Alan White

Looking like a nice job; 
await the wood butchery story to begin.

Now that is looking very nice indeed, once powder coated it will be spot on.

Does not look a DIY job in anyway.

Are you willing and able to share your drawings so others can copy at all?

Very neat job with the plastic pipe Kev, one for the ideas pile for myself.

Kev

Following the build with interest, the weather has not been your friend in this endeavour.

Just had a look at your website link, have you not updated it for a while or was it me, interesting images and story, very similar to my own but a few years adrift, you have managed more travels than myself to date.

What set up are you expecting to locate within the observatory when completed?

Keep on building and posting.

Looking good for a pier build, it's tickling my interest so will watching  developments.

21 minutes ago, Mark at Beaufort said:

Mike a really excellent job and so well documented for future reference for anyone. I must admit I had second thoughts about this mount but you may have changed my mind. Skywatcher should give you a credit note because you may have saved their 'bacon' on this mount.

 Here, here. Fully agree, however the inaction of the importer does not fill me with any confidence in them.

Good job you are a practical person Mike,

shame on the importer if they have been dismissive of the fault.

Oh my that is a small scope or a big bottle!

I know its been put forward by others but this is the best but more expensive solution £47 plus post.

https://www.berlebach.de/?bereich=details&id=123&sprache=english

Sadly most folks don't have a hobby lathe, well not in my social circle that is.

6 minutes ago, spaceboy said:

Do you have a pic of the bottom.

It seems odd to me why they did the AZ4 M10 so it would universally fit across a range of telescope tripods yet made a successor that only fits 3/8 camera tripods. WHY I have to ask?

Sorry terrible picture off net, its several washers as shims over the bolt hole.

I have the same question, as does perhaps most of SGL, other than to upset a lot of folks who have good tripods, who knows.

Is Mr Synta an member here? 

16 hours ago, Dave1 said:

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.

 

I hope there is a heavy version soon.
Problem as always of being an early adopter is if the product updates, you still have MK1.

5 hours ago, spaceboy said:

I have possibly an even better and cheaper solution http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BERGEN-2pc-M10-x-1-25P-Tap-Set-Taper-Plug-2555-/282485253408?hash=item41c56ee520:g:VcgAAOSwGvhUCicR

I was considering that option, but it does not fill the hole or extend the 10mm bolt.

As an addition to the other solutions for fitting a 3/8 to astro tripods.

How about this pre-made unit?

http://www.365astronomy.com/Astrotrac-Adapter-Plate-and-3-8-Large-Photo-Screw-for-EQ3-Aluminium-Tripod.html

Know you have two and two Taks,
some people can never get enough of a good thing MikeDnight! 

46 minutes ago, FenlandPaul said:

It was a very aesthetically pleasing mount, which of course will really matter when I'm out at night!

Paul

I know its said in jest (right?), but its also a bit true as well,
because you know its aesthetically pleasing, it will make you happier with it

36 minutes ago, davyludo said:

Maybe the 150p will be just too big for it. FLO have a kit with the AZ5 and 130ps - from the image it does look like it might be tight when getting close to the zenith. Guess we just need to wait until someone with a 6" Newt tries it out! 

Or if we are lucky one of the fine folks at FLO will read your comment and find out for you.
Perhaps you could contact them directly asking as they will not have time to read all SGL postings of course.

Mike

nice review and answers a few questions.

one thing you don't say is how heaven is it in comparison to the AZ4?

look forward to yountesting paulastros larger scope out on it

Mike that's great another tester, please post up how you find it.

One thing not mentioned that its success also depends upon is a stable tripod,
as yet we have not tried these new alloy ones from Skywatcher (await Johns feedback).

Oh how I hope the Italian website is correct and we can mount this on an astro tripod.
 

That is looking a fine pier, look forward to the completed pictures soon.
Powder coat sounds good, but why not Hammerite it,no one will see it will they?

8 minutes ago, parallaxerr said:

Well Well, I waited so long for this before giving up and buying the Sabre. £145 for the head is tempting, especially if it'll fit my CG5 tripod.....

Jon

I also got fed up waiting,

according to FLO it will not fit as it has a photo tripod thread (3/8") not the CG5 one!

John

I know what you mean about the difference in scope focal length and the mount.

That supplied tripod looks too light for my liking, the head looks nice and only £145 hmmmm.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az5-deluxe/sky-watcher-az5-deluxe-alt-azimuth-mount.html#