19 replies to this topic

[MortonH]

I'm thinking about a TV-60 for ultimate portability. However, since it can't take rings or clamshell due to the tapered tube if I use it on my alt az mounts it would be sideways. My old Ranger has the same focuser and I found that it wasn't nearly as smooth when mounted on its side. I solved this by putting a clamshell on it so the tube is orientated correctly.

 

I've seen pictures of the TV-60 mounted sideways but would like to hear first hand accounts of how it performs in this orientation.

Edited by MortonH, 13 March 2025 - 06:56 PM.

[desertlens]

Other than the orientation of the draw tube locking screw, I see no functional difference either side or bottom mounted.

 

[MortonH]

Other than the orientation of the draw tube locking screw, I see no functional difference either side or bottom mounted.

 

TV60.jpg

That's good to hear. On the Ranger it seems like there's a shallow groove in the focuser so if the scope is sideways the focuser doesn't sit quite right. It may just be the age of the scope. Plus I know the focuser has been taken apart and regreased by previous owners.

[MortonH]

What about the sliding balance bar in sideways mode?

[desertlens]

What about the sliding balance bar in sideways mode?

It's completely functional. It seems to me that a 90° rotation has little or no impact. Here's a bottom mounting for comparison:

 

[Look at the sky 101]

It works flawlessly in both positions.

[NC Startrekker]

Agree. Absolutely no difference between the two. I almost exclusively mount it sideways on a small alt-az mount. Buttery smooth. Generally not a big fan of helical focusers on telescopes but the TV-60 has won me over. 

[rexowner]

Agree with all of the above.

 

If "ultimate portability" is the end goal... as you know, works fine on a photo tripod.

For this $800+ instrument, tripod might be a minor investment to take on trips or a

quick look etc.

 

I usually use mine on a photo tripod, which takes up little storage

space.  Seems to me that adding a Vixen plate and overmounting it kind of works

against ultimate portability.

Edited by rexowner, 13 March 2025 - 08:39 PM.

[NC Startrekker]

“Ultimate portability” - There’s a reason Al Nagler refers to the TV-60 as his “briefcase telescope.”

[MortonH]

Agree with all of the above.

 

If "ultimate portability" is the end goal... as you know, works fine on a photo tripod.

For this $800+ instrument, tripod might be a minor investment to take on trips or a

quick look etc.

 

I usually use mine on a photo tripod, which takes up little storage

space.  Seems to me that adding a Vixen plate and overmounting it kind of works

against ultimate portability.

Maybe it's penultimate portability then!

 

Not sure if all Tele-Pods are made this way but on mine there's a 3/8-16 screw on the bottom of the centre column. There's also a quick release collar attached to the underside of the head, which fits snugly over the top of the column (open end).  The Tele-Pod tripod fits inside my tripod bag but not with the head. My solution is to remove the head, flip the column and attach my AZ Baby alt-az head instead. This fits nicely in my tripod bag (Manfrotto MBAG80) and is pretty lightweight.

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Edited by MortonH, 13 March 2025 - 10:51 PM.

[MortonH]

Couldn't attach all the pics in one post...

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[rexowner]

Maybe it's penultimate portability then!

 

Not sure if all Tele-Pods are made this way but on mine there's a 3/8-16 screw on the bottom of the centre column. There's also a quick release collar attached to the underside of the head, which fits snugly over the top of the column (open end).  The Tele-Pod tripod fits inside my tripod bag but not with the head. My solution is to remove the head, flip the column and attach my AZ Baby alt-az head instead. This fits nicely in my tripod bag (Manfrotto MBAG80) and is pretty lightweight.

Interesting.  Sounds like complete Tele-Pods have been made differently over time. 

 

Looks like your tripod says Tele Vue on it.  My newish one came with a Benro tripod, and has a TV-76 with a

Herschel wedge sitting on it for white light solar grab-and-go.  The head screws on, and there are some "grub screws"

locking the head on the tripod.  Looks like it's built very differently.  The Benro tripod is not necessarily the ultimate

in portability either - personally prefer the ergonomics of Manfrotto or Gitzo.

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[rexowner]

AZ-Baby is OK.   Looks like they've been made differently over time as well, as your

pic has one screw for the clamp.  The one I have has two:

https://www.omegon.e...az-baby/p,49753

 

For this type of setup for smaller scopes, also worth considering the

Astro-Tech Voyager III at Astronomics:

https://astronomics....t-az-mount-head

Have one, and it's just dandy for smaller scopes, and the included right-angle brackets

allows for right-angle mounting.

 

Also worth considering Arca-Swiss, rather than Vixen for portability.  While this is used more for

cameras than telescopes, it's out there, and perfectly suitable for small scopes.

[rexowner]

Had a trip to the Canary Islands last year to see big telescopes.

 

Wanted a small scope for max portability,  the TV-60.  Upon recommendation

of another CN Member, got a Gitzo GT1555T carbon fiber tripod and a Gitzo

two-way head, which is outstanding for alt-az.

 

Head has an Arca-Swiss mount, which works well for light setups, when Vixen

is overkill.

 

Worked out great on airline, mini-bus etc.  Was the best in ultimate portability
I could come up with at the time.

 

 

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[MortonH]

AZ-Baby is OK.   Looks like they've been made differently over time as well, as your

pic has one screw for the clamp.  The one I have has two:

https://www.omegon.e...az-baby/p,49753

 

For this type of setup for smaller scopes, also worth considering the

Astro-Tech Voyager III at Astronomics:

https://astronomics....t-az-mount-head

Have one, and it's just dandy for smaller scopes, and the included right-angle brackets

allows for right-angle mounting.

 

Also worth considering Arca-Swiss, rather than Vixen for portability.  While this is used more for

cameras than telescopes, it's out there, and perfectly suitable for small scopes.

My AZ Baby was bought from AliExpress where it was called Theodolite. I wasn't expecting it to say AZ Baby on it.  It came with a bigger clamp with two bolts but I changed it to reduce size and weight.

 

The Voyager III looks the same as the Stellarvue M1V and others sold in Europe. Probably a bit better than the AZ Baby.

[MortonH]

Had a trip to the Canary Islands last year to see big telescopes.

 

Wanted a small scope for max portability,  the TV-60.  Upon recommendation

of another CN Member, got a Gitzo GT1555T carbon fiber tripod and a Gitzo

two-way head, which is outstanding for alt-az.

 

Head has an Arca-Swiss mount, which works well for light setups, when Vixen

is overkill.

 

Worked out great on airline, mini-bus etc.  Was the best in ultimate portability
I could come up with at the time.

Nice setup. I have a Manfrotto 701RC2 fluid head that I haven't used for a while. I've tried it before with small scopes around 70mm and wasn't happy as the balance never seemed quite right, but the TV-60 and its sliding balance bar might work well.

[Terra Nova]

The helical focuser on my TV60 works perfectly in either position.

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[MortonH]

Thanks all. I just found a used one. Should arrive next week.

[helpwanted]

“Ultimate portability” - There’s a reason Al Nagler refers to the TV-60 as his “briefcase telescope.”

I call mine the Motivator. if part of me is feeling lazy and wants to stay on the sofa watching TV, I have it all set up on the tripod ready to go outside with one hand, including diagonal and a 24 Pano. 

[MortonH]

Just arrived.