Most portable mount for 120ED visual

[Sirius Bizness]

After considering a new setup for grab and go visual I am now thinking 3 scopes is unnessassary. If I were to use my 120ED for grab and go what would be the most suitable mount? I am looking for light weight, portable and manual movement but most importantly stable. I am fit and strong enough to lug it about. I just want something quick to get out and use for short 15min sessions and the odd visit to a dark site.

It sounds like the AZ4 isn't suitable?

Any advise would be appreciated.

[RikM]

A Sky-T head would sit okay on your HEQ5 tripod and would happily mount a 120ED. You might want a pillar extension to raise it up a bit for observing while standing.

[jam1e1]

SkyTee2 - had for a while, certainly wont be selling also extension pier works well, also have sw120 with it

[Sirius Bizness]

Sounds good guys. Will go have a look.

Thank you.

[Sirius Bizness]

The Skytee 2 looks very good indeed. A bit more than I wanted to spend but at least I am not buying another scope.

Few questions....

How heavy is the mount?

If using the one scope do I need counterweights on it?

Where do I get the extension from? Can't see anything on FLO.

Thanks for the help!

[John]

I've used my AZ-4 a number of times for quick sessions with my ED120. It's not ideal when the magnification goes over 150x or so but it's usable with a little care.

The Skytee II would be a more sturdy mount but less portable than the AZ-4. My regular mount for the ED120 is a Giro-style heavy duty alt-azimuth on a 2" steel CG5 tripod. I sometimes add a 16" pillar extension as well to get the eyepiece height up a bit but then the outfit is definitely "grunt and go" rather than "grab and go" !

[RikM]

I have had my 127/1200 achromat on my AZ4, longer but lighter than the 120ED and it was okay but not great.

[Sirius Bizness]

Thanks for the insights. Sounds like the AZ4 isn't going to cut it. Will check out the giro AZ? Does it need counterweights?

Can anyone answer my questions on the Skytee 2?

[John]

Here is a Giro (mine is of a similar design from a UK engineering company and not produced any more):

http://www.telescope...t___Tripod.html

I don't find a counterweight necessary with the ED120. Heavier scopes, yes.

I was loaned a Skytee II for a while. It's a very solid mount and heavier than the Giro but I didn't actually weigh it I'm afraid. Pics below of the Skytee II with a Meade AR6 refractor onboard (a 26 lb optical tube) and my Giro-type mount with the ED120 on it.

[Sirius Bizness]

Thanks for that John. The pictures paint a thousand words. The Giro looks spot on for what I am looking for. It only weighs 2kg and its great you don't need the counterweight. The Skytee looks much heavier - 5 kg? Are the slow motion controls a real advantage on the Skytee? Having had a read I don't however like the sound of the dovetail clamps on the Skytee.

Just need to find a Giro now. Don't seem that common.

[Sirius Bizness]

£90 for the extension pillar...it's starting to add up again!