76 replies to this topic

[BRCoz]

For years I setup a 102 spotter and 130. 

 

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[chuckles]

I used to run a TEC 160fl on a DM6 and Planet tripod. It was a big grab and go. Wish I never sold it…

[Wibo]

with this one I am mobile, it's a TS-CF-180

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Edited by Wibo, 17 October 2024 - 12:38 AM.

[Deadlake]

had a set of Rouz cf rings/dovetail/handle made

How good are these?

I have a set of printed rings from TS but I’m looking at going carbon for a 5” scope. The 5” has premium Starlight rings with a premium weight, I can shave 1.5 kg off the scope with carbon replacements.

[Spaceaholic]

Rouz rings, particularly the latest iteration are well designed. CF impregnated resin vice actual 100 CF. Very strong and super light vs aluminum.

[bobhen]

So many variables; age, scope in a garage or house, rolled out or assembled, alt-az mount or GEM, etc.

 

I'm sure in my younger days I could have assembled and handled a TEC 180 or Astro-Physics 178 on a Losmandy GM100. I had a GM100 and that mount could have easily held those two scopes.

 

If you are in good health, a 180mm refractor like the TEC 180 on a AP Mach Two could work quite well.

 

For 22-years, I assembled and used an Astro-Physics 152 F9 on a Losmandy GM100 and later an AP 155 F7 on a G11 or AP Mach One. The AP 155 was remarkably compact for a 6.1" apo refractor.

 

Nowadays, due to my age, my Takahashi TSA 120 on an alt-az mount or CG5 is as large as I go.

 

The image is of my old AP 155 F7 on the Mach One. I could take that scope and mount outside and assemble it in under ten-minutes.

 

Bob

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[weis14]

I used to have a CFF160 f6.5 and it was portable with either an AZ100 mount or a DM-6.  However, it was a bit larger than what I wanted to travel with on a regular basis, so I sold it and plan on replacing it with a 120mm APO.  

 

I could conceivably travel with a 180mm refractor, but I tend to believe that a scope of that size should be permanently mounted.

[BKBrown]

I find my TEC 140 on an Atlas AZ/EQ-G or T-Rex Apex to be quite manageable...

 

 

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

[Sacred Heart]

First,  a big thank you to everyone who responded.

 

I guess I will have to build two 10" boxes and bolt them to a 2 x 4 as long as the telescope, 63" end to end.  That gives me an idea of the girth, not weight.  Also it  will tell me how to roll in and out of garage. My thinking is I may not be top heavy, but that 63 inch length may sway me one way or another.  Rolling out of garage, concrete floor, to driveway, blacktop, across grass, 30 feet, on to a level with grass concrete pad.  I never traveled with a balance beam before.

 

Below is a picture of my mount / pier and cart, the 180 will be the only scope on the mount.

 

Am I thinking this through correctly??  How I described rolling it out is how I do my current set up.  It is the 45 pounds spread over the 5 feet in length that got me worried  about the moving it on the cart.  Cart is between 30" and 36" wide, OD tire to tire.  I may have to design another cart, wheels at least 60 inches apart.

 

Joe

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[Lookitup]

Wow here is a light-weight setup for my narrow balcony . SM 125ED as GnG and TS tri-pier for stable 2 trip operations.

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[Dave Novoselsky]

How good are these?

I have a set of printed rings from TS but I’m looking at going carbon for a 5” scope. The 5” has premium Starlight rings with a premium weight, I can shave 1.5 kg off the scope with carbon replacements.

In a word, superb!  Also had him build be a set for my Kasai Jscope 80 f15, totally unnecessary but really neat.

[ABQJeff]

First, a big thank you to everyone who responded.

I guess I will have to build two 10" boxes and bolt them to a 2 x 4 as long as the telescope, 63" end to end. That gives me an idea of the girth, not weight. Also it will tell me how to roll in and out of garage. My thinking is I may not be top heavy, but that 63 inch length may sway me one way or another. Rolling out of garage, concrete floor, to driveway, blacktop, across grass, 30 feet, on to a level with grass concrete pad. I never traveled with a balance beam before.

Below is a picture of my mount / pier and cart, the 180 will be the only scope on the mount.

Am I thinking this through correctly?? How I described rolling it out is how I do my current set up. It is the 45 pounds spread over the 5 feet in length that got me worried about the moving it on the cart. Cart is between 30" and 36" wide, OD tire to tire. I may have to design another cart, wheels at least 60 inches apart.

Joe

As seen ~180mm is likely max for a portable refractor 140mm-160mm doable (especially F/6.5), 130mm and below easy.

The grass/lawn is the biggest issue for you as that means some rocking and swaying. I have tipped a scope over on a cart before. Being top heavy is a risk, recommend weights, etc. to lower center of mass. Also ensure span of wheels is wider than span of telescope (helps to point scopes up, which reduces cross length and lowers focuser, diagonals, cameras, etc. lowering center of mass)

[Refractor6]

 This is my limit at 66 for portability a 152 F/8.........certainly nothing compared to some of the heavy brutes I've seen in the thread so far but my personal limit for set up and take down. The climate here in Port Alberni doesn't warrant leaving anything outside so I've got it down to a science for easy set ups and take downs in stages from sheds {mount, counterweights, mount parts}, house {OTA. ep cases, table and such} to observing courtyard......photo from 2006...still in use as seen with no changes. 

 

Edited by Refractor6, 17 October 2024 - 10:18 AM.

