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Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 1:32 pm
by Ed217
Currently I have a stock 8SE and Nexstar mount that came with. I am about 5 months in to astro area this time around. Efforts so far have been planetary in nature and that works pretty well with both Nikons and ZWO cameras.

About to enter into DSO world and think that a polar mount like the AVX would be a better choice. Any thoughts???

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 3:45 pm
by Mac
I have the AVX and it is working well but it wouldn't with that big of a scope and additional guide camera/filters etc. It will work but I would be thinking of something bigger for the 8SE.

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 5:11 pm
by Ed217
I expert to do some of the DSO things with other optical gear. I have an existing Nikon and various long lenses. I also have an older shorter focal length 4.5 reflector. One of the purchase options is the addition of a 6" reflector with a 900 mm focal length that is much lighter.

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 6:33 pm
by Lady Fraktor
The AVX is a good starting point if you can keep your weight below 20lbs.
There are many people that use the AVX but people wanting to get into serious AP seem to outgrow it quickly.
The Skywatcher HEQ-5 is supposed to be a bit of a step up from the AVX.

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 6:53 pm
by stewe
According to Celestron's and Skywatcher's specifications, the payload capacity of the AVX is 13.6 kg, while that of the HEQ-5 is 13.7 kg.
So if you have an AVX mount and want better stability, I discourage you from spending another grand on a mount of equal payload capacity.
A friend of mine uses an EQ-6R with more than 20 kg payload weight for AP, regularly doing 20-min single exposures at f/4. That mount seems rock solid, I guess it would handle a C8 at f/10 very well. Or there is the IOptron CEM-40 if you find the "classical" heavy-duty GEMs too bulky and heavy, although it costs more.

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2020 12:00 am
by coopman
Lots of AVX's available "used" because people realize that they need more payload capacity.

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2020 10:00 am
by BigKahuna
Ed, the AVX with the 6" C6N Reflector (F5) works fine for me. I also had my 8SE on it for a while but like the 6" better for Astrophotography. Only downfall is it is a 1.25" focused but doesn"t matter for AP because it fits the T-adapter for my Canon T6 perfectly and allows Prime Focus

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2020 6:54 pm
by Lady Fraktor
stewe wrote: Sat Feb 22, 2020 6:53 pm According to Celestron's and Skywatcher's specifications, the payload capacity of the AVX is 13.6 kg, while that of the HEQ-5 is 13.7 kg.
The Skywatcher has a better build quality with the mechanicals making it a more stable mount than the AVX.
Capacity is only one part of the specifications.

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 6:38 pm
by Ed217
Decided to give the AVX a try. We;ll see how it goes. Since I've having issues with my NexStar mount, anything would be a step forward.

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 6:58 pm
by Lady Fraktor
Ed217 wrote: Mon Mar 02, 2020 6:38 pm anything would be a step forward.
Take a huge leap forward and buy a Vixen :D
Enjoy the new mount when it arrives :)

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 7:41 pm
by UlteriorModem
*COUGH* CGX.. ;)

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 7:44 pm
by Lady Fraktor
Bigger is not always better ;)
Build quality goes further in the long term.

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 8:56 pm
by UlteriorModem
There is no substitute for payload capacity. I learned that the hard and expensive way!

Besides the CGX is a decent build quality, now that they have worked out the drive belt issues.

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 8:58 pm
by Lady Fraktor
My Vixen is rated for 35lb voodooo and 55lb visual so not to shabby.

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 10:11 pm
by BigKahuna
Good luck, Ed with the AVX mount. New AVX mounts just went on sale for $100 off list. :dance:

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 4:06 am
by Ed217
BigKahuna wrote: Mon Mar 02, 2020 10:11 pm Good luck, Ed with the AVX mount. New AVX mounts just went on sale for $100 off list. :dance:
Yes, the $ change happened the day before I ordered...which is good. Should be here tomorrow, so a new learning curve.

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 10:06 pm
by Ed217
Unit arrived yesterday and seems to work well so far. May know more on Sat as first clear night.

The Quick Align option is very handy as makes it easy finding an object very quickly. Its not a full polar alignment, but still very useful.

Re: Looking at AVX Mount for my 8SE

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 2:56 pm
by Kerry C.
Ed,
Have you had an opportunity to get some time with the AVX?
What are your thoughts so far?
I want a new mount so stinking bad, but I just don't want to put out the $1,600 for a EQ6-R Pro or its equivalent.
Kerry