Mount & Tripod for Small Heavyish Frac

[scarp15]

Hi 

I have a Televue Pronto on the way.

I had been advised that a Vixen Porta II would be just fine for this and the slo mo controls an advantage with this mount. I would  like to make use of my existing eyepiece set, that has been designed to favour my dobs. Whilst I have a TV 25mm plossl, which would cause no concern, I would like to make use with my 21mm Ethos. If balance becomes a factor with this tail heavy scope, then I will have a 24mm Panoptic on my wish list for next year.

Appreciate any further advice on mount and tripod and using heavy and ultra wide field e.p's with a 70mm refractor.

Cheers

[John]

I used to use my Vixen ED102SS on a Vixen Porta Mk1 mount. My heaviest eyepiece was the mighty 31mm Nagler and the mount coped with that pretty well. I used to have my scope quite well forward in the tube rings.

I use the same scope / eyepiece with a Giro type mount now. It's a bit harder to balance than the Porta Mount was to be honest although the Giro is great in all other ways. The Porta Mount had just the right amount of "sticktion" in the alt axis for the heavier eyepieces.

[scarp15]

That's great, thanks John.

[Cjg]

I have a Tak 76 on a porta 11 mount, using a TV Panoptic and a 40mm TV Plossl. No issues at all with the mount, the amount of friction is easily adjustable, and the scope is easy to balance. The tripod that comes with the mount is an area of concern for me, the plastic spreaders have come apart twice now at the centre. Am looking at upgrading the tripod to something of better quality.

[mcolbert]

you could also try looking for an old Gitzo - solid they were.

michael

I have two Gitzo's one for photography, one for astronomy

[Highburymark]

Iain,

I've just bought an 80mm Equinox (ota weight about 3kg before any accessories attached), and my Manfrotto tripod and mini giro cope with it pretty well. Cannot compete with the porta for robustness, but it's a great portable set up.

[mikeDnight]

I quite like the AZ4 as a lightweight yet sturdy grab and go mount.

[scarp15]

Thanks for all the excellent replies.

Whilst it waits for a mount, here is a picture of the Pronto.

[Stu]

Thanks for all the excellent replies.

Whilst it waits for a mount, here is a picture of the Pronto.

Very nice [emoji3]

[Cleetus]

Or you could go for this little Televue mount. It was made just for little refractors like the TV 85. This one holds a Megrez 80.

Cleetus

[scarp15]

Yes that is very nice. I have seen a few TV Gibraltar mounts with ash tripods for sale S/H, including this one more suited to smaller refactors. Unfortunately a little too costly for my budget.

[scarp15]

I have a Vixen Porta II on the way. I believe that the slow motion control knobs can become a bit flimsy, anyone with an opinion on these?

[scarp15]

Just a quick update on the Vixen Porta Mount.

I got to use this for the first time with the Pronto last week. Very smooth motions, the sticktion is very good at supporting a 21 Ethos and the slow motion controls worked effortlessly, a core reason for favouring this. I was also able to point towards zenith without any problem, perhaps an issue with some other mount types including perhaps Televue? I did however upgrade the plastic handles for the flexible type which are much better constructed with good ergonomics, creating no vibration. I can also detach them easily for storage and transport. I have purchased an inexpensive carry bag, designed for camping awning poles, which will serve to facilitate walking it round to my local observing spot.

The Pronto performed excellently to. I have my Rigel Quickfinder attached, works well but does involve a bit of crouching.

[Highburymark]

Glad to hear it's going well Iain - a telescope like yours deserves a decent mount