Altair 102 edr F7 on Sw Az5.

[Steve Clay]

Hi, arthritis getting worse and lugging the skytee, 2 inch tripod and eq5 extension then Ed120 will eventually become too difficult. I'm thinking of downsizing to a 102 edr on an az5 with either steel or berlebach 312 tripod. I already have the mount and tripods. Anybody using a similar scope mounted like this. Weight of scope v mount payload looks fine on paper?

Cheers

Steve

[mikeDnight]

I did use a Tak FC100DC F7.4 quite effectively on an Skywatcher AZ5, and my friend used a FC100DL F9 on one too. I think that on your existing tripod you'll be ok. The weak point as with most mounts is the tripod.

Below are my FC100DC F7.4 on its AZ5, followed by my friend paulastro standing alongside his FC100DL F9, also on an AZ5. (However, I'd just like to add that the AZ4 is more solid, but without slow motion controls).

[Steve Clay]

9 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

I did use a Tak FC100DC F7.4 quite effectively on an Skywatcher AZ5, and my friend used a FC100DL F9 on one too. I think that on your existing tripod you'll be ok. The weak point as with most mounts is the tripod.

Below are my FC100DC F7.4 on its AZ5, followed by my friend paulastro standing alongside his FC100DL F9, also on an AZ5. (However, I'd just like to add that the AZ4 is more solid, but without slow motion controls).

How heavy are the Taks?

[John]

49 minutes ago, Steve Clay said:

How heavy are the Taks?

Depends on the model. The FC100's range from 2.8kg to 3.8kg.

The tube length is as, if not more, crucial in determining the success or otherwise of a scope / mount combination.

 

 

[Carl Au]

2 hours ago, Steve Clay said:

Hi, arthritis getting worse and lugging the skytee, 2 inch tripod and eq5 extension then Ed120 will eventually become too difficult. I'm thinking of downsizing to a 102 edr on an az5 with either steel or berlebach 312 tripod. I already have the mount and tripods. Anybody using a similar scope mounted like this. Weight of scope v mount payload looks fine on paper?

Cheers

Steve

 

[Carl Au]

Just now, Carl Au said:

 

AZ4 

[paulastro]

4 hours ago, mikeDnight said:

I did use a Tak FC100DC F7.4 quite effectively on an Skywatcher AZ5, and my friend used a FC100DL F9 on one too. I think that on your existing tripod you'll be ok. The weak point as with most mounts is the tripod.

Below are my FC100DC F7.4 on its AZ5, followed by my friend paulastro standing alongside his FC100DL F9, also on an AZ5. (However, I'd just like to add that the AZ4 is more solid, but without slow motion controls).

Mike/Steve.

Mike, while I did use the Tak DL on the AZ5 at your house, it was really because it was easier than puting my GP equatorial in the car when I came over. 

In my view the AZ5 wasnt steady enough at the high powers the DL could sustain for regular use.

Steve, I have the Tecnosky version of your  scope,which as far as I know is identical to your version.  I havent yet used the Tecnosky on the AZ5 yet, as I think it would be inadequate at higher powers also

I have used the Tecnosky on my AZ4, and as Mike said,  it is much steadier but without the slow motions.

I generally use the Tecnosky on a Vixen Super Polaris in altaz mode which is much better than both the AZ5 and the AZ4. It holds the Tecnosky far more securely than both, and the slow motions of the SP are silky smooth, and far superior to those on the AZ5.

On the plus side for the AZ5, it works really well with my SW 72ED, a great highly portable combination.

 

 

[KP82]

I've tried the Altair 102EDT on an AZ5 + the steel tripod before. Not the most stable setup (vibration that takes 2-3 secs to settle when changing focus), but certainly useable with the slow-motion control.

[paulastro]

KP.  I'll try the Tecnosky on the AZ5 - when there is an opportunity.  I expect it will be OK at lower powers, but it will be interesting how it performs at the higher magnifications. 

 

[KP82]

1 hour ago, paulastro said:

KP.  I'll try the Tecnosky on the AZ5 - when there is an opportunity.  I expect it will be OK at lower powers, but it will be interesting how it performs at the higher magnifications. 

 

When I had my AZ5 back in late 2018, I tried high power on Jupiter (143x with a 5mm Delite) and Mars (206x with 7mm Delite + 2x barlow). Like I said before the vibration took 2 - 3 seconds to settle making precise focus at high mag quite challenging. But once focused the slow motion control was very handy for tracking the targets.

The vibration during focus was what prompt me to get the Sabre v2. But the Sabre lacked slow motion control, so I never really used it much.

Edited February 2, 2021 by KP82

[John]

While the Taks are light compared to some, they thrive on high and very high magnifications so the mount choice needs to be able to deal with that.

I didn't think that I would use my Nagler 2mm-4mm zoom all that much but it's very frequently used with my Tak.

[wheresthetorch?]

On 01/02/2021 at 18:13, mikeDnight said:

I did use a Tak FC100DC F7.4 quite effectively on an Skywatcher AZ5, and my friend used a FC100DL F9 on one too. I think that on your existing tripod you'll be ok. The weak point as with most mounts is the tripod.

May I ask what tripod you are using with your AZ5 in those pictures?

Mine is on the black tripod that came with it, and isn't very steady at all, so I'm thinking of replacing it. 

