9 replies to this topic

[jrazz]

For some reason people PM me and ask me what is a sturdy mount for BTs. 

I have to be honest... I still have not fount the right mount!

 

I have 2 options at my disposal and neither is really up to the task of holding a high magnification BT.

 

An Oberwerk 240XL fork

 

Or a Nitrotech 612 fuid head on a Manfrotto 117b mount

 

 

 

Surprisingly the fluid head is marginally more stable but can drift if left alone.

I wanted to know if there are other, more stable, easier to move heads. Manual only - no GOTO.

 

 

[Astro-Remete]

here my selection for star clusters: APM120SD with Masuyama 32mm

Someone posted this on another forum

[JoeFaz]

Someone posted this on another forum

Can you post a direct link? It isn't clear from your post what mount is being recommended.

[jrazz]

I saw that one: https://www.cloudyni...5#entry14087947

 

Unfortunately that doesn't answer my question without knowing what the mount is.

[K-night]

The mount in that image you linked looks like a Vinten. Post #s 62, 64, and 79, and video in post 139 of this most excellent thread.

 

I can comment on the "easier to move" mount question. When ideal balance is achieved, NoH's Mount CT-30 can be frictionless when pushed. When I need to dial in some friction to push & hold outside of a certain altitude range, it is still easier to move than a typical fluid head. A fluid head like a high-end Oconner or vintage Vinten would be exceptions. For the most part the CT-30 is side mount only, although I have seen a prototype top mount configuration.

 

 

Assuming that you're not referring to lock-out on the stability aspect, after tripod & column the next thing I found that contributed to wiggle was the dovetail interface. A Losmandy style dovetail, wide fastener spacing, and longer dovetail clamping area was more stable than Manfrotto and Arca Swiss dovetails with their single row of fasteners, and their narrow clamping mechanisms.

Edited by K-night, 17 April 2025 - 02:54 PM.

[jrazz]

Thank you K-night!

 

That's what I had in mind. I didn't think about NoH's mount but that seems like a good fit.

 

 

For me the Oberwerk 240 mount vibrates too much.

[ckwastro]

Surprisingly the fluid head is marginally more stable but can drift if left alone.

I have my Stowaway with a BV on a 608 NitroTech / Manfrotto 161 MK2B combo. Beyond rock solid but the 608 head does the same thing. I messed around with it & found that the tripod has to be dead-on level to prevent drift. Even slightly off dead-center bubble can cause drift. I can also increase the fluid tension / tighten the axis friction lock to stop it, but it’s nice when that’s not necessary, so I always try to make sure it’s perfectly level.

Edited by ckwastro, 17 April 2025 - 02:53 PM.

[fishhuntmike]

I find my very sturdy Manfrotto 161 MK2B/Nitrotech 612 combo overkill for my BT100 but perfect for the BT120 for magnifications up to ~100x but the fluid head likes to drift in azimuth when not perfectly level. My 290mm Omegon fork mount is inadequate with the BT120 (poor vibration damping) but for my BT100 ED it works well at low-moderate magnifications. So I use the BT100 with the fork mount on a large 40mm tubed carbon fiber tripod. My BT70 rides satisfactorily on a Smallrig DH12 and carbon fiber tripod.

[aznuge]

FWIW, here's what I use for my heaviest BT, the Oberwerk BT127XL SD: Gitzo Series 5 (tall) with separate cranking extension column; Nitrotech 612 mount; and Celestron vibration pucks for the tripod feet.  Positives - Gitzo is light but STRONG, easy to deploy with a heavy BT in the field, can carry short distances as a complete unit (except for the pucks), flexible and maneuverable, efficient coordination by GLP on celestial targets with other instruments, vibration not an issue at higher powers ~100x+.  Negatives - BT is heavy (25lbs), set-up is at the limit of the 612 and I need to use friction (not a problem for practical use), Gitzos are on the expensive side...

 

I also use the 127 on a tracking mount, the HAZ31.  In this case the HAZ31 is either mounted on a Manfrotto 161 MK2B or an iOptron Carbon Fiber Tripod 40mm Version A.  I have never had an issue with the HAZ31 supporting the 127 and use that combination with complete confidence, but others here have reported some concerns.

 

 

[Random2310]

I have not used this mount myself but I would take a look at the TTS-160 Panther Lite.

 

Manual only, has the option of top-mounting, weighs 7 kg (15.4 lbs) but has a capacity of 25 kg (55.1 lbs) in single top-mounted configuration. Photo from TTS.

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Edited by Random2310, 22 April 2025 - 10:15 PM.