RAKing
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/28/07
Posts: 819
Loc: Clouds-ville, Virginia
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Quote:
With the proper tools and skills, it would of course be possible to build an adapter so the mount could be used with another tripod. It's just not as simple as one might hope....
But that is exactly what some us will want to do. I use an Astro-Physics Portable Pier and don't want to go back to a shaky tripod.
I have an adapter for my Atlas mount and would fabricate another for the MiniTower (or any other mount I happen to get). "Necessity is the mother of Invention." 
Ron
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Time spent looking at the stars is added to your life.
Orion XT10i / Moonlite CR2 -- The New "Time Machine"
"Hi Def" TV-102
C925-CF SCT
Ethos and Naglers
GM-8 GEM / A-P Portable Pier
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johnhou2020
Vendor (iOptron)
Reged: 11/20/07
Posts: 18
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Since I am still getting so many emails asking about the shipping date of the MiniTower, let me make a brief clarification on the shipping schedule. iOptron started to ship out MiniTower orders last Friday already! The process has been a little hectic because there are quite a big backlog.
This is the official announcement at CN:
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/2559241/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1
Thanks to you all for your support, encouragement and comments. Once you receive the mount, let the real debate begin: Did iOptron GoTo cause the 3 day delay of the ship off the west coast, as one insightful observer at CN suggested? By the way, my source at the shipping company told me that the ship carrying MiniTower avoided a near-miss collision with a giant glacier on the Bering Sea because the crew wisely replaced their navigation system with SmartStar GoTo. 
Clear Skies
John Hou
iOptron Corp.
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SteveC
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/15/06
Posts: 1191
Loc: The Garden State
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Quote:
my source at the shipping company told me that the ship carrying MiniTower avoided a near-miss collision with a giant glacier on the Bering Sea because the crew wisely replaced their navigation system with SmartStar GoTo.
Hi John
My sources corroborate that statement. The world is a safer place with SmartStar GoTo.
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SteveC
TEC 140
Intes Micro 715 deluxe
WO Zenithstar 80 FD
SolarMax 40
Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini, DM-6 w/Sky Commander on SV wood tripod, Vixen Skypod
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Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: New Hampshire
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There is a newer thread with pictures of the Mini Tower. I have my 4" f/15 and 150mm MAK mounted on it. No, not at the same time! Here are the pictures of the bottom of the mount to help illustrate why it won't bolt right up to other tripods. Can adapters be made? Sure, if you have some skill. Will it work in EQ mode? YES! I tested the controller for that function this afternoon.
I think I've covered most of the questions.
Oh! I have no idea IF or WHEN the thunder storms and rain will every stop, so, don't even bother asking! LOL
Steve
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Steve Forbes
6.25" f/15 Mogey/NASA refractor on GOTO GEM
6" f/15 Jaegers refractor on GOTO GEM
5.1" f/8 Burgess on CG-5 w/GOTONOVA
4" f/15 Jaegers on ORION ATLAS GOTO
2x 6" f/6 Edmund Palomar reflectors on GEMs w/ RA and DEC drives
2x 4-1/4" Edmund Palomar Jr. reflectors on GEMS w/ RA drives, (all circa 1965 - 69)
3" Edmund reflector on "EQ" mount from @1963
4" Criterion reflector with "EQ" mount from @1956.
150mm f/12 MAK w/iOptron Mini Tower
Lots of other stuff, too!
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Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: New Hampshire
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The above picture shows the bottom of the mount and the azimuth clamping knob. This one shows it from the side.
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Steve Forbes
6.25" f/15 Mogey/NASA refractor on GOTO GEM
6" f/15 Jaegers refractor on GOTO GEM
5.1" f/8 Burgess on CG-5 w/GOTONOVA
4" f/15 Jaegers on ORION ATLAS GOTO
2x 6" f/6 Edmund Palomar reflectors on GEMs w/ RA and DEC drives
2x 4-1/4" Edmund Palomar Jr. reflectors on GEMS w/ RA drives, (all circa 1965 - 69)
3" Edmund reflector on "EQ" mount from @1963
4" Criterion reflector with "EQ" mount from @1956.
150mm f/12 MAK w/iOptron Mini Tower
Lots of other stuff, too!
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Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: New Hampshire
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Here is the entire assembly waiting for an OTA.
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Steve Forbes
6.25" f/15 Mogey/NASA refractor on GOTO GEM
6" f/15 Jaegers refractor on GOTO GEM
5.1" f/8 Burgess on CG-5 w/GOTONOVA
4" f/15 Jaegers on ORION ATLAS GOTO
2x 6" f/6 Edmund Palomar reflectors on GEMs w/ RA and DEC drives
2x 4-1/4" Edmund Palomar Jr. reflectors on GEMS w/ RA drives, (all circa 1965 - 69)
3" Edmund reflector on "EQ" mount from @1963
4" Criterion reflector with "EQ" mount from @1956.
150mm f/12 MAK w/iOptron Mini Tower
Lots of other stuff, too!
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Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: New Hampshire
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With the 150mm MAK mounted.
