New-to-me Meade DS 2102 mount

[StarBru]

Bought this lightweight mount (go to controller not included) on CN for just $39 to use with my 60mm to 80mm scopes for a quick Grab & Go. It's not supposed to be too picky with which Meade controller it uses and I have a few I can pick from!

The clamshell is made to fit a 90mm refractor, so luckily I had some 3mm self-stick felt strips to attach to the inside of the clamshell to fit my Meade 80mm f/5 scope. There's an L-bracket I just bought that will allow me to attach my 60mm scopes. This 80mm scope is a little heavy, so I'll probably change out the finder for a lightweight red dot to help lighten the load.

Here it is looking at the sunspots today (with non-"go to" controller). That's our dog Juno, sharing the spotlight! Can't weight to see how it performs at night! Now what did I do with that red dot finder..........?

[AstroBee]

$39, hard to beat! I hope it works well with your other controllers.

[Lady Fraktor]

It has been years since I have seen one of these mounts!
Have fun with it, I hope it works well with your 80 mm.

[StarHugger]

Nice,

Just seen one of these with a bird jones newt atop for 50 bucks on craigslist...

Lightweight and automated, the st80 looks well seated and at the ready.

[helicon]

Looks like a great little mount and not expensive!

[Juno16]

Great deal! Sounds like it was an easy modification. Have fun with it!

Thanks for introducing your dog. My previous dog was Juno. Rottweiler/Lab mix. A wonderful pup!

[JayTee]

Hi Bruce

I have a fully functional Meade DS2102 scope and mount. The mount is the same as yours, the scope that fits in it is a 102 mm f8 refractor. It has no problem motoring this OTA around the sky. Although I do call the mount "moaning Mona". It is by far the loudest slewing and running mount that I own. But it works and the go-to's are usually close enough. So I think your mount can handle a bit more weight than you think.

[Bigzmey]

Good find Bruce!

[StarBru]

$39, hard to beat! I hope it works well with your other controllers.

I have 2 AutoStar #497 HC's. The first one I plugged into the mount would not work. Then I realized it was version 22E from 2001. It works fine for my ETX90, but would only let me choose between an ETX60 or ETX70 and neither worked for this mount! I really need to update this HC!

Luckily, my other 497 is version 43E and works fine for a 2102 mount. I did a "mock-alignment" with it today along with several Go To's and it operated smoothly and pointed in the right direction for the objects I chose using Stellarium for locations, so I'm quite happy.

It works okay with the 492 HC you see in the photo, but of course the 492 does not have auto tracking ability.

[StarBru]

Ha! I got the mount's model number wrong in the post title! It's really a Meade DS 2102, not a DS 2120. If an administrator can correct this, I'd appreciate it! Thanks!

[Bigzmey]

Ha! I got the mount's model number wrong in the post title! It's really a Meade DS 2102, not a DS 2120. If an administrator can correct this, I'd appreciate it! Thanks!

Corrected!

[StarBru]

Hi Bruce

I have a fully functional Meade DS2102 scope and mount. The mount is the same as yours, the scope that fits in it is a 102 mm f8 refractor. It has no problem motoring this OTA around the sky. Although I do call the mount "moaning Mona". It is by far the loudest slewing and running mount that I own. But it works and the go-to's are usually close enough. So I think your mount can handle a bit more weight than you think.

Thanks, JayTee! I read and enjoyed your post from 2020 about this mount. I was able to shave off a whole pound from my scope by replacing the 50mm finder with a red dot, and you're right, it seems able to handle the weight of my 5 pound scope just fine, although it is still a little top heavy. I would like to cut down on the vibration a little though. I thought hanging a weighted bag from the top of the tripod legs might help. I don't think a weight hung from the tripod spreader will work, but I haven't tried either method yet.