quasar117

Third of the way there...I now have a tripod 😅

That I will 👍. I'm currently looking at a used AZ4 that I could regrease and working nice and smooth.

Is there anyone around Derby who has either of these mounts who wouldn't mind me taking a look?

RVO don't have any Skytee2 or AZ4 mounts setup in their showroom which is a shame as id really like to try them before I buy.

To my mind it will be more grab and go- aswell I can setup it up quickly, cool down time is next to nothing, no pre observing collimation. I feel if I go for a smaller OTA I would be sacrificing too much. I'm am considering the AZ4 mount though as the Skytee2 is a lump.

However if I could get a secondhand AZ4 for cheap it wouldn't be much of a loss trying that out.

I'm swaying towards the Skytee2 as a more future proof option.

The Vixen APZ looks the business for sure! At twice the cost of a Skytee2 though is it twice as good?

Can't seem to find an AZ4 that doesn't comes on its own without the steel tripod. As I already have a sturdy tripod. Do you think the AZ4 can be mounted on other tripods with M10 stud or is a proprietary mount that can only fit on the Skywatcher 1.75" steel tripod?

Would I have to be constantly altering the altitude clutch to prevent the scope from slipping when observing at different altitude angles? Say for instance I had a 2" low power eyepiece on, would it affect the balance?

Yes taking all that info consideration it would prove counterintuitive to the way I want to observe. Starfield it is! Thanks guys.

I just gathered the longer the tube the better for getting good magnification on the planets. But I suppose you can only magnify as much as the seeing will allow.

Would the Altair Starwave Ascent 102 F/11 be a good alternative option? I don't think the optics are as premium but I think it would be better for solar system work. Has anyone had experience with this scope? Doesn't look like there are any in stock though for now.

Apologies I didn't word it very well, I meant there is no slo mo on the AZ4.

Think I'll give RVO a visit to test the AZ4 and Skytee out if they have both. It's not too far as I'm in Derby.

I used to own an EQ6R-PRO, my back still remembers the pain of lugging it around 😭

I appreciate your insight. I've been down the Goto route before but for me personally I want to take more of a luddite approach.

If I was sensible I should have gone with a 1.75" steel tripod but I know in time I would lust after the Berlebach! 😅

Berlebach uni28

Would the Starfield benefit from being mounted on Skytee2 rather than AZ4? I'm aware I'd be losing the slomo control on the AZ4. I'm just concerned under high magnification vibration might be handled better with the Skytee2.

Indeed another reason from moving away from my Dob!

If I do buy from FLO, will they check collimation before it is send out?

Since I'm looking at this in the view of a "lifetime" scope it would probably be wise to buy new, as you say it will be peace of mind with a guarantee. I will also ad that I posted a wanted ad on astrobuynsell for this OTA and was contacted by chap from Epsom who appears to be a reseller of Altair astro. He says he could sell me a brand new OTA with some discount as he apparently now's the owner of Altair..sounded a bit dubious to me. Anyone had dealing like this before?

They haven't used it much apparently. Now is that due to dissatisfaction or just utilizing other equipment more? A question I should probably ask.

Sound advice!