Telescope Reviews: Atlas load

· 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

Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all)

Doug76
Long Achro Junkie

Reged: 12/05/07

Loc: Refractor Heaven

Atlas load
#4515404 - 04/13/11 12:09 PM

This question is aimed at those who have mounted an Atlas on a pier, or on a heavier duty tripod than the one the Atlas is supplied with.
What is the maximum load you have installed on the Atlas, and how well did it carry it?

Post Extras:

Asimov
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/11/10

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: Doug76]
#4515565 - 04/13/11 01:20 PM

I have mine riding a portable pier with a 14" newt riding it. Admittedly I have constructed a new skeltal framed OTA to keep the weight down. Total weight of the OTA is 31LB.

It's doing it easy.

Post Extras:

RogerRZ
Whatta you lookin' at?

Reged: 01/09/06

Loc: West Collette, NB, Canada

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: Asimov]
#4515657 - 04/13/11 02:08 PM

I have mine on a 8x8 piece of maple, set into a 12" concrete post, which is in turn set into a 24" diameter, five foot long hunk of concrete. I sometimes mount my C11 on it, and it is very steady. I have a ADM D series saddle on in, as with the stock Vixen style saddle, all I had were wobbles.

Right now, there is an 8" f/6 ota on it, and it is also very solid. Focusing wiggles die down in less than a second.

I don't think I'd mount much more weight than that on it. I certainly wouldn't want to go any longer than the 48" Newt.

Needless to say, the Genesis SDF is a pleasure to use on this mount.

Post Extras:

Jeff in Austin
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 02/26/07

Loc: TEXAS

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: RogerRZ]
#4516383 - 04/13/11 07:45 PM

I have 32 lbs loaded on my Atlas for AP. Using a Pier. No problems.

Post Extras:

BKBrown
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/23/09

Loc: Northern Virginia, USA

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: Doug76]
#4516407 - 04/13/11 07:57 PM Attachment (37 downloads)

I have my Atlas on a Losmandy HD tripod with an Optical Supports adapter. My C11 Edge and heavily upgraded C925, both coming in at 32-34 pounds full up, have no problems whatsoever.

Clear Skies,
BrianB

Post Extras:

Asimov
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/11/10

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: BKBrown]
#4516468 - 04/13/11 08:33 PM

Anyone pushing the so called limit of 40 + LBS?

Post Extras:

alpal
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/15/09

Loc: Melbourne Australia.

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: Asimov]
#4516759 - 04/13/11 11:12 PM

I have 12Kgs or about 26 lbs on my EQ6 Pro mount.
I am having guiding problems but I believe that is not the cause.
I have ordered new tube rings & will mount my guidesope on them
- then see if it works better.

Post Extras:

Deven Matlick
Vendor - Criterion Machine Co. LLC

Reged: 12/31/05

Loc: Moatsville, WV

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: Doug76]
#4516963 - 04/14/11 02:08 AM Attachment (34 downloads)

I have over 60 lbs. on mine and it is fine for visual and planetary imaging as long as there is no wind. Wind is only an issue because the scope is 8' long. I balance it with 44 lbs. of counterweights on a 20" shaft.

Post Extras:

dvb
different Syndrome.

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: Deven Matlick]
#4516999 - 04/14/11 02:46 AM

I had a 10" Skywatcher Newt with rotating rings that topped 45 lb.

The EQ6 (Atlas) handled it very well. I didn't try any still imaging, but I used it for MallinCam, and the pointing and tracking were fine. I just used the stock tripod.

I did replace the altitude bolts with better stainless, and tuned up the azimuth screws, but that seems fairly standard at higher altitudes (49* +).

Post Extras:

ASTERON
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/24/07

Loc: ISRAEL

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: dvb]
#4517075 - 04/14/11 04:50 AM

I regularely mount my 12" LX200ACF OTA with a Long Losmandy D-type Dovetail and radius blocks and a Moonlight focuser on my Atlas EQG ( Total weight exceeds 21 Kg) with Original tripod and original 8" pier extension for visual only.
The mount caries it well with no apparent motor strain (but who knows on the long term).
There are some vibrations when its windy and when I focus but it is OK for me.

I wouldnt recommend this for AP and even for visual it may strain the gear and motors if permanently loaded above nominal capacity - but for now it works fine.

Edited by ASTERON (04/14/11 04:52 AM)

Post Extras:

Yannis
super member

Reged: 09/07/10

Loc: Greece

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: ASTERON]
#4517202 - 04/14/11 07:34 AM

I regularly use the EQ Atlas (NEQ-6) with its own tripod with more than 17 kgr (37.5 lbs?) for Astrophotography. I balance it with 20kgr (4 x 5kgr weights).

It happily carries my GSO RC 10" Carbon Fiber (14.5 kgr) + Guidescope/QHY5 (1.5 kgr) + QHY9/ColorWheel (1 Kgr) + wires.

