Telescope Reviews: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount

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DCS357
member

Reged: 10/20/08

Loc: Lubbock, Tx

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: paul hart]
#2869809 - 01/16/09 08:18 PM

An excellent review.
Do you think I would have any problems with my Celestron 120 Omni f/8.3. It is 40" long and 12.5 lbs. I am thinking of getting this if it will support my scope. Also, will the mount work with my tripod (CG-4), i heard it will work with the CG-5)

thanks
don c

Edited by DCS357 (01/16/09 08:23 PM)

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csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: Jason B]
#2869826 - 01/16/09 08:31 PM

Jason, Wonderful review! I have the AT Voyager, & love it; selling my PortaMount & keeping the AT.

Thanks for the great photos accompanying your review, also!

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Jason B
My wife says I am Obsessed...

Reged: 06/21/04

Loc: Mid-Michigan

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: paul hart]
#2870147 - 01/16/09 11:25 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Paul,
It will be a great match for the 127mm Starmax if that is the scope you intend to use it for!

Yes that it will be used for primarily. It's going to fly with me to New Mexico in June. Plus I have a small car and want to take it to my brother's place in northern Michigan.

You'll have to try and come in September some time, during the Great Lakes Star Gaze. Nice star party in North-Central Michigan.

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Jason B
My wife says I am Obsessed...

Reged: 06/21/04

Loc: Mid-Michigan

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: DCS357]
#2870154 - 01/16/09 11:30 PM

Quote:

An excellent review.
Do you think I would have any problems with my Celestron 120 Omni f/8.3. It is 40" long and 12.5 lbs. I am thinking of getting this if it will support my scope. Also, will the mount work with my tripod (CG-4), i heard it will work with the CG-5)

thanks
don c

Thanks Don. The mount would have no trouble holding the weight but the length could be a problem with focusing gitters. I think it would be alright but everybody is little different when it comes to mount tolerances so, if you can, give it try before you buy.

I am unfamiliar with the CG4 tripod so I can't help you there.

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Jason B
My wife says I am Obsessed...

Reged: 06/21/04

Loc: Mid-Michigan

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: csa/montana]
#2870156 - 01/16/09 11:31 PM

Thanks for the kind words Carol.

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SilentLight
super member

Reged: 11/29/08

Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: Jason B]
#3098119 - 05/11/09 12:55 PM

I just unpacked mine last night. Build quality is top notch. Seems to hold my 180mm Mak-Cass ok, although haven't tested it to extremes yet with camera or eyepiece. Ordering half-pier for it since it's too short for my SV80/9D.

Where is a good source for wood legs?

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paul hart
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 06/01/04

Loc: Lawn Guyland, New Yawk, Earth

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: SilentLight]
#3101431 - 05/12/09 10:56 PM

I got wooden legs from Hands On Optics. I use my Voyager mount with a Orion 127 Mak. I use the supplied legs, but I use anti-vibration pads with them. BTW instead of shelling out 50 bucks for pads, I made mine for about 5 dollars using rubber cups used for furniture legs and RTV.

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chooch
journeyman

Reged: 10/01/12

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: paul hart]
#5471627 - 10/15/12 01:54 PM

Has anyone used the JMI microslew motors for the Voyager ?

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Photoner
professor emeritus

Reged: 12/06/06

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: chooch]
#5471862 - 10/15/12 04:44 PM

PM sent

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simpleisbetter
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 04/18/11

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: Photoner]
#5471954 - 10/15/12 05:39 PM

I tried out the JMI microslew when I first got my Voyager. At first I liked it because at high power mode on planets and using orthos it's an easy and relaxing way to track on the mount. But...there were two issues I had that made me discard the setup within a couple months.

First is once you install the JMI you lose manual control of slewing, which is preferable on low power DSO viewing. I corrected that by changing out one of the two allen setcrews on each coupler sleeve to a brass thumbscrew so I could disengage and run manually on DSO's.

Second, and the even bigger issue is the hand controller is setup for only altitude or azimuth mode at a time. I tired very quickly of having to change the switch on the controller from altitude to azimuth mode every 30 seconds. I provided feedback to JMI suggesting that they'd have a much better product if they'd make a controller with 4 buttons, one set for azimuth and the other for altitude. Their rather smug reply was basically "whatever", they really didn't care.

At that point I said forget it and got rid of it, wanting nothing more to do with JMI. I've also had trouble with them on an EV-1 purchase, getting the wrong configuration and adapters, and billed $100 more than it should've been; never got refund of the overbilling either.

Edited by simpleisbetter (10/15/12 06:07 PM)

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Photoner
professor emeritus

Reged: 12/06/06

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: simpleisbetter]
#5471969 - 10/15/12 05:48 PM

I concur with what Steve said.

