HollyHound

Ah ha... the replacement ScopeTech Mount Zero has arrived, thanks to all at @FLO 👍

Hi Tarry, Welcome to the SGL forum. Hope you enjoy exploring the night sky. Cheers Gary

Without going completely off topic... you mentioned comparing it against the Giro WR in the first post... Is that similar to the Berlebach Castor, as it does look pretty similar ? I have the Castor, and have been using it to hold binoculars (with an L bracket), but never thought to try the StellaMira on it, as I wasn't sure of it's load capacity... but it's apparently 8kg, so may give it a go sometime. I also didn't realise how light that ScopeTech refractor is... the OTA is only just over 2kg 😮

Just to clarify, I’m not sure the slow motion control rods are supplied as standard with the mount. I didn’t get any with mine, but will check the replacement unit tomorrow. This was a review copy I presume, so perhaps supplied for that ? Edit: From FLO website: Flexible slow-motion control cables available separately - uses the popular 6mm diameter

Replacement mount arriving tomorrow... big thank you to @FLO 👍 Will be monitoring this one a bit more carefully, especially checking that I tighten the clutches up a little bit when attaching the scope 😬🤞

With mine I found the azimuth as smooth as the altitude initially, but I’m sure scope size/weight will affect it. I think your tap seems about the same as mine 🤣 Really good to see another review, my replacement mount arrives tomorrow 🤞

Looks good and hopefully smoothly taking that long old refractor 👍 Just take it easy and watch that altitude axis 😬🤞

I think I really should have said they both look like substantial industrial designs, built properly and well engineered 👍 I can see the appeal of either, as they both appear to be well rated and liked by their users... that T-Rex looks very cool. I am more and more impressed by the AZ100 as I read up on it, but (assuming my new one works flawlessly), I'm more than happy with the ScopeTech for my StellaMira.

Is it me, or does the AZ100 take some design cues from this mount ? Looks really substantial 👍 No more Alt/Az mounts for now, I have too many already 🤣

StellaMira 80mm f/10 mounted on a new ScopeTech Mount Zero on a Berlebach Uni 28 😀 The ScopeTech mount has had an issue and is being replaced (thanks @FLO 🙂), but was working very well up to that point, so hoping the replacement solves the problem🤞

+1 for the Baader prism diagonal. It lives in my Mak 127, although I have replaced the focusing eyepiece with a 1.25" Baader ClickLock. However, I have the 2" version of that StellaMira diagonal and it's really nice, so either is good.

The stainless steel1.75” tripod Is much more stable, a major difference. The AZ5 head On its own is £139 I think and the steel tripod is £104. The head with the aluminium tripod is £199, so you’re looking at an additional £40 However, if you’re getting a bundle deal with a Mak 127 or other scope; that should indeed be cheaper. Good luck with your purchase 😊

The AZ5 can be adjusted into two positions, one is closer to vertical and the other angles back about 45 degrees. The angled position should really only be necessary for mounting refractors, however I tend to use the angled position as it’s slightly easier to push the mount around in azimuth, but experiment with what is best for you.

You won't need the extension for a Mak 127. I've had both on the AZ5 on stainless steel tripod and you can go from horizon to zenith easily 👍

Oh wow, that’s not very tall at all... will cross that of the list then! Hopefully you’ll have better luck with yours... take care with the altitude axis 🤞

That's what I'm hoping too... It was working so well this afternoon and was carrying no different a load this evening. I was very conscious of the warning on that quick start guide (as shown) and certainly didn't notice any tilt of the saddle plate! I suggest anybody who has this mount, take particular care and beware of any sign of stiffness in altitude 😬 I've advised @FLO and will proceed with their advice... Having seen and been impressed with it's performance earlier today, I'm not giving up on it yet 🤞

Guys, I have some worrying information to report... despite all the great stuff happening during my testing earlier today, I've just setup with this mount, the StellaMira, Uni 28 again, to take a quick look at the moon, and unfortunately the movement in altitude started to become progressively stiffer and stiffer, even without the clutch being done up particularly tight and the scope in balance. This continued to increase and unfortunately I have to advise that the altitude axis has now locked solid !! There was a warning in the quick start about ensuring the altitude plate remained level when loading a heavy scope, and I certainly didn't see anything out of level, so I'm really not sure what's going on here. If I can't fathom anything obvious, then I will unfortunately have to advise @FLO tomorrow for a replacement. I'm hoping this is just a fault, rather than a design flaw 🤞 I will keep you updated... Gary

Totally agree... the AZ5 is a very good mount and with my C5 on that steel tripod, it is flawless. With the StellaMira, it's still absolutely fine, but the ScopeTech seems better (under my testing). The fact that it is very light and folds, could be invaluable for travelling as you say. However, you're are right... it's expensive compared to a lot of other mounts, so perhaps not the best value wise 👍 Now I need to save for a carbon fibre tripod, assuming these are the ultimate strength/load/weight combination 😬

Ok, in the interest of providing a fair comparison, I have just tested the AZ5 using the exactly the same configuration as for the ScopeTech (that is Uni 28, adaptor and StellaMira)... Movement is perfectly acceptable, not quite as smooth, but no real issue. However, of course the clutches must be tightened and loosened to swap between free movement and slow motion controls. Whilst viewing (same 8mm i.e. 100x), operating the focuser or zoom eyepiece control, causes noticeable wobble of the image. Tapping the scope (as before), produces about a two second wobble before returning to steady view. This is a sample of one, so it would be good to get other user opinions. For me, I'm happy with the stability, ergonomics and ease of control (both free movement and slow motion) 👍 The only additional thing I did note from testing the ScopeTech, is that the altitude clutch does need to be (slightly) tighter than the azimuth clutch to allow slow motion control usage, but even then the free movement is smooth and well damped. Hope this helps...

