Nick-Sydney
sage
Reged: 05/04/08
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Rob Willett]
#3106421 - 05/15/09 10:39 AM
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The Orion and WO mounts are the other ones I'm considering, but it seems to me that maybe the Giro 3 would be better (without having used any of them).
Any comparisons of the Giro to the WO, Orion or Voyager would be useful. I can buy the Orion and WO here in Australia locally, so if they're just as good I'd go that way. I don't mind ordering a Giro 3 from the US, but it will cost me a bit more due to shipping.
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Teal'c
Indeed
Reged: 08/02/05
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Nick-Sydney]
#3106492 - 05/15/09 11:28 AM
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"I don't mind ordering a Giro 3 from the US, but it will cost me a bit more due to shipping."
APM of Germany.
http://www.apm-telescopes.de/info.php?id=98288&search=1&hersteller=59&kategorie=&seiten_id=&suchbegriff=&order=name_1&action_allgemein=&action_detail=Search&preispanne1=0&preisspanne2=99999999
Not to knock the other brands, but the fact that these are German made, adds some assurance to me.
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Nick-Sydney
sage
Reged: 05/04/08
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Teal'c]
#3106565 - 05/15/09 12:12 PM
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Yeah but I'm biased. I don't like ordering from Germany for 2 reasons:
1) I don't speak German
2) The AU dollar against the Euro is terrible (worse than US dollar) so everything is very expensive
But thanks anyway. It looks a lot like the Giro 3 actually, only more expensive.
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Teal'c
Indeed
Reged: 08/02/05
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Nick-Sydney]
#3106717 - 05/15/09 01:38 PM Attachment (187 downloads)
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It is the Giro 3.
Didn't even think about the exchange rate 
Here's a pic of mine....
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Rob Willett
Vendor (Degree Circles)
Reged: 02/07/05
Loc: London, UK.
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Nick-Sydney]
#3106796 - 05/15/09 02:12 PM
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Everybody in Germany speaks good English, I lived in Hamburg for a while and gave up learning German as I got round in English. APM apeak English, Telescope Service also speak good English.
Now the exchange rate is nohing I can do anything about 
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Nick-Sydney
sage
Reged: 05/04/08
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Rob Willett]
#3108029 - 05/16/09 07:27 AM
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Everybody in Germany speaks good English, I lived in Hamburg for a while and gave up learning German as I got round in English. APM apeak English, Telescope Service also speak good English.
Now the exchange rate is nohing I can do anything about
Maybe, but their websites don't speak English 
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Nick-Sydney
sage
Reged: 05/04/08
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Nick-Sydney]
#3108104 - 05/16/09 08:27 AM
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Just wondering whether you think a Giro 3 could handle a C11 (with appropriate counterweight and sturdy tripod). I'm guessing at around 30lbs this would be too much for it, but given it can handle a C925 and 6" refractor, I started to wonder...
If it would, that would seal the deal for me
Imagine serious aperture on an easily portable alt/az mount. That's what I'm talking about!
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Nick-Sydney]
#3108149 - 05/16/09 09:09 AM Attachment (93 downloads)
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Hmmm...a 11" SCT could be pushing it, but could work. I've enjoyed using my 26-27lb Meade 7" Mak ota on a GIRO 3 with counterweight bar on a CG-5 tripod and SVP extension. For the C-11, I'd go with a losmandy type saddle with dovetail bar and a focuser with a smooth fine focus knob such as a Moonlite or feathertouch to help with the vibration control.
Again, this is just a educated guess on my part that this can work. I think the GIRO and AYO mounts set the standard for others to follow, I've been happy with mine.
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Rob Willett
Vendor (Degree Circles)
Reged: 02/07/05
Loc: London, UK.
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Nick-Sydney]
#3108200 - 05/16/09 09:37 AM
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The big dealers sites are most certainly in English,
http://www.telescope-service.com/
http://www.apm-telescopes.de/ - look for the union jack to have the English version.
http://www.berlebach.de/?sprache=english
I've spoken with an ordered from the top two on the phone and from the website here in London. I recall it took 2-3 days for the goods to arrive and the delivery was actually cheaper than a UK delivery.
The AYO site is not in English, who I think makes the WO mounts.
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Nick-Sydney
sage
Reged: 05/04/08
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Jim7728]
#3108203 - 05/16/09 09:37 AM
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Thanks. Yes I would use it with an SDM Losmandy saddle and a microfocuser. I'm starting to think it would handle it - which I didn't at first. Quite surprizing for such a small mount! Now just have to scrape the dollars together 
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Nick-Sydney
sage
Reged: 05/04/08
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Rob Willett]
#3108327 - 05/16/09 10:55 AM
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The big dealers sites are most certainly in English,
http://www.telescope-service.com/
http://www.apm-telescopes.de/ - look for the union jack to have the English version.
http://www.berlebach.de/?sprache=english
I've spoken with an ordered from the top two on the phone and from the website here in London. I recall it took 2-3 days for the goods to arrive and the delivery was actually cheaper than a UK delivery.
The AYO site is not in English, who I think makes the WO mounts.
Thanks, I'll take another look at those sites you've listed. I just posted a wanted ad on Shop & Swap in case anyone wants to part ways with their beloved Giro. Buying new works out to be around AU$600 so I would gladly accept someone's hand-me-down
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Traveler
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/19/07
Loc: The Netherlands
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Nick-Sydney]
#3118345 - 05/21/09 08:34 AM
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Right now Wildcard innovations is working out a solution for using the Giro III with their Argo-Navis. When this is going to work (The Giro II does this already), the Giro III is the best platform (money/stability ratio) with a high IQ! Well, Nick i think you know that Wildcard are from down under?
