Rowan AZ100 Mount Owners Thread

[AdeKing]

A solar finder such as the Televue SolSearcher makes getting the sun in the FOV simple enough and easily repeatable.

When the motors are available my understanding is that the simplest mode with track after the mount is pushed to a target, though Derek did say that they would need to add an option in for selecting the correct tracking rate.

Hope this helps.

[Steve Clay]

26 minutes ago, AdeKing said:

A solar finder such as the Televue SolSearcher makes getting the sun in the FOV simple enough and easily repeatable.

When the motors are available my understanding is that the simplest mode with track after the mount is pushed to a target, though Derek did say that they would need to add an option in for selecting the correct tracking rate.

Hope this helps.

Indeed. I have a solar finder and normally use my solarquest. Hoping to put the quark in the Ed 120. I saw Derek's answer about what would be possible with the motors.

I'm in a dilemma whether go take the plunge for full DSC or just encoders and wait for motors. 1st world problems .

Steve 

[johninderby]

I no longer use any of those SolSearcher or similar ones any more. Now I just use a solar filter on my RACI finder. So much better and easier to use. 👍🏻

[AdeKing]

14 minutes ago, johninderby said:

I no longer use any of those SolSearcher or similar ones any more. Now I just use a solar filter on my RACI finder. So much better and easier to use. 👍🏻

In my case too much chance of me forgetting to out the filter on so am playing it safe.

[AdeKing]

23 minutes ago, Steve Clay said:

Indeed. I have a solar finder and normally use my solarquest. Hoping to put the quark in the Ed 120. I saw Derek's answer about what would be possible with the motors.

I'm in a dilemma whether go take the plunge for full DSC or just encoders and wait for motors. 1st world problems .

Steve 

Ah, I see your dilemma, good luck with making your decision.

I've decided to go for the Nexus DSC and encoders as at some point I'll get encoders fitted to the Dob

[Stephenstargazer]

Ref Sun finding etc

The Sun is in the DSC Solar System Objects catalogue (2). You can level the mount and select a ONE star alignment using the Sun. If you leave it (during passing clouds?) it will know where to point on return.  Go find Venus? possible, I only look for Venus with a scope in FULL SHADE.

I use a Herschel Wedge and get the scope about right by looking at the the shadow of the scope on the ground. Normally good enough to get some sunlight in and then look at the bottom of the wedge and put sun disc central in the prism face. Simples and no need to buy the fancy Baader wedge with rear screen 😁

(Another cheapskate tip)

 

Edited March 25, 2021 by Stephenstargazer

[johninderby]

Tablet / Phone mount for the AZ100

Had bought the tablet / phone holder earlier to use with the AZ100 but now sorted it out. 

The holder is a very nice aluminium one with a clamping knob on the back that you can use to set the height of the jaws but also has a screw clamp on the top to lock the tablet / phone in place. Works really well.

Had a mini tilt head to mount the holder on but replaced the tension adjustment screws with adjustable thumb levers so tension could be adjusted without a hex key. Used an inside corner bracket to attach the holder / tilt head to a short Geoptik dovetail bar.

So a neat little setup that fits on one of the dovetail saddle and can be tilted or turned to just the right position.

Edited March 26, 2021 by johninderby

[Steve Clay]

Trigger pulled so permission to come on-board as a new owner.

Went for: Mount, encoders, DSC, 1 saddle and pan and tilt bar.

It'll go on my Eq6 tripod for now and maybe a planet by Christmas (not saying which year)

A very excited 

Steve

[johninderby]

Hmmm..........at this rate will it become a requirement for all SGL members to own an AZ100. 😁😁😁

[John]

5 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Hmmm..........at this rate will it become a requirement for all SGL members to own an AZ100. 😁😁😁

Well they are cheaper than a Tak !

 

[Dinglem]

16 minutes ago, John said:

Well they are cheaper than a Tak !

