New SkyTee II question

[Chris]

Hi guys, 

I've just received delivery of my new Skytee II mount, and I've noticed that both the axis are very stiff to turn with the clutches undone? 

Is this a skytee thing? I'm used to mounts being free to turn when the clutches are undone but maybe it's added friction for smooth tracking?

It's very stiff but smooth.

Just want to check it's ok?

Cheers

Chris

[spaceboy]

I think with anything mass produced there is some tinkering needed by the end user. I think there was some mention on adjusting the backlash on the Skytee and also possible re-grease along with a change of saddles to avoid your scope crashing on the ground out of the blue.

[Starcluster]

Hi Chris, I too have not long purchased a Skytee mount. The first one I recieved had a bent spindle on the declination . I returned it , the replacement one seems fine. When the clutches are not locked it should be smooth to move it by hand, Dec and Azimith. I found the guy at Harris telescopes very helpfull and knowledgeable when asking him questions on using the mount. It might be worth giving him a ring. Hope this helps,,,,,.Cheers,, Mark. P.s see the link to the Skytee mount Outher members including Damnut may also be able to help.

[John]

...... along with a change of saddles to avoid your scope crashing on the ground out of the blue.

A minor point of course !

The lesser tweaking I've no problem with and it's good fun but the clamps issue should have been sorted ages ago. It's been widely mentioned on this and other forums since the mount was introduced. The Skytee I had two very seviceable clamps with no such problems - why didn't Synta just use those ?

[Chris]

Hi guys, I ordered 1x ADM saddle (skytee II version at the same time) I'm just waiting for it to arrive

I'm just curious to how much friction with the clutches off is 'normal', both axis on mine seem heavily dampened with the clutches undone. Other mounts I've owned turn very freely with the clutches undone so it's different. 

It is smooth when you apply enough force to turn it still though.

I can't immediately see how to adjust it, but If I figure that out, should I adjust it or is this friction beneficial with this type of mount? 

The mount was from FLO, so I know I can email Martin or Steve but I just wan't to see if something is up before I do that

[damnut]

Hi Chris,

If it is anything else than smooth progressively less resistance as you push with the clutches released  I would return it. There is a certain amount of inertia but then you appreciate how little effort you need to adjust the mount.

Just read above, the adm plates are a must. I tripple mount mine with a standard puck on top with a counterbalance arm.

[Chris]

Hi Damian, This ones definately a bit of a work out to turn either axis, but it is smooth with a slight tight spot, it would be impossible to turn it quickly its so heavily dampened.

I can turn it about twice the speed of a second hand on a clock!

[ampleamp]

Chris,

i would just use it for a while first before making any judgements or adjustments. When mine arrived it was also very stiff but loosened off quite quickly with use and it was very easy/comfortable to use for a good year+. As more time went by it continued to loosen (too much) and actually ended up with a backlash of nearly a centimetre. Last weekend i had enough and took it all to bits, regreased the bearings and tightened up three set screws on an internal thread and happy days again. I suppose if it doesn't loosen off fairly quickly you could always send it back, or have a go at loosening those set screws - it is remarkably easy to do.

In any event i would have a word with your supplier and just let them know 

[John]

The Skytee II's that I've used were quite stiff too but I had heavy scopes on them with heavy eyepieces so that was not really a problem. If you are used to something like a Giro mount, then the Skytee II does seem to have a fair amount of "sticktion" around the axis movements.

[damnut]

This is my second skytee ii neither have been overly stiff on delivery. This mount has had a 10"snt on it at one end, an st 120mm in the middle and a 152mm frac at the other end, all with 2" large (axiom, 120 deg es) and a ts 80mm finder.

For me its a return!!

[Chris]

Ok, two very different schools of thought on this one

I'll both let FLO know, and give the mount a go with an OTA and see how it works in practice. 

I've just spent 330 quid on a manual mount head and saddle so I'd like it to be right.

[Chris]

Thanks for the help guys

[damnut]

Hi Chris,

This was my friends mount ~:--

And mine;--

[Roy Challen]

I bought my skytee second hand  and it was a little loose in the azimuth axis. To adjust it you just remove the base plate (3 cap head screws) which reveals a lock nut which has 3 little grub screws holding it in position. Undo the grub screws and adjust the lock nut tightness, then retighten the grub screws and replace the base plate. I found that you can go quite tight (as in as tight as you can do it by hand) before 'stiction' becomes an issue. I imagine the altitude axis adjustment is similar, although I haven't needed to do that.

Regarding the saddles, I just ditched the aluminium knobs and used steel nylocs to clamp the scope dovetails. However, my scopes aren't particularly heavy and I feel that they are perfectly safe as they are now.

Hope that helps

Roy

[Chris]

Hi Damien, very nice! These are the kind of pictures that made me go for the Skytee

[Chris]

Hi Roy, thanks for the instructions that's great  

I've emailed FLO and if they are happy to let me have a play with the mount without it voiding the warranty I'll give this a go

[Chris]

FLO to the rescue  

Steve said to see how I go for a while, and if no joy I can adjust it or return it.

I'm in safe hands! 

[damnut]

That's great news Chris, its a lot of money not too be right straight out of the box. Starcluster above, also had to send his back first time.

I love this mount, the ease at whch you can move it is excellent, I hope you have the slo mos on your xmas(  ) list.

[Chris]

Thanks Damian. From what I can work out these mounts vary quite a bit out the box, which is a bit of a surprise really, all my other Synta mounts have been exactly the same axis friction wise.

Yeah, I have a couple of longish fracs so the cables and a second ADM saddle are on the list if the mount works out ok

[damnut]

Hi Chris,

Start saving now,  my other mount has a 127mm f10 (disposing of as now have the 152) and 120mm f8 on it.....

[John]

The Skytee II can support quite some weight with a saddle upgrade, as seen below. Alas, the length of the Istar 6" F/12 was too much for the mount for anything other than a short session of initial testing.

[damnut]

You gave up too quickly John you could have dug a circular trench so that you could use that lovely instrument..

[Chris]

Woah! I keep forgetting how huge your Istar was/is (not sure if you still have it?).

[John]

Woah! I keep forgetting how huge your Istar was/is (not sure if you still have it?).

It's moved home to another owner Chris. It was just a bit too much for me to handle unfortunately and aggravating a back injury a few months back did not help the situation

It's a superb scope though and I hope it's new owner is enjoying it

[Chris]

I've had a quick 10 minute set up and tear down just to see how things are, the friction doesn't feel as strong with it all setup. I'm guessing due to the extra leverage. I'm feeling a bit more hopeful now

Here's some obligatory pics:

p.s I can pinch the slo mo cables from my CG4 mount head!