New Mount trial

[helicon]

Sort of a first light that wasn't.

So yesterday I received my Celestron Heavy Dut Alt-Az mount. Assembly was easy and took all of 15 minutes.

Then I grabbed the 102 mm XLT and installed it on the bracket head. By loosening the OTA rings I was able to achieve a proper balance, then I tightened them.

The weight with eyepiece is around 14 pounds, which I was glad to see that the mount and tripod could support.

The scope moves around and holds its position in both altitude and azimuth.

I was going to take it out this morning at 4:00 am and have a look at Luna. Unfortunately the clouds and humidity would not allow it. However the tripod is diminutive enough so that it will fit through the open doorway of the French doors (without opening both of them) and can take advantage of the rather large deck.

Here is a look at the assembled mount.

At any rate first light will have to be tonight, so will certainly have report number 2 of this ongoing saga.

Happy New Year All!

[Juno16]

Happy New Michael!

Nice looking rig. Best of luck getting it out for some viewing tonight.

[Lady Fraktor]

If you have a 2lb ankle wieght, wrap it around the focuser end of the tube so you can push it further up in the rings.
No sense in doing gymnastics while at the eyepiece
Hopefully the mount will give good use for you.

[messier 111]

pretty tripod in a very pretty decor.