19 replies to this topic

[ericb760]

I recently purchased a used SV225 on the Bay. I had previously purchased the Sparta AZ mount, and while it is adequate for my smaller refractors, it isn't robust enough to hold my longer frac's or my SCT's. The SV225 is considerably more robust and doesn't seem to have a problem handling the Meade 8". One thing I need to address is the screws on the Alt/Az cables become loose almost instantly. I'm wondering if some plumbers tape will help secure them better? Those of you that have this mount how do you like it?
 

 

 

[Skywatchr]

 

I recently purchased a used SV225 on the Bay. I had previously purchased the Sparta AZ mount, and while it is adequate for my smaller refractors, it isn't robust enough to hold my longer frac's or my SCT's. The SV225 is considerably more robust and doesn't seem to have a problem handling the Meade 8". One thing I need to address is the screws on the Alt/Az cables become loose almost instantly. I'm wondering if some plumbers tape will help secure them better? Those of you that have this mount how do you like it?
 

 

 

 

 

It handles my Meade 8" SCT with no sweat too.   FWIW, I have always had the screws on slo-mo cables come loose.  But the older style seems to not come loose as fast as this "new" style does.  Luckily I have a pair of the "old school" ones.  

[joseluis.17g]

Good to know that this mount works, I have an SCT8 

 

I've changed the bolts for some that where shorter, because mine where rubbing with the paint, because of the big head it had, never had a problem 

[Chris Johnson]

I am expecting the 225 mount as a xmas present. I intend to replace the cable screws with short allen head set screws.

[Skywatchr]

I am expecting the 225 mount as a xmas present. I intend to replace the cable screws with short allen head set screws.

Just don't be tempted to over tighten the screws.  That could conceivably split the ends of the cables.

 

Merry Christmas!

[ericb760]

I ended up using some pipe tape on the control cable threads. It seems to be working to hold the screws in place. I did have to re-tighten them every hour as opposed to every ten minutes, however.

[Auburn80]

Just don't be tempted to over tighten the screws. That could conceivably split the ends of the cables.

Merry Christmas!

The ends already have a slot in the barrel. No clue why they're made that way; it does limit how tight those screws can be adjusted.

[Skywatchr]

The ends already have a slot in the barrel. No clue why they're made that way; it does limit how tight those screws can be adjusted.

That's why I like the older cables with the solid ends.  Someone's "brainstorm"   wasn't very well thought through I guess.

[superdelsol]

I have a Svbony SV225 and ES Twilight I, and used some blue Loctite on the slo-mo cable screws, which seems to be holding so far.  The SV225 is for a Celestron C102 HD, while the Twilight I is used for a Celestron ST 80 or Meade ETX90.  I removed the original saddles on both and replaced them with Alstar dovetail clamps with two hand screws and brass clamping bars.  I'm very happy with both mounts.     

[davidgmd]

Loosening slo-mo cables seems common in this class of mounts. The Vixen Porta has the same problem. I soled it with cup-point thread-locking set screws from McMaster Carr. Superdelsol’s suggestion of Loctite sounds cheaper and quicker, and the blue version is reversible.

[ericb760]

Loosening slo-mo cables seems common in this class of mounts. The Vixen Porta has the same problem. I soled it with cup-point thread-locking set screws from McMaster Carr. Superdelsol’s suggestion of Loctite sounds cheaper and quicker, and the blue version is reversible.

Do you recall what size you used?

[davidgmd]

Do you recall what size you used?

  
M4 x 0.7 mm thread, 8 mm long is what worked for the Vixen Porta II slo-mo cables. Not sure if others are the same but it’s a good bet they are. A trip to the hardware store or one of these could confirm.

[davidgmd]

Do you recall what size you used?

 

 

  
M4 x 0.7 mm thread, 8 mm long is what worked for the Vixen Porta II slo-mo cables. Not sure if others are the same but it’s a good bet they are. A trip to the hardware store or one of these could confirm.

  
I think had to buy 25 of them. If we weren't in the midst of remodeling I’d probably be able to find the extras and mail a couple of them to you. Right now they’re buried who-knows-where in a pile in the corner of the basement. 

[superdelsol]

I have a Svbony SV225 and ES Twilight I, and used some blue Loctite on the slo-mo cable screws, which seems to be holding so far.  The SV225 is for a Celestron C102 HD, while the Twilight I is used for a Celestron ST 80 or Meade ETX90.  I removed the original saddles on both and replaced them with Alstar dovetail clamps with two hand screws and brass clamping bars.  I'm very happy with both mounts.     

