3 replies to this topic

[GTom]

Most of the weight of the Equatorial configured Evolution setup comes from the wedge and tripod. I was wondering, is there any light alloy wedge around, that could hold the Evo mount, loaded with a fully equipped C8? Also in the tripod side, I'd love to try my 40mm tube carbon photo tripod, legs collapsed of course.

[photomagica]

I have an Evo-8 and a 40mm carbon fiber tripod. My sense is that the Evo-8, even in Alt-azimuth mode is way beyond the capacity of a typical 40mm tripod. Would it hold the weight? Sure. Would it be stable and steady. Not! 

 

My main problem with the Evo-8 tripod is that it is not very convenient to set up and adjust. Rather than going light you may wish to go convenient and very steady and mount the Evo on something like the iOpton tri-pier or an Avalon pier, with the appropriate adapter.

 

I put wheels on my C-8 tripod and am fortunate to use it where I can roll it out. That really takes all the fight out of it. However, I only use mine in alt-azimuth mode.

Bill

[GTom]

Thank you! No easy solution here, wheels are a no go for nomadic car trips, not to mention airline transport.

[photomagica]

Air travel is a big challenge. I managed to do some long distance air travel this summer with an iOpton AZ-Pro mount, my 40mm carbon fibre tripod and a 90mm f7 refractor all in one large suitcase with good padding that tipped the scales at just over 50 lbs. While and AZ-Pro will handle a C8, I think it would have been too shaky on the carbon fiber tripod. And I would have needed a counterweight, which I didn't need for the 90mm.

 

I can imagine flying with the C8 and Evo mount in the Celestron roller case and a portable pier in another case. I'm of two minds whether I'd trust the Celestron case to airline handling. The suitcase I used this summer clearly took a beating but the telescope and mount came through OK.  If I were flying regularly with a C8, I'd look at a pelican type case and pay the oversized baggage charges.

 

For car trips the C8 in the Celestron case and a portable pier is a good combo. Even a great combo!

Bill