dee_

this was on my shortlist with the huge advantage that it weighed least out of any of the mounts I considered. the reasons I didn't go for it were mostly uncertainty about my own travel scenarios and usage, the mount looked fine but the Latitude adjustment is 15-65, and I travel a hell of a lot, including frequent enough trips to Singapore, so this felt like a limitation that would hit me. I figure the AM5 is excessive for my needs, but it's also likely to have the strongest secondary market value, so if I find it too bulky and heavy, and to really not be a fit for how I use it then it wouldn't have been too risky an experiment and then I can go back to looking at the HEM15, AM3 or RST-135

Not a thing has yet arrived, the orders submitted to FLO within the last couple of days, but after attending a local club, and having borrowed a RedCat for a while I was lucky (in unfortunate circumstances) to have some money for my own equipment, and the shopping list is a nice one I feel. What I'm going for: Planetary visual with the local group Wide-field deep sky imaging whenever the opportunity happens Both of these as a travel thing, I fly a lot and want to take this with me The challenge isn't how to do visual plus imaging in a package, it's how to do it whilst keeping it small enough, capable enough, and weighing as little as possible, such that it can be done whilst travelling. This is where it hurts the pocket, aiming for around 15kg in total (everything needed) in 2 carry-on bags (1 hard, 1 soft under-seat). What I've settled on is the Takahashi FSQ-85EDX for the scope, a harder choice was the mount and the AM5n is 2kg heavier than the AM3 but feels like the much safer investment. I was going to try and use my Sony E-mount cameras for imaging, but the lack of ASCOM control made it hard, so I've relented and added a ZWO ASI2600MC Pro to the mix, with the choice of colour being to reduce the space and weight for travel scenarios so of course there's a broadband filter, the Optolong L-Quad Enhance, thrown in to handle light pollution. The full shopping list is long, 30 distinct items and I haven't ordered luggage yet, big thanks to both Alex and Ian for spending a lot of time double checking details of various compatibility things. As soon as I start receiving the things I'll post them to the thread, but a couple of critical adapters wouldn't be arriving for 5 weeks, and of course the AM5n only just got announced and stock availability is still TBD... but that's OK, there's no darkness in the South of the UK at the moment.

I've finally opted for a Tak, but the William Optics was there in the race to the very last and only the focal length vs weight tipped it over towards the Tak. I appreciate your thread a lot despite choosing something else in the 🙏

this is really nice, thanks for the write-up and pictures, it actually helped me with my purchasing decision and I've also opted for the FSQ-85EDX, though I'm going for a dual mode of planetary visual with the local club, and then wide-field deep sky imaging when I'm on my own and can escape the light pollution of my city. one thing I'm wondering, I ordered a standard 2x barlow and am still pondering on a stronger powermate, you mentioned needing an extension to get the focus, what parts are you using (if you know the Tak system IDs for them)? I've already ordered the FSQ-85EDX, hope to receive everything I need over the next few weeks, just in time for the first dark skies to come around again. also, the Pelican case... you mentioned it being a close fit, would you have opted for the 1 size up? I am hoping to travel (flights) with it.

@Richard_ thank you for this thread and all of the info, it is super appreciated as I'm currently in the purchasing decision phase with this scope and stumbled upon this thread, and you're answering all the questions that come to mind before I even ask them, the thread is appreciated 🙏