[Starlancer]

How good are these?

I have a set of printed rings from TS but I’m looking at going carbon for a 5” scope. The 5” has premium Starlight rings with a premium weight, I can shave 1.5 kg off the scope with carbon replacements.

I have designed and printed my own rings for my TOA-130, extremely light and how did I test them?  I placed them on the ground with a dovetail between them and my 290lb butt stood on them, yeah I think they will hold a 30lb refractor, which is also my portable visual setup with an AM5.  Setups up quite quick, and I can swap to a camera in about 5 minutes if I don't want to do visual.

[Deadlake]

I have designed and printed my own rings for my TOA-130, extremely light and how did I test them? I placed them on the ground with a dovetail between them and my 290lb butt stood on them, yeah I think they will hold a 30lb refractor, which is also my portable visual setup with an AM5. Setups up quite quick, and I can swap to a camera in about 5 minutes if I don't want to do visual.

How are you using the AM5, AltZ or EQ for visual?

[Sebastian_Sajaroff]

Typically 4" to 5" depending on how much hassle you want to endure.

Edited by Sebastian_Sajaroff, 17 October 2024 - 11:53 AM.

[dawnpatrol]

I made the decision that 160mm f/7 or faster would be my portable-ish limit. It's combination of weight, length and mounting requirements are at the top end of what I'd consider packing for a drive to a dark site. In fact I have such a scope on order now and I'm eager to prove myself right. 

[Sacred Heart]

As seen ~180mm is likely max for a portable refractor 140mm-160mm doable (especially F/6.5), 130mm and below easy.

The grass/lawn is the biggest issue for you as that means some rocking and swaying. I have tipped a scope over on a cart before. Being top heavy is a risk, recommend weights, etc. to lower center of mass. Also ensure span of wheels is wider than span of telescope (helps to point scopes up, which reduces cross length and lowers focuser, diagonals, cameras, etc. lowering center of mass)

ABQJeff,

 

The cart,  that is why I was thinking something like a material lift, wheels wide apart, open center. Also bigger wheels, like 20" bicycle wheels, at least in the front. Possibly four of them, two for each side.  Then it's the height getting into the garage.

 

I'm thinking, yes it can be done, but there is a lot of modifications to be done.   It would be best to wait for permanent set up.  Roll off roof shed or something.

 

Joe

[Sacred Heart]

I am now thinking it is best to wait for a permanent building, roll off roof shed or something.  There is a lot of modifications to be done, too many to list now..there may be some I did not even think about yet that may come to surface.

 

Going to wait for a permanent building.  Final answer.

 

Again, thanks to everyone who helped me come to my senses.  Like the rest of you, I'm not getting any younger.

 

Joe

[SilverLitz]

I would say my SVX130T (920mm @ f/7) is very portable, but my vintage SV152 (LZOS, 1216mm @ f/8) is not.  The size/weight difference between the two is MUCH more than you would expect.

[Starlancer]

How are you using the AM5, AltZ or EQ for visual?

I am set for EQ, since I have all my guiding equipment on the scope either way I just use the guide camera as a centering goto.

[25585]

My 130mm triplets, LZOS F6 and a Tak TOA-130 are my limit. Both used when I feel strong enough. Mainly my 120s are the heaviest used most, SW Equinox and a TSA-120. 

[slavicek]

Wow! I can’t even imagine carrying around a 180mm TEC howitzer, when you say “lug around” you mean you drive out to spots for sessions? wow.

Yes, I drive it to our clubhouse ~ 40 miles and to dark sites in Maine ~ 250 miles...

[Dave Novoselsky]

As seen ~180mm is likely max for a portable refractor 140mm-160mm doable (especially F/6.5), 130mm and below easy.

The grass/lawn is the biggest issue for you as that means some rocking and swaying. I have tipped a scope over on a cart before. Being top heavy is a risk, recommend weights, etc. to lower center of mass. Also ensure span of wheels is wider than span of telescope (helps to point scopes up, which reduces cross length and lowers focuser, diagonals, cameras, etc. lowering center of mass)

Moving a refractor on a mount is going to be inherently top heavy and prone to tipping over.  That’s one reason a big Dobsonian can be moved relatively easily with a wheeled setup, they are inherently bottom heavy because the mirror, the heaviest component by far, sits at the base just over the level of the axle.  I used to wheel a 24” Starmaster DOB out of my garage and around to my observing circles next to the lake with relative ease and without worry it would tip over.

[Stellar1]

First,  a big thank you to everyone who responded.

 

I guess I will have to build two 10" boxes and bolt them to a 2 x 4 as long as the telescope, 63" end to end.  That gives me an idea of the girth, not weight.  Also it  will tell me how to roll in and out of garage. My thinking is I may not be top heavy, but that 63 inch length may sway me one way or another.  Rolling out of garage, concrete floor, to driveway, blacktop, across grass, 30 feet, on to a level with grass concrete pad.  I never traveled with a balance beam before.

 

Below is a picture of my mount / pier and cart, the 180 will be the only scope on the mount.

 

Am I thinking this through correctly??  How I described rolling it out is how I do my current set up.  It is the 45 pounds spread over the 5 feet in length that got me worried  about the moving it on the cart.  Cart is between 30" and 36" wide, OD tire to tire.  I may have to design another cart, wheels at least 60 inches apart.

 

Joe

  Do you even need a counterweight? i mean, look that the size of that mount! wow, Beautiful scope btw.