Erm, any thoughts on this mount?

[emadmoussa]

The  Hercules 4"  alt-azimuth mount is probably new on the market - at least in China. But I can see a potential there... 

It has a little 2.5"brother, which I think 365 Astronomy also sells. 

The website states it can take up to 20kg, which I highly doubt given it sits on a Skywatcher pillar and tripod. If the mount can take this weight, the tripod won't. I wonder if a normal 1.75" steel tripod fits. Also, Not sure if the dovetail clamp is included or not. 

 

 

[Stu]

Looks ok, but assuming those are slo mo controls they look quite awkwardly positioned?

[JamesF]

23 minutes ago, Stu said:

Looks ok, but assuming those are slo mo controls they look quite awkwardly positioned?

That was the first thing that struck me, too.

James

[emadmoussa]

How often do you actually use slow-mo on a manual alt-az?! Apart from high mag., of course. 

[John]

I've been looking at that one recently. It looks nicely made (perhaps a bit glossy for my taste) but I'm not sure it would prove a practical mount in real life use. The slow motion knobs do look in an awkward position.

I find I use the slow motion controls on my Skytee II a fair bit at high powers to re-centre the target before the next observing drift.

[Star Struck]

I use the slow motion controls on my AZ5 all the time.

I keep the clutches tightly done up and do all movements with the slow motion controls.

I guess it is just a personal choice.

[JamesF]

18 minutes ago, Star Struck said:

I use the slow motion controls on my AZ5 all the time.

I keep the clutches tightly done up and do all movements with the slow motion controls.

I guess it is just a personal choice.

I tend to do the same with my AZ4.

James

[Peter Drew]

I remain to be convinced that it is a good system despite looking very well made.   ?

[emadmoussa]

Well, one of us will have to pull the trigger and give it a go...some day. Until then, we'll continue to hypothesise. 

[JamesF]

It does also seem odd to mount the telescope off-centre and then not have any kind of counter-balance mechanism.  Perhaps it isn't considered necessary.  I can see the advantages of the design from the point of view of observing near the zenith, which is awkward with alt-az designs that place the OTA above the tripod head.

James

[lenscap]

Strikes me that the slo-mo controls are not very slow.

The drive ratios seem to be about 4:1, whereas the worm ratios on an EQ3-2 , for example, are 65:1 and 130:1.

What are the slo-mo ratios on the SW AZ mounts? Is 4:1 much use?

[R26 oldtimer]

It looks impressive, but more form over function, I think....

It probably wasn't designed as a telescope mount in the first place, rather adapted to be used as one.

Also at 196$ just for the head isn't cheap, there are more proven products at this price point.

[Dr_Ju_ju]

Hmm... Replace the knobs with stepper motors, then together with an AstroEQ driver board and a wedge, you may get something usable....