8 replies to this topic

[Kerrschild]

Hi! I've been pondering different "super portable" options, from binoculars and monopod to small refractor and carbon fiber tripod. Since I want something more than a 10x50 and binoculars get heavy and big really quick, I am settling towards a AT72EDII. I'd like the most powerful eyepiece to be 4mm to reach ~100x. I should mention that I don't plan to do astrophotography, this is supposed to be a compact visual setup that I can take in a backpack for small hikes, in the car, in a flight, etc.

 

This refractor is 30cm long and weighs 2.17kg which is the level of portability I'm aiming for. With that in mind, I've been eyeing the following tripods:

 

- Peak Design Travel Tripod

- Innorel NT364C

- Innorel RT90C

- Gitzo Traveler Series 1

 

They are all less than 60cm and 2.4 kg so that also fits perfectly. For the head, I was thinking either:

 

- Astro-Tech Voyager III

- DSV-M MINI ALT-AZ

 

My questions are:

 

1) I know the Gitzo would probably be the best, but I would also like to not spend $500 dollars unless I have to! Are the other options reasonable or will I have a bad time with shakiness at 100x?

 

2) This would be my first telescope (Although I've used my Meade 10x56 for a year!) and I'm not sure I understand how the mount heads fit into the tripod. Do I need any extra equipment? Or any head I listed would fit directly into any of the tripods? It seems the DSV-M might need an extra column?

 

3) This is an extra question but I was wondering if the Astro-Tech 4mm UWA 82° 1.25" and the Astro-Tech 18mm 1.25" Paradigm Dual ED Eyepieces would be a good beginner choice for the AT72EDII.

 

Thanks so much for all your help!

Edited by Kerrschild, 05 December 2024 - 02:00 AM.

[therealdmt]

I have a SkyWatcher 72ED (a slightly lighter scope than the AT72EDII, but with a fixed dew shield, so longer in the transport sense).

 

I have a mount that is the same as that AstroTech Voyager III, and I sometimes use it when weight and space is at an absolute premium, but it isn’t quite up to the job for every day use. For everyday, I use the somewhat bigger and heavier Sparta mount.

 

My tripod is a Leofoto LT-324C (8x carbon fiber, 4 section tripod with center column; leg sections are 31.5, 28, 24 and 21 cm, with the center column maybe 28mm in thickness.) I don’t extend the thinnest leg section, but I do use the center column.

 

i use the setup similarly to your planned use case.

 

Hope that helps a bit, and good luck getting a setup together that meets your needs!

[Jethro7]

My questions are:

 

1) I know the Gitzo would probably be the best, but I would also like to not spend $500 dollars unless I have to! Are the other options reasonable or will I have a bad time with shakiness at 100x?

I have been very pleased with my Benru series 303 carbon fiber and magnesium tripod. These Benru tripods are nicely constructed and surprisingly sturdy considering they weigh nothing. Because of the ultralight weight, you would do well to add a stone bag into the mix.

 

2) This would be my first telescope (Although I've used my Meade 10x56 for a year!) and I'm not sure I understand how the mount heads fit into the tripod. Do I need any extra equipment? Or any head I listed would fit directly into any of the tripods? It seems the DSV-M might need an extra column?

The Astrotech AT72EDII, will make a very nice travel scope. The mount base has a standard 3/8th inch size mounting bolt that is pretty much standard with photographic tripods and will fit any mount that uses a 3/8th inch mounting bolt and just screws on to the tripod head. I use the DSV-M mount and it attaches to my tripod perfectly. My Benru series 303 tripod has an adjustable riser, so no extra column is nessessary. 

 

3) This is an extra question but I was wondering if the Astro-Tech 4mm UWA 82° 1.25" and the Astro-Tech 18mm 1.25" Paradigm Dual ED Eyepieces would be a good beginner choice for the AT72EDII.

with this being a travel set up, you will want to keep things to a minimum. Besides the diagonal. For my travel set up I use a Zoom eyepiece and one long focal length eyepiece and between the two eyepieces, I'm covered pretty well. On a budget I would choose  the SVBONY 7X21 Zoom and a Astrotech UWA 28mm. If you wish to have a better set up just swap out the SVBONY 7X21 Zoom for a Baader Hyperion MKIV 8X24 Zoom eyepiece or you may just be satisfied with just packing the Zoom only.

 

P.S. You will also need some way to aim the scope. A small red dot starfinder would come in handy.

 

 

Thanks so much for all.

https://www.ebay.com...emis&media=COPY

 

https://www.highpoin...epiece-hyp-zoom

 

 

HAPPY SKIES TO YOU AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

 

My travel set up. Tak DS -76 DS, DSV-M mount and Benru Tripod with stone Bag.

