160 while I wait for AP to produce their 2009 run of AP900 mounts (2008 are sold out). I signed up on their notification list today.

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Strgazr27

Reged: 10/04/04

Loc: StonyHill Observatory

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: insinu8]
#2430522 - 05/30/08 11:04 PM

Chris,

The Orion extension is not the way to go. Raising the mount will only add stability issues. Pier Tech makes an adapter block as well as having precise parts make you one.

You do know that ATWB has 1 or 2 900's ready for delivery right now

Here is an AP 160 on an EQ6. Doable but owning an EQ6 with 45 lbs of payload, that 160, once you add in rings, diagonal EP and finder will be AT THE LIMIT.....

CS's

Edited by Strgazr27 (05/30/08 11:08 PM)

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Dave LoPresti
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/25/03

Loc: Preston, Connecticut

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#2430533 - 05/30/08 11:09 PM

Or the new Vixen Atlux . 75lb rating

But I really want a Mach1.

Edited by Dave LoPresti (05/30/08 11:27 PM)

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insinu8
sage

Reged: 01/22/08

Loc: Sunnyvale, CA

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#2430738 - 05/31/08 02:05 AM

Quote:

The Orion extension is not the way to go. Raising the mount will only add stability issues. Pier Tech makes an adapter block as well as having precise parts make you one.

Oh, I wasn't going to use the extension tube, just pirate the adapter plate off of it since the top is already configured for the Atlas head. Maybe I just need to drill & tap some extra holes to line up with the AP pier...

Quote:

You do know that ATWB has 1 or 2 900's ready for delivery right now

That's just mean!!!

Edited by insinu8 (05/31/08 02:06 AM)

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David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: Dave LoPresti]
#2431018 - 05/31/08 08:51 AM

Quote:

Or the new Vixen Atlux . 75lb rating

But I really want a Mach1.

There was a lot of discussion about the rating of this mount. I may be wrong, but I thought that the 75lb rating was for gear AND counterweight as opposed to most mounts that rate by gear only.

David

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scope dog
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 07/26/04

Loc: USA

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: David Pavlich]
#2431244 - 05/31/08 11:16 AM Attachment (112 downloads)

Dave,

Here is a pic of my CI700H and my Atlux. I'm in the process of getting another weight made and maybe next week I can test it out. My overall impression is I am impressed. The wormshaft is massive and is held in place with 4 8mm hex bolts. The mount is tight, well made and simple, just how I like it. The mount itself looks and feels like it can hold 100lbs, but I think the tripod, very nice and lite is were the 75lb's hits the limit. What I have seen with tripods, they tend to flex under stress. The G11 tripod is the exception. When this stress happens, the twisting, flex effects the goto, more so under high power. Also when tighting the adjustable legs, the compression clamp needs to be considered as this may be the weakest link under heavy load.
So when a item is tested to place a limit, the worst case is used and not the best. CI700H

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David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: scope dog]
#2431619 - 05/31/08 02:47 PM

Quote:

Dave,

Here is a pic of my CI700H and my Atlux. I'm in the process of getting another weight made and maybe next week I can test it out. My overall impression is I am impressed. The wormshaft is massive and is held in place with 4 8mm hex bolts. The mount is tight, well made and simple, just how I like it. The mount itself looks and feels like it can hold 100lbs, but I think the tripod, very nice and lite is were the 75lb's hits the limit. What I have seen with tripods, they tend to flex under stress. The G11 tripod is the exception. When this stress happens, the twisting, flex effects the goto, more so under high power. Also when tighting the adjustable legs, the compression clamp needs to be considered as this may be the weakest link under heavy load.
So when a item is tested to place a limit, the worst case is used and not the best. CI700H

Ah, yes Jim. Now that I read your post, I now remember that it was the mount that everyone had concerns about.

I'm glad you posted that comparative picture. That is, indeed, a big mount. I'm looking forward to your report.

David

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PhilG
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 01/27/05

Loc: Denver, CO - USA

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: David Pavlich]
#2432951 - 06/01/08 09:34 AM

The Mach1 would easily handle this scope for visual use if the 30 lb number for the 160Ed is accurate. I had around 40 lbs of equipment on mine the other night and it works great. It's going to be more portable than most of the other mounts you listed as well. There's a wait list but occasionally one pops up for sale at close to new price.

Phil

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Mike Clemens
Frozen to Eyepiece

Reged: 11/26/05

Loc: Alaska, USA

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: PhilG]
#2433553 - 06/01/08 04:14 PM

> The Mach1 would easily handle this scope for visual use if
> the 30 lb number

It's not the weight... it's the 50" long focal length... a CG-5 will handle the weight.

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gordianknot
professor emeritus

Reged: 09/04/05

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: Mike Clemens]
#2433721 - 06/01/08 05:42 PM

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"

Addition: Remember that Celestron sells the C6R on the CG-5.

Edited by gordianknot (06/01/08 05:43 PM)

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scope dog
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 07/26/04

Loc: USA

Re: Mount for TEC160ED new

new

[Re: David Pavlich]
#2434232 - 06/01/08 11:05 PM

Hi Don,

Eric Ng10"F6 newt . To me 10"newt looks like the limit on the Atlux as this is a difficult setup. This is a 40lb newt scope
and 30lb counter weight. To me looks like a worse case. Shorter heavier scope could work with good results

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