· 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 surfindogg super member Reged: 06/05/08 Loc: Not quite darkest Dorset, UK. EQ in Alt-Az mode?       #3001647 - 03/24/09 05:57 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have a Megrez 90 currently mounted on a photo tripod - not the best solution. What I would like to know is if an EQ mount can be used as an alt-az mount and if so what would be best for mounting this scope and how. Looking to spend not much more than $200 so probably second hand and I am in the UK. Oh! And not too heavy! My thought is that I could use it for grab and go, and when I have more time set it up properly as an EQ. I am thinking head only as I am hoping to pick up a wooden tripod to put it on. Thanks in advance for wise words and advice. Post Extras:       Luigi Postmaster Reged: 07/03/07 Loc: MA Re: EQ in Alt-Az mode? [Re: surfindogg]       #3001711 - 03/24/09 07:58 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Any EQ that can be set for zero latitude can be used in alt-alt mode. (yes, alt-alt, not alt az). You need a mount that can be set for 90 degrees latitude to work in alt-az mode. Post Extras:       1_old_dog sage Reged: 09/07/07 Loc: Smoky Mnts Re: EQ in Alt-Az mode? [Re: surfindogg]       #3001726 - 03/24/09 08:12 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Howdy Some EQ mounts will work in alt-az mode some will not without a bit of modding. I had an older EQ1 that went into in alt-az mode for my ST80 (no modding) . I also had an EQ3 that with a bit of grinding worked really well in alt-az, but it was too heavy so I went back to the EQ1 for the ST80. I have some pics somewhere of the mod I did on the EQ3, I'll see if I can find them. hope this helps OD Post Extras:       1_old_dog sage Reged: 09/07/07 Loc: Smoky Mnts Re: EQ in Alt-Az mode? [Re: 1_old_dog]       #3001733 - 03/24/09 08:17 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Luigi really?? alt-alt?? never heard of that mode. I'm not sure I'm following you? can you explain? Post Extras:       1_old_dog sage Reged: 09/07/07 Loc: Smoky Mnts Re: EQ in Alt-Az mode? [Re: 1_old_dog]       #3001749 - 03/24/09 08:29 AM Attachment (58 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   here's a pic of the EQ1 in alt-az (alt-alt?) mode. Post Extras:       1_old_dog sage Reged: 09/07/07 Loc: Smoky Mnts Re: EQ in Alt-Az mode? [Re: 1_old_dog]       #3001796 - 03/24/09 09:08 AM Attachment (48 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   This is the EQ3. The mount sat at 85° so I had to grind a bit of material away so it would hit 90° Post Extras:       surfindogg super member Reged: 06/05/08 Loc: Not quite darkest Dorset, UK. Re: EQ in Alt-Az mode? [Re: 1_old_dog]       #3001893 - 03/24/09 10:04 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   And slow-mo controls too - I think this is worth having a go at. All I need now is to find a suitable mount and tripod. Thanks all. Any more suggestions welcome. Post Extras:       tahmi3 journeyman Reged: 04/27/08 Loc: Minnesota Re: EQ in Alt-Az mode? [Re: surfindogg]       #3002144 - 03/24/09 12:52 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   take a look at the vixen polaris mount. Celestron used to sell them with their 4.5" reflector. It will go into alt-az with no mods. It had the short non-extending wooden legs. A very nice mount with slo-mo hand controls. I'm not sure about the super polaris. Post Extras:       Luigi Postmaster Reged: 07/03/07 Loc: MA Re: EQ in Alt-Az mode? [Re: tahmi3]       #3002185 - 03/24/09 01:16 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   >>>alt-alt?? never heard of that mode<<< Alt alt has the first axis horizontal rather than vertical as in an alt-az or pointing at the pole as in a EQ. It's equivalent to a gimbal mount. There is no "Dob hole" at zenith. The equivalent of Dob holes occur on the horizon off the ends of the first axis. These types have traditionally been used in satellite tracking. Post Extras:       hudson_yak Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/15/07 Loc: Hyde Park, NY, USA Re: EQ in Alt-Az mode? [Re: Luigi]       #3002200 - 03/24/09 01:22 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Yes, this is worth a try, though problems occur with counterweights banging into the tripod at low altitudes, and meridian flip (not exactly "meridian", but similar idea) is still required. Though I guess it could be easier to just pick the whole contraption off the ground and rotate it instead. On the plus side, the scope at least looks a little more right-side-up on the mount most of the time. On the negative side, you still need the counterweight on the Dec shaft, and there's no good way to get the weight of that and the scope balanced near the center of the tripod. Mike Post Extras:       1_old_dog sage Reged: 09/07/07 Loc: Smoky Mnts Re: EQ in Alt-Az mode? [Re: hudson_yak]       #3002614 - 03/24/09 05:26 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks for the explanation Luigi. OD Post Extras:       astroN00B sage Reged: 10/21/06 Loc: Bakersfield, CA Re: EQ in Alt-Az mode? [Re: 1_old_dog]       #3002731 - 03/24/09 06:46 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have a Vixen Polaris with long wood refractor legs that I use in alt-az. If I had to do it again, I'd go for a mount that wasn't as heavy and bulky. The slow motion controls are nice though. Just my thoughts... Post Extras:       mischief super member Reged: 04/26/08 Loc: Northern California Re: EQ in Alt-Az mode? [Re: 1_old_dog]       #3002741 - 03/24/09 06:55 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Surfindogg, If you could spend a little more than $200 why don't you think about getting an alt/az mount. The Astro-Tech Voyager has had very good reviews; you can check some of the threads on this forum. It costs $299, has slow motion controls and can be modified with Microslew motors from JMI. Then later you could get an EQ mount. The Voyager isn't too heavy; the tripod is fairly sturdy. Then you wouldn't have to bother with mods of an EQ mount. Just an idea; hope it helps. Dorothy Post Extras:       surfindogg super member Reged: 06/05/08 Loc: Not quite darkest Dorset, UK. Re: EQ in Alt-Az mode? [Re: mischief]       #3003631 - 03/25/09 06:58 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The voyager is not so common this side of the pond but I did have a look at it. Seems very well made. I have looked at a number of alt-az mounts but was thinking that an EQ-Alt-Az mount would give me the best of both. I shall keep my eyes peeled for a second hand EQ to experiment with I think. Thanks again to all for all advice and info. Post Extras:       deezdrama Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/29/05 Loc: Central Illinois Re: EQ in Alt-Az mode? [Re: surfindogg]       #3036089 - 04/10/09 12:32 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   can the orion atlas/eq-6 mounts reach 90* to be used in alt-az mode? Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 24 registered and 21 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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