Stephenstargazer

The battery is 12v, USB A, USB C and 13Ah capacity, capable of 3A at 12v, tough rubber cover, 0.85kg. Made for carp fishermen (dont ask!) by Ridge Monkey. Mine is a few years old, I see they have an updated version now, using wireless and costing more:

https://ridgemonkey.co.uk/product/vault-c-smart-42150

Look for old stock from tackle shops?

@Alan White it has taken 2 months but I have now followed your lead and fixed the DSC mounting "The White Way" direct to my AZ100 with a single 1/4 UNC screw and a 20mm spacer in black aluminium. New hole in bracket so it just clears the new AZ motor, not an issue on AZ 75 of course.

Looks  very neat, dead solid and is just as easy to read. Thanks!

23 hours ago, swsantos said:

Love the battery bag. I am assuming that the bolt holding its bracket is not tight and that it just dangles allowing it to continue to hang straight down as the altitude changes?

Did you make the bracket or is it a readily available item? That bag is a generic bag velcroed to the bracket?

• There is a small gap between the bolt and spacer that lets it hang vertical, but the (threaded) spacer is hand tight on the mount
• the bracket is sheet aluminium with folded edges- made in shed !
• the neoprene bag came with the power pack (12v and USB) from Ridge Monkey. The velcro strap is tight and grips the neoprene.

I too have recently become a user of the motors on my AZ100. I did not think I would, but when my go to Eq main mount sold rather quickly I decided to do it. Delivery was slightly shorter than expected too. Parts arrived well packed and I had already watched the installation video and read the pdf instructions. Checked the parts all present and laid them out. Installation went smoothly, just be aware that the fit of the cover with bearing over the pulley shaft is a very close fit - it has to be put on dead square and not forced. The web interface and Sky Safari connection worked fine and the Wi Fi link was solid (if you have problems you may have to change the channel to one without a strong local router signal). I had to indoor test initially, but managed a very brief Quick Start outside to see how it tracked (Jupiter) and was pleasantly surprised. I am patiently waiting for the DSC firmware as that will be my preferred control. I do have a few comments on the Rowan web interface which I have passed on to Derek. Due to clouds and other interruptions I have yet to get out under sky and see how it goes just using Safari.

The manual AZ100 itself is quite chunky and it has to be said that it gets heavier by 1.8kg with the motors and 50mm taller and wider. Also with the the controller and cables on the front it is not quite so transportable. OK for me as at home it will replace the Eq mount on a pier, and it still fits in my storage box (just) and on UNI tripod for transportation. Considering the absolute quality, total capacity for two scopes, no absolute need for counterweights, it is still a competitive weight  mount at ~10.5kg depending on options fitted. If it suits you put it on your wish list !

On 18/12/2022 at 13:37, Dark Vader said:

I use one of these, weight limit of 200kg roughly 31 stone. Plenty solid and stable, and adjustable height.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stagg-MT-300-BK-Musicians-Throneith/dp/B005GQI2V2

Andy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some years back RVO sold these as an astro seat. Very strong, stable and good for a high position. In the end I found it heavy to lugg outside, and got shorter scopes. It is now my workshop stool and may well last forever.

I have used RVO for around 15 years, from when they were at Killamarsh. I have found Ian, Adam and other staff helpful, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Whilst they may be known by some for internet sales they still run a shop that you can visit, offering both advice and services for astronomy and other optics. They will try to obtain items not in stock too. I recommend them and wish them success in the future.

Speak for yourself @JeremyS, some of us have great self control 😇 but might just tell the odd porky pie*😕.

*( A  Christmas breakfast special round here) 

@Jules Tohpipi the Charon dimensions measured as used:

Footprint  32.5 cm wide, 52cm deep

Seat  26cm wide, 23cm deep

Seat height   15cm lowest, 92cm highest.

On 06/12/2022 at 15:27, HollyHound said:

very easy to get fingers caught when folding it up, stings a bit, especially when they're a cold 😬😁

My Charon never bites the hand that feeds it, must be the deep mutual respect we have for each other 😍🥰.  One (normal sized) hand goes through the two slots to pick it up, my other hand flicks the stay up and it claps shut. I normally do this in the dark, and without thinking. Now I will be thinking about it and get a finger caught 🥴

On 30/11/2022 at 14:53, Alan White said:

Following on from my visit to Rowan this week, 
we discussed my method of Nexus DSC shelf fitting without a ball head.
In fact I left the mount and shelf with them to ponder.

Suggestion is new holes in the shelf that align with the metric dual holes
and then the shelf is wobble free.

The two holes in @Stu image show where my image has the  shelf fitted.

Please feel free to name your future offspring after me in thanks for such an amazing suggestion 😉

Good idea for a simple fixing, but I like my DSC inclined. I can feel an AWesome new bracket taking shape in the workshop soon....

17 hours ago, Deadlake said:

Does the Nexus II have a rechargeable battery built in?

Yes USB rechargeable Lithium. Rather handy ?

I was so busy checking the AZ100 motors at IAS that I did not spot this on the AZ75 🙂. One thing about the 75/100 control boxes that would be nice is switched 12v outlets, less problem to certify??  

As there are no motors could this 75 version be made to work on a USB supply, which are plentiful and small, or even a PP9 battery?

