SingAstro

Hi guys...

Looking to start out and i think i might go for the ES127 APO.

http://explorescientific.com/telescopes ... fiber.html

There is a photo of the universal saddle plate here and says it can fit Vixen mounts. http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid ... -997-12196

I'm looking to use the Vixen Porta II. It seems under mounted but what i have read it handles 5" refractors ok.

BTW, do you think the Megrez 120 is a better idea? It costs slightly more when fitted with finder/diagonal and plate.

Cheers!

A lot of the issues will stem from vibration. I'm using a skypod - it has the same tripod as a Porta 2 and I find that at high powers the vibration noticeably interferes with my ability to focus the telescope with 4", 10lbs refractor.
Of course the porta 2 may be different and your tolerance for vibration may also me different:)

Hey bro, nice to hear from your practical experiences and thank you!

The Vixen Porta II is pretty light and aside from savings from the mount, there is also savings from shipping. But i guess no use if at high mags there are issues. I guess it's not soley the problem with OTA weight, doing high mags always needs a solid foundation?

If that's the case, i have 2 other options then.

Explore Scientific
Twilight II Alt-Az Mount with HD Tripod
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=439-277-12201
<<-- Issue with this is that the setup has no instruction manuals ( a bit ridiculous right?), i read on cloudy nights that it's not easy to setup correctly the first time round. The twilight II has a 2" diameter for the main leg. But i guess that's not a deal killer.

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ ... ll/fpart/1

Vixen Star Guy Alt-Az Pro Mount with the HAL130SGX
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=439-277-17027

What do you say?
Or i could ask for help here and treat the nice guys a cup of coffee/dinner for a meetup session. hehe

Generally the higher the mag the more obvious vibration becomes. In more severe cases, vibration can be seen when the wind blows as well.
The ES127 is a 22lbs OTA, when you add rings, diagonal and EP it can be significantly heavier, maybe 25lbs or more. The porta mount 2 is rated for 20lbs.
If you're getting the version with HAL130, that's a much more robust version than the AL-90 tripod I'm using that came with the skypod. The HAL 130 is the same tripod as my SXD and it will support upwards of 20ls very stably. I'm not sure about the head though
I'm afraid I can't help you very much with the actual performance of the Alt-Az mounts though, I don't use any manual ones. You'll want to find out about its ability to balance, maintain balance when changing EPs, smoothness of movement and slow motions.
Regarding shipping: Actually there's not much difference in savings. Most Alt-Az heads are volumetrically close to the same weight (shipping from overseas takes into account volume) as they tend to occupy more volume than a "standard" item of similar weight. This is partly due to their shape. Also, the bulk of your tripod will add a hefty amount anyway so even if you do buy a heavier mount head, the shipping cost will not be significantly different. Actually a GIRO - style head may be cheaper on the shipping because its more cuboid, hence less box space is wasted on air!

Yeah cloud_cover, i guess a Twilight II it is then.... Quite a few setups with that already....

http://store.explorescientific.com/twil ... ripod.aspx

Or a T-Rex mount with encoders and stepper motors *grin*
Or a DM6 with goto motors..... *double grin*

cloud_cover wrote:Or a T-Rex mount with encoders and stepper motors *grin*
Or a DM6 with goto motors..... *double grin*

I would love to. But...

(1) I want to retire by 45. Singapore is too "competitive", too stressful.
(2) I am giving up one of my business ventures next year (wedding photography).... can't stand some of the youngsters nowadays/how they speak...and it's not only me but comments from foreigners (my wife's Indo Chinese)
(3) Coz of 2, i think need to push back (1) by a wee bit..... LOL!

Seriously I just might move to Indonesia/Batam next time..... so need to start a nice hobby. When I went to one of the more remote Riau islands hometown where my wife was born, the skies were so !%@# dark that you can (easily) see the milky way with your naked eyes. Very nice.

If you are looking at William Optics, why not look for robin? You can easily pick up the WO 120 with the ezy-touch mount together.

@vivid. Have you read this user review of the Twilight II mount by now?
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ ... in/4072952

Sent you a PM.

Gary wrote:@vivid. Have you read this user review of the Twilight II mount by now?
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ ... in/4072952

Sent you a PM.

Yep...read about that, that's why i'm interested.