Which grab & go mount is for you??

[Whippy]

Due to something small and gorgeous coming my way shortly for the top half of my G&G set up, I'm now looking for the bottom part. I'm thinking an Alt/Az mount would be good because it doesn't need polar alignment, a good example being I can't see Jupiter because it's too low in the South and my house is South facing. If I set an GEQ mount in my front garden, I wouldn't be able to see Polaris (but I s'pose a rough alignment would do!). So I'm gravitating towards an AZ3, as it's cheap and should do the job I want it to. Other than that and Vixen's portamount, is there any other alternatives?

Tony..

[Naz]

The AZ3 is simple and effective as a grab & go, got one my self, and I use it with a 120ST

naz

[GazOC]

AZ3 for me too. Cheap, cheerfull and can handle a 120mm refractor at a push!

[Akyra]

An out-stretched forearm?

[Macavity]

AZ3. But I now use a "modified" EQ3-2 - setup to work in "Alt-Azimuth". For a lightweight scope (ST102 etc.), it is fine without counterweights, and makes a passable poor man's "Easy Touch". You even get the advantage of inbuilt slow motion drives - rare on pukka Alt-Az mounts.

[Whippy]

I'm assuming AZ3's have the usual Vixen/Synta shoe for dovetails right? I've never actually seen one in the flesh y'see..

Tony..

[SteelRat]

EQ3/2's pretty light - GOTO available if y'wanna save up for it later.

[Macavity]

I'm assuming AZ3's have the usual Vixen/Synta shoe for dovetails right? I've never actually seen one in the flesh y'see...

Perhaps a bit better than a photo - The manual for typical AZ3. It can use tube rings. I'm not sure WHAT you'd call the "other method" - Basically the dovetail bar on a Skywatcher MAK etc. sits in "concave bit" on the top of the AZ3 and you just add screws.

AZ3 Manual: http://www.opticalvision.co.uk/documents/8.pdf

The NEW Orion "Versago" looks nice. Nice price too, unfortunately!

[russ]

There's always the Astro Engineering AltAz mount. Has slow motions and uses a dovetail. Rated too 5Kg, so should be fine for a 66SD or PST.

http://www.scopesnskies.com/prod/tripod/binocular/scope-motion-tripod/AC562.html

[GazOC]

I'm assuming AZ3's have the usual Vixen/Synta shoe for dovetails right? I've never actually seen one in the flesh y'see..

Tony..

No , you'd need to use a connecting plate to use dovetails, as it is the rings screw directly into the mount.

[Whippy]

Gentlemen, thanks for your replies. I think an AZ3 is the one to go for and see how we go.

Tony..

[orion f6.3]

EQ6 allways in the car, sack barrow in case I have more than a short walk. Orion

[GordonCopestake]

If you can push the budget look at the EZ-Touch. Fantastic mount and really deceptivly simple.

[FLO]

The AZ3 is a good affordable grab & go AltAz mount.

But, if you ever give up smoking again Gordon's right, a William Optics EZTouch would look rather swish beneath a Zenithstar 110 8)

[Whippy]

Mmm.. those easy touches do look nice it has to be said....

Tony..