Dave1

Mount isn't new, it came with my Helios 120mm. I have a Circle T 25mm Kellner on the way, which should be perfect for this. I may get a 32mm Vixen NPL Plossl eyepiece, see how I get on with the 25mm. Thanks for the tips, will try them out, next time I'm observing.

Waiting in anticipation for the moon to make an appearance, so that I can test it out on the moon!

Not going to abandon the project , I will try and find the time to do a head to head shoot out

Hey I thought I already mentioned that I split the double double near Vega. I take it this is what we are talking about?

Good, been mainly looking at stars, looked at the double double for the first time the other night, Polaris, Albireo, and Vega. Looked at stars I have yet to learn the names of if indeed they have names! Also tried to find the Dumbbell nebula for the first time. But didn't find it. Wasn't at a dark site and maybe a bit ambitious for a 60mm Dave

Thanks yes it does, can't wait to try out the tripod, hopefully tonight. I know one thing the tripod is a whole lot heavier than my Skywatcher EQ5 tripod! Using my little 60 is becoming addictive! Stopping me from completing my Towa project.

Well here it is my current set up, taken me awhile to be able to get to this point Skylight 60mm F16.7 and Berlebach Uni 28 tripod. EQ3-2 mount.

It appears Skywatcher has plans to release a HD version yes, according to this link posted earlier in this post http://www.skywatcher.it/prodotto/montatura-altazimutale-az5/ Which if translated points toward the AZ5 coming with the same tripod as the Skywatcher AZ EQ5-GT GEQ & Alt-Az Mount. Also the instructions point toward there being a HD version as well, here is the photo of the instructions posted earlier in this thread.

Not so sure about that, Moonshane. From what I've read in this thread, its more the standard aluminium tripod that is the limiting factor on mount capacity. When the heavy duty version comes out, then it will have a capacity of 9kg.

Yes F15, That is the logic I'm kind of leaning to, get the 2" stainless steel legged version with the EQ5 16" mount extension tube! Should then hopefully be ok with a refractor which will be 1330mm long! I was hoping not to go that route because of the added extra cost, as I already own an EQ5 1.75" stainless steel tripod. Need to do all the mods on my Towa 339 first, and then weight it.

Thanks John. I was referring to the earlier post in this thread, where mikeDnight posted a photo of the instructions, where it is written it is available with a heavy duty tripod. I understand the alloy tripod is the standard set up. Also somebody linked to the Skywatcher Italian website which has the Skywatcher heavy duty tripod AZ5, listed as coming this autumn. I was asking to find out if the Skywatcher AZ5 heavy duty version comes with the EQ5 tripod with the 1.75" steel legs, because I already have the 1.75" steel EQ5 tripod. It would be as simple as just buying the mount. Where as if the AZ5 heavy duty tripod comes with the 2" steel tripod legs, then I would need to purchase a whole new tripod and mount. Thanks for the link to 365 astro but that is not the new Skywatcher AZ5.

So what do we all think the AZ5 heavy duty tripod is? Is it just an EQ5 tripod renamed? The EQ5 1.75" steel legged tripod I ask as I am doing some modifications to my Towa 339 which will add weight, going to flock and baffle it, extend the OTA by 130mm, add a Skywatcher Crayford, which will be used with a Baader Zeiss 2" diagonal, and Baader Hyperion MK3 zoom eye piece. I want to pair my Towa 339 with a new mount. The AZ5 with the heavy duty tripod might just be the ticket with a pier extension!

Very nice set up, like the tripod and mount. I see you have used bino type mount, what is the mount like in use on planets?

Topic (Towa 339) 80mm f15 telescope.

Very nice John, yes I was out viewing tonight with my tele. I set my latitude and then used a compass to get me pointing in north direction roughly. Looked mainly at stars, used Arcturus to align my finder scope to my main tele. I have a new to me classic refractor, I will be posting a photo here soon. Topic (Towa 339) 80mm F15. Mainly complete, bit of a doer upper.

Hello folks, thought it is my turn to show of my refractor. Here it is Its a Helios Evostar 120mm F8.33 Refracting Telescope , Baader/Zeiss 2" Prism diagonal, Baader Hyperion zoom mk3, matching Baader 2.25x Barlow, Baader Semi Apo filter, Skyscan 2001 3-2 EQ mount, Skywatcher EQ5 Steel Tripod. Attachments_2016829.zip

I could sell you a cheap 3x barlow, hmm must resist the Tal100RS Nightfisher...Resistance is futile I feel.