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What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2021 10:51 pm
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.
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2021 12:21 am
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.
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2021 1:21 am
by ARock
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2021 7:53 am
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.
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2021 1:10 pm
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.
FWIW...
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:39 pm
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.
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:39 pm
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.
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:00 am
by Jones
Giro Ercole from TS Optics Germany for scopes up to 18 kg.
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 3:52 am
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.
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 6:00 am
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).
All the best,
Dean
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2021 12:59 pm
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.
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2021 5:22 pm
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.
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:52 pm
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.
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 3:14 pm
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.
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 3:31 pm
by pakarinen
People have written very positive reviews of the Rowan and the company seems responsive to inquiries. YMMV.
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 3:34 pm
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
Re: What Is The Best AZ Mount For A 20 Pound 150mm F8 Refractor
Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 3:48 pm
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