Guiding at 1492mm (RC10+Reducer) works fine.

So I believe that with Visual only, 20kgr is rather conservative.

It NEEDS proper balancing. Slight unbalance on this load makes the mount lose tracking quality.

Post Extras:

mega256
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 05/10/07

Loc: N of Tampa

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: Yannis]
#4517536 - 04/14/11 11:06 AM Attachment (39 downloads)

Yes I over do it...I run a AT12IN at 40lbs and with
rings and dovetail its just over 50lbs.I use it on a pier
and some extras.It moans a little,but handles the load fine.The scope is F4 and about 46" long.I now use 3 11 lbs with and extension shaft of 6".
I use this setup with a Mallincam with very good results..But its set up in a pod and well balanced.And I also have a 2nd atlas mount and a spare set of bearnings,motors, and electronics...(just in case

Edited by mega256 (04/14/11 02:19 PM)

Post Extras:

mega256
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 05/10/07

Loc: N of Tampa

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: mega256]
#4517543 - 04/14/11 11:11 AM Attachment (35 downloads)

on a tripod

Edited by mega256 (04/14/11 02:05 PM)

Post Extras:

Doug76
Long Achro Junkie

Reged: 12/05/07

Loc: Refractor Heaven

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: mega256]
#4517655 - 04/14/11 12:10 PM

Quote:

Yes I over do it...I run a AT12IN at 40lbs and with
rings and dovetail its just over 50lbs.I use it on a pier
and some extras.It moans a little,but handles the load fine.The scope is F4 and about 46" long.

This is what I was looking for. Not planning on the AT12IN to go on it, but the AT10IN.

Post Extras:

Dmitri F
sage

Reged: 04/05/05

Loc: New Jersey

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: Doug76]
#4517698 - 04/14/11 12:31 PM

I have a 12" Meade SCT which is 40lbs without counting the Losmandy mounting plate, dew shield, binoviewer e.t.c. No problems.

Piggybacking an 80mm refractor on top is a little problematic. The refractor is further away from the center of rotation than the end of the counterweight shaft. And I can only add a new counterweight closer to the center. SO I need more than 10lb extra counterweight to balance a three pound OTA. The whole setup becomes poorly balanced. Still works but my Go-To is often off (not sure if the heavy weight is the reason but I suspect so). I am looking to get a longer counterweight shaft.

So it seems important where the weight is, not just how big it is.

Post Extras:

mega256
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 05/10/07

Loc: N of Tampa

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: Dmitri F]
#4517885 - 04/14/11 02:08 PM

scope stuff make a 6" extension ,its larger diamiter and there are 2 different thread types.But if you take the plastic insert out of the stock weights,it works great.

I now have the 6" extension on the counterweight bar and a longer adm dovetail....works great..for the AT12IN
I now balance with 3 11 lbs weights,just....with the 6"extensionn.

Edited by mega256 (04/14/11 02:14 PM)

Post Extras:

bluedandelion
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: Hazy Hollow, Western WA

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: mega256]
#4517938 - 04/14/11 02:38 PM

Quote:

Yes I over do it...I run a AT12IN at 40lbs and with
rings and dovetail its just over 50lbs.I use it on a pier
and some extras.It moans a little,but handles the load fine.The scope is F4 and about 46" long.I now use 3 11 lbs with and extension shaft of 6".
I use this setup with a Mallincam with very good results..But its set up in a pod and well balanced.And I also have a 2nd atlas mount and a spare set of bearnings,motors, and electronics...(just in case

I see four counterweights in this picture with the pier mount. Is that with the stock bar?

Also in the picture with the tripod there appears to be more than 33 lbs of CWs.

Ajay

Post Extras:

Asimov
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/11/10

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: bluedandelion]
#4518184 - 04/14/11 04:40 PM

Wow. There are some decent loads being run on this mount! 60LB Devin? Just goes to show that with careful thought, this mount is a real winner.

Post Extras:

rmollise
Postmaster

Reged: 07/06/07

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: Asimov]
#4518278 - 04/14/11 05:30 PM

Quote:

Wow. There are some decent loads being run on this mount! 60LB Devin? Just goes to show that with careful thought, this mount is a real winner.

It is. It is a modern classic. No, it ain't an AP, but maybe it's the poor man's AP. I know I love mine.

Post Extras:

idealistic
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/31/10

Loc: massachusetts

Re: Atlas load new

[Re: rmollise]
#4518284 - 04/14/11 05:31 PM

I want one.

Post Extras:

Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all)

Extra information

28 registered and 32 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator: Bowmoreman, bilgebay, iceblaze

Print Thread

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Thread views: 1929

Jump to

CN Forums

Home

Cloudy Nights LLC
Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics