Telescope Reviews: Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount

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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

Pages: 1

Starlighter
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/03/07

Loc: Sunny California

Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount
#3129197 - 05/26/09 09:23 PM Attachment (46 downloads)

Now my scopes clear. But this extremely well made 16 inch extension must weigh as much as the NP-101 mounted on the Orion. It's no longer exactly grab and go. But heck! I need a little exercise to trim off a bit of excess flab.

Post Extras:

Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer

Reged: 11/07/04

Loc: Loc: Loc:

Re: Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount new

[Re: Starlighter]
#3131134 - 05/27/09 09:24 PM Attachment (35 downloads)

Very nice. Makes using the mount\scope much easier. I pitched my HEAVY steel tube and made one from aluminum....still grab & go and lighter.

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Talonmane
member

Reged: 04/13/09

Re: Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount new

[Re: Sky Captain]
#3131521 - 05/28/09 01:38 AM

Cap, what's the scope? I'm curious about the weight and need for the counterweight. What sort of benefit do you think you get from using the counterweight? I use an Eon 120 on my SkyView AZ with extension and I haven't felt the need to put a counter on the opposite side, but I see yours and wonder what I'm missing? Nicer balance?

Edited by Talonmane (05/28/09 01:39 AM)

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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer

Reged: 11/07/04

Loc: Loc: Loc:

Re: Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount new

[Re: Talonmane]
#3131975 - 05/28/09 10:59 AM

Quote:

Cap, what's the scope? I'm curious about the weight and need for the counterweight.

Scope: 6" F8...23 lbs. VERY smooth operation!!!!

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Starlighter
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/03/07

Loc: Sunny California

Re: Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount new

[Re: Sky Captain]
#3132243 - 05/28/09 01:06 PM

Quote:

Very nice. Makes using the mount\scope much easier. I pitched my HEAVY steel tube and made one from aluminum....still grab & go and lighter.

Very nice work. I wish I could do that. For now, I'll huff and puff and if I'm lucky, not put my back out. And maybe, just maybe I might build up some muscle on this flabby body of mine.

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deezdrama
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/29/05

Loc: Central Illinois

Re: Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount new

[Re: Starlighter]
#3132764 - 05/28/09 05:38 PM

very nice!- love mine as well, cant find my cameras usb or i would upload pics too-
starlighter...wheres your tripod spreader? or did it just not get put on in the pic?

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Starlighter
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/03/07

Loc: Sunny California

Re: Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount new

[Re: deezdrama]
#3132990 - 05/28/09 07:56 PM

I didn't have the spreader attached when I took the picture. I do use it when set up outside.

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Preston Smith
The Travel Scope Guy

Reged: 04/24/05

Loc: Eureka, Pa

Re: Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount new

[Re: Starlighter]
#3133003 - 05/28/09 08:05 PM

Starlighter,

When you get a chance...

Could you please let me know how much the mount weighs by itself? Orion's website lists the total weight of the mount and tripod but not the specific weight of the mount.

Thanks!

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Starlighter
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/03/07

Loc: Sunny California

Re: Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount new

[Re: Preston Smith]
#3133041 - 05/28/09 08:25 PM

I do know the mount head feels like it weighs less than the extension. I've got them all connected so not until I separate them can I weigh the mount head separately.

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Preston Smith
The Travel Scope Guy

Reged: 04/24/05

Loc: Eureka, Pa

Re: Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount new

[Re: Starlighter]
#3133071 - 05/28/09 08:47 PM

No rush. I do a lot of presentations on traveling with a scope and I always try to keep informed on the weights of the current mounts, tripods, etc.

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drexelpbp
sage

Reged: 01/21/08

Loc: Phoenixville,PA

Re: Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount new

[Re: Sky Captain]
#3133181 - 05/28/09 10:10 PM

Sky Captain, could you share with us how you made the aluminum extension?

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Starlighter
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/03/07

Loc: Sunny California

Re: Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount new

[Re: Preston Smith]
#3133214 - 05/28/09 10:26 PM

I think I figured it out without taking my mount apart. The tripod on the Orion is identical to those used on the Meade and the Celestron EQ mounts such as what's in the Celestron Omni package. The tripod on those weighs 12 & 1/2 lbs. Orion lists the Skyview AZ weighing in at 19 & 1/2 lbs. So subtracting the tripod I get 9 lbs. for the mount head. I believe the extension weighs 12 lbs. So now my Skyview weighs in at a hefty 31 & 1/2 lbs. Not exactly what anyone would classify as grab and go. But really stable.

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hudson_yak
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/15/07

Loc: Hyde Park, NY, USA

Re: Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount new

[Re: drexelpbp]
#3133310 - 05/28/09 11:31 PM

I just ordered a piece of this. Price was quite reasonable. I went for just an 8" length since I was only looking for a minor height boost originally anyway. This stuff weighs 1.8lbs per foot it says.

The ID required is closer to 3 11/16 but this should work fine with a little shimming. The original steel pipe ID is actually a little bigger than it needs to be too. Will post another message after it arrives.

Mike

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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer

Reged: 11/07/04

Loc: Loc: Loc:

Re: Added an extension to my Skyview AZ mount new

[Re: drexelpbp]
#3133355 - 05/29/09 12:15 AM Attachment (27 downloads)

Quote:

Kerry, could you share with us how you made the aluminum extension?

I actually have 3 of them, all different sizes for different scope packages. (Sold one of them just recently)
Started life as a 5 ft. long piece of 4" diam. aluminum tube with a thick wall, 3\8th's I believe. I cut the tubes to the desired length's and put each on a lathe and turned the inside to the diameter of the original end caps that came with the extension. The fit is much better and not as loose as the steel pipe that it comes with. I also re-machined the top cap to the same O.D. as the tube for a seemless look. Had it powder coated to match, and used new stainless steel button head allen screws.

I just had the aluminum powder coated a few weeks ago, but the other one is still bare aluminum.

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