Alt-Azimuth Archives

Small Scope Alt-Az Comparison: Wimberley vs. the GR-2 Deluxe

I have for quite some time looked for the ideal highly portable scope package. My viewing time is often quite limited, and my principle viewing site (my yard) has a number of large trees; in order to see much, I need to keep moving about the yard. In addition, my best viewing tends to be on vacations when we're in locations with really dark skies, and I wanted something that was easy to carry (along with all the paraphernalia that goes with having a one-year-old daughter).

Read story →    0 comments   

The iOptron MiniTower - Part 2

First, I am convinced that iOptron, a young company, wants to develop quality products and, since my March review, it has engaged in a program of quality control improvement. For example, Dr. Hou contacted me shortly after my review was published to

Read story →    0 comments   

Universal Astronomics Unistar Basic Mount

The mount arrived well packaged in about a week and had a small instruction manual (2 pages really). The first thing I noticed was that

Read story →    0 comments   

Vixen Mini Porta Mount

What I received surprised and disappointed me. But more on that later. Let’s start with the basics. I set up the mount with my Orion ST80 for a quick photo shoot

Read story →    0 comments   

Vixen Porta Mount

The Vixen comes in what seems to be three models. First is the Mini Porta Mount which weighs 6 pounds and is rated at 8 pounds of load capacity, and sells for around

Read story →    0 comments   

Simple ALT/AZ Mount

I almost walked past the "cheap scope" at a flea market recently but something about it caught my eye…

Read story →    0 comments   

SHOWDOWN: The iOptron CUBE PRO vs. The Nexstar GT Mount

As promised in my April review of the iOptron MiniTower, I purchased and have spent many hours testing the iOptron Cube Pro

Read story →    0 comments   

Astro-Tech vs TeleVue Mount Comparison

The Astro-Tech Voyager uses a Vixen style dovetail and the mount employs an arm that holds the altitude bearing either straight up or at 45 degrees on either side of the vertical

Read story →    0 comments   

The iOptron MiniTower - A Second Opinion

John Cameron gives us his take on the iOptron MiniTower

Read story →    0 comments   

Universal Astronomics Dwarfstar Mount

How can something this small work so well

Read story →    0 comments   

Astro-Tech Voyager Mount

The Astro-Tech Voyager Alt Az Mount

Read story →    0 comments   

iOptron Mini Tower

The mount itself comes very well protected within its own locking case. Included are just about anything and everything that one needs to be up and

Read story →    0 comments   

Astronomy Technologies Voyager Mount

The first time I used the mount was aboard the Caribbean Princess during the Lunar Eclipse of February 2008. The Voyager came the day before I left for the cruise so I brought it along instead of my MicroStar, my usual air travel

Read story →    0 comments   

Vixen Skypod

The Vixen Skypod is an Alt/Az mount that will also track an object as it moves across the sky.

Read story →    0 comments   

William Optics EZtouch Alt-Az Mount

The mount is available separately from WO, and can be mounted on a different tripod if you like

Read story →    0 comments   

Stellarvue M6HD Mount

My initial requirements for a mount were for a quick assembly, capable of holding either a large or heavy refractor, and fast settling times when arriving at the destination.

Read story →    0 comments   

Desert Sky Astro DSV-1 Alt-Az Mount

I have owned an XT8i for about 8 months and a Williams Optics Megrez 80mm Triplet Apo for about two months.

Read story →    0 comments   

Tele Vue Panoramic Mount

Mounts matter. A good mount can bring out the best in a mediocre telescope, but a poor mount will destroy the views in even the finest telescopes

Read story →    0 comments   

Helix Hercules Single-Arm Alt/Azm Mount

The two knobs used to secure the dovetail are kind of small, and while they work, are not in keeping with the fit and feel of the rest of the mount. I

Read story →    0 comments   

Microstar vs Unistar Light vs Telepod: A Comparison

The Telepod has a cradle where a telescope is mounted. The width of the cradle is a bit over five inches. The altitude motion of the cradle can be adjusted by using two clutches with metal knobs on either side of the cradle.

Read story →    0 comments   

Universal Astronomics Unistar Basic with Heavy Duty Surveyor Tripod

Over the past year my desire for ease of use and increased aperture has dominated my telescope needs. I currently have four telescopes. My Celestron SPC-8 is my mainstay. I use it when I go to my club’s dark site observing sessions. I use my Celestron C102 f/10 for lunar, planetary, and double star observing. My two grab and go scopes are an Orion XT4.5 and a Stellarvue AT1010. Both Celestron scopes can be used with my Super Polaris mount and I occasionally mount the AT1010 on the Super Polaris as well. The AT is usually on a Televue Telepod that is on a Bogen tripod.

Read story →    0 comments   

Hutech Motorized Alt/AZ Mount AZM-100

First of all, let me say that I have no financial interest in any of the manufacturers or distributors of the equipment described in this review.

Read story →    0 comments   

AZ3 Alt-Az Mount

In the first place let me introduce myself. My name is Slawomir Jan Bucki. I am originally from Poland but currently live in Belgium. I retook interest in amateur astronomy three years ago to introduce my children to the wonders of the evening sky. I did some star gazing during my teenage years with a 60mm Tasco refractor, but that abandoned the hobby for nearly 15 years. During the last three years I have owner and used the following telescopes:

Read story →    0 comments   

Unistar Deluxe Alt/Az mount and Medium Surveyor Tripod

By way of introduction, I have been an on-and-off amateur astronomer for the past 15 years. A few years back, the hobby got rekindled into anobsession by way of long-exposure astrophotography via a modified webcam. One thing led to another (as these things tend to do) and I had a Meade LX-90 and a SAC8 camera shortly thereafter. When I'm an hour away from my house and in a dark field (I live in the suburbs), I love the 8" SCT and camera setup. At my house is another story. Here, with trees blocking much of the view from any one position a ~60 lb scope and GOTO are less than ideal. Heft the scope to another spot (and I do mean heft) and GOTO is worthless until realigned. With at-home observing sessions being short (work, family, etc.), I wanted something lightweight, portable, and easy to use at the drop of a hat.

Read story →    0 comments   

The DM-6: Stability and Simplicity

I’ve long been a fan of alt-az mounts. There’s just something about a simplicity of design that encourages you to take a small scope out and star hop across the summer milky way, through the virgo cluster, or around the celestial pole (a location where traditional GEM’s have problems). Where they typically fall down is when it comes to high power viewing. Having to reacquire the object with a high power eyepiece is never fun, and many of the alt/az mounts just aren’t stable enough to handle high powers well. When I learned that Tom Peters from DiscMounts Inc had contacted CloudyNights.com about submitting the DM-6 for review, I was only too pleased to undertake the task and put it through its paces with my TV102. Ironically, I had been on the DiscMounts web page just the day before.

Read story →    0 comments