I added a 16" pier extension to the ES Twilight I, and it's now home to the Celestron C102 HD 4 inch, f/9.8 refractor, while the Svbony SV225 is used for the Celestron ST80 and Meade ETX90.  The tripod on the Twilight I is just more robust and has a wider spread than the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer tripod that came with the pre-owned Svbony SV225.  

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Edited by superdelsol, 05 May 2025 - 02:07 AM.

[akdwivedi]

I was thinking about getting the sv225, but after watching Ed Ting youtube on sv225, I decided to stick with my giro 2 dx.. its clunky and heavy but is a lot more stable and there are no stability issues with my c8 and sw120ed both mounted side by side.

[superdelsol]

I was thinking about getting the sv225, but after watching Ed Ting youtube on sv225, I decided to stick with my giro 2 dx.. its clunky and heavy but is a lot more stable and there are no stability issues with my c8 and sw120ed both mounted side by side.

I picked-up both the SV225 & tripod and Twilight I & tripod locally for great prices, and I've been fixing and modifying mechanical and electrical devices since I was a kid, so I was able to fix any shortcomings in both mounts.  I immediately noticed the gap between the upper and lower pieces on the SV225 that Ed mentioned, and that issue was solved with a couple layers of electrical tape wrapped around the protruding octagon, until it fit snuggly into the mating part.  I agree that the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer tripod that came with the SV225 is a little light for my tastes, but I'm using this mount for the Meade ETX90, and a Celestron ST80 refractor, so it's good enough for these OTAs.  I have a few photographic tripods in the closet with 3/8" fasteners, and may pick one of those for new duty under the SV225.  These 2 mounts are both grab and go mounts, even if I'm just going to the back yard for a few quick peeks.  For more serious observing with a heavier OTAs such as my C8, I have a few Nexstar 6/8 mounts with heavy duty tripods. 

Edited by superdelsol, 08 May 2025 - 11:25 PM.

[jiari]

I added a 16" pier extension to the ES Twilight I, and it's now home to the Celestron C102 HD 4 inch, f/9.8 refractor, while the Svbony SV225 is used for the Celestron ST80 and Meade ETX90. The tripod on the Twilight I is just more robust and has a wider spread than the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer tripod that came with the pre-owned Svbony SV225.

Is that a long spatula?

[superdelsol]

Good eye!  Yes, that's my home made grill spatula guide handle.  The flat part is 8.5" long, and the overall length is 15".  It's about the same length as the Kokusai Kohki Guide Handle, which is 14" long.  I have a KK Guide Handle that I bought here and never installed, and decided to see if I could fabricate something that is functionally the same, but a lot less expensive.  The important part for me was that the steel on the spatula needs to be thick enough and stiff enough that it doesn't yield or bend when moving in azimuth.  I tried a few at the hardware store, but ended up finding a 2 pack at Ross for $10.

Here is a link I posted about some of the mods to these 2 mounts including the spatulas:   

 

https://www.cloudyni...-alt-az-mounts/

Here are some photos of the Kokusai Kohki Guide Handle I have, and as you can see, it kind of looks like a spatula.

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Edited by superdelsol, 08 May 2025 - 11:27 PM.

[jiari]

Good eye! Yes, that's my home made grill spatula guide handle. The flat part is 8.5" long, and the overall length is 15". It's about the same length as the Kokusai Kohki Guide Handle, which is 14" long. I have a KK Guide Handle that I bought here and never installed, and decided to see if I could fabricate something that is functionally the same, but a lot less expensive. The important part for me was that the steel on the spatula needs to be thick enough and stiff enough that it doesn't yield or bend when moving in azimuth. I tried a few at the hardware store, but ended up finding these 2 at Ross for #10.

Here is a link I posted about some of the mods to these 2 mounts:

https://www.cloudyni...-alt-az-mounts/

Here are some photos of the Kokusai Kohki Guide Handle I have, and as you can see, it kind of looks like a spatula.

Great idea. I'm going to give it a try.

[The_boots]

Blue loctite may work, but you might also consider purple loctite if you're going to be adjusting it regularly. Purple loctite is low strength, so it's intended for things that you want to keep from loosening without holding it so tightly that it's hard to adjust. I think it might be more what you're looking for.