7 replies to this topic

[GTom]

Eventually choose a size smaller travel-planetary scope I dreamed of, a skymax 150, already on its way to me. Probably more realistic to carry around!

 

Looking for an AZ mount for it, that provides enough stability for planetary videos but neither breaks the bank nor the back when backpacking. Unsure (never worked with AZ mounts before), but a manual unit with fine controls might cut it. Just noticed, that iOptron AZ Pro is quite heavy, weighs more than a fully equatorial Juwei17 would.

 

I was wondering, would a MANUAL mount be sufficient for planetary videography? Dob's are used for this AFAIK... Is there anything lighter than the Skytee, that's stable and reliable enough for a 6" MAK? Obviously cheaper than the cheapest available harmonic mounts, if I have to shell out that sort of capital, I'd definitely go with an EQ harmonic...

[jupiter122]

You’re going to carry a 14 lb scope ( 17.5" with diagonal), diagonal, eyepieces, finders, tripod and mount BACKPACKING?

[GTom]

You’re going to carry a 14 lb scope ( 17.5" with diagonal), diagonal, eyepieces, finders, tripod and mount BACKPACKING?

Not daylong trekking with a full camping equipment added, just scope and some scopeside convenience. Loaded with non-astro stuff, had 50lbs on my back on an approx 8miles trip. This one would be substantially shorter from parking lot to the observing place. I'd also take the kit with me on flights: the OTA itself is OK, tripod legs, any counterweights needed can be checked in.

[Jethro7]

Eventually choose a size smaller travel-planetary scope I dreamed of, a skymax 150, already on its way to me. Probably more realistic to carry around!

 

Looking for an AZ mount for it, that provides enough stability for planetary videos but neither breaks the bank nor the back when backpacking. Unsure (never worked with AZ mounts before), but a manual unit with fine controls might cut it. Just noticed, that iOptron AZ Pro is quite heavy, weighs more than a fully equatorial Juwei17 would.

 

I was wondering, would a MANUAL mount be sufficient for planetary videography? Dob's are used for this AFAIK... Is there anything lighter than the Skytee, that's stable and reliable enough for a 6" MAK? Obviously cheaper than the cheapest available harmonic mounts, if I have to shell out that sort of capital, I'd definitely go with an EQ harmonic...

Hello GTom,

ALT/AZ mounts are about as easy as it gets. The problem here is " Planetary Videography" this changes the game. It also means having to backpack and a lot more equipment and that weight begins to add up along with the event of complications. Alt/Az mount on the simplist terms would be something on the order of my travel rig, that comprises a Tak FC 76 DS scope, Desert Sky Astro DSV-M mount on a Benru Series 303 tripod with the inportant stone bag. My travel rig is surprisingly stable  concidering the total weight set up and ready to go a little less than 15Lbs. With that being said, with the introduction of "Planetary Videography" that one detail is going to narrow your applicable mount choices down to only a few. Like the ZWO AM3. 

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

 

P.S. On extended hikes or hiking across difficult terrain, every ounce turns into pounds.

Edited by Jethro7, 08 December 2024 - 07:46 PM.

[GTom]

Yupp, although I am not there yet Re $$ commitment, taking notes and the AM3, HAE16, Umi 17 lite, Juwei 14 are certainly on the list. Harmonics are not in my comfort zone yet, primarily not because of their pricing, but their capabilities, I feel this area will see big leaps in the coming 1-2years rendering todays models ancient garbage on the market.

 

With all that said, paying the price of (any) harmonic EQ mount for a classic, heavy AZ unit makes IMHO absolutely zero sense.

Edited by GTom, 08 December 2024 - 06:28 PM.

[Jethro7]

Yupp, although I am not there yet Re $$ commitment, taking notes and the AM3, HAE16, Umi 17 lite, Juwei 14 are certainly on the list. Harmonics are not in my comfort zone yet, primarily not because of their pricing, but their capabilities, I feel this area will see big leaps in the coming 1-2years rendering todays models ancient garbage on the market.

 

With all that said, paying the price of (any) harmonic EQ mount for a classic, heavy AZ unit makes IMHO absolutely zero sense.

Hello GTom,

Concidering what you want the mount to do, backpaking and video imaging. Some sort of tracking would be very helpful. Harmonic drives such as the AM3 are very light for the payload capabilities and can be used both in EQ and Alt/Az mode. It seems that most of the improvements to modern mounts such as the Harmonic Drives are not with upgrades in design but with firmware upgrades that are uploaded via the Apps. 

 

Sometimes it takes life experiences for somethings to make sense. 

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

Edited by Jethro7, 08 December 2024 - 08:18 PM.

[GTom]

Figured that my age old Pentax Giro WR can actually hold the scope, no fine controls though. I think I'll just live with that for a while and eventually go harmonic later. They are also getting more affordable, especially with the second hand market coming to life.

 

Edit, realized that the svbony amazon store gives substantial discounts from time to time, eventually picked up an sv225 for testing @£98. It won't get any cheaper, worst case I'll return it.

Edited by GTom, 09 December 2024 - 03:24 PM.

[balcon3]

I can recommend the Vixen APZ mount. It is light (3.8 kg), has wonderful slow motion controls and has a rated capacity of 8kg. I put my Mewlon 180c on it (6.2 kg OCT plus extras including binoviewer, getting it to around 7.5 kg), and it is completely steady. Your SkyMax is the same weight and shorter so it should work fine. The fact that it is a compact scope helps with the mounting. I can't recommend this mount enough. You will need a good tripod, and that may be the heavy part of your setup. Probably a carbon tripod would be best of you want to keep things light.