AlbertoJ
member
Reged: 02/20/08
Posts: 26
Loc: Madrid (Spain)
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Has anyone used any of these mounts?
How do they compare in load capacity and smooth movement at very high power (300X or more)?
I like to switch the eyepiece withough locking the altitude tension during eyepiece switches and after the switches.
I have a Takahashi Fs-128.
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john 127
member
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 22
Loc: Napa, CA
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I have a DM-6 on a G 11 tripod and it does everything Tom Peters says it does. It easily handles my AP-155. I can focus with little or no vibration and switch from a 31 Nagler to an Ortho without the scope moving. Changing to a binoviewer will require a change in balance point or a counterweight. It will easily track an object at 300X with no movement at all just by applying a steady even pressure to the OTA or handle. I was skeptical that it could do this and still move smoothly with out having to push to hard but it does.
John
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7331Peg
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/01/08
Posts: 726
Loc: North coast of Oregon
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I have a DM-6 and agree with all of John's comments above. Tom Peters includes instructions on how to balance the scope, and if you follow them, your scope will stay put when you change from 1 1/4" to heavy two inch Naglers and back again. Also agree on the focus - the mount is very stable and you won't have any problems with the FS128 bouncing around while trying to find the perfect focus. I've had a TV102 and a TMB 130 on the DM-6 with no balance issues. I also just added an Antares four inch, 1500mm fl, scope to my collection and found that it also works very well on the DM-6. The tube is over five feet long, including the focuser, so I expected a lot of vibration. There is just a bit when focusing, but not enough to call a nuisance.
I had a Giro and admired it's smooth operation, but I always had to lock the vertical axis down when changing eyepieces. I had the dual arm version, and with two scopes on it, I really had to be careful and make sure I had locked the tension down very tight. Apart from that, it's a great little mount.
I have not used the Maxload and am very curious about it. Hope someone chimes in here who has had some experience with it.
John
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drshr
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/08
Posts: 674
Loc: Darwin, Australia
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I am interested in the Max-load, but look at the price!
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Doc
14" F5 DOB.
APM 8" F6 Achro.
APM 105mm F6.2 CF APO.
120/F8.3
150/F5
80/F6.25ED
25x100 Binos.
To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.
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Ken Sturrock
newbie
Reged: 09/26/09
Posts: 4
Loc: Tampa, FL
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Here's another vote for the DM-6. I use a very front-heavy 127mm and an f8 102mm. It works well with both.
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maknewtnut
Vendor (Teton Telescope)
Reged: 10/08/06
Posts: 859
Loc: SE Idaho
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The MaxLoad has a payload capacity no other a/a mount I know of can match. It was specifically designed and built for scopes not usually considered within the range of a/a mounting. I field tested an 8" f/7 triplet on one and it didn't even flinch. I did the same with an MN76, and w/o counterweights at that!
I've talked a few folks OUT of considering the MaxLoad. For the small scopes most use with an a/a mount, the Max is overkill. In other words, this mount is in a completely different league, intended and built for completely different applications.
For what it does compared to what it costs, it's very reasonably priced. Once one prices a GEM that can adequately support an 7-10" triplet or other heavy scope, the MaxLoad begins to look dirt cheap by comparison(and as with all a/a mounts, one heckuva lot easier to set up and use too!). For a 6", if one does not require DSC's, it continues to be a very viable choice, and priced well below a/a mounts that do feature them.
I hope CN moderators don't see this as product pushing. It's not. This post is intended to shed light on what is an apples to oranges comparison.
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Mark
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drshr
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/08
Posts: 674
Loc: Darwin, Australia
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Hi Mark:
Thanks for your input and information. There is very little info about the max-load on this site. Providing information does not strike me as product pushing.
A few questions:
1. Does this mount handle as much as your old Giro XXL?
2. Are the knobs plastic or Aluminium? Living in the tropics simply warps and kills plastic parts.
3. Can it be set up with dual arm?
4. Any photos of the mount? I have been unable to find any being used.
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Doc
14" F5 DOB.
APM 8" F6 Achro.
APM 105mm F6.2 CF APO.
120/F8.3
150/F5
80/F6.25ED
25x100 Binos.
To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.
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7331Peg
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/01/08
Posts: 726
Loc: North coast of Oregon
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One more question for Mark on the Maxload: Is the vertical axis very sensitive to balance? In other words, does it have to be locked down when changing eyepieces? Or maybe even better, is it more sensitive or less sensitive to balance than the two arm Giro models?
John
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maknewtnut
Vendor (Teton Telescope)
Reged: 10/08/06
Posts: 859
Loc: SE Idaho
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I believe the Max has a significantly higher payload than the XXL. Bearing surface area is huge.
The knobs are a high quality plastic encased with non-slip material(like dense foam rubber).
Yes, there is an optional second arm available.
This information and pics have been posted on the Teton website for over a year.
