HollyHound

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 👍

Arriving super quick from @FLO, thanks guys 😊 The new ScopeTech Mount Zero 😃 Now need to get it fitted sometime today to the Uni 28 for a test... more information to follow here:

Here are the two extensions I have: Skywatcher AZ5 extension pillar (3/8” top and bottom, weighs 0.8kg) TechoSky(??) extension pillar (top adaptor 3/8”, bottom adaptor M10, weighs 1.2kg). Actually just tried, and it is possibly to thread the SW 3/8” into the TechnoSky M10 and it was quite solid, so yes perhaps the tolerances are close enough to allow this. Still not sure I would trust the SW pillar with a heavily loaded SkyTee though.

Out of interest, I’ve been assuming 3/8” and M10 are not compatible... close but not quite... is this assumption correct ?

I have that very same pillar (supplied with a number of the SW mounts, mine came with an Avant) and it’s worth noting that it’s thread (top and bottom) is 3/8” rather than M10. Isn’t the SkyTree an M10 thread ? If so that could make a difference in connection solidity, and might cause that spinning. I’m also a bit dubious about the solidity of that pillars top mounting plate, as it’s only held on with three small screws, fine for AZ GTI, AZ5, Avant etc, but SkyTee is a heavy mount with fairly high capacity! I’ve got another extension pillar now (received with the Castor mount I bought recently), that has M10 bass and 3/8” top, and does seem a little better made too. Might be worth checking around for something similar. Also FWIW, my SkyTee was moderately stiff for the first few hours of use, but it now zooms around very smoothly even under dual scope load... maybe the grease “beds” in 🤔

+1 for the Mak 102... this was my first scope and used it quite happily, until I gave it to a family member and upgraded to the Mak 127 😊

I’ve got both the C5 and Mak 127 and love both. The C5, as was said earlier, is a really nice scope for grab and go. It’s very light, easily mounted on anything (I have it on an AZ5), and gives a useful 5” of aperture (so excellent for DSOs as well as very decent for lunar and planets). It can take a little while to cool down, but certainly very usable immediately. As the earlier post pointed out, a focal reducer can be used which gives a wider brighter field of view. The Mak 127 is a bit heavier and takes a bit longer to cool down properly, but gives truly excellent views of the moon and planets. Really good for double stars and good on DSOs too. Both of these attract dew fairly easily, so a dew shield is really required (also protects the front glass correctors). There are reviews of both scopes here, from a very experienced reviewer... http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/CelestronC5XLT.htm http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/SW127Mak.htm Good luck with the hunt 😊

Hi, Welcome to the forum 😊 Cheers Gary

I have delivery confirmation for tomorrow... weathers not too good (of course), but at least I can try it out on the Uni 28 and SW 1.75" steel tripod (neither of which are particularly lightweight but quite solid) and see how it fares with long refractor and small SCT 🤞

Looks really good and should keep all those eyepieces nice and safe. I spy a full set of Nirvana ES (4mm, 7mm and 16mm) in there 😁

Yes, amazing manual. I tried Google Translate on it, but was too large apparently 😬 Direct link to the manual PDF: https://scopetown.jp/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/8735b375f33950827dba0092deb8b3a7.pdf Interestingly, the manual has a lot of QR codes dotted throughout and each one opens a different video with detailed walk throughs of the various functions, technical details and configuration of the mount 👍

The rack and pinion focuser is very substantial and I guess the tube must be quite thick I suppose 🤔 I’ve not actually looked too closely down the tube, to see how many baffles it has, but yes maybe they’re made of lead 🤣

Both wrote the same description at the same time 🤣

It is remarkably heavy, but does feel built like a tank! I will report back as soon as I get it tested 😊

In case it helps anyone else (and hopefully this is allowed), here's some further information on this mount that I've found... https://digiborg.wordpress.com/2020/05/22/classical-astronomy-from-japan-mount-zero/ https://digiborg.wordpress.com/2020/05/23/scopetech-mount-zero-2/ https://digiborg.wordpress.com/2020/05/26/scopetech-mount-zero-3-high-magnification-test/ https://digiborg.wordpress.com/2020/05/28/scopetech-mount-zero-4/ Japanese information (via Google translate): https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&pto=aue&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=ja&sp=nmt4&tl=en&u=https://scopetown.jp/products/zero/&usg=ALkJrhiJ--Q-7oYgnsndJPiJwEg0hPP_qg https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?sl=ja&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Freflexions.jp%2Ftenref%2Forig%2F2020%2F03%2F25%2F10495%2F 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%3D25091&usg=ALkJrhhcgQIZatXf_bGJqwz13NzDVv2EVg

Ok, after a good deal of research on a number of Japanese sites (translated), I've decided to give this mount a go as a potential replacement for the AZ5. @John I'll also be very interested to see how it fares with the StellaMira 80mm f/10... having a tube length of 800mm and with 2" diagonal, 9x50 RACI finder and a Panaview 38mm eyepiece (my largest) fitted, comes in at 6.2kg (the mount is rated to 7kg), it should be a good test! Just need to be patient now for the delivery from @FLO 😀

This mount looks very interesting indeed. I wonder if it would be a good (albeit quite pricey) replacement for my AZ5. Some of the articles I've read also show that it can be used right or left handed (which would suit my C5 much better... finder positioning) and also the clamp has M6 and M8 screws at 35mm (which would take the same ADM saddles I have on my SkyTee or indeed others) 🤔 In addition, I did try the StellaMira on the AZ5 and found it prone to some vibration, which I guess must be due to the long tube, as the C5 has no such issue on this mount.

Could you confirm if that is the iOptron Portable TriPier that its shown attached to ? Not getting one now, but as I have that TriPier, it would be good to know for the future 😊 Thanks

Now here’s a seemingly odd purchase for astro... a small mesh desk pen pot 🤔 However, when I have my Mak or C5 pointing downwards to cool with the visual back open for an hour, this will sit over the end and (hopefully) keep any small insects out (we live on a dairy farm!) 👍 I’m sure there are other solutions, but this was £1.99 on Amazon and should do the job.

+1 for this. Very useful zoom eyepiece, which I keep in my grab and go C5. Not very wide view at 24mm, but I found it a great way to learn about different magnifications on varying objects. Fits both 2” and 1.25” and is just so very convenient 👍

I recently picked up the 18.2 and 13 DeLite from the SGL for sale section, and agree that they are superb eyepieces. I’m not using them in anything close to that size/type of scope, but when I did som research before buying, I did see the DeLites being compared to Delos, but smaller/lighter and with 10 degrees less FoV. I am looking now to extend my set of DeLite eyepieces, as I like then so much. For your Dob though perhaps Delos are indeed the sweet spot 🤔

Probably wouldn’t help then by saying that the two nights I used my new 24mm Panoptic last week, I had some of the best wide views in both my Mak 127 and StellaMira 👍😬

Lovely looking scope and sounds like it performs brilliantly too 😊 Do I spy the 2” to 1.25” adapter from the StellaMira 🤔

Hi Patrick, Welcome to the SGL forum 😊 Enjoy. Gary