Rowan AZ100 Mount Owners Thread

[johninderby]

The counterweight shaft  uses counterweights with a 25mm bore.

[John]

7 minutes ago, johninderby said:

The counterweight shaft  uses counterweights with a 25mm bore.

Yes, that was what was on my mind when I asked the question.

I needed two of the Rowan weights to properly balance my 130mm F/9.2 refractor on the AZ100. That scope weighs around 9.5kg all up.

 

[johninderby]

Ioptron does cheaper counterweights with a 28mm bore so perhaps so perhaps those would do? 🤔

Edited January 29, 2021 by johninderby

[Telescope40]

10 hours ago, John said:

Are you going to use those lovely Rowan counterweights as well ?

More ££££'s but very nice

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/all-mounts-motors/rowan-az100-375kg-stainless-steel-counterweight.html

Counterweights currently in my odds and sods kit - 5 / 4 / 3.5 / 2 kg. Actually  have 2 of the 3.5’s. Couple of bars too but they won’t fit. Hey ho 

John 

[johninderby]

Have a look for thread adaptors so you could use one of the bars you allready have.

I did this with a Skytee mount with M12 threads in the saddle but the Skytee bar was M16.

Edited January 29, 2021 by johninderby

[omo]

Johns solution is likely cheapest, if you have the AZ bar you could have some of your buckshee weights drilled out, or have an old counterweight bar  re-threaded to suit the AZ

The stainless AZ weights are rather nice though

[Saganite]

On 23/01/2021 at 15:08, Telescope40 said:

 

Afternoon all. Trigger has been pulled. A couple of mounts have been moved on over the few weeks or so. 
Mount and one saddle due for delivery on Monday.  Heard my c card go “ouch” but hey. You only live once, Mr Bond ??!! 
Bish Bosh !! 
looking forward to being in the club so to speak. 
 

John 

Excellent decision and congratulations !  My NEQ6 was packed away last Autumn, never to be used again.  The AZ100 is, for me, a lifetime mount, even more so when the drive motors become available.

Edited January 29, 2021 by Saganite

[Telescope40]

Slippery slope already in play. Orion pillar for my AZ100 courtesy of SGL er @parallaxerr

John 

[Telescope40]

Posed the question earlier in the thread re the use of tripod type with the mount.  EQ6 v Berlebach Uni. 
Second option was a winner earlier but at the risk of sounding like an optician. 
Which do you find better - 

Picture 1 or Picture 2. 
( apologies for the location. It’s a bit cloudy out. Wonder why ). John 

[parallaxerr]

 

5 minutes ago, Telescope40 said:

Posed the question earlier in the thread re the use of tripod type with the mount.  EQ6 v Berlebach Uni. 
Second option was a winner earlier but at the risk of sounding like an optician. 
Which do you find better - Picture 1 or Picture 2. 

NUMBER 2!!!

[John]

Go with whichever works the best for you.

I now use my big alt-az with a Berlebach UNI 28 so I don't need the pillars etc. The mount worked just as well on the EQ6 tripod though and I didn't need the pillar with that either.

 

 

[omo]

Wood is good 👍

[johninderby]

W O O D ! ! !

[JeremyS]

Definitely the Berlebach, but do you need to use that extension pillar? It looks like the AZ100 hives plenty of tripod clearance 

I have a AZ EQ 6 in AZ mode and it’s ok a Berlebach planet. I don’t need a pillar and prefer not to have to lug the extra weight

[Telescope40]

Hello. Still not used in anger as yet. Popped my SV102 in place.  Just playing about so to speak for now. Couple of obligatory pics. 
John 

[JeremyS]

16 minutes ago, Telescope40 said:

Hello. Still not used in anger as yet. Popped my SV102 in place.  Just playing about so to speak for now. Couple of obligatory pics. 
John 

Playing about with kit on cloudy nights is part of the fun of ownership 👍🏻

[Saganite]

Just in case you still have doubts John,  Wood....

Edited February 2, 2021 by Saganite

[Alan White]

4 minutes ago, Saganite said:

Just in case you still have doubts....

Looks wonderful with Andromeda on-board Steve.

I will have a AZ100 one day as you know.
But as I need a tripod and want the encoder model, will have to wait for my birthday to pass, or a small lottery win...

[Saganite]

You already have the Nexus, I believe, Alan.

Edited February 2, 2021 by Saganite

[Telescope40]

15 minutes ago, Saganite said:

Just in case you still have doubts John,  Wood....

Doubts gone, @Saganite. Wood has won. Dont think my goto mount is sulking. That setup just sings quality. 👍👍. Just like to ask a question of you.  Looking at your photo the Altitude Axis Clutch Knob is placed somewhat above the saddle ?  On my mount it sits rather behind the saddle I’ve fitted and I find I’m catching my fingers when adjusting it. Thinking I can put the saddle on so the knob sits In a more helpful spot ? 
John 

[Saganite]

Hi John,

I think I did the same  so I just took the dovetail clamp off, rotated it through 90 deg and that made it easier.

[JeremyS]

Question to AZ100 owners. Is it feasible to lift the combo of the AZ100 and Berlebach Uni 28 in one go? Or is it too heavy/awkward to countenance that?

[johninderby]

With the UNI18 it is easy enough to carry on the flat.. Hefty lump though so wouldn’t like to carry it up or down stairs.

[John]

When I had those early AZ100 units to try out I had them on an Uni 28 and found that I could carry around the mount / tripod in one piece, with some care and, as John says, I would not have wanted to negotiate stairs with it.

 

[Captain Scarlet]

34 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Question to AZ100 owners. Is it feasible to lift the combo of the AZ100 and Berlebach Uni 28 in one go? Or is it too heavy/awkward to countenance that?

Before I got to this post I had precisely the same question bouncing around my head. And seeing @John’s reply my heart sank ... I so wanted the answer to be “no no no FAR too heavy”.

Magnus