T-Rex or Orion Atlas Pro AZ/EQ-G?

Thank you, Ed. Sounds great.
I cannot find Avalon on the Internet. Is there any information accessible at this time, such as images, description, specs, pricing?

Heinz

Avalon will be producing the kit and it will likely be available through Kokusai Kohki. We don't have the price established yet and there probably will not be anything specific on the websites until after November, but the controller will be displayed in a ad for the Avalon M-zero mount in the next Astronomy Technology Today, since it will use the same controller. You can find the Avalon website and M-zero here: Avalon Instruments.

Thank you again, Ed. I found the website. Avalon's mounts look wonderful, but seem to be clearly on the pricey side. I understand you don't know the actual sales price of the Goto Kit, but maybe you could give me a hint about the order of magnitude the price will be in, so I have some idea about the kind of future investment I have to expect, if I buy the T-Rex. For instance: Significantly under 1000$, around 1000$, or significantly above 1000$.(The latter two would probably be too much for me.)

Best regards
Heinz

Thank you again, Ed. I found the website. Avalon's mounts look wonderful, but seem to be clearly on the pricey side. I understand you don't know the actual sales price of the Goto Kit, but maybe you could give me a hint about the order of magnitude the price will be in, so I have some idea about the kind of future investment I have to expect, if I buy the T-Rex. For instance: Significantly under 1000$, around 1000$, or significantly above 1000$.(The latter two would probably be too much for me.)

Best regards
Heinz

Probably around $1100, but it will be full goto, not just tracking. Since they are also making the motor attachment, it may be possible to get those for use with a less expensive, non-goto, tracking system as well.

Thank you, this is very interesting. I think I'll definitely get the T-Rex. Looking forward to it.
Have nice Sunday (here in Japan it is Sunday morning and I am off to work.

Heinz

Interesting news Ed, I'll be looking for the announcements and info. Thanks!

Clear Skies,
Brian

Probably around $1100, but it will be full goto, not just tracking. Since they are also making the motor attachment, it may be possible to get those for use with a less expensive, non-goto, tracking system as well.

That is music to my ears Ed. It is such a good mount to use as is but the addition of full GoTo will save me buying another mount for 'outreach' events.

Hope this comes about.

I can see it now, this ensemble with full goto

Now that is a pretty setup!

Now that is a pretty setup!

Thanks Ed, it works well for me, I use a 23mm ep in the Stellarvue,
an 8mm LVW in the FS60CB and from 3.5mm to 42mm LVWs in the TSA.
At the moment I have the miniMax DTC but am changing to the Argo Navis.
The Nikon 80-200 F2.8 / D7000 works well to show visitors the colours of celestial objects.

I have also incorporated a Slew Handle which I made to your design in my spare time. (Sorry for copying your design !!! )

Thank you, Ed. Sounds great.
I cannot find Avalon on the Internet. Is there any information accessible at this time, such as images, description, specs, pricing?

Heinz

Avalon will be producing the kit and it will likely be available through Kokusai Kohki. We don't have the price established yet and there probably will not be anything specific on the websites until after November, but the controller will be displayed in a ad for the Avalon M-zero mount in the next Astronomy Technology Today, since it will use the same controller. You can find the Avalon website and M-zero here: Avalon Instruments.

Hi Ed,

Interesting development. I am planning to attend ASAE, probably just Saturday.
I am looking forward to talking to you at ASAE.

Tammy

Well, the decision has been taken. I just ordered a T-Rex for the Mewlon 250.

It seems, Avalon is going to produce a tracking motor for the mount, no Goto yet. This is the latest information I have from Barry Gooley of Kokusai Kohki, the developer of the T-Rex, who called Avalon today. Therefore, I am going to use a Sky Commander and SkySafari to find the objects. This is absolutely crucial in light polluted Tokyo. First light will most probably be Jupiter from my bedroom window. I know, I know, tube currents, warm air in the window and so on. But this is my only chance right now, if I don't want to wait until I some day have opportunity to take the scope to a dark place.

Best regards
Heinz

Now that is a pretty setup!

Yes, real pretty. Refractors are the most beautiful telescopes after all.
Congratulations.
How does this nice brass-telescope perform?

Best regards
Heinz

Well, the decision has been taken. I just ordered a T-Rex for the Mewlon 250.

It seems, Avalon is going to produce a tracking motor for the mount, no Goto yet. This is the latest information I have from Barry Gooley of Kokusai Kohki, the developer of the T-Rex, who called Avalon today. Therefore, I am going to use a Sky Commander and SkySafari to find the objects. This is absolutely crucial in light polluted Tokyo. First light will most probably be Jupiter from my bedroom window. I know, I know, tube currents, warm air in the window and so on. But this is my only chance right now, if I don't want to wait until I some day have opportunity to take the scope to a dark place.

Best regards
Heinz

I have to correct myself on this. The Avalon system will first be released in a smart tracker mode that will allow it to keep objects tracked by memorizing corrections made by the observer using the hand controller. The hardware will be goto-ready with those functions being worked on for release by firmware next year.

Sorry for the confusion on that.

Well, the decision has been taken. I just ordered a T-Rex for the Mewlon 250.

It seems, Avalon is going to produce a tracking motor for the mount, no Goto yet. This is the latest information I have from Barry Gooley of Kokusai Kohki, the developer of the T-Rex, who called Avalon today. Therefore, I am going to use a Sky Commander and SkySafari to find the objects. This is absolutely crucial in light polluted Tokyo. First light will most probably be Jupiter from my bedroom window. I know, I know, tube currents, warm air in the window and so on. But this is my only chance right now, if I don't want to wait until I some day have opportunity to take the scope to a dark place.

Best regards
Heinz

I have to correct myself on this. The Avalon system will first be released in a smart tracker mode that will allow it to keep objects tracked by memorizing corrections made by the observer using the hand controller. The hardware will be goto-ready with those functions being worked on for release by firmware next year.

Sorry for the confusion on that.

No worries Ed! So this initial solution sounds like JMI TnT tech. I guess by the time the whole package is complete the price will be up there, but will the "phase one" now followed by "phase two" later approach help break down the cost? Any thoughts?

Clear Skies,
Brian

Since the hardware will be all ready for the goto upgrade by firmware, I think they are satisfied to sell it all the full price to start with rather than charge for a firmware update down the line. This is all up to the manufacturer though, not me. Until I see how the motor mounts have been designed, I don't know if it will be reasonable (if possible) to obtain just the motor mounts along for use with a different drive system.

Thanks Heinz, The brass refractor is a c1870s Berry&Mackay 3.25" F16 Fraunhofer Doublet with quite incredible colour correction for its vintage.
Great to view the moon through such old glass.