Lightweight az mount choices.

[Shaun_Astro]

I'm looking for a lightweight, az mount for my small refractors that I can carry to a darker site. Im looking at the Bresser nano and sw pronto predominantly. Does anyone have experience of the two? There seems to be few first hand accounts of either. 

I like the slow motion controls and photographic type tripod of the pronto, I could get a gti head for it at a later date. But I'm put off by the weight of the telescope being above the center of rotation, I know it can cause balance issues. 

BTW will be using from 70/450 to 70/900 on it. Both under 2.5kg.

Thanks. 

Edited July 25, 2020 by Shaun_Astro

[banjaxed]

The Skywatcher AZ5 with aluminium tripod is very portable and can take up to 5 kg. It also has slow motion controls.

Edited July 25, 2020 by banjaxed

[RT65CB-SWL]

I used to have a mount similar to the SkyWatcher Pronto and like you I was put off by the telescope mounting point/plate/saddle above the centre of rotation and  after a few moths I sold it/gave it away. 

Have you considered the Tele-Optic Mini Giro GR-2? - (mount weight: 1.9kgs / max. payload: 2.5kgs unbalanced / 4kgs per side/ balanced) - so you can mount your 'scopes side-by-side if you wish - should fit any camera/video tripod with 3/8" thread mounting point.

I have its bigger sibling... the Tele-Optic Giro GR-DX ll... (it's the one on the right - the other is the AOK-AYO) and recently acquired Universal Astronomics DwarfStar (not shown); but shown elsewhere on SGL - all can be fitted to my Manfrotto PROB tripod. 

 

Edited July 27, 2020 by Philip R

[John]

The Vixen Porta Mini has slow motion controls and the centre of gravity of the scope in a better place:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p2933_Vixen-MINI-PORTA---Azimutal-Mount-with-tripod---friction-control---slow-movement.html

 

[johninderby]

How aboit the smaller version of the Artesly mount.?

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p11386_Artesky-Alt-azimuth-Mount-with-fine-adjustment-for-instruments-up-to-7-kg.html

 

[AdeKing]

 

2 hours ago, Philip R said:

Have you considered the Tele-Optic Mini Giro GR-2? - (mount weight: 1.9kgs / max. payload: 2.5kgs unbalanced / 4kgs per side/ balanced) - so you can mount your 'scopes side-by-side if you wish - should fit any camera/video tripod with 3/8" thread mounting point.

I have one of these and it's a great little compact mount.

Does anyone have any experience of one of these Omegon AZ-Baby mounts, it looks like a really nice compact AZ Mount.

https://www.omegon.eu/alt-azimuth-without-goto/omegon-mount-az-baby/p,49753

It looks like a mount from a different manufacturer but I can't remember which.

There was one on ABS recently and I was very tempted to give it a punt, but refrained as I have too many mounts sitting around.

 

[Steve Clay]

2 hours ago, johninderby said:

How aboit the smaller version of the Artesly mount.?

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p11386_Artesky-Alt-azimuth-Mount-with-fine-adjustment-for-instruments-up-to-7-kg.html

 

I really like the look of that. What about  belt replacements though?

[johninderby]

4 minutes ago, Steve Clay said:

I really like the look of that. What about  belt replacements though?

Same part number. 88MXL for the upper drive belt.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/88MXL-2-032mm-Timing-Stepper-Motors/dp/B00X74IP5S

Edited July 25, 2020 by johninderby

[Steve Clay]

Just now, johninderby said:

Same part number. 88MXL

https://www.amazon.co.uk/88MXL-2-032mm-Timing-Stepper-Motors/dp/B00X74IP5S

Thanks John. Time to look at selling some stuff. 

[johninderby]

I do like the look of the Artesky mount. Both this one and the bigger version. Looks like a simple but effective design.

Cheaper from Astroshop.

https://www.astroshop.eu/alt-azimuth-without-goto/artesky-mount-az-belt-1/p,62829

[johninderby]

Think it is the same.

