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Dragonwatcher
super member
Reged: 01/21/08
Posts: 199
Loc: Kirkland, WA
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I am thinking about a Stellarvue 80mmED NHNG which is a tad over 6 pounds I believe. Weight is a big consideration for me - "the best telescope is one that you will use" rationale. Any recommendations on the lightest weight mount/tripod rig that will still be rock stable? I know that is a difficult tradeoff but suggestions appreciated. I do have a UA unistar and WO EZ touch with wooden legs and both are heavier than I would like.
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DennisF
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 857
Loc: Northern IL
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I'm quite happy with my M1 and SV surveyor tripod combo. Even use it with my 102ED and I usually observe on my asphalt driveway. Damping times a second or less with this setup. With the 80ED even better.
Even with the 102 I can carry the whole thing setup one-handed with no trouble, but if you'd want to go even lighter you could go with a M1 mount and a photo tripod. You may be able to shave a couple of lbs. at the expense of some stability.
If you like, I can weigh my NHNG and M1 with tripod and give you a total. BTW, I can tell you the M1 w. surveyors tripod would be lighter than a Porta Mount.
If price is no object, I think the Half-hitch is @5 lbs. for the mount.
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10" XTi
C6 SE
ETX 125 (no more)
SV 102ED
SV80ED
PortaMount (no more)
SV M1
Original AYO EzTouch mount
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Phil Frederick
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/19/05
Posts: 617
Loc: Seattle, WA & La Paz MX
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The Astro-Tech Voyager (about 13+ pounds) works very nicely with an 80mm scope. A step up but still maintaining portability (couple of pounds heavier) is a Tak Lapides Teegul on a Bogen 475. This has been my favorite GnG mount/tripod for years.
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Phil
Intes M603 6" Mak
Intes M500 5" Mak
Astro-Tech 80LE CF
Orion 127 Mak
Orion ST120 f/5
Orion ST80 f/5
SV F50 Sparrowhawk
SV F60 Biggerhawk
Tak Teeguls, SV Stableock, Bogen475s, Oberwerk Jarrah, and a rebuilt Astroview tripod with Walnut/Oak legs.
...Naglers, Radians, LVWs, BO/TMBs, Stratus', 32 & 38 SWA's
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Dragonwatcher
super member
Reged: 01/21/08
Posts: 199
Loc: Kirkland, WA
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Price is a factor. I am hoping to spend considerably less than $500 for a alt-az setup. Once I identify some candidates, I hope to buy used.
Dennis, I would be interested in knowing your total weight with OTA, clamshell, mount, tripod and diagonal. Thanks.
Also, on a side note, Dennis can you tell me the highest useful magnification you can get from your NHNG?
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Jackie
Pentax 80ED for ship watching
SV80L for grabNgo
Tak FS102 for longer sessions
Astro-Tech Voyager alt-az
TV 85
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DennisF
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 857
Loc: Northern IL
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Quote:
Price is a factor. I am hoping to spend considerably less than $500 for a alt-az setup. Once I identify some candidates, I hope to buy used.
Dennis, I would be interested in knowing your total weight with OTA, clamshell, mount, tripod and diagonal. Thanks.
Also, on a side note, Dennis can you tell me the highest useful magnification you can get from your NHNG?
You have to keep in mind that I used an analog bathroom scale so this may be a little off, but the NHNG & clamshell, M1 mount, MECA column, surveyor tripod, and SV 2" dielectric diagonal weighs @23.5 lbs. My guess is this is accurate to within 1-1.5 lbs.
Of course the max. magnification possible depends on the seeing which is rarely excellent here. I routinely can use a 7mm (80x), on a good night 5mm (112x), and under the best conditions 3.5mm(160x). On that night I did barlow my 5mm and still got some decent views off and on at 224x but you could tell there was some image breakdown. It was starting to get mushy.
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10" XTi
C6 SE
ETX 125 (no more)
SV 102ED
SV80ED
PortaMount (no more)
SV M1
Original AYO EzTouch mount
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Dragonwatcher
super member
Reged: 01/21/08
Posts: 199
Loc: Kirkland, WA
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Dennis - thanks! That's very helpful! I appreciate your taking the time to do that for me.
Phil, thanks for the Voyager pointer. I have read a couple good write-ups on it.
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Jackie
Pentax 80ED for ship watching
SV80L for grabNgo
Tak FS102 for longer sessions
Astro-Tech Voyager alt-az
TV 85
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doug76
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 2646
Loc: SE Louisiana
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Orion's Versa-Go, on sale now. It will handle this small scope, and the mount weighs 12lbs.
Doug
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Dragonwatcher
super member
Reged: 01/21/08
Posts: 199
Loc: Kirkland, WA
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Doug, have you used this mount? I can't find any reviews.
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Jackie
Pentax 80ED for ship watching
SV80L for grabNgo
Tak FS102 for longer sessions
Astro-Tech Voyager alt-az
TV 85
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doug76
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 2646
Loc: SE Louisiana
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I played with one once. I am not a fan of manual alt-az's, but found this one to be pretty smooth. Definitely for lighter scopes, though, IMO.
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