Motor controler with no motors? You had better tell us what it does do!  Presumably the WiFi and app?

Looks same size as Nexus, but slightly smaller than DSC. Does it have an internal battery like them ?  An alternative route to Sky Safari or is there a long term plan to something else ??? Intrigueing 🤔

I have never tried this with my SXD2/Ten,  but Sky Safari lists both the Sphynx and SXD as controlable mount types. The Vixen mount manuals are comprehensive, should have details of the Star Book connections. Firmware update requires a crossover ethernet cable. Good luck!

Power supply: on occasions when my 12v battery has got low the mount shuts itself down. When restarted after this it often wakes up in Tokyo and Japanese language!

Controllers work with or without internal battery, it just keeps the time and date going.

@kmaslinI think you may have the SXD with a Sphynx Star Book, these are not (to my memory) compatible with Starbook ONE (AP)  or Starbook TEN  (later SX). 

On 30/11/2022 at 17:26, Hans Joakim said:

So, just took delivery of the AZ75! Very excited to get the mount up on a Berlebach UNI, but running into an issue with the length of the stock EQ6 bolt on the Berlebach top…

This can be a problem with AZ100 too on EQ6 Berlebach.  I posted a quick solution for DIY as it can be hard to find a longer waisted hand nut. But then made an adjustable one:

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/345938-rowan-az100-mount-owners-thread/?do=findComment&comment=4057372

On 27/11/2022 at 19:37, Space Hopper said:

Reason i ask is i have a spare EQ5 top plate for a Planet tripod, so if i ever go down the AZ100 route

hello Rob, whilst the AZ75 can be ordered with different threads the AZ100 is normally M12. However Rowan sell an M10/Pier adapter that they state "allows use of EQ5 or HEQ5 tripods". If you ever need one I have a spare! Still enjoying the monocular when walking 🦆

Depends what else is on there? two scopes and a DSC on the front, motor controller on rear and it would get congested. With just one scope then plenty of space for a modest powerpack on the counterweight side.

However most of us will have used mounts with a powers supply on or near the tripod/pier and it is really not hard to manage the cable. Especially on an AZ100 where you can turn it freely by hand in both directions without upsetting the encoders.

The NLVW 30 is not much like the rest in many ways. I have just found out that if you pull off the strangely short eye cup it will fit a TV Dioptrix. Yet to see how this goes for me in the outermost fov but I do have sufficient eye relief to try.

And out of curoiosity found they also just fit on my regular LVWs (5&13). Less needed as mild astigmatism only shows at large exit pupils.

10 hours ago, markse68 said:

Thanks Stephen, I will try a bulb blower next time i’m out- if that works it maybe all i need.

I could not resist this one from Giotto.

As you are in UK ( not super humid) moving cool air is generally sufficient. Even a bulb blower for an eyepiece. @markse68 the Nitecore is made for camera stuff, usually safe and I note it has a filter. Good idea given the high air speed claimed ?

Understand why imagers need dew bands, but for visual it is an unwelcome extra. Except maybe with SC or Mak with large exposed corrector,  then you may have no choice. Also if you are an all night type of astronomer you will get below the dew point a lot.k

My svelte 6' 2", 13+ stone,  frame has been trying to test a Charon for 6 yrs and it has not given an inch.  At the very lowest settiing it pays not to lean forward. On the other hand it takes no space in the boot as you can stick stuff on top.

The Bauhaus of astronomy chairs 🥸

Try Modern Astromy, Bernard is helpful and experienced:

https://www.modernastronomy.com/shop/cameras/astro-video/watec-astro-video/watec-910hx-rc-mono-camera/

@Ivan sorry for belated reply! you are not alone I still run an analogue Watec 910 into a 7" video monitor on the mount. Use a flip mirror for parfocal visual. Occasionally record a stil as below.

I keep on looking at higher tech alternatives, but each time I opt for simplicity over performance. No desire to dive into imaging, so live in hope of a cmos based viewer. Probably going to be on a phone or tablet I suspect - yes I have sen the Asiair of course.

Have we any comment from those who wear contact lenses? It seems this would be better than glasses but perhaps it does not help if you need to correct astigmatism? I have a little but only noticeable on large exit pupils. I have used Dioptrix, but then the eye relief is reduced about 5mm.

Whilst 'one size fits all ' is not possible there are some designs that are less critical on eye placement. These are comfortable to use I find. The adjustable TVs are not one in my case.

I cant add much to the science of eye relief, but my personal experience is frustrating. With my Vixens (classic 20 mm er) my eye drops nicely on the un folded eye cup and away I go. With all those adjustable Televues (long Panoptic, Delos, Delite) I have to set them right down. Same applies with some but not all binoculars. 

Seems my sockets may be a bit deep and I dont fit wide eyecups. I am not a glasses wearer (yet.....) but that would be problematic. 

Tele Vue think of everything but not everybody ? ☹️

On 29/10/2022 at 09:05, ollypenrice said:

The 41 Panoptic I'd probably have gone for is just too expensive at the moment.

I have an older one for sale on here if that would interest you. No longer having the larger scope to use it with.

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/399440-televue-eyepieces-41mm-panoptic/