Small grab and go dobsonian mount

[Mark at Beaufort]

At the recent SGLX1 star party I bought from Derek (DRT) his Altair Lightwave 72mm ED Frac which weighs 2.5kgs. I want to take the scope on my Canalboat but also when travelling abroad. Whilst scanning Astro Boot I notice they had the base only of the Skywatcher Heritage 130 Flextube Dobsonian for £29.00. I thought this mount would great to sit on my Canalboat roof when I am moored away from light pollution.

The mount arrived this morning and I have just set it up to observe the Sun using a Lunt Herschel Wedge and 8-24mm TeleVue Zoom.

The system works great - easy to move in alt/az.

Attached a few photos to show the system.

 

[Stu]

What a great idea Mark, should work beautifully on your boat. Very nice little scope

[Mark at Beaufort]

Stu you may recall that I was talking with you and Derek and I mentioned that I regret selling my William Optics SD66. Well here is the result of that conversation.

[Moonshane]

I think these fit on a tripod too if you need more height. Or maybe I saw a post where someone had added a bush underneath.

[Stu]

24 minutes ago, Mark at Beaufort said:

Stu you may recall that I was talking with you and Derek and I mentioned that I regret selling my William Optics SD66. Well here is the result of that conversation.

I do indeed remember the conversation Mark. I don't blame you at all, it looked a lovely little thing, compact but just that bit more aperture than the 66, I'm sure it will do very nicely.

23 minutes ago, Moonshane said:

I think these fit on a tripod too if you need more height. Or maybe I saw a post where someone had added a bush underneath.

I'm not sure Shane, the 100P lists the base as having a 3/8th thread but the 130 Heritage doesn't. Easy enough to check though

[Mark at Beaufort]

The mount does not have a thread underneath. However, I have fitted a Cullmann quick release adapter to fit onto a standard tripod. But to be honest this little mount will fit nicely on my boat's roof. I am going on the boat in middle May for 3 weeks plenty of time to test the system.

[Stu]

5 minutes ago, Mark at Beaufort said:

The mount does not have a thread underneath. However, I have fitted a Cullmann quick release adapter to fit onto a standard tripod. But to be honest this little mount will fit nicely on my boat's roof. I am going on the boat in middle May for 3 weeks plenty of time to test the system.

Just don't step back in awe at the views Mark.... ??????

[happy-kat]

With the skywatcher l bracket the mount also makes a great camera tripod. 

[Mark at Beaufort]

11 hours ago, happy-kat said:

With the skywatcher l bracket the mount also makes a great camera tripod. 

Yes you correct. I have improved the set up further by adding the L bracket + a vixen type saddle + adding a 360 degree circle around the edge of the mount.

[happy-kat]

That's neat, I added a circle but on the top so slightly broken in places to go around the legs.