17 replies to this topic

[Dav85]

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for advice on a portable equatorial mount that can handle a travel imaging setup weighing close to 10kg. The gear includes:
• Newtonian 150/600
• Imaging camera
• Filter wheel
• Guide scope + guide camera

I already own a TC40 tripod, so I’d prefer a mount head only, if possible. The key requirement is that the whole setup (or at least the mount) should be compact enough to fit in carry-on luggage, as I plan to take it on flights.

Any recommendations for something light but sturdy enough to support this load for astrophotography?

Thanks in advance!
Clear skies!

[Tapio]

If you already have TC40 tripod then AM5 or AM5N is a no brainer choice.

[Dav85]

If you already have TC40 tripod then AM5 or AM5N is a no brainer choice.

It’s big to bring with me on travel, I already own a wd20 but is big

[Tapio]

It’s big to bring with me on travel, I already own a wd20 but is big

Big?! If you want lighter mount that can carry 10kg then good luck with that.

Edited by Tapio, 24 May 2025 - 11:41 AM.

[Dav85]

Big?! If you want lighter mount than can carry 10kg then good luck with that.

I see different brands like zwo with am3 or ioptron with hem15 but I would like to have some feedback here to someone that own some of them.

[Scdouglas]

I see different brands like zwo with am3 or ioptron with hem15 but I would like to have some feedback here to someone that own some of them.

The AM3 is going to be too small for a 10KG setup especially with a newtonian. ZWO says the AM3 will handle 8KG without a counterweight, and it's not a mount you want to be overloading with a big newtonian tube that will catch wind easily. It's a quality little mount, but it's made for small to medium refractors mainly and for that it performs very well. If you need 10KG, obviously adding a counterweight to the AM3 doesn't make sense, it would be better to just go AM5 with no counterweight. HEM15 is the same, just over 8KG no counterweight so also too small for a 10KG payload. 

 

If the goal is travel astrophotography my suggestion would be to ditch the 150mm newtonian, get the AM3 and pair it with a little bit of a smaller scope, preferably a nice collapsible refractor. That setup should be pretty dang small and light and perform well for AP. A 90mm refractor will have a focal length of around 540mm, not exactly what the newtonian has but it's not so far off that you can't crop in a bit and get roughly the same result. Just my 2C. 

[DeepSky Di]

iOptron tend to be lighter for the same payload, by a couple of pounds. I recently flew with a HEM18C which weighs just over 6.2lb and has an 8.5 kg payload without counterweight and 12kg with counterweight. It would easily fit in a backpack; I put it in a pelican case with other gear.


Edit: 8.5kg not lb

Depending on the country where you are flying, there may be weight checks on carry on baggage. My checked bag containing tripod was at the weight limit and I did not bring any counterweights.

How are you planning to take a Newt on a plane?

[BucketDave]

Dav85:
By 'portable', do you mean something that you can put in the car and drive to a dark site, or something that you needs to be airline compatible? The latter is a bit more constraining.

I take my 8 inch ACF and GEM45 to dark sites 50-100 miles away. They go in the car happily.

I also take my 65phq and HEM15 to dark sites, by air, a couple of times a year. Optics and laptop go in a cabin bag (just). The HEM15 goes in a hold bag - the cabin bag is heavy enough already.

[Dav85]

In looking for something that I can bring with me on the airplane, I’m not confident to leave it on hold bag, sometimes they lose it.
I think I’ll bring with me on cabin bag my wd20…

[Celerondon]

The AM3 is going to be too small for a 10KG setup especially with a newtonian. ZWO says the AM3 will handle 8KG without a counterweight, and it's not a mount you want to be overloading with a big newtonian tube that will catch wind easily. It's a quality little mount, but it's made for small to medium refractors mainly and for that it performs very well. If you need 10KG, obviously adding a counterweight to the AM3 doesn't make sense, it would be better to just go AM5 with no counterweight. HEM15 is the same, just over 8KG no counterweight so also too small for a 10KG payload. 

 

If the goal is travel astrophotography my suggestion would be to ditch the 150mm newtonian, get the AM3 and pair it with a little bit of a smaller scope, preferably a nice collapsible refractor. That setup should be pretty dang small and light and perform well for AP. A 90mm refractor will have a focal length of around 540mm, not exactly what the newtonian has but it's not so far off that you can't crop in a bit and get roughly the same result. Just my 2C. 

This is my take on this issue as well.  The OP can carry the desired payload on an adequate mount or revise the payload requirements downward to accommodate a smaller mount. 

 

In looking for something that I can bring with me on the airplane, I’m not confident to leave it on hold bag, sometimes they lose it.
I think I’ll bring with me on cabin bag my wd20…

Yes, so far I have been the same way.  My AM5 could probably fly with the rest of the checked luggage but it has not done so yet.  My mount is a lot like your WD20.  I have flown several times with the AM5.  Every time that I fly I am reminded that an AM3 would be a little better for air travel.  But planning and packing are the only activities that remind me of that fact.  Otherwise the AM5 is better because it is bigger and stronger.  If I flew more then I would probably purchase an AM3 and assemble an ultralight rig to match it. 
 

You already have a mount that can handle your payload and is suitable for air travel.  My size compliant carry-on luggage contains the AM5 and a 12Ah LiFePO4 battery.  Those two items and some padding take me right near the weight threshold.  I think that dealing with the hassle of toting a slightly larger mount is better than pushing a lightweight mount to or beyond its limits. 
 

Don

 

Teardown at 10,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean 

[soojooko]

I think the iOptron HEM27 or HAE29 are just about the lightest mounts that can carry 10kg.

 

I have a HEM15. Its not suitable for 10kg without a counterweight.

Edited by soojooko, 28 May 2025 - 01:05 PM.

[psandelle]

Rainbow Astro 135? That's as small (and sturdy) as they get.

Paul

[soojooko]

Rainbow Astro 135? That's as small (and sturdy) as they get.

Paul

That's a good shout, but expensive. I guess if its within the OPs budget, this would indeed be a great choice.

[psandelle]

That's a good shout, but expensive. I guess if its within the OPs budget, this would indeed be a great choice.

In Hollywood we say “good, fast, and cheap; you get two”. In Astro we should probably say “good, SMALL, and cheap; you get two”. 

 

Paul

[Tapio]

Just saw two second hand R135 mounts for sale. But still too expensive (about 3000).
And they don't have cabling.

[psandelle]

Just saw two second hand R135 mounts for sale. But still too expensive (about 3000).
And they don't have cabling.

Totally worth the price for me.

Paul

[photoracer18]

I don't know any airline that would allow a 6" Newt on carry on, even Southwest Airlines. I think their max is 22"x15"x10" and Stellarvue used to sell a case of that size that fits under the seat in front of you. My HEM15 goes in my hardshell check in bag along with the tripod and an eyepiece case. Currently my travel scope is a WO FLT98 although an AP Stowaway or Traveler will fit in the SV case also. I did buy the CW bar for the HEM15 but have not used it yet. A smaller Vixen weight for a GP mount fits perfect on the iOptron CW bar.

[astrohamp]

A biased vote for a Rainbow Astro RST-135e.  Set up for backpack carry and under seat stowage. The OTA in a second Pelican case to fit overhead.

 

Have not flown with this yet although others report success flying with the second case.  A checked bag would be used for tripod and clothing.