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Just saw that a batch of used SLT mounts recently became available on eBay. I picked one up for $90 (HC included). It will be used for my AR102S comet hunter - my newest G&G set up. The GT mount I used for its first light is just a bit too weak for this OTA even though it weighs in at just above 5lbs (2.4Kg). Once I get it fitted to handle 2" EPs it will definitely need the SLT mount's greater weight capacity.
Enjoy the new mount, if you have a spare aluminium tripod it definitely improves the viewing comfort.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1011110) The only culture I have is from yogurt
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri May 31, 2019 3:55 am
Enjoy the new mount, if you have a spare aluminium tripod it definitely improves the viewing comfort.
It's interesting that with this new G&G set up, I have a Bresser OTA on a Celestron mount on a Meade aluminum field tripod! How's that for spreading the wealth.
-Michael Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50 Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl Camera: ZWO ASI 120 Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs Latitude: 48.7229° N
I think that you will like the SLT. The combo sounds like a great combination.
Enjoy!
Thanks,
Jim
Jim
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), ZWO OAG, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, ASI 220mm mini , IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
There are three tabs that protrude out from the bottom part of the mount where the legs attach.
The upper part (arm) of the mount has a 1/4" x 20 threaded bracket that holds it to the bottom portion so does not actually need the bottom piece to be mounted on a different style tripod.
Attachments
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1011110) The only culture I have is from yogurt
This is the GT mount with 5/16-18 4" long screw attached to a DIY mounting plate (because I have temporarily misplaced the original) to affix it to the tripod. The SLT mount won't need the DIY cause I won't lose the attaching plate.
This is the Meade Tripod, notice the round piece of wood on top (with a hole in the middle) being used as a spacer/attachment point (a small DIY project). This tripod is also used for my nightscape setup using the GT mount so swapping the SLT for the GT is a non-issue.
Here is the GT (soon to be SLT) mount attached to the tripod
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri May 31, 2019 4:06 pm
There are three tabs that protrude out from the bottom part of the mount where the legs attach.
The upper part (arm) of the mount has a 1/4" x 20 threaded bracket that holds it to the bottom portion so does not actually need the bottom piece to be mounted on a different style tripod.
Thanks Gabby!
I
Ian
Fracs: Stellarvue 70T f6; SW 120mm Esprit f7; "Mark Mk. II" - 60 mm Tasco f6; C80 frac f 11.4
SCT: C8 Edge f10 or f7 with reducer
Dob: 14.5" homebuilt strut dob (f4.5 ZOC mirror), Nexus II, Moonlite focuser
Mounts - Ioptron Skyguider pro, Astro Physics GTO900
Cameras and lenses - ZWO 2600 mc, 290 mm mini, Canon 60D modded with Rokinon 10mm 2.8; Rokinon 135mm f2
Skysafari 6 Pro, Astro Pixel Processor, Pixinsight - using Mac tablet and ASIair pro to run the AP rig.
"Mothers! It is there!" - Rafael Gonzales-Acuna, 2018.
It was promptly unboxed and was also nicely packed so it arrived ready to go. Part of the price included the HC and it was separately wrapped and was also ready to go.
This is a used mount so you can expect some marks will be visible. In my case, there were a few "scuff" marks on the exterior of the mount and that was it. They don't even detract from the overall appearance. All the connectors and switches were solidly in place, nothing loose. The same goes for the HC, some scuffs, but the screen was clear of any marks and all the buttons worked. So in the stable now I have the following HCs for their mounts: AVX, CPC, SLT, GT. Believe it or not, the CPC, SLT, and GT are all interchangeable.
So following my own advice I set it up this afternoon in the daylight! I attached my AR102S Comet Hunter, with an inserted Bresser 20mm 70° EP, to the Vixen clamp then I powered it up; there were no hiccups. I set up the HC will all the pertinent local information, then did a solar system align on the Moon. I got an align "success" right away after complying with the correct procedures. Then slewed over to Venus, it was a trifle left of FOV center but certainly well within the FOV for an easy find. Then I slewed back to the Moon and it arrived right back to FOV center. I slewed it over to Polaris and then put it to Hibernate and shut off the power.
All in all a completely successful first test. Not bad for a $90 investment.
Tonight I'll investigate running it from the laptop to see if that functionality is working. Shhhh, don't tell anyone but tonight may work for observing.
[Thanx for the pix JayTee, I own a Celestron Nexstar 102 SLT and to me the weakest link of all is the tripod. I have been wanting to get a decent tripd for a builders level and you can get a real nice one for about $100. The setup that you showed and the one Gabby showed are great ideas and I will put one to work. I can see major vibration with the stock tripod.
Thanx to you both.
Radarsski
The bitterest truth is better than the sweetest lie....Griff