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Steve Forbes
6.25" f/15 Mogey/NASA refractor on GOTO GEM
6" f/15 Jaegers refractor on GOTO GEM
5.1" f/8 Burgess on CG-5 w/GOTONOVA
4" f/15 Jaegers on ORION ATLAS GOTO
2x 6" f/6 Edmund Palomar reflectors on GEMs w/ RA and DEC drives
2x 4-1/4" Edmund Palomar Jr. reflectors on GEMS w/ RA drives, (all circa 1965 - 69)
3" Edmund reflector on "EQ" mount from @1963
4" Criterion reflector with "EQ" mount from @1956.
150mm f/12 MAK w/iOptron Mini Tower
Lots of other stuff, too!
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Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: New Hampshire
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With my 4" f/15 Jaegers mounted!
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Steve Forbes
6.25" f/15 Mogey/NASA refractor on GOTO GEM
6" f/15 Jaegers refractor on GOTO GEM
5.1" f/8 Burgess on CG-5 w/GOTONOVA
4" f/15 Jaegers on ORION ATLAS GOTO
2x 6" f/6 Edmund Palomar reflectors on GEMs w/ RA and DEC drives
2x 4-1/4" Edmund Palomar Jr. reflectors on GEMS w/ RA drives, (all circa 1965 - 69)
3" Edmund reflector on "EQ" mount from @1963
4" Criterion reflector with "EQ" mount from @1956.
150mm f/12 MAK w/iOptron Mini Tower
Lots of other stuff, too!
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Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: New Hampshire
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Gary:
Yes, the tripod has less spread than others. It also has larger OD legs. The rigidity is definitely better on this tripod.
Steve
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Steve Forbes
6.25" f/15 Mogey/NASA refractor on GOTO GEM
6" f/15 Jaegers refractor on GOTO GEM
5.1" f/8 Burgess on CG-5 w/GOTONOVA
4" f/15 Jaegers on ORION ATLAS GOTO
2x 6" f/6 Edmund Palomar reflectors on GEMs w/ RA and DEC drives
2x 4-1/4" Edmund Palomar Jr. reflectors on GEMS w/ RA drives, (all circa 1965 - 69)
3" Edmund reflector on "EQ" mount from @1963
4" Criterion reflector with "EQ" mount from @1956.
150mm f/12 MAK w/iOptron Mini Tower
Lots of other stuff, too!
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Gary
sage
Reged: 06/12/05
Posts: 346
Loc: Southeast, Ga
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Steve:
Thanks, I'm going to keep an eye on this thread.
CS
Gary
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LX200R Gps8
LXD650, M????? 127EDT w/Moonlite
Meade EMC AR5
C/Vixen 102 Fluorite APO w/Moonlite CF2
C80ED (Orion 100ED, FS or Trade) needs painting.
LXD75 WO Megrez 90mm FD
GIRO II w/EQ6 Tripod (DSV-1, FS or Trade)
P/S R-2 Daig.
Meade DS2000 2090AT-TC(497Autostar) FS or Trade
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Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: New Hampshire
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Gary:
You are welcome. You should also keep an eye on the thread labled "iOptron Mini Tower". It's in this forum.
CS
Steve
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Steve Forbes
6.25" f/15 Mogey/NASA refractor on GOTO GEM
6" f/15 Jaegers refractor on GOTO GEM
5.1" f/8 Burgess on CG-5 w/GOTONOVA
4" f/15 Jaegers on ORION ATLAS GOTO
2x 6" f/6 Edmund Palomar reflectors on GEMs w/ RA and DEC drives
2x 4-1/4" Edmund Palomar Jr. reflectors on GEMS w/ RA drives, (all circa 1965 - 69)
3" Edmund reflector on "EQ" mount from @1963
4" Criterion reflector with "EQ" mount from @1956.
150mm f/12 MAK w/iOptron Mini Tower
Lots of other stuff, too!
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chboss
member
Reged: 03/24/08
Posts: 39
Loc: Switzerland
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Hi Steve
Thank you for your updates and the pictures.
I'm looking forward to you first light report.
Does the long Jaeger's refractor work in Zenith without colliding with the tripod legs? Looks close.
Cheers Chris
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Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: New Hampshire
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Chris:
You are most welcome. Yes, I was able to move the OTA so that it cleared the tripod, but, JUST BARELY!! LOL The OTA was definitely well out of balance in altitude, but, it seemed to make little, if any, difference. Tonight looks like it may just be clear. If we are so luck I will be giving both the Mini AND the SmartStar-PR some serious workouts! I want to know how well they do more than anyone!!
CS
Steve
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Steve Forbes
6.25" f/15 Mogey/NASA refractor on GOTO GEM
6" f/15 Jaegers refractor on GOTO GEM
5.1" f/8 Burgess on CG-5 w/GOTONOVA
4" f/15 Jaegers on ORION ATLAS GOTO
2x 6" f/6 Edmund Palomar reflectors on GEMs w/ RA and DEC drives
2x 4-1/4" Edmund Palomar Jr. reflectors on GEMS w/ RA drives, (all circa 1965 - 69)
3" Edmund reflector on "EQ" mount from @1963
4" Criterion reflector with "EQ" mount from @1956.
150mm f/12 MAK w/iOptron Mini Tower
Lots of other stuff, too!
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