15% restocking fee for a return.

Better to use a computer to match the earths motions with alt/az motors--like Celestron & Meade do with the goto mounts.

Quote the Raven...

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rathbaster
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 03/21/08

Loc: East Bridgewater, MA

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: chooch]
#5473319 - 10/16/12 01:27 PM

Quote:

Has anyone used the JMI microslew motors for the Voyager ?

I did but I upgraded to the Train-n-track system from JMI. It uses the same motors but adds a control box so that you can set the rate that they rotate at.

I find Train-n-track to be very useful, after a little practice it takes very little time to set the rates. Much, much better than the micro-slew motors.

-Joe

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core
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/23/08

Loc: Mostly in Norman, OK

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: rathbaster]
#5474999 - 10/17/12 12:31 PM

Anyone having issues with sticktion and play on the Voyager and any remedy? I've noticed sticktion issues not only on my unit, but a friend's unit and the display units at astronomics as well.

It's slightly noticeable with something like a C6 OTA, and as much as much as I would like to use a C8 on it (have tried it and it's more stable than I'd imagine), there is quite a bit of play and sticktion on my unit that makes the experience less than idea. Comparatively, I've used 3 different Porta Mounts and they have all been smoother than the Voyager (no play, smooth slo-mo, little sticktion - but my 'issue' with the Porta is the fixed right-handed and angled head).

I know that you can release the 3 bolts on the puck to adjust the gap for the worm gear, but when it's tight the slo-mo tends of have several rough/tight spots. Any idea if a tear-down and re-lube would help?

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Chucky
sage

Reged: 04/16/10

Loc: Dublin, Ohio

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: core]
#5476522 - 10/18/12 08:29 AM

I think one takes their chance on getting a 'good one' (Voyager). Manufacturing tolerances vary on this lower end budget type of mount. I've had two. My first one never was all that smooth....no matter what I did adjustment-wise. My current one is truly sweet. Very, very smooth in both directions. No movement delay, no play. Just buttery smooth motions. I lucked out and now have a good one.

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Photoner
professor emeritus

Reged: 12/06/06

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: Chucky]
#5477374 - 10/18/12 04:47 PM

My copy of the Voyager mount works well and is very handy for:

PST
TV 102
120ST
C8 Edge HD

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MikeBOKC
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/10/10

Loc: Oklahoma City, OK

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: Photoner]
#5481622 - 10/21/12 09:41 AM Attachment (42 downloads)

My combined white light and hydrogen alpha solar rig rides my Voyager with ease.

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chooch
journeyman

Reged: 10/01/12

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: rathbaster]
#5491275 - 10/27/12 07:49 AM

Thats strange because when i bought the micro-slew motors and h/c , I wanted to buy the H/C for track and train to have in addition to the m/s h/c and was told it was an entirely different set up ?

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rathbaster
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 03/21/08

Loc: East Bridgewater, MA

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: chooch]
#5491308 - 10/27/12 08:17 AM

Quote:

Thats strange because when i bought the micro-slew motors and h/c , I wanted to buy the H/C for track and train to have in addition to the m/s h/c and was told it was an entirely different set up ?

By upgrade I meant I purchased the whole Train-n-Track setup. However, it is simply the micro-slew motors with a new control box.

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Mike Cook
super member

Reged: 07/13/08

Loc: Moncton NB (Cloud Central)

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount new

new

[Re: rathbaster]
#5491423 - 10/27/12 10:10 AM

I have an Astro-Tech Voyager and have been using it for a few years. Someone mentioned stiction; well, mine had it, notably when I had the mount arm set at an angle so I could point the telescope to the zenith. The stiction was really noticeable with a short telescope. (Meade series 5000 80mm short tube refractor.) Often times I would keep overshooting the object I wanted to point at as the mount snapped out of stiction with a squeak as I moved it to and fro. My solution was to take it apart, clean off the original lube, and reapply a broad temperature 'food grade' industrial grease. Been smooth as silk since.

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SilentLight
super member

Reged: 11/29/08

Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Re: Astro-Tech Voyager Mount [Re: rathbaster]
#5491822 - 10/27/12 03:09 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Thats strange because when i bought the micro-slew motors and h/c , I wanted to buy the H/C for track and train to have in addition to the m/s h/c and was told it was an entirely different set up ?

By upgrade I meant I purchased the whole Train-n-Track setup. However, it is simply the micro-slew motors with a new control box.

I have the old micro-slew too, and was told by Tom at JMI that "the Micro-Slew motors are much faster than the TNT motors." Therefore, have to buy the whole TNT kit, not just controller.

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