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Seeking Advice on Upgrading to a Stable Equatorial Mount for SCT Setup

Celestron Mount Tripod Optics
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#1 l2oBiN

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Posted 12 January 2025 - 08:36 AM

I’m exploring options for a more stable setup for a Celestron DX6” SCT. The included tripod head and tripod that came with the kit doesn’t provide the stability I’m after, so I’m looking to upgrade. I have a Gitzo Systematic Series 5 carbon fibre tripod (rated for 40kg) and would like to build on that if possible.

I’m interested in an equatorial mount with manual slow-motion controls, capable of handling the 6” SCT and potentially accommodating an upgrade to an 8” or 9.25” SCT down the track. Any recommendations for a reliable, stable solution?


Edited by l2oBiN, 12 January 2025 - 08:38 AM.


#2 scanner97

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Posted 12 January 2025 - 09:59 AM

I'm curious why you're looking for an EQ mount rather than an AltAz.  I haven't paid attention to this world in a long time, but I would have guessed that manual mounts with slo-mo are mostly AltAz these days.  At least the ones in current production; I imagine you can find some older mounts in secondary.

 

If you're wanting an EQ for goto, or maybe for some AP/EAA to go with your visual, I'd guess that most computerized mounts in that payload range (8-9" SCT+ train) don't have the manual controls.

 

I'd be happy to be wrong on all of this, and interested to find out!



#3 macdonjh

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Posted 12 January 2025 - 04:35 PM

I'm curious why you're looking for an EQ mount rather than an AltAz.  I haven't paid attention to this world in a long time, but I would have guessed that manual mounts with slo-mo are mostly AltAz these days.  At least the ones in current production; I imagine you can find some older mounts in secondary.

 

If you're wanting an EQ for goto, or maybe for some AP/EAA to go with your visual, I'd guess that most computerized mounts in that payload range (8-9" SCT+ train) don't have the manual controls.

 

I'd be happy to be wrong on all of this, and interested to find out!

+1 manual equatorial mounts are rare, if available at all anymore.  If you search extensively, you might be able to find a Vixen Polaris variant, old CG-5 or SkyView Pro with slow-motion controls.  Any of those should be able to carry a C6 well.  I had the SkyView Pro.  For what it is, it's a nice mount and performed well until the scopes I used outgrew it.  The current Celestron CG-4 should also work well, but I don't see slow-motion controls. 

 

I've not used alt-az mounts for various reasons, but I wonder if those are available manual these days?  You might be able to find a used Celestron SE or Evolution single-arm mount.  Astronomers who move to astro-photography sometimes sell these when they move to EQ mounts. 



#4 l2oBiN

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Posted 12 January 2025 - 05:04 PM

To clarify, I’m not exclusively looking for a manual mount. A motorised EQ or EQ/AZ hybrid with manual slow motion would be great. I prefer EQ for ease of tracking at higher magnifications. Portability is also a key factor—I’m aiming for a compact yet sturdy setup, which is why I want to pair the mount with my Gitzo tripod, but if there is a more elegant/better solution I don't need to incorporate things with the Gitzo.


I was looking at a skywatcher EQ5.
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#5 scanner97

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Posted 12 January 2025 - 05:05 PM

I just did a little poking and there are quite a few cheap, light-weight alt az mounts around.  Some might support a C6, but none looked suitable for a C8 or C9.25.  For something robust enough to handle the heavier payloads, you might try one of the larger Desert Sky Astro mounts.  For even heavier duty, there is the Rowan AZ100.  I think the Rowan and the Desert Sky mounts can all be had with slow motion controls.



#6 scanner97

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Posted 12 January 2025 - 05:14 PM

I'm not sure the EQ5 has manual slow motion controls - worth checking.

 

For mounts in the same payload class (actually a bit better) there are plenty of strainwave options available for similar cost at half the weight.  Or many other traditional wormgear mounts .  I just don't know that any have manual slo-mo.  (I know the strainwaves don't.)


Edited by scanner97, 12 January 2025 - 05:14 PM.


#7 mrlovt

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Posted 12 January 2025 - 11:23 PM

Check out the Losmany lineup while you're shopping. The HD tripods are as stable as they get, and any of the EQ mounts would handle your SCT with ease.



#8 Patrick

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Posted 13 January 2025 - 03:24 AM

To clarify, I’m not exclusively looking for a manual mount. A motorised EQ or EQ/AZ hybrid with manual slow motion would be great. I prefer EQ for ease of tracking at higher magnifications. Portability is also a key factor—I’m aiming for a compact yet sturdy setup, which is why I want to pair the mount with my Gitzo tripod, but if there is a more elegant/better solution I don't need to incorporate things with the Gitzo.


I was looking at a skywatcher EQ5.

The Skywatcher EQ5 would service your C6, and maybe the C8, but putting a C9.25 on it may be stretching it a bit.  It's a complete setup including a tripod and the mount of course,  with full goto.  There would be no issues with the mount-tripod interface.  

 

That mount would work nicely for the c6, and the c8.

 

Patrick



#9 Hesiod

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Posted 14 January 2025 - 11:30 AM

I am using a Vixen Advanced Polaris with a C8, but the mount would not handle properly a C9.25 due to both weight and size.

I have used it mostly with the drives but those can be replaced with slo-mo controls if want to go manual (not something I would not like to do at night but not an overly complex task either).

The mount is very nice to travel with due to its low weight,  compactness and light power requirements (the mount feeds on 5v so phone chargers, phone powerbanks, laptops/tablets, etc... will work); it has also a very decent tripod so I'd rather stick with this.




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