Phil73805

I spoke to the nice people at 365Astronomy this morning and cancelled my order. However, the very nice man called his European Skywatcher distributor and told me that they will have the Skywatcher AZ5 Heavy duty tripod in three months time!

@FLO will you be stocking this?

2 hours ago, Ricochet said:

Unfortunately, that is the tripod for the "365 Astronomy AZ5", which is a different mount to the "Skywatcher AZ5". The compatibility of that tripod with the Skywatcher EQ3, EQ5 and Skytee suggests it has an M10 bolt while the Skywatcher AZ5 uses a 3/8" thread. Unless it is supplied with adaptors you may need to make some modifications to fit a 3/8" bolt through it in place of the M10.

Damn! I even called and asked and they said it was! I should have known it was too easy. 

Is this the heavy duty version of the AZ5 mount?

https://www.365astronomy.com/365astronomy-az5-tripod-only-compatible-with-eq3-eq5-and-skytee-mounts.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA5t7UBRDaARIsAOreQticWYa9nFzfzwPNwUTenJg1uIVRYvw7fdbQVTB6EwQIScr4AzKegssaAn7kEALw_wcB

Edit: It turns out that it is the heavy duty version of the AZ5 mount and that it increases the payload of the mount to 9KG. So I bought it, fast! Woohoo!!!

10 hours ago, davyludo said:

I don't think the AZ5 would have any issues carrying an ST120.

The AZ5 with the steel 1.75" legs is a perfect combo for me - still light enough to move around fairly easily, quick to setup, solid and smooth movement. I'm really not a fan of the standard tripod that came with the AZ5 - I do still have it and it does get used sometimes when I'm wanting something light to carry for a short distance, however the legs never get extended and I have to sit on the ground or use a tiny stool. My AZ3 has sat in a corner, gathering dust since I got the AZ5....along with the standard AZ5 tripod. I've now picked up a set of aluminium legs for the AZ4, purely so I can have the ST102 and Mak 127 setup side by side. But if just using one scope....the AZ5 and steel legs are my first choice. 

@davyludo Thanks for sharing your first hand experience, that is really helpful! Just a couple of questions:

Firstly, what exactly is stiction?

Secondly, when you talk about the 1.75" Steel tripod, do you mean the one they sell with the HEQ5 mount? Based on a rubbish picture online there seems to be a deepish inset in the centre of the tripod top designed for the HEQ5. Is that not a problem with the AZ5 that has a flat under-surface that links straight to the standard mount? I'm tempted to buy one if I can be sure it's a good fit. It sounds like the AZ5 is fine but 1) the standard tripod is not good for a heavier 'scope and 2) I didn't even try to balance it and it was fairly front heavy which will almost certainly have contributed to the severe shake at high mag when trying to focus.

It has been around ten years since I last used a Refractor on a mount. I've been using a Skyliner 200p Dobsonian with its customary rock solidness. It sounds like I don't need to return the AZ5 which is a relief, I just need a better tripod and balancing.

On 22/02/2018 at 20:11, FLO said:

We don’t insist you retain the original packaging, you can still return it  

You are all as always, Gentlemen/Ladies and Scholars. I spoke to Martin today who was very helpful. There are a few things I'm going to try on my next outing before I consider returning it, Martin was very understanding and said that I can have a play around before deciding. If I have to return it I won't be mucking about this time, I'll just buy the Skytee 2

43 minutes ago, FLO said:

To be fair to my colleague, he said the AZ5 would be better than the AZ3 you were originally considering. 

But don't worry, you are covered by our 30-day return policy so if change your mind it won't be a problem  

HTH, 

Steve 

It wasn't actually a critique of you guys. I know you have a returns policy, unfortunately because I received the Mount a month before the telescope I threw away the packaging that the mount came in assuming that all will be well...rookie mistake, I know. I even asked about the weight because I was intending to put on a finder scope which would add weight and I was worried...

Live and learn. I'm going to experiment some more, like trying to focus with the locks disengaged so that the wobble isn't communicated so forcefully to the mount. I'll also try work the focuser back and forth to loosen it because it's pretty tight at the moment.

I will say this though, I do not recommend this mount with the Startravel 120.

I have an AZ5 on the stock SW tripod which I use with my Startravel 120. At higher magnification the wobble is so bad I can't focus properly. I'm going to have to experiment some more (I've only just bought them) but I'm a little worried that the mount can't handle the 'scope even though it was recommended by FLO.

I have to pop on and say that my dealings with Steve both as a vendor and as an astronomer have been second to none. A pleasure to deal with!

Phil