 

Not exactly https://www.firstlightoptics.com/takahashi-fs-60-series-refractor-telescopes/takahashi-fs-60cb-f5-9-doublet-fluorite-apo-refractor.html

[Telescope40]

35 minutes ago, Steve Clay said:

Trigger pulled so permission to come on-board as a new owner.

Went for: Mount, encoders, DSC, 1 saddle and pan and tilt bar.

It'll go on my Eq6 tripod for now and maybe a planet by Christmas (not saying which year)

A very excited 

Steve

Nice one @Steve Clay !!  and welcome. 👍👍

[Telescope40]

4 hours ago, johninderby said:

Tablet / Phone mount for the AZ100

Had bought the tablet / phone holder earlier to use with the AZ100 but now sorted it out. 

The holder is a very nice aluminium one with a clamping knob on the back that you can use to set the height of the jaws but also has a screw clamp on the top to lock the tablet / phone in place. Works really well.

Had a mini tilt head to mount the holder on but replaced the tension adjustment screws with adjustable thumb levers so tension could be adjusted without a hex key. Used an inside corner bracket to attach the holder / tilt head to a short Geoptik dovetail bar.

So a neat little setup that fits on one of the dovetail saddle and can be tilted or turned to just the right position.

Hello @johninderby  That setup for the tablet looks rather good. Nice addition to the mount I tell myself.  Hhmm -  me like. Wallet just winced. 
 

John 

[johninderby]

13 minutes ago, Telescope40 said:

Hello @johninderby  That setup for the tablet looks rather good. Nice addition to the mount I tell myself.  Hhmm -  me like. Wallet just winced. 
 

John 

If you want the parts list just let me know. 😁

[Allanto]

5 hours ago, Steve Clay said:

Trigger pulled so permission to come on-board as a new owner.

Went for: Mount, encoders, DSC, 1 saddle and pan and tilt bar.

It'll go on my Eq6 tripod for now and maybe a planet by Christmas (not saying which year)

A very excited 

Steve

Well done Steve - exactly the same order I put in a couple of days ago 😀 - I contacted Derek before ordering and he confirmed that all new orders now include the upgraded DSC Pro 👍

[Stephenstargazer]

I don't think DSC amateur owners have to panic about an update, but the Pro does seem a tad smarter for those digging deep into the system capabilities! 😀

[Steve Clay]

So it's all arrived. 1st impression is quality and heavy.

Put most of it together now and just as the mist off the sea rolls in. 

Photos tomorrow.

Steve

 

[Steve Clay]

On 26/03/2021 at 21:18, Allanto said:

Well done Steve - exactly the same order I put in a couple of days ago 😀 - I contacted Derek before ordering and he confirmed that all new orders now include the upgraded DSC Pro 👍

I didn't know about the DSC Pro until I saw your post. It has indeed come with the pro.

[Steve Clay]

All setup, and balanced. Now need to save for a Planet and I'm thinking in black.

Steve

Ps typical 8/8 cloud here in Falmouth 

[JeremyS]

Looks wonderful  @Steve Clay👍🏻

[Steve Clay]

7 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Looks wonderful  @Steve Clay👍🏻

Thanks Jeremy.  Wife has just commented that the patio needs pressure washing though.

[johninderby]

Reminds me that it’s time to pressure wash my patio. The sandstone is looking a bit grubby. 😁

[JeremyS]

6 minutes ago, Steve Clay said:

Thanks Jeremy.  Wife has just commented that the patio needs pressure washing though.

Sounds a fair exchange for a lovely AZ100 outfit 

Good on Mrs Clay 👍🏻🤣

[Steve Clay]

1 minute ago, JeremyS said:

Sounds a fair exchange for a lovely AZ100 outfit 

Good on Mrs Clay 👍🏻🤣

I've said if she funds my planet tripod then I'll pressure wash everything we own for the rest of time.

[johninderby]

https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/things-you-should-never-pressure-wash/ 

😁😁😁