Tele-Optic Giro III (Red!) Mount

[Macavity]

Just arrived today - And everything I could hope for as a (fairly) portative setup!

w/Skywatcher MAK127 & ST102. If anyone is interested in a review, I'd be happy...

[Andrew*]

Very neat looking set-up!

Nice one!

Andrew

[Macavity]

Hi Andrew - Ithangyou. Yep, could be the last thing I (ever) need to buy, right...

[Jamie]

Please do a review for us.

Thanks.... 8)

[tom.yates]

Very nice indeed

[mcut]

where from?

How Much?

[Macavity]

where from?

How Much?

I'll write a few notes about it soon (hopefully). But, just for you, cut to the chase:

http://www.telescope-service.com/mounts/start/mountsstart.html#GiroProduktinfo

The home website page is http://www.tele-optic-tecnica.de/pageID_5186398.html

This example is the GR-3 TV. The spec is not that different from the GR-2, but they

switched from lubricant to polymer bearings etc. Supposedly "better" - And, for the

moment, it only comes in (albeit quite a pretty) RED colour only!

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Chris

Startravel ST102/F5, Skymax MAK 127...

Plus (again increasing) family of Hyperions.

[Cloudwatcher]

That looks a handy piece of kit! Like your scope combination as well. High mag' on one side and wide field on t'other.

What tripod is it mounted on and is it easy to attach?

Review eagerly awaited.

CW

[Macavity]

Hi CW - Forgot to put a post here... Here's the Review:

http://stargazerslounge.com/index.php?topic=21607.msg222072

Too many exclamation marks, spelling mistakes and too much like WORK?

Just messing with my new toy, in the cold light of day - And still like it VERY much! Indeed, a sort of "virtual telescope" (to use the hip term) - from two REAL ones (f=500mm and f=1500mm). Sharing Hyperions eyepieces in the range 32mm - 8mm, you get everything from 16x thru 188x and corresponding TFoV 4.5° thru 0.42°.

Since you ask: The tripod shown is from the Skywatcher EQ3-2 (which I was able to fit immediately). I suspect the more dedicated (stronger!) would use a "proper tripod" i.e. heavier! But this is adequate for my portable setup. With the bolts on the mount, I find you can (easily) match the altitude of both scopes. With a bit of (crude - cardboard!) shimming, the azimuth too. The refractor then works as (big!) "finder" for the MAK. Just trying out some DIY "scales" and a "digital level" - The idea is that this become a sort of "Push to" system...

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Chris

Startravel ST102/F5, Skymax MAK 127...

Plus (again increasing) family of Hyperions.

[Macavity]

Brief postscript to show addition of nice stainless steel counterweight arm - for "single sided" operation. Fits EQ3/5 weights etc., as predicted. Also added homebrew "setting circle" (au singulaire), plus eponymous WIXEY gauge - for "Push-To" (will yet throw in a few red LEDs). But now no further need for "Cycle clips and smelling salts" for my grab and go setup... :mrgreen:

[John]

Thats a really nice setup

How high is your eyepiece when looking at the zenith ?.

With the sort of weather we have been having lately Grab "N" Go is definately the way to go IMHO

John

[Macavity]

Hi John - Coincidently was looking at that. With the EQ3-2 tripod legs fully extended, I can still just reach (bit on the... short[er] side, me!) with the scope level. At zenith... about 3' 6"(?), so can "casually lean" to gain access to the eyepiece.

In "old money", the EQ3 tripod is ~7lb, the Giro head ~5lb. The ST102 Scope (+ noseweights) AND counterweight, each around 10lb. But I can still substitute / add ~10lb of MAK127 (in lieu of counterweight). OK, The "young and fit" may laugh, but... :mrgreen: