What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

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Refractordude
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What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#1

Post by Refractordude »


I am currently using an Orion VersaGo II mount head with the Orion Skyview Pro legs and extension tube. For some reason I can no longer find that sweet adjustment spot for good stability. I will try a few more times, but it looks like it is time for a new az mount. Would like opinions/suggestions etc. I am very budget minded, but can save up for an expensive mount. Thanks to you all.
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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#2

Post by AstroBee »


Not a great deal of budget options out there with a 20lb payload capacity. Besides the one you have, I've only seen the Vixen Porta II mount (Not exactly cheap.) that states it can handle 20lbs.

The Vixen StarGuy Alt-Az Pro Mount is out there but even more expensive. At that point you might as well look at an eq mount like the AVX.
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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#3

Post by ARock »


The Twilight 2 gets good reviews.
https://www.highpointscientific.com/exp ... nt-maz02-p

The GSO Skyview Deluxe will probably be at the limit.
https://agenaastro.com/gso-skyview-delu ... mount.html
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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#4

Post by NGC 1365 »


I have the Vixen Porta mount, have had it since they first came out. It's my grab and go mount for four different scopes, the largest and heaviest is a double stacked Lunt 100 Ha Solarscope, the smallest a 76mm refractor. It's the best mount I've owned for ease and convenience.
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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#5

Post by pakarinen »


SkyTee 2 - kind of ugly IMO, but decent reviews. Can hold two scopes.
Vixen APZ - stylish, very good to excellent review, quite pricey (Me want!) Convertible to eq with some add-ons.
Twilight II - see CN threads on "necessary" tuning / bearing kludge. Ppl complain they shouldn't have to muck about with it given the price. Not sure about slo-mo. Good reviews otherwise.
DM6 (?) - no slo-mo. Pricey. Expensive shipping charges reported. Sky Booger or whatever push-to add-on available.
Losmandy AZ8 - pricey. Some ppl question if quality is worth price.

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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#6

Post by Refractordude »


pakarinen wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 1:10 pm SkyTee 2 - kind of ugly IMO, but decent reviews. Can hold two scopes.
Vixen APZ - stylish, very good to excellent review, quite pricey (Me want!) Convertible to eq with some add-ons.
Twilight II - see CN threads on "necessary" tuning / bearing kludge. Ppl complain they shouldn't have to muck about with it given the price. Not sure about slo-mo. Good reviews otherwise.
DM6 (?) - no slo-mo. Pricey. Expensive shipping charges reported. Sky Booger or whatever push-to add-on available.
Losmandy AZ8 - pricey. Some ppl question if quality is worth price.

FWIW...
Thinking about the SkyTee 2.
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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#7

Post by Bigzmey »


SkyTee 2! Load capacity - 60 lb, rock solid stability. Handles up to 3 scopes (T2 can handle only two) and also has solo mode with counterweight. Has slo mo (T2 does not). All 3 scopes can be alligned to look at the same spot (T2 can't do it). Compatible with Orion extension pier.
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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#8

Post by Jones »


Giro Ercole from TS Optics Germany for scopes up to 18 kg.
Arizona- where the sky's are not cloudy all night.

Triple lensed fracs are so yummy when looking at planets.
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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#9

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Jones wrote: Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:00 am Giro Ercole from TS Optics Germany for scopes up to 18 kg.
That is 18kg (40lb) per side.
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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#10

Post by DeanD »


Stellarvue M002C? https://www.stellarvue.com/m2/ Holds up to 25 lbs.

I have the older version which handles my 150mm f5 refractor quite happily. Here is an image of mine (with home-made riser and tripod).
2018-02-02 16.51.30.jpg
2018-02-02 16.52.27.jpg
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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#11

Post by Virtus »


I would second the Stellarvue M2C; I would say the 25lb capacity is very conservative.

It doesn't have slow motion controls if that's a deal breaker; it was a concern to me when I bought mine but I don't miss them at all and find the M2C more intuitive to use.
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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#12

Post by pakarinen »


From what I've read, the M2C is a good mount and you can buy an encoder kit from Astro Devices if you want push-to / Nexus DSC. I've considered one, but my M1V experience makes me leery of non-slo-mo and friction clutches. But an M1V is an import and not in the same class as an M2C.
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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#13

Post by Bigzmey »


pakarinen wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2021 5:22 pm From what I've read, the M2C is a good mount and you can buy an encoder kit from Astro Devices if you want push-to / Nexus DSC. I've considered one, but my M1V experience makes me leery of non-slo-mo and friction clutches. But an M1V is an import and not in the same class as an M2C.
I have tried a few friction-based mounts, some better made than others. Once you get to high power observing of doubles and planets they all become somewhat painful to use. For me slow motion is a must.

One simple solution is to use manual EQ mount in AltAz mode. Easy to find and most in 20-30lb capacity range are well made. I gather some can't be set to AltAz mode, but many like my Bresser Exos 2 can. Quite few are also compatible with Orion extension pier.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
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Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#14

Post by 25585 »


The mount I am likely to buy is either a Rowan AZ100, or APM Maxload. I had considered an Az Eq 6, but their prices have shot up too much.
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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#15

Post by pakarinen »


People have written very positive reviews of the Rowan and the company seems responsive to inquiries. YMMV.
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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#16

Post by SpyderwerX »


I can second the vote on the SkyTee-2. Not the cheapest to be had, and mostly available from European sellers, but plenty of heft to support any load I have put upon it. The slow-motion control is a must in my book for higher mag work.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-az ... mount.html
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Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor

#17

Post by Ylem »


I can't recommend the Vixen Portamount ll for a 150mm f8.
I once had a Celestron 102 f12 on mine, it was a no go :(
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