4 replies to this topic

[marcd]

Hi

I'm not too familiar with the hardware offerings from different manufacturers in terms of mounts...

So I come to you to have references and user reviews for motorized Alt Az mounts with goto available!

In terms of ease of use, budget of course, see availability on the second-hand market...

My tube with accessories would weigh between 5 and 8 kg.

Visual use with NVD and perhaps phonetography?

Thank you for your opinions

marc

[Celerondon]

What budget range are you interested in?  One European vendor has the SkyWatcher AZ-GTIX for €579.  I don't know how the tripod for this packge is rated but it seems like a versatile package otherwise.  Another vendor has the ZWO AM3 for £1,948.  This premium package provides maximum portability with a TC40 carbon fiber tripod included.  I use the ultraportable TC40 tripod and PE200 pier extension with my setup.  Both are quite strong considering their light weight and compact dimensions.    

 

Do these two choices bracket your budget?  Both are portable and offer attractive extra features.  It is possible to pay more or less and get different options.

 

Don

Edited by Celerondon, 24 February 2024 - 12:40 PM.

[marcd]

Thank you for these suggestions!
The one from SkyWatcher seems interesting to me! I'm going to look for information on her...
marc

[dryfly]

The nice thing about theAM3 is that it can be used in either equatorial or alt-az.  So if you have any interest in astrophotography in the future it would be the better choice of the two.

 

Mike

[marcd]

Thanks for these informations!
Looking at the SkyWatcher mounts as recommended by Celerodon, I also saw the "Skywatcher AZ-EQ5GT AZ-EQ GoTo Mount" with the same EQ and AZ reversibility...