EdTheEdge
sage
Reged: 04/10/09
Posts: 294
Loc: Lomita, CA
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Thanks for the dimensions! In your opinion approximately how high off the ground would an eyepiece be using a 3 foot refractor at zenith. I am just looking for a ballpark figure to determine the comfort factor. If that makes sense..... TIA
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Scopes:
Celestron SP-C6 F/5
Orion ST80 F/5
Orion 90mm F/10.1
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Mounts:
Vixen Super Polaris
CG-5GT
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Eyepieces:
Orion 25mm Sirius Plössl
Orion 15mm Expanse
Orion 10mm Ultrascopic
Orion 7.5mm HightLight Plössl
GSO 2X Barlow
Lumicon ND25
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Torrance,CA
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macular hole
super member
Reged: 08/12/09
Posts: 170
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Assuming the OTA is mounted so that the middle of the scope is roughly at the center of the dovetail clamp and that the EP plus diagonal plus any extensions are about 1'6" down from the center, at maximum tripod height, the EP would be at roughly 46" from the ground when scope is pointed at Zenith.
The combined weight of the tripod, mount, 8 double A batteries, hand controller, and counter balance weight is roughly 39lbs. 29lbs minus the counter balance weight.
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macular hole
super member
Reged: 08/12/09
Posts: 170
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I plopped the whole shebang outside without the OTA for a dry run.
The GPS locked on and gave me the OK symbol in less than one minute. This was within 20ft of the house. It locked on to GPS in the house as well, but it took about 4-5 minutes.
The noise volume for rapid slew to target was 76db, C weighted, using a Radioshack digital sound meter, measured at one inch from the mount. The sound is very unobtrusive.
It is nearly silent when tracking. Again, this is without and OTA mounted. I did have the 10 pound counterweight attached. Not sure if the sound will change with an OTA mounted.
I tried to mount my Leica apo 77 spotting scope. Not going to work without some kind of adapter plate. My OTA is not due for another week or two at the earliest, so if anyone else has this mount up and running and would like to chime in, please do.
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EdTheEdge
sage
Reged: 04/10/09
Posts: 294
Loc: Lomita, CA
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I wish I could help out.... I am quite impatiently waiting for a review on the operation. But I do value all the input you have imparted thus far! Keep us updated please!
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Scopes:
Celestron SP-C6 F/5
Orion ST80 F/5
Orion 90mm F/10.1
--------------------
Mounts:
Vixen Super Polaris
CG-5GT
--------------------
Eyepieces:
Orion 25mm Sirius Plössl
Orion 15mm Expanse
Orion 10mm Ultrascopic
Orion 7.5mm HightLight Plössl
GSO 2X Barlow
Lumicon ND25
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Torrance,CA
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EdTheEdge
sage
Reged: 04/10/09
Posts: 294
Loc: Lomita, CA
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BTW.... What OTA are you going to mount on your Mini Pro?
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Scopes:
Celestron SP-C6 F/5
Orion ST80 F/5
Orion 90mm F/10.1
--------------------
Mounts:
Vixen Super Polaris
CG-5GT
--------------------
Eyepieces:
Orion 25mm Sirius Plössl
Orion 15mm Expanse
Orion 10mm Ultrascopic
Orion 7.5mm HightLight Plössl
GSO 2X Barlow
Lumicon ND25
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Torrance,CA
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macular hole
super member
Reged: 08/12/09
Posts: 170
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Tak TSA 120........when it finally arrives.
Anyone know a good dovetail to use with the Tak clamshell that would also work harmoniously with the Minitower dovetail clamp?
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Lane
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/19/07
Posts: 1682
Loc: Frisco, Texas
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This dovetail plate is the best choice in my opinion. It allows you to position the clamshell anyplace you want along that groove. Other universal type plates require you to use predrilled holes that are not always where you want them to be. The bottom is recessed on this too so the bolts will not stick out.
P.S. Post some pics when get the scope and mount all put together.
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Mounts: CGEM, ORION SIRIUS, AT Voyager/jmi motorized
SCTs: C6, C8, C9.25, C11,
Refractors: TV Pronto, Orion ED80, AT106
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johnnyha
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/12/06
Posts: 1539
Loc: Sherman Oaks, CA
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Quote:
Tak TSA 120........when it finally arrives.
Now there's one that should be wortth the wait! What a sweet setup. 
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Johnny
Spicewood, TX
Sherman Oaks, CA
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EdTheEdge
sage
Reged: 04/10/09
Posts: 294
Loc: Lomita, CA
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Quote:
Tak TSA 120........when it finally arrives.
Anyone know a good dovetail to use with the Tak clamshell that would also work harmoniously with the Minitower dovetail clamp?
Whoa! 
