Telescope Reviews: Re: WO EZTouch Alt-Az Mount now sold without Tripo

Yep.

Although - I may bump it up and do it with the UWANS to get it out a little sooner. It makes more sense to do it with the 105, but I've been getting lots of questions via e-mail on this mount, and it's going to be a little while till I get the 105 review out. (I have about 5 reviews on the docket at the moment, and a couple more things I'd like to get to - I've got enough to keep me busy for a while.)

I played with a FS102 on the WO tonight and a 66SD on the other side (being woefully ignored). It works well, but balance is a bit of an issue - like with any alt/az (except the discmounts - which are in a whole nother class).

I'm not sure I'd want to put a whole lot more weight on it than that (especially with a scope as long as the FS102), but it was pretty solid, smooth and useable at 180x or so. The rap test gave a damping time of 4-6 seconds which is about what I'd expect - focusing settled down within a couple of seconds (1-2 when using fine focus). Better than my Gibralter, considering the weight that's on it. It's certainly a lot more versitile in the telescopes you can use with it.

Some small annoyances have popped up - I do wish the tension adjustment screws were captive - however you can tell when they are all the way out before they pop out (and they haven't popped out yet) - they get a little wobbly when all the way out - and the tray's a little small (I also wish they had used a bolt that went all the way through the support, instead of one that screwed into the plastic - that would be less likely to strip out at some point - although that's a minor issue.

Still, given the price, and the fact it's dual armed with Losmandy and Vixen saddle plates (that covers just about everything) - I think it's an excellent deal.

I've got the gibralter sold.

T

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Hyperbole - undoubtedly the best thing ever.

Edited by Tom Trusock (03/10/06 11:12 PM)

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