PST tripod.

[sallystar]

I have currently got my PST on a standard camera tripod and wondered if anyone

could recommend anything that made tracking the sun a bit easier whilst still

being lightweight.

Any suggestions welcome!

[Photosbykev]

The Acuter Merlin mount, runs off internal AA batteries and will track the sun for you

[Peter Drew]

I use an AZ3, cheap enough, specially 2nd hand. The slow motions are good but it is manual drive.

[JonF]

I use an AZ3, cheap enough, specially 2nd hand. The slow motions are good but it is manual drive.

Me too. Works well and has a set up time measured in seconds.

I also have a motor driven mount of unknown make which sits on an old Vixen tripod I was given. I use this when I can be bothered aligning a mount, and it tracks the sun very well for thirty minutes or so before drifting.

[sallystar]

Thanks for that everybody. I have found an AZ3 tripod on eBay so hopefully I will win the auction in a few

days.

[Gregnat73]

Hi

I use mine with a Skywatcher Virtuoso mount (I have the 90mm Mak version) I just take the Mak off and attatch the PST to the camera adapter thingy.... Seems to track fine. Not sure if you can get the mount on its own though.

[DrRobin]

Hi,

I bought an EQ3 motor (had an HEQ5 and EQ6 and they just track so well) and then a Merlin GOTO for my solar scope. Almost any [low cost] driven or Goto mount will do. My Melin is great, but a low cost second hand AltAZ would have done just as well. Good luck with your bid, hope you get it at good price.

Robin

[AllanJ]

I bought the Merlin table-top so that I could swap its GOTO handset onto my autotracking dob. I sometimes use the PST on the Merlin with the simple tracking control, on a sturdy photo tripod.

[trev27]

Usually have mine on a Giro-mini mounted on a sturdy tripod (manfrotto 28) or for tracking either the cg5gt or astrotrak. The wee scope doesn't require much to be honest. Have seen lots of people using portamounts as well.

[JamesF]

AZ4 mounts appear to be quite popular, though I assume it's a bit of a fiddle to get them to fit. I don't think I'd buy one new for the job, but if it came up second hand...

James

[Stu]

I've been using a Giro II on an old surveyors tripod, and a Manfrotto 701hdv on a Berlebach 2022 tripod, both of which work well.

I've just got hold of a Giro Mini which goes nicely on the Berlebach so I'm looking forward to giving that a go with the PST.

I've also observed through one on a Skywatcher Merlin tracking mount which worked very well so is another good option.

Stu

[allcart]

Will the Merlin take your LS60 DrRobin.

[DrRobin]

Oh yes!

All of my solar pictures since August of last year have been with a Synscan Merlin, mounted on a EQ3 tripod. The Merlin is easily capable of supporting a Lunt 60, mind I do balance it first. I had to tighten the clutch nuts a little first, a common problem with all Slywatcher Alt/AZ mount.

My Lunt 60 is a pressure tuner, which adds a fair amount of weight, so no problem with capacity and it tracks really well, even when not aligned.

I bought the Synscan Merlin but you don't really need a Synscan, an autotrack would be fine for solar.

In addition to the Merlin, I have an EQ6 ( tracks really well but far too big) and an EQ3 ( too much of a hassle to set quickly for solar). Oh and I have a EQ1 with motor drive which I used to photograph the moon, nice little mount, but a bit limited.

Robin

[TonySpektr]

If by "easier to track the sun" you mean "easier to push around and adjust where it's pointing" opposed to "something that will actually track the sun for you"

I use this combination

Manfrotto 128 RC fluid video head. http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-manfrotto-128rc-micro-fluid-video-head/p10903

on a

red snapper tripod http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/copy_of_RST-283.html

It's got nice clutch controls and a fluid movement and the whole assembly is light-ish.

I use the same head with my WO ZS80 and it works fine (although the '80 is really pushing it weight wise - it's a bit wibbly wobbly)

PST is easily in it's weight capacity.

[Galilean]

I only have space for the one mount - my EQ5 with GOTO. The PST looks rather small on it - but it does the job brilliantly.

[stevil]

Hi Tony, just wanted to thank you for the recommendation. I have been using a Nexstar SLT as my photo tripod is too flimsy and jerky and did a search to get advice on what others use. I have just purchased what you posted and intend to use it when out and about as hopefully it will be more portable than my other mount. I will still use the SLT mount at home though.

Cheers