I have seen pictures with the C11 on the Giro II, so i believe that the III will work also with that payload...
Yep, AOK Swiss (http://www.aokswiss.ch) makes the AYO mounts for WO...
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Nick-Sydney
sage
Reged: 05/04/08
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Traveler]
#3120966 - 05/22/09 01:52 PM
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Thanks for the info Traveler. Yes I already have an Argo-Navis for my dob, and have met Gary a couple of times at star parties (he gets around). That's interesting that you've seen pictures of a C11 on a Giro. I'll have to have a look around for some.
It seems the Giro will definitely handle large weights better than the WO/AOK from what I am reading, but I can get a EZTouch much cheaper (since they are sold here locally). Still weighing up the options. I believe the EZTouch will only really handle up to an 8" SCT or so. Gary does have a solution for the EZ as well of course. The Giro III would be my preferred mount, but it will cost me AU$600+ new, whereas I can get the WO for AU$399 (mount only). Hmmm...
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drshr
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/09/08
Loc: Darwin, Australia
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Nick-Sydney]
#3157079 - 06/11/09 07:56 AM
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Just seen this Nick, sorry for delay.
Just get the orion AZ. It will easily handle what you want. I use a 6" and 8" refractor on mine, no probs. The EZ-touch will probably do the same but I don't like plastic knobs.
I have two, one for G&G and the other for my big OTA's, they get better with a bit more weight!
Perfected with a HEQ5 pier!
The Giro 3 will be just as good I am sure, but I doubt it is any better.
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Nick-Sydney
sage
Reged: 05/04/08
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: drshr]
#3159477 - 06/12/09 04:58 PM
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Well I nearly bought the WO EzyTouch / Orion AZ (had my credit card out and was deciding between the two) but a little voice told me to hold off. Then I came across a really good deal on one of the German sites (thanks Rob) for a Bresser Giro mount that looked the same as a Giro III. I went for it and it just arrived!!!
The picture on the website showed a black Giro, but the one that shipped was silver?? I think it may in fact be a Giro II - but at the price I payed I'm not really complaining (a black one would've been nicer though). Think I have the Alt tension problem with this one too. I'm guessing it might be old stock they're selling off cheap...
What's the easiest way to tell between a Giro II/III ?
Only had one session with it so far. Loaded it up with a 6" Mak and the C11 on the other side (using a WO Losmandy saddle plate combo). It was a bit lob-sided, but handled it gracefully considering. I need to fine tune the mounting, but I have no doubt that it's a very good mount - I like it plenty  Unfortunately the mounting holes on the WO saddle that match the Giro arm aren't quite centered. It's not a big deal once the scope is mounted, but it's a bit tricky getting the scope hooked up because the saddle puts the head out of balance. Had to hold the C11 with one arm 
Anyways, the C11 is pushing it with my current setup, and I can see I could easily have an "accident" with the C11 OTA while mounting/dis-mounting. I also wonder whether mounting the C11 on it regularly might cause issues with the Giro... I think a C8/102ED combo would be perfect for this mount, so I'm on the lookout for a 2nd hand C8 OTA 
Will report back when I've had more time to play. I didn't get the CW arm, but I may get one made up locally. I can't say from experience, but I do get the feeling this thing can maybe take a bit more weight than the EzyTouch. Pretty impressive anyway. Be interesting to do a side-by-side comparison between them...
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Nick-Sydney]
#3159516 - 06/12/09 05:16 PM
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Quote:
What's the easiest way to tell between a Giro II/III ?
The base or azimuth part of the GIRO III is slightly narrower than the GIRO II. Found this out when I was able to buy a protype JMI encoder kit from someone who had JMI make one for his GIRO III.
Good luck with the mount and get that counterweight bar, lot easier to use as a counterbalance than another ota. IMHO.
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maknewtnut
Member
Reged: 10/08/06
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Jim7728]
#3159808 - 06/12/09 08:48 PM
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That is incorrect. I believe I may have a good guess who who purchased it from because he was told the same story by JMI. Measurements taken of both II and III models confirmed that were identical. If it didn't fit both II and III models, it's becuause of their stored measurements and/or inconsistencies in the mfgr of their parts.
I have even sent a message to JMI informing them that there is no difference in base or body diameters. Similiar updates on product dimensions to other aftermarket suppliers have also gone largely unheeded.
The only significant difference between a GRII and a GRIII is the addition of a teflon bearing on the azimuth axis. It is seated in an undercut between the base and az assembly. Every one we have sold is clearly labeled as to which model it is.
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: maknewtnut]
#3159919 - 06/12/09 10:15 PM Attachment (107 downloads)
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Thanks Mark. That sounds more plausible.
Photo of teflon(polymer) bearing around altitude arm shaft.
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drshr
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/09/08
Loc: Darwin, Australia
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: Jim7728]
#3160011 - 06/12/09 11:36 PM
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Is this the same as the deluxe version or XXL? They have a very confusing line up of heads 
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Re: Giro 3 mount
[Re: drshr]
#3160396 - 06/13/09 09:35 AM
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I have the GIRO III Twin View or two arms, the DX seems to refer to single arm version.
http://www.tele-optic-tecnica.de/pageID_5186398.html
XXL seems to be a wider based ,heavier duty version of the original.
http://www.brayimaging.co.uk/Astro/images/mounts/Teleoptic-GR2XXL.jpg
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