Also from 365astronomy.

https://www.365astronomy.com/365astronomy-hercules-alt-azimuth-telescope-mount-with-manual-belt-drive-head-only.html

Edited July 25, 2020 by johninderby

[John]

One of our members owned one of those I seem to recall but I can't recall who it was

 

[Steve Clay]

The 365 astro one looks great. Acceptable price too with the accessories. Should I click buy 🤔 

[Telescope40]

This is a cracking thread. Like the look of these Artesky mounts. 
Was beginning to look hard at an AZ5 but this option has completely dragged me off the rails !!  😜😜

[johninderby]

12 minutes ago, Steve Clay said:

The 365 astro one looks great. Acceptable price too with the accessories. Should I click buy 🤔 

Go ahead. You know you want to. Then we can read your review. 😁😁😁

[Steve Clay]

8 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Go ahead. You know you want to. Then we can read your review. 😁😁😁

Order  placed. I've been looking for a travel mount for my ed 80 along with the solar quest. Will let ya'll know what it's like. As aesthetics go looks great.

[johninderby]

Nice one 👍🏻

Are you going to ask for the blue saddle or take whichever colour they supply?

[Steve Clay]

I'll give zoltan a call and ask for blue. But to be honest the silver will contrast with  other parts of the setup.

[Shaun_Astro]

These are nice, but they are £200+ without tripod, and with tripod wil weigh about 6kg, which is 50% more than the pronto or nano and double the price. I was hoping to walk for a while with that and the telescope and I'm a cheapskate. 

The omegon az baby looks good, but again with buying a tripod will be £300 nearly. Could just make a small copper pipe mount I guess. 

The Bresser nano looks like a mint az4 which I like. I guess it probably will be OK for lower mags only. 

Edited July 26, 2020 by Shaun_Astro

[John]

9 minutes ago, Shaun_Astro said:

These are nice, but they are £200+ without tripod, and with tripod wil weigh about 6kg, which is 50% more than the pronto or nano and double the price. I was hoping to walk for a while with that and the telescope and I'm a cheapskate. 

The omegon az baby looks good, but again with buying a tripod will be £300 nearly. Could just make a small copper pipe mount I guess. 

The Bresser nano looks like a mint az4 which I like. I guess it probably will be OK for lower mags only. 

Omegon AZ Baby for sale here (not mine !):

https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=163986

A good photo tripod would do fine.

I used to use a Dwarfstar with my TV ranger. Lightest of all I believe and pretty strong:

 

[steveex2003]

If it hasn't already been mentioned, this is a very diminutive and portable head. Obviously no slow-mo controls. Decent discount too at the moment.
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p9334_TS-Optics-Tilting-Head-and-Altazimuth-Mount-for-photo-tripods.html

Edited July 26, 2020 by steveex2003

[Steve Clay]

So I've ordered the 365 Hercules mount. Now to think about the tripod. Initially it will ride on my EQ5 steel with 3/8 photo adapter, which it will share with the solar quest. I do have the light weight tripod that came with the SW but find it not very stable with legs extended. As the whole purpose of this exercise is weight reduction for travel in the camper van what recommendations do you guys have.  When travelling it will be with the Ed 80 and also the solar quest. 

P. S apologies to the OP for the hijack 

Steve

[johninderby]

Just got the Berlebach 212 Report tripod and am surprised how stable it is for such a light tripod.

Can carry the whole setup outside with one hand. 👍🏻

Edited July 26, 2020 by johninderby

[banjaxed]

15 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Just got the Berlebach  Report. tripod and am surprised how stable it is for such a light tripod.

Can carry the whole setup outside with one hand. 👍🏻

That’s a handy looking stool John, does the seat swivel up and down? I have been looking for one but they all seem to have ratchet adjuster.

[jock1958]

13 hours ago, johninderby said:

Go ahead. You know you want to. Then we can read your review. 😁😁😁

Looking forward to reading the review as well 😜👍