--------------------
Scopes:
Celestron SP-C6 F/5
Orion ST80 F/5
Orion 90mm F/10.1
--------------------
Mounts:
Vixen Super Polaris
CG-5GT
--------------------
Eyepieces:
Orion 25mm Sirius Plössl
Orion 15mm Expanse
Orion 10mm Ultrascopic
Orion 7.5mm HightLight Plössl
GSO 2X Barlow
Lumicon ND25
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Torrance,CA
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EdTheEdge
sage
Reged: 04/10/09
Posts: 294
Loc: Lomita, CA
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Quote:
In hand and assembled, sans OTA.
Where did you get yours at?
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Scopes:
Celestron SP-C6 F/5
Orion ST80 F/5
Orion 90mm F/10.1
--------------------
Mounts:
Vixen Super Polaris
CG-5GT
--------------------
Eyepieces:
Orion 25mm Sirius Plössl
Orion 15mm Expanse
Orion 10mm Ultrascopic
Orion 7.5mm HightLight Plössl
GSO 2X Barlow
Lumicon ND25
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Torrance,CA
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macular hole
super member
Reged: 08/12/09
Posts: 170
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I bought mine directly from www.ioptron.com.
Lane, thanks for that dovetail rec. Looks like a good one.
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Scott Rose
sage
Reged: 04/20/08
Posts: 329
Loc: beachwood ohio
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what is the total weight of the PRO.
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macular hole
super member
Reged: 08/12/09
Posts: 170
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Quote:
The combined weight of the tripod, mount, 8 double A batteries, hand controller, and counter balance weight is roughly 39lbs. 29lbs minus the counter balance weight.
Scott, see above for other specs.
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johnnyha
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/12/06
Posts: 1539
Loc: Sherman Oaks, CA
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Photos please?! 
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Johnny
Spicewood, TX
Sherman Oaks, CA
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macular hole
super member
Reged: 08/12/09
Posts: 170
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Gonna need alot of help with that.
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Scott Rose
sage
Reged: 04/20/08
Posts: 329
Loc: beachwood ohio
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Duh, sorry.
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EdTheEdge
sage
Reged: 04/10/09
Posts: 294
Loc: Lomita, CA
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Still no first light reports on this mount?
I wonder what the chances are it will go on sale before Xmas?
--------------------
Scopes:
Celestron SP-C6 F/5
Orion ST80 F/5
Orion 90mm F/10.1
--------------------
Mounts:
Vixen Super Polaris
CG-5GT
--------------------
Eyepieces:
Orion 25mm Sirius Plössl
Orion 15mm Expanse
Orion 10mm Ultrascopic
Orion 7.5mm HightLight Plössl
GSO 2X Barlow
Lumicon ND25
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Torrance,CA
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Scott Rose
sage
Reged: 04/20/08
Posts: 329
Loc: beachwood ohio
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I was hoping steve forbes would have had the chance to check out this mount. My final decision will rest on his decision. I do not think anyone knows more about these mounts than he does.
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Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3958
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Well... there's a couple of clues here. Remember, Steve's motto is "If we won't own it, we won't sell it!"... and, after they looked at the insides of one of the Pro's, removed it from his website. The bearings apparently are flimsy, and the clutches tiny. He also had issues with the tripod. A shame someone couldn't open up a Pro next to an upgraded MiniTower... the comparisons would be interesting.
I had originally placed an order with Steve- at Trapezium for one of his upgraded MiniTowers... just about the time the Pro was announced. So I told him I'd pay the difference, and wait on the Pro.
Well, when he got one- and opened it up was when he changed my mind for me- and so I reverted to the upgraded MiniTower. I received it a couple of weeks ago, and have no regrets. And saved some $$$'s besides.
Another reason I wanted the Pro, was for the heavier-duty tripod- but I have no issued with the one that came with the MiniTower. I've had my C8 on one side and an iOptron 152 MAK on the other side with satisfactory results. I may come up with a different (more solid) tripod down the road, but I'm happy with my decision to go with the upgraded MT as opposed to the Pro.
I make it a habit never to buy anything I can't find other satisfied users of- and in the case of the Trapezium-upgraded MiniTowers, that's not difficult. In fact, you'd have a lot more trouble finding someone who isn't extremely pleased with the mount as upgraded by him- as well as the support offered by him!
Another fact that swayed my decision- Trapezium is the only dealer who tests every mount and every telescope under the stars- and gives you a report with it stating which objects it was tested on. It's nice knowing that you're going to get a product that has been proven before it gets to you, rather than hoping it'll work when you get it. Everyone knows someone who's received a defective product that should have never left the factory.
Bottom line- at the current time, he has no plans to sell them (the Pro), so I wouldn't be looking for any upgrades from him on them either.
Wes
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johnnyha
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/12/06
Posts: 1539
Loc: Sherman Oaks, CA
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My decision would be swayed by the fact the new Pro costs quite a lot more than the original. At $799 it was a little pricey but filled a niche. But they just added $500 to the price - I would expect it to be COMPLETELY BULLETPROOF and substantially upgraded to a different class mount.
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Johnny
Spicewood, TX
Sherman Oaks, CA
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