· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Mounts Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 yapete member Reged: 09/14/06 Loc: Michigan Mount for Starblast       #2943467 - 02/22/09 06:28 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I am looking into buying an equatorial mount for my Orion Starblast. I don't want to spend too much money (<$300), but it would be nice if it could be upgraded with a motor to allow for some photography and not be too shaky. Any suggestions? Thanks! Post Extras:       Patrick Postmaster Reged: 05/16/03 Loc: Franklin, Ohio Re: Mount for Starblast [Re: yapete]       #2943756 - 02/22/09 09:11 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   In your price range, the Astroview Mount might be your best bet. You'll need a couple of tube rings and dovetail plate (check with Orion about the dovetail plate...I see they recently updated the scope dovetail attachment and it may come with a dovetail). Of course, you'll also need the drive motors. Because the Orion StarBlast is such a short focal length instrument you just might get away with some short exposures. One thing to check before you purchase the mount is to see if you can get your camera to focus okay with the StarBlast. Some Newtonians have a hard time working with DSLR's because they do not have enough infocus. Patrick Post Extras:       mischief super member Reged: 04/26/08 Loc: Northern California Re: Mount for Starblast [Re: Patrick]       #2943766 - 02/22/09 09:17 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi, Orion sells the Starblast with an EQ mount; I think it is the lightweight EQ1. You might check their catalog or web page and see what it is; I think you could buy the mount separately. The one they sell with the Starblast is probably not sturdy enough but you could check it out. Hope this helps. Dorothy Orion Starblast Vixen VMC 110 Orion ST80 AT Voyager mount Lunt 60T H alpha B600 Post Extras:       PianoPaul sage Reged: 02/07/07 Re: Mount for Starblast [Re: mischief]       #2943980 - 02/22/09 11:40 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   There is an Orion Starblast 4.5 AP, with a larger secondary, probably closer to the primary, too.You can look at the online catalog specs, I'm pretty sure the ota is shorter. Since they made a different model for AP, I'm guessing you'd find it something of a challenge to do AP with the standard Starblast. But then again, I know zip about AP. I think Patrick has it about right for the Astroview mount suggestion. I'm using an EQ1 for very quick looks, but it's not really stable enough for satisfactory use in a long observing session. I found an Orion mount on Amart recently, that was a few years old, I think it was called the Skyview at the time, but it looks a whole lot like the current Astroview. I find it seriously adequate for the SB, and I bet it would be A-OK with a RA drive. But, Orion has two possible drives, one distinctly better, no doubt the more expensive one. Someone will speak up about that. If you ever get the chance to score a 1.25" Paracorr for your Starblast, I highly recommend it - improves an already delightful experience, significantly, IMO. Edited by PianoPaul (02/23/09 12:32 AM) Post Extras:       yapete member Reged: 09/14/06 Loc: Michigan Re: Mount for Starblast [Re: PianoPaul]       #2945527 - 02/23/09 07:55 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks. Yeah, the Astroview is the one I was thinking about, just wanted to see if it is ok. I have rings, but I suppose I have to look into the plate. I'll call Orion about that. I think you can do AP with the Starblast. As far as I understand all they did with the imaging version is to make sure that their CCD camera is completely illumated. Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 11 registered and 29 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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