32 replies to this topic

[Rdenney]

Is that Svbony altaz mount adequate for the 102ED?

I don't know what you expect from an alt-az mount, so it's hard for me to answer that. For visual use for me, it's every bit as solid as it needs to be--I have no trouble using it even with high-power eyepieces, though with high-power eyepieces, you'll be nudging those slow motions pretty often. It's easily as solid as the old Mizar AR-1 mount. It's not as solid as the EXOS2-GT PMC-Eight I just bought for AP use, but that's in the HEQ5 class.

 

I did modify it to install a dovetail clamp that uses two wedged clamps with two screws, rather than using the screw-point itself as a clamp. That took about five minutes. And I moved the arm to tilt over so that my OTA could point straight up.

 

Now, the old Bogen tripod, which I've owned since 1977, has definitely seen better days. It's not at all as solid as it used to be, but it was in the surplus pile. As a large-format photographer, I have a number of hefty tripods.

 

Rick "likes just pointing the scope and looking" Denney

[Skywatchr]

I don't know what you expect from an alt-az mount, so it's hard for me to answer that. For visual use for me, it's every bit as solid as it needs to be--I have no trouble using it even with high-power eyepieces, though with high-power eyepieces, you'll be nudging those slow motions pretty often. It's easily as solid as the old Mizar AR-1 mount. It's not as solid as the EXOS2-GT PMC-Eight I just bought for AP use, but that's in the HEQ5 class.

 

I did modify it to install a dovetail clamp that uses two wedged clamps with two screws, rather than using the screw-point itself as a clamp. That took about five minutes. And I moved the arm to tilt over so that my OTA could point straight up.

 

Now, the old Bogen tripod, which I've owned since 1977, has definitely seen better days. It's not at all as solid as it used to be, but it was in the surplus pile. As a large-format photographer, I have a number of hefty tripods.

 

Rick "likes just pointing the scope and looking" Denney

This is a drop-in replacement for the "dimple maker" stock saddle.  It is much better than the stock one.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJC3PKK3

 

My 8" SCT rides nicely on the SVBONY Alt-Az mount.

[Rdenney]

This is a drop-in replacement for the "dimple maker" stock saddle.  It is much better than the stock one.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJC3PKK3

 

My 8" SCT rides nicely on the SVBONY Alt-Az mount.

That's exactly the one I used.

 

Rick "noting the 'already purchased this item' at Amazon after following this link" Denney

[Dave Novoselsky]

This is a drop-in replacement for the "dimple maker" stock saddle.  It is much better than the stock one.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJC3PKK3

 

My 8" SCT rides nicely on the SVBONY Alt-Az mount.

That’s what I replaced the one on my 225 with.  Works much better

[Skywatchr]

That’s what I replaced the one on my 225 with.  Works much better

I love it.  The only thing left to do is fabricate a handle for it.  Since it is machined aluminum instead of the original cast aluminum, it has "webs" (probably 6061 aluminum) machined in to lighten it up so simply drilling a hole to thread for the original handle is out of the question. The tap would be half in the open once it got through and would likely bind, possibly snapping off.  With cast aluminum, that wouldn't be an issue.  I'll figure something out.

[PDuval]

Very happy with my 102mm SV503.  I enjoy visual observations with this scope mounted on an Orion CG4 class mount with a custom tripod.   I use a variety of Eyepieces from circle T orthos, original TV Plossls, and some LER Zhummel planetary (same as Orion Edge-On) EP’s.   Looking at the moon terminator with a 12.5mm ortho I do not discern any CA.    I find it much easier to set up and take down than my G-11/AP Star 155 ED so it gets more use.

Edited by PDuval, 10 April 2025 - 11:50 AM.

[Mike W]

I thought I'd give the SV503 102 ED a shot. Rained since I got it!

 

Edited by Mike W, 11 April 2025 - 04:39 PM.

[Mike W]

I found the perfect padded case for this scope, the HEMMOTOP R08018 -31.5"X7"X7". The scope is 25X6X6

 

 

https://www.amazon.c..._fed_asin_title