 

Edited by Jethro7, 05 December 2024 - 08:29 AM.

[therealdmt]

My regular setup (w/ Sparta mount and 6x30 finder) described in post #2 above:

/\ Ready to be picked up with one hand. I used to pick it up just like this (maybe level the OTA though) and carry it (with both hands) on an about 10 minute walk (maybe a little less) over to a local park, set it down, loosen the tensioners on the mount, point it up and start observing.

Ready to take on the subway to bring over to a restaurant on the other side of the city (note Voyager III-type mount; also only an RDF for the finder):


At the airport, ready to carry on:


At destination (Voyager III-type mount and 6x30 finder):

[jcj380]

I have an AT72EDii and run it on an Innorel RT90C / ScopeTech Zero.  I'm happy with it, but I also bought a Sirui CF tripod with a geared center column to eliminate having to adjust leg height or risk hitting the OTA on the tripod while observing.  Truthfully, if I don't lie to myself to justify what I spent on the Sirui, I think the no-column RT90C is a bit better than the Sirui for the 72ED.  Plus you could put an extension on the RT90C if needed.

 

I've also owned a couple Paradigms / Startravels / Whatever EPs that I used with the 72ED and other scopes.  They're good EPs for the price IMO, but I like my Vixen SLVs much better (with all my scopes).  But the Vixens are 2-3X the price of Paradigms and the Paradigms do the job.

 

Good luck!

Edited by jcj380, 05 December 2024 - 10:12 AM.

[Polyphemos]

Hi! I've been pondering different "super portable" options, from binoculars and monopod to small refractor and carbon fiber tripod. Since I want something more than a 10x50 and binoculars get heavy and big really quick, I am settling towards a AT72EDII. I'd like the most powerful eyepiece to be 4mm to reach ~100x. I should mention that I don't plan to do astrophotography, this is supposed to be a compact visual setup that I can take in a backpack for small hikes, in the car, in a flight, etc.

 

This refractor is 30cm long and weighs 2.17kg which is the level of portability I'm aiming for. With that in mind, I've been eyeing the following tripods:

 

- Peak Design Travel Tripod

- Innorel NT364C

- Innorel RT90C

- Gitzo Traveler Series 1

 

They are all less than 60cm and 2.4 kg so that also fits perfectly. For the head, I was thinking either:

 

- Astro-Tech Voyager III

- DSV-M MINI ALT-AZ

 

My questions are:

 

1) I know the Gitzo would probably be the best, but I would also like to not spend $500 dollars unless I have to! Are the other options reasonable or will I have a bad time with shakiness at 100x?

 

2) This would be my first telescope (Although I've used my Meade 10x56 for a year!) and I'm not sure I understand how the mount heads fit into the tripod. Do I need any extra equipment? Or any head I listed would fit directly into any of the tripods? It seems the DSV-M might need an extra column?

 

3) This is an extra question but I was wondering if the Astro-Tech 4mm UWA 82° 1.25" and the Astro-Tech 18mm 1.25" Paradigm Dual ED Eyepieces would be a good beginner choice for the AT72EDII.

 

Thanks so much for all your help!

You’re on the right track with the mounts. I have the DSV-M, and it pairs well with the AT72EDII, but if I wanted one of the two in a reasonable amount of time I’d order the AstroTech Voyager III.

 

My son owns the Peak tripod, and it’s too light. I have the Artcise version of the Innorel RT90C and it’s heavier and bulkier than necessary for the AT72EDII. I use a Manfrotto 055, which is just about perfect, so I’d say one of the lighter Innorels should work nicely, Consider their versions with the more compact spiders if super portability is important.

 

[Shannon Foye]

- Sightron alt/az
- ADM aluminum slow-motion knobs
- INNOREL RT90C tripod
- INNOREL ER40C adjustable center column
- Leofoto SC-80 tripod feet

 

more info

https://www.cloudyni...6#entry13609636

 

 

 

 

Edited by Shannon Foye, 06 December 2024 - 12:44 PM.

[Doug Culbertson]

I just use a photo tripod with a fluid head. I attached a Vixen compatible saddle to the QR plate on the head. 

 

 

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[ichdien]

I've been using Gitzo CF tripods for years.  I can vouch for their high quality and excellent performance with various refractors: a 105mm, a 92mm, and a 60mm.  I can also vouch for their high cost.  However, you can often find excellent used examples at more reasonable prices.  Check out the used listings at B & H (a store for whose integrity I can also vouch): 

 

https://www.bhphotov...rand_name:gitzo