Grab and Go mount decision for 7kg load

[Trentend]

Spent a week or two trawling through various posts trying to help me decide on a new grab and go mount - all very confusing so have tried to capture key buying info (for me) in the table below. The Cost column is base cost only and doesn't take into account shipping, import fees etc (which I appreciate will be high for some of the options - fortunately that's not a key criteria).

I have a Mak127 and will use with a Binotron, WO diagonal and 24mm Panoptics - reckon the payload here is around 7kg. I will be paring the mount with a Gitzo tripod (TBC) and the set up must be genuinely lightweight overall AND allow me to fit encoders for a Nexus DSC.

Judging by the list below the Ayo VAMO, DSV-1 and M2c appear to be the front runners - any thoughts? Not sure if the slow motion controls are deal breakers?

 

Mount	Cost	Weight (kg)	Load capacity (kg)	Slow motion controls	Nexus DSC?	AZ brake?	General comments
Vixen Porta ii (inc. tripod)	£250	2.2kg	5kg	Yes	Yes	No	Does not meet load requirements
AZ5	£135	2.3kg	5kg	Yes	No	Yes	Does not meet load requirements
AZ4	£135	1.2kg	6.5kg	No	No	Yes	Only sold with tripod (not sure about weight) - no Nexus
Ayo VAMO traveller	£390	1.3kg	7kg	No	Yes	No	Contender
Ayo II	£390	3.0kg	8kg	No	Yes	No	Contender
Vixen Advanced Polaris APZ	£530	2.2kg	8kg	Yes	No	No	Discount as no Nexus
Giro Ercole	£350	3.85kg	10kg	No	No	Yes	Discount as too heavy / no Nexus
DSV-1	£150	2.2kg	>10kg	No	Yes	No	Add import fees & shipping. Contender
DSV-2b	£390	4kg	>10kg	No	Yes	Yes	Add import fees & shipping. Includes heavy QBS - discount
M2C	£270	1.8kg	12kg	No	Yes	No	Is the weight correct?? Add import fees & shipping. Contender

 

[JeremyS]

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth-astronomy-mounts/scopetech-mount-zero.html

[Oldfort]

The Tecnosky elle v2 is also a possibility.  Tripod mount, encoders and Nexus controller is a good combo.

[Trentend]

Missed that one (scope tech). Not sure though if it could take encoders for the Nexus (have asked Serge).

Edited October 19, 2020 by Trentend

[Oldfort]

Yes, I use it with the Nexus II.  But I think you can also use the DSC.  I have used it with an TMB/LZOS/APM 105/650, loaded with 50mm finder, 2" diagonal and whatever eypiece without a problem.

 

BTW, I have been using a Giro 2 for 20 years or so, and it's still a great performer.  The counterweight is probably need for 6kg+, to get the smoothest result.

Edited October 19, 2020 by Oldfort

[Captain Scarlet]

I have an M2, not the “c”. It came with a rather tall pillar which is what I “grab” when I want to take it out. It’s very good once the tripod head is levelled and the fore-and-aft balance of the scope is set. You can set the friction knobs to very light and the thing is as smooth as you like., responding to fingertip touch.

[Trentend]

Not sure if the Tecnosky elle v2 is more for binoculars? Presume would need a few more parts for the mak137 to fit? Looks very nice though.

 

[Oldfort]

51 minutes ago, Trentend said:

Not sure if the Tecnosky elle v2 is more for binoculars? Presume would need a few more parts for the mak137 to fit? Looks very nice though.

 

It just needs a saddle and then clamp your dovetail to it.  Job done.

[SLight]

Another option is the Tecnosky Cubo. With lighter APOs I've used mine without the balance weight bar and with an LZOS100/800 andTSA-120 weight counterweights. I recommend using the Tecnosky half-pier between the head and the tripod for additional clearance.