Thanks 😀 This is the one I'm using... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth/astro-essentials-3-8-photo-adapter-for-heq5-az5-tripod.html Cheers

Some more photos, this time with the 18cm extension column. This allows me to view to the zenith with the StellaMira 👍 Some tap testing, indicates a (very) slight increase in wobble time in this configuration, perhaps an extra half second at most. Focus, movement and slow motion are all steady though.

It is lovely, I'm very happy with it so far 😀 It only touches as I approach the 80 degrees towards zenith. At all other times it is clear of the OTA and importantly, both controls move with the mount, so they always stay in the same relative position to the OTA as it rotates in azimuth. Worth noting, that the angle of the azimuth control would likely be different when operating with the arm in the "right" position (as per the AZ5). This is also covered here.... https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&pto=aue&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&sp=nmt4&tl=en&u=http://star-party.jp/wp/%3Fp%3D25117&usg=ALkJrhgbJE1YBucDyi0UEbDGkAgxRDGnlg

I'm glad you said that, as I'm thinking myself now that the Uni 28 is indeed a hefty beast (9kg I think). You're right, my last test with the AZ5 and StellaMira was on a SW 1.75" steel tripod, so that could also explain the longer wobble time. I will re-test the AZ5 on the Uni 28 as soon as I can and compare directly for a full and fair comparison. The smoothness and ease of control on this mount are much better though, not having to keep locking and unlocking the (small) clutches to use the slow motion controls for tracking is worth it alone 👍 I am now thinking that what this would pair beautifully with, is one of these... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/tripods/sightron-japan-carbon-fiber-tripod.html, however I don't know too much about this (apart from one very positive review) and it's mega money, which I can't justify right now... perhaps a Xmas present to myself 🤔😁

Got the new mount setup on the Berlebach Uni 28 (using the M10 to 3/8” adaptor). The mount assembles, adjusts and folds into a compact flat bundle very quickly and easily. I spent an hour testing this terrestrially with the StellaMira 80mm f/10. I’ve set the arm on the left side (as viewed from behind, so as to be consistent with my iOptron AZ Mount Pro), but it can be configured either way at any angle. I’ve gone for about 50 degrees (from vertical) to allow viewing from the horizon to about 80 degrees altitude easily. However, it is possible to adjust the arm angle even whilst fully loaded with my scope on board, as long as done carefully. It is not provided with any slow motion knobs or cables, so these must be purchased separately. Fortunately, I had both long and short cables, and after some testing with both, settled on the long set. This positions the controls nearby the focuser knob of my scope and easily operated whilst viewing. Good to see that the controls stay in position as altitude and/or azimuth are adjusted, so are always to hand. As per the quick start guide (and presumably the manual, which is in Japanese of course), it is important (and very easy) to balance the scope, to ensure that the slow motion controls can be used properly. Seemingly the trick is to tighten the clutches until just firm enough to allow the slow motion controls to operate in all directions (altitude needs to be a little tighter but not overtightened). The clutches are very easy to tighten or loosen at any time. Once this is done, the scope can be moved around very easily and smoothly (even with a single finger) and at any time the slow motion controls can be used to fine tune or track an object. It is not necessary to touch the clutches at any time to swap between free motion or slow motion controls (unlike some other mounts). Viewing some trees in the distance and using an 8mm (for 100x), I was very easily able to move freely around, move with slow motion controls and focus. During these operations the view remains very steady. Tapping the end of the scope hard, produces a maximum 1 second wobble, which then stops dead. Just touching the controls or focuser, barely registers any movement in the view. This is a really steady mount, especially given that I was using a fairly long (800mm) and heavy scope (6kg). By comparison, my AZ5 will wobble for 2 or 3 seconds when tapped and there is some movement when focussing. I will be trying this with my extension column, so as to allow viewing right to the zenith, and see if this degrades the stability at all... Overall, it is superbly made, really light, utterly smooth to move freely and/or with slow motion controls and easily adjusted. Basically, my AZ5 will very likely be going up for sale soon, as this will replace it for grab and go, and may even become my primary mount now for the StellaMira 😃 It’s much more refined too than my SkyTee, although that has dual saddles, so still very useful. Its only real downside so far, is that it’s not cheap 😬 Would be good to get some more comparisons against other lightweight mounts. I believe a few more will be under test soon 🤞 Some photos as promised. Cheers Gary

Well it arrived super quickly from @FLO, thanks guys 😊 It feels light but very rigid and all seems to move smoothly in the hand. Just some quick unboxed photos for now. Intend to set it up on the Uni 28 later today sometime, check it out and take a couple more photos... Good to see a quick start in English too, and interesting to see that they actually do a QA check and lubricate the gears before shipment 👍