New scope with simple mount

[andy435]

Hi! I'm buying my second scope, my first was a small Meade ETX goto. I'm looking for a lager scope with a simple mount, no goto just plain and simple mechanical. To keep it even simpler I was thinking about getting an alt azimuth mount. For scope I would like a easy transportable short tube newtonian 5"-6"

I've been looking at Vixen Porta II but that is probably to small for a 6" scope?

What are my options? Please help me especially with the alt az mount for my new scope. Thanks!

[Owmuchonomy]

Here you go...

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-150p-dobsonian.html

[andy435]

Thanks, but not exactly easy transportable...

[happy-kat]

what about this flavour

link here

[alanjgreen]

What's the budget ?

[alanjgreen]

The skywatcher explorer 150 OTA weighs 4.9 kg

porta2 can carry 6.8 kg

so it could carry it. 

Here is a thread that compares the porta to az4 which seems to beat it

 

Edited January 10, 2017 by alanjgreen

[laudropb]

The Vixen Porta 2 will take your proposed scope easily. You may want to add flexi slow controls to make them easier to reach.

[andy435]

Thank you very much. Seems like I'm on the edge with Porta II and a 6" scope. I haven't considered the AZ4 as it was new to me. I also found a GSO SkyView alt az mount which seems very sturdy. Are anybody here familiar with the GSO mount?

The Porta II has aluminum legs while the AZ4 and GSO have steel legs. Steel is sturdier?

Edit: The GSO also have worm gears

Edited January 11, 2017 by andy435

[cjdawson]

How about this?

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-150p-dobsonian.html

6" scope, dob mount - will be stable when used.

If you don't think it'll be portable enough, then maybe drop down a size and go for something like this...

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-heritage-130p-flextube.html

5" optics.  Still a dob,  the flextube means that it'll collapse down for greater portability.

 

And for a couple more alternatives.

all singing and dancing dob.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-200p-flextube-goto.html

 

And slightly bigger optics, but no goto function.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-250px-flextube-dobsonian.html

 

All depends on your budget really.

[andy435]

The more I look at it the more I lean towards a dobsonian. It's the best bang for the buck, no doubt. I have to overcome the challenge with transport, also how is the dobson mount i 1 meter snow? They are mostly made of wood and that might become a problem?

That being said the tube can maybe upgraded with tube rings and dovetail later for an optional tripod mount?

Edited January 11, 2017 by andy435

[JOC]

Regarding portability there is a relevant and possibly useful thread here:

 

My own 8" Dob is a flex tube and is not 'non-portable' Base in the car boot - tube on back seat would work fine.  I discuss its movement on page one of that thread.  How 'portable' do you need it to be?

Edited January 11, 2017 by JOC

[rockystar]

36 minutes ago, andy435 said:

The more I look at it the more I lean towards a dobsonian. It's the best bang for the buck, no doubt. I have to overcome the challenge with transport, also how is the dobson mount i 1 meter snow? They are mostly made of wood and that might become a problem?

That being said the tube can maybe upgraded with tube rings and dovetail later for an optional tripod mount?

Some people put their dobsonian on a water butt stand http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Universal-Water-Butt-Stand/p/189521 that should help with keeping it off the snow

[happy-kat]

The dobsonian mount is made from a type of fibre board used on the bought systems and if damp gets in the stuff swells. I would find members who observe in deep snow to comment on the practicality of a dobsonian mount versus a tripod for your conditions.

Edited January 11, 2017 by happy-kat

[John]

I've used a 6" F/5 Skywatcher newtonian on an AZ-4 mount and it's an excellent combination. I didn't find the Porta I as stable as the AZ-4 but I've not tried a Porta II

 

[iPeace]

13 hours ago, andy435 said:

Thank you very much. Seems like I'm on the edge with Porta II and a 6" scope. I haven't considered the AZ4 as it was new to me. I also found a GSO SkyView alt az mount which seems very sturdy. Are anybody here familiar with the GSO mount?

The Porta II has aluminum legs while the AZ4 and GSO have steel legs. Steel is sturdier?

Edit: The GSO also have worm gears

If I'm not mistaken, I have a re-branded version of the GSO mount.

I have only used it with smaller refractors and it works fine though I generally prefer Ercole mounts. It is my only slow-motion control option at the moment and I gladly use it whenever I feel the need.

[andy435]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. It will require some preparations before placing a dob in the snow to get the mount leveled. I think It will be easier with a tripod.

I have an understanding that the AZ4 maybe sufficient enough for a 150mm reflector.

[andy435]

I will get AZ4 or the Vixen Porta II mount. Not decided about telescope yet but it will be a 130 or 150 newt or a APO refractor.

 

 

[Dave In Vermont]

As has been often said: The AZ-4 would be perfect - if it had control-cables. I do have both the Vixen and an AZ-4. The lack of cables is why I got the Vixen Porta II. It comes with a pair: One is 9.5" while the other is 5". I use the 9.5" and a 13" one I got elsewhere. Works great with my 150mm Maksutov. It should handle your 6" easy.

Dave

[dannybgoode]

I have the 150P / AZ4 combo and it's brilliant. I can carry the tripod in one hand and the scope in the other for a fair distance. 

There's a knack to carrying the mount though as with the legs down it is very top heavy and I've had it somersault on me a few times!

In use it is quite sturdy enough for simple visual obs and there's sod all to go wrong with it so utterly reliable. Quick to setup up as well...

[Dave In Vermont]

My AZ-4 did top-out a bit over weight-limit with my 150mm Maksutov, which made it's presence known by vibrating on the mount. Not serious, but enough to be a nuisance. If this happens to you - this was my solution:

I took a 10-pound weight - from an old set of barbells - and about 16" of stout twine that I hanged from on the mounts' central bolt directly beneath the mount-head, It hanged past the central-tray/leg-spreader. It may appear to be a 'conflict-of-interest' to solve a weight problem by adding still more weight - but as it changes the vibrational-frequency of the mount into two different frequencies - by cancelling-out both. And this solves the vibration-problem. The mount becomes rock-solid!

This trick works in many situations if you need to stop vibrations. Cheap & effectively. But I got the Vixen Porta II for it's control-cables. Now I'm set to pour-on the magnification on our planets with the Maksutov, et al. I keep the AZ-4 as back-up and it's great as my go/to rig - fitting nicely in my knapsack. 10lb. weight & all.

Enjoy your now solid platform -

Dave

[Stu]

Did we ever establish a budget for your setup? One of the Giro or Ercole mounts may also do the job very well. Depends how much you need slo mo controls. I never use them, so these mounts work very well for me.

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p8256_Giro-Ercole-Mini-Altazimuth-Mount-for-Telescopes-up-to-9-kg.html

Obviously you needs tripod too, but you can pick up a 2" stainless steel EQ6 one which is rock solid for £60 used most likely.