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Alt-Az mount for 4" refractor


dweller25

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I have a 4" F/8 refractor that weighs a surprising 6.4kgs and am looking to set it up on a lightweight Alt-Az mount.

I like the design type of the Skywatcher AZ4 - the OTA sits above the centre of the mount rather than hanging off one side but FLO have advised that due to the OTA weight it will be a marginal setup.

Due to ever worsening back issues I am trying to keep total weight down so does anyone know of a beefier AZ4 type mount thats not too heavy??

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Hi David,

I have a Giro II which I put my ED120 on. The mount head is very light though mine is on a 2" steel tubed CG5 tripod which does have some weight to it. I can lift the mount, tripod and ED120 up in one piece and move it around the garden without too much difficulty though. I use a counterweight bar with just a 2kg weight to make the axis movements really smooth.

It's a nice stable mounting for the ED120 even at high power.

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David, i still think the AZ4 would work as the 4" f8 is shorter than a TAL100, but if you have a good skywatcher/celestron tripod then a giro is going to be good, though it may need an extension tube to raise the scope up a bit, it would be a good idea to visit Shane and try your scope on the giro set up 

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I have a giro 3 and it is not too heavy and works wonderfully.you would be welcome to try your scope on it. I am in Stockport.

I have one of these too and it is much easier and more comfortable to use than any other mount I have tried. I use it on a set of EQ3 legs if I want light weight but it normally sits on EQ5 2" legs and is now on a 16" pillar extension to help with clearance when pointed straight up. It is a very versatile set-up.

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@Moonshane thanks very much for the offer - I do have a CG5 tripod with 2" legs - do you know if the Giro 3 will fit this ? and does it need a counterweight for a smooth action ?

@John - thanks for the info, the 120ED weighs the same as my 4" F/8 and I have the CG5 tripod so thats encouraging......

Where do you buy Giro's from ??

@Scoot - thanks - that looks nice and it has slo mo controls which is a major plus as I do planetary

@Jules - would the AZ4 fit on a 2" steel tubed CG5 tripod ?

@DRT - very encouraging that you all rate the Giro 3 - thanks for the feedback

I am going to research all your suggestions and try to find the lightest combo.........

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I am pretty sure it does David.mine is the hear one with steel 2" legs that came with a az4 I had but I sold the head to part fund a used giro 3

They come up quite regularly used and this is my recommended route.

I never use a cw with my 120 f5 or my tal based pst mod and when used together they balance each other out.

Get a giro with two clamps if you are ever going to use more than one on it. Might not apply to you.

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David, I have a 6" Newtonian on my Giro III most of the time and haven't needed a counterweight provided the scope is balanced and the tension screws not too loose. Mine is the double sided mount and doesn't have weights so if I do mount anything heavier I just put another scope on the other side.

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