To address another poster's question, yes, I did notice a difference in alt stability when changing out eyepieces. Still, with ANY a/a mount designed around balance instead of friction, it's always best to tighten the drag before changing out eyepieces.
Despite an incrase in moment arm of longer focal length refractors used for my own analysis, I did notice a decrease in sensitivity to load changes. That is probably due to increase surface area in which loads are distributed.
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Mark
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AlbertoJ
member
Reged: 02/20/08
Posts: 26
Loc: Madrid (Spain)
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Thanks for reply.
I know Maxload has an higher load capacity than the other two, as well as any of these three mounts could carry my tube.
But the question would be: which of the three mounts is the best for tracking at 300x with my Takahashi Fs-128?
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maknewtnut
Vendor (Teton Telescope)
Reged: 10/08/06
Posts: 859
Loc: SE Idaho
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I cannot provide any comment to that effect on CN. For a relatively light FS128, the MaxLoad would be overkill IMO, and best suited for a GR3 compared to the Max.
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Mark
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7331Peg
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/01/08
Posts: 726
Loc: North coast of Oregon
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Thanks, Mark, for the info on the vertical axis - curiosity satisfied!
Alberto - based on my experience, both the DM-6 and the Giro would be capable of tracking at 300x. I would be inclined to give a slight edge to the DM-6 on that, but the key in both cases would be having a very stable tripod.
I can't imagine that the max-load would not be capable of also tracking at 300x, but again, I don't have any experience with it. Yet.
John
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drshr
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/08
Posts: 674
Loc: Darwin, Australia
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Somebody should buy the Maxload and do a review. For payload it is out on its own. I also like its name! DM-6 and Giro don't say anything to me.
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Doc
14" F5 DOB.
APM 8" F6 Achro.
APM 105mm F6.2 CF APO.
120/F8.3
150/F5
80/F6.25ED
25x100 Binos.
To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.
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AlbertoJ
member
Reged: 02/20/08
Posts: 26
Loc: Madrid (Spain)
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Hello drshr, Mark made a review about Maxload, as proprietor of Teton Telescopes:
http://astronomytechnologytoday.com/pdfs/files/Apr08-apm%20apr%2008%20corrected.pdf
More reviews or opinions about this mount are welcome.
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therocksal
sage
Reged: 12/02/08
Posts: 287
Loc: Everett, WA
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I know it isn't in the OP's list but I have a Unistar Deluxe and am using it with a Celeston 6" f8 and the mount is fantastic. When balanced, it's smooth as butter, super stable, feel I can put twice that amount of weight on the thing. I am using my Atlas tripod extended out quite a ways and have very good damping times with excellent high power movement. I love the Unistar stuff and with all the accessories, it's easy to find a great fit for your equipment...and the customer service is first rate!
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Skywatcher 10" Truss Dob
Astro Tech 6" Mak-Cass (on order)
Orion 80ED
Atlas EQ-G
Canon XSi
KWIQ guider
Celestron 15x70s
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plyscope
sage
Reged: 11/23/06
Posts: 327
Loc: Perth, West Australia
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Thanks for the link AlbertoJ. I have been waiting for a review of this mount and even though Mark is a vendor I respect his opinion.
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Andy
6" f15 refractor
90mm f16.7 refractor
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Tom D.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/29/04
Posts: 1732
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If you want to mount a cannon, get the Maxload. If you want to precisely aim that cannon, get a DM-6. There really is no comparison between the two. Astronomy Technology Today, as a credible publication, is a waste of bandwidth.
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drshr
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/08
Posts: 674
Loc: Darwin, Australia
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The DM-6 has a great reputation, but always looks out of balance to me, esp with larger instruments.
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Doc
14" F5 DOB.
APM 8" F6 Achro.
APM 105mm F6.2 CF APO.
120/F8.3
150/F5
80/F6.25ED
25x100 Binos.
To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.
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SteveC
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/15/06
Posts: 1775
Loc: The Garden State
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Quote:
The DM-6 has a great reputation, but always looks out of balance to me, esp with larger instruments.
Not a problem!
Throw on a few more inches and a few pounds, not a problem.
I never have to rebalance with EP changes. Of course, I don't own an Ethos, so I don't have any experience with that.
And locking? Tom doesn't put a lock on it? Tough guys don't need locks.
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SteveC
TEC 140
Intes Micro 715 deluxe
TEC 110 (on order)
SolarMax 40
Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini, DM-6 w/Sky Commander on SV wood tripod, Vixen Skypod
TEC EP Turret, TMB Supermonos, ZAO II, Naglers, 32mm Konig, 24mm Panoptics, 14mm Meade UWA
Edited by SteveC (10/17/09 09:09 AM)
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7331Peg
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/01/08
Posts: 726
Loc: North coast of Oregon
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DM-6: No balance problems with a TMB130 and the 6, 8, and 13mm Ethos eyepieces. I did have to shift the tube forward slightly when I used a 31mm Nagler, which wasn't too often. Fantastic eyepiece ... but way too heavy for most alt-az uses.
John
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