heliumstar

Small Mantona case from Amazon is perfect for Baader Classic set.

3 minutes ago, EssexMigrant said:

Hi

Did you ever get an answer to this question? I ask because I’ve just bought a second hand one and would be very interested to know. 

Cheers

Unfortunately there are no collimation screws at the back. FLO arranged to send it back and I did. I received a new unit which was 100% collimated.

Thanks guys. Plenty of ideas to solve this. Will try loosening the knob first and if that doesn't work will think about how to mout the motor.

Guys, thanks for chiming in.

I was looking into motor focuser from SW but don't want to drill anywhere for now. The focuser itself ( original knob at the back ) doesn't shake in any way. It's just very stiff. Not like on other telescopes where it's light to move. I assumed Maks are kind of different and a little stiffer and you just have to live with it. I think the whole mirror moves with it in this design. The shaking I think is due to the mount. It's lightweight tripod that came with AZ GTI WiFi mount.

I am kind of reluctant to return this agan ( it was out of collimation ) since I am not really sure if it's an issue. It's just much stiffer than anything else. I can find focus but would be happier if it was easier. Might look into where I can mount that motor one.

Hope someone can chime in with experience and/or ideas.

So the focuser on my Mak is kind of stiff and sometimes hard to focus due to shaking and then waiting and shaking again. Any ideas how to improve this? Change the focuser alltogether? Any options out there?

Anyone got the 102 Mak package? Can you please check if your scope has collimation screws at the back? Mine doesn't and it is out of collimation. Any ideas how to collimate it?

Just had the first light with mak 102 and this mount. I previously returned the mount but decided to give it another shot with smaller scope. The movements are much better and the whole thing is much stedier now with 102 mak with same tripod. The thing is that now there is a frustration with moving the scope manually with Synscan app. The downward movement sometimes work and sometimes it doesn't. Have to try it out on different phone. Maybe it's the app itself. All in all many people reporting various issues so not sure how much this was tested before putting it out on the market...

20 hours ago, Charic said:

I tried Linux Ubuntu some time back on an old Vista populated Acer Laptop!

Its still on there, but if  recall, the PC was very slow, especially by todays standards, but Mrs C is wanting a 'keyboard' and a 'mouse' option rather than tapping her fingers on a Tablet, so I might find some time this week(end) to boot the laptop up and either upgrade or just do the whole install once again.

I do also recall Ubuntu looking something similar to an apple screen and the difference when mousing?  single vs. double clicks.
Now I own a Mac, the similarity is uncanny. 

This thread has given  me some incentive  to try again with the old Acer. I also have two W7 PC's that I'm presently setting up to work in tandem, networked, to run a specific MicroSoft 32bit program, even though the PC's are 64bit OS. I'd like a newer i7 7700K  based PC setup, but once you have a Mac, do you go back!!!!!

You do go back. I go back and forth between my Air and desktop working machine that runs Debian Linux. Ubuntu is actually just Debian with a little polishing and slightly different packages. For older machines just go Debian with XFCE or iceWM and it tranforms older laptops.

1 hour ago, Alan White said:

Simon,

What I was 'seeking' was your opinion and findings as an owner.
Thanks for the web link though.
I have looked at that very website many times lusting after an AYO II.

The Vamo just looks small in all its images to me, but then again at 7 Kg rating, that is a fair load.

Sadly the long delivery on AYO has stopped me buying any to date.
 

I got VAMO delivered in a few days. When I contacted Beat he was packing to go on holiday. Obviously I was in a hurry ( like with all astro toys he he ) so I asked him if he has any in stock and if he can send it the next day before he goes. He did actually! Great service from him. He answers emails quickly as well. Highly recommended.

It might look small but in reality it is not and can handle 80mm and 102mm tubes quite good. 102 f6.5 on Berlebach Report and Vamo is steady!

This is just perfect. Which exact model tripod is that? And how does the whole setup behave at high magnifications?

Hey Panda Alvin, I used AA batteries. I fully screwed locking clutch as per the manual. I don't think the mount can handle 1m tubes even if under mass specs. When you manually move it slowly via the app it's ok but if you use it as a goto around the sky and when it accelerates and stops you can hear the motor struggle. Now, this might be the way it works but imo the motors in use like that would be short-lived.

It tracked Saturn perfectly but when I tested it going around the sky I could hear the motors struggling when accelerating and then again when stopping. Grind like, unhealthy sound. Mind you I don't have reference point for how these things should work so I might be wrong but my impression is that the life of the mount would be short lived with A80M mounted. By the looks of it the mount should handle shorter refractors and Mak scopes without any issues...

Now that you mentioned Mak. In the back of my head there is a 102 Mak for this mount. Jeez....

I tested it yesterday. Unfortunately...while it can carry the weight you can see the mount struggling with the scope - the momentum is just too much. I was really hyped about it and the mount is great but for smaller scopes than 3.5kg 900mm tube.

Thanks Panda Alvin! My intent was to get the head only since I have everything else. It will sit on Berlebach Report tripod so plenty enough. My main concern is the length of the tube. All good then. Probably ordering one tomorrow. Decisions, decisions :)

Hi guys, I am looking at alt-az mounts for Vixen A80M ( 80mm f11.4 ) and am wondering if this mount is able to hold it steady at powers 100x-150x.