· 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 Doug76 Long Achro Junkie Reged: 12/05/07 Loc: Refractor Heaven Gotta get a good Alt-Az       #2960056 - 03/02/09 11:51 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Need a good Alt-Az for my 60mm's, AT66ED and the TV76. Leaning toward the Vixen Mini Porta Mount. Any suggestions or seconds on the Vixen? Post Extras:       Jim7728 Postmaster Reged: 04/10/05 Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC Re: Gotta get a good Alt-Az [Re: Doug76]       #2960374 - 03/03/09 07:37 AM Attachment (42 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Vixen mini-porta, from what I was told by someone who examened it, is extremely light weight in build, especially the legs. Maybe okay for the 66mm and under, not the tv-76. The TV-76 will be good on a Telepod plus tripod with elevator or elevated column. If using 2" diagonal and 2" eyepieces, a TV balance maybe necessary(least I found it necessary to allow the ota moved more forward for better balance) Also like the 76 on a Giro mini with Bogan 3036 tripod or a UA Unistar light. BTW, TV-76 will also need a TV Vixen/TeleVue adapter for the above mount heads that use a Vixen saddle clamp. Here's the Giro-mini. BTW, also had balance issues with the 66mmED and purchased a dovetail bar from Desert Sky in order to move the ota more forward. Post Extras:       John Noble sage Reged: 05/07/08 Loc: Sandy Eggo, California Re: Gotta get a good Alt-Az [Re: Jim7728]       #2960826 - 03/03/09 11:58 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Agreed on the Mini Porta: I played with one, and it's pretty lightweight. The regular Porta head is OK. I don't like the wimpy aluminum legs, but wooden replacements are available. I use a SV M1 head on a lightweight Manfrotto 3021/055 photo tripod for my 6.5 lb. Onyx 80EDF. Similar heads from UA, etc. are probably just as good for strength & tracking. I for one don't miss the slo-mo controls. Post Extras:       Francisco S. member Reged: 01/08/09 Loc: Bay Area, CA Re: Gotta get a good Alt-Az [Re: John Noble]       #2961702 - 03/03/09 07:23 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I like DSV-1 mount that I am using for WO 88mm. If the scope is balanced well, it is very smooth and similar weight eyepieces can be interchanged without loosing the object. Works well at 100X. 200X is ok. Post Extras:       drexelpbp sage Reged: 01/21/08 Loc: Phoenixville,PA Re: Gotta get a good Alt-Az [Re: Francisco S.]       #2961879 - 03/03/09 09:02 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I also like the DSV-1. Works well with my ST120 and C80ED. I understand that they will be introducing a new mount (maybe DSV-2) soon. Also great customer service. Gary Post Extras:       Doug76 Long Achro Junkie Reged: 12/05/07 Loc: Refractor Heaven Re: Gotta get a good Alt-Az [Re: drexelpbp]       #2962385 - 03/04/09 01:05 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The DSV-1 does look sweet, but it's a bit more than I want to spend. After all, I do have the SE Goto mounts for the AT66ED and the TV76. My main interest is to get a serviceable mount AND tripod for the Towa and Carton. They are longer, but are very light. I doubt either one weighs more than 3lbs. And I do prefer slo-mo controls. If I wanted to push a scope around I never would have put a drive on my Dob. Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 16 registered and 30 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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