 

[RobertI]

On 01/02/2021 at 17:32, Steve Clay said:

Hi, arthritis getting worse and lugging the skytee, 2 inch tripod and eq5 extension then Ed120 will eventually become too difficult. I'm thinking of downsizing to a 102 edr on an az5 with either steel or berlebach 312 tripod. I already have the mount and tripods. Anybody using a similar scope mounted like this. Weight of scope v mount payload looks fine on paper?

Cheers

 

I would have thought the 102EDR + Skytee + Berlebach (no extension needed) would be a reasonably lightweight but super-stable setup? I reckon that setup is 10-12kg lighter than your current setup?

Regarding the scope, I have never owned a 120ED to compare but I have found the 102EDR much easier to mount and observe with than my 4” F10 achromat. 

Edited February 3, 2021 by RobertI

[Steve Clay]

Thanks for your comments. I've decided to keep my current setup as there appears to be too much risk in going lighter and keeping aperture.

I'm going to look at a small garden tool shed to keep the mount in by my observing spot in the garden. That way it won't need carrying.

Steve

[mikeDnight]

5 hours ago, wheresthetorch? said:

May I ask what tripod you are using with your AZ5 in those pictures?

Mine is on the black tripod that came with it, and isn't very steady at all, so I'm thinking of replacing it. 

 

It's a Japanese made, tall Vixen tripod, which has a more substantial build and wider spread than the aluminium tripods from Skywatcher. Also, all the components are metal, where as the recent Chinese version uses plastic which is a weak point and can split when tightened. I think the tubular steel Skywatcher tripods are very solid, so perhaps your love key looking scope and mount would benefit from the 1.25" steel tripod, which should still give you a relatively lightweight grab and go set-up.   Or you could stick a wanted add on SGL or Astro Buy & Sell for a tall aluminium Vixen tripod. 

[wheresthetorch?]

30 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

It's a Japanese made, tall Vixen tripod, which has a more substantial build and wider spread than the aluminium tripods from Skywatcher. Also, all the components are metal, where as the recent Chinese version uses plastic which is a weak point and can split when tightened. I think the tubular steel Skywatcher tripods are very solid, so perhaps your love key looking scope and mount would benefit from the 1.25" steel tripod, which should still give you a relatively lightweight grab and go set-up.   Or you could stick a wanted add on SGL or Astro Buy & Sell for a tall aluminium Vixen tripod. 

Thanks for this reply.  The only thing I dislike about the Skywatcher tubular steel tripods is that you can't lift and quickly fold to carry them - you need to unscrew the leg support/eyepiece tray.  I remember this being an annoyance with my old Celestron 4SE. 

 I'll look out for a used Vixen tripod as you suggest (or start saving for a Berlebach!).

[mikeDnight]

41 minutes ago, wheresthetorch? said:

Thanks for this reply.  The only thing I dislike about the Skywatcher tubular steel tripods is that you can't lift and quickly fold to carry them - you need to unscrew the leg support/eyepiece tray.  I remember this being an annoyance with my old Celestron 4SE. 

 I'll look out for a used Vixen tripod as you suggest (or start saving for a Berlebach!).

That is true about the spreader being an irritation. Often, when using my 2" steel tripod with my Eqionox 120ED,  I wouldn't use the spreader at all. Once the legs were open they were very secure, and I never had a problem with ridgidity. I've just cropped the above pic's again, showing the lack of spreader on my tripod. Even when at its lowest setting it was very stable.

 

[RobertI]

2 hours ago, wheresthetorch? said:

The only thing I dislike about the Skywatcher tubular steel tripods is that you can't lift and quickly fold to carry them - you need to unscrew the leg support/eyepiece tray. 

That is an annoyance I have to agree. However I recently realised that, when you have finished you observing, if you loosen the spreader nut a few turns, you can rotate the spreader out of the way  and this allows you to half-collapse the legs - I’ve found this is enough for me to fit the tripod through the shed door and I leave it set up like that for next time. It actually does make life easier, but might not work for all. 

[johninderby]

Did someone mention Berlebach? 😁

Compared a Report tripod to the 3/8 steel SW tripod and found it dampened vibrations quicker so not just a nice looking tripod. 👍🏻

 

Edited February 3, 2021 by johninderby

[JeremyS]

5 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Did someone mention Berlebach? 😁

 

Yes, frequently 🤣👍🏻

[John]

Those Berlebach foldable spreaders are about the best upgrade you can make to a Berlebach tripod. Not much else you can improve in all honesty.

 

[johninderby]

The astro version of the Report comes with the spreader.  👍🏻

Hate the basic chain arrangement that is standard on many Berlebach tripods. Bad idea. 👎🏽

 

[paulastro]

17 hours ago, KP82 said:

When I had my AZ5 back in late 2018, I tried high power on Jupiter (143x with a 5mm Delite) and Mars (206x with 7mm Delite + 2x barlow). Like I said before the vibration took 2 - 3 seconds to settle making precise focus at high mag quite challenging. But once focused the slow motion control was very handy for tracking the targets.

The vibration during focus was what prompt me to get the Sabre v2. But the Sabre lacked slow motion control, so I never really used it much.

Many thanks KP.  I'll still try it for myself though.  Its steadyness will also depend on the tripod used, observing technique, and other factors which can be different from observer to observer.  Not to mention how tolerant the individual is to any damping time that does occour 🙂.