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Mount recommendation for SkyWatcher Evostar 120 ED


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Hi all!

I would appreciate some advice on mount selection a lot! I will own the Skywatcher Evostar 120 ED (5.6 kg, 900 mm focal length).
At first, I will mainly use it for viewing and not astrophotography. Therefore, I opt to go with an Alt-az mount without go-to. I read a lot about the importance of a stable mount that will not be prone to shakiness. But I find it hard to determine a "variable" of the mount to base my choice on... perhaps only max. load capacity.

Where I live in the Netherlands, the Stellarvue is unfortunately nowhere available... also not in neighbouring countries.

I found the following options so far (links included):

Vixen Porta II   (https://www.astromarket.org/alt-azimuth-zonder-goto/vixen-montering-porta-ii-incl-statief/p,14828)
Explore Scientific Twilight I  (https://www.teleskop-spezialisten.de/shop/Telescope-Mounts/Azimuthal-mount-ALT-AZ/EXPLORE-SCIENTIFIC-Twilight-I-azimuthal-telescopic-mount-with-steel-tripod::3738.html?language=en)
BRESSER Twilight I  (https://www.bresser.de/en/Recommendation-Lists/INTERESANTES/EXPLORE-SCIENTIFIC-Twilight-I-telescope-mount-with-tripod.html)
TS-Optics AZ5 (SKYTEE)  (https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p4537_TS-Optics-AZ5-Alt-azimuthal-Mount-with-tripod-and-fine-adjustment.html)

Would any of these be a good choice?
Sometimes a saddle or tripod is not included, should I know something about that too to make a good saddle / tripod choice?

Thanks a lot in advance for any help!

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The AZ5 (Skytee) is the best choice by far and will easily handle the 120 ED. The Twilight mount is not really suitable. Saddles are easily available so no problem to get hold of them. With the AZ5 the tripod is optional as some allready have a suitable tripod or might want to upgrade to say a Berlebach tripod. 

BTW the reason StellarVue is not available in Europe is that they made such a mess of supplying their European dealers that no one in Europe will touch them anymore. They just couldn’t supply dealers outside of the US on a reliable basis.

Edited by johninderby
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I very recently bought a second hand Berlebach Castor , which is an option you have not mentioned https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p7605_Berlebach-Castor-Alt-Az-mount.html

It comes with one clamp, and TS say it can handle a 7kg telescope if counterweights are used.  I've only used mine so far with a 3kg 'scope, and no counterweight, but for a relatively light and compact mount the Castor appears to work really well.

The Castor fits any 3/8" standard photo tripod screw. You should buy the sturdiest tripod you can , it needs to be strong and not prone to vibrations , not light weight , and not cheap !

Heather

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Skytee 100%. I've owned and used the 120 refractor and it's not just the weight, it's the length you have to consider. Plus, the specs may say it only weighs 5.6kg or whatever, but by the time you've got a 9x50 RACI finder, an upgraded dovetail,  a 2" diagonal and eyepiece on it, it will be more like 6.5/7kg. The single arm fork alt az mounts you mention are good up to around 5kg IMO. Also, when viewing near the zenith the eyepiece will be low down and make viewing uncomfortable, you can get a 16" extension pillar for the Skytee which is really solid and works great. If you were going down the EQ route then it's an EQ5/GP grade mount minimum, HEQ5 and an ED120 would be a match made in heaven.

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Thanks all for your responses and good advice! I go for the TS-Optics AZ5 indeed!

Sorry to ask... feel a bit helpless here :') but it comes without a saddle plate.

Is this the thing that is still needed then, a dovetail clamp to hold the scope? A bit confused as to what the "saddle plate" exactly is.

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p7887_TS-Optics-Optics-XL-Premium-Klemme---Adaption-fuer-gro-e-Teleskope-und-Kameras.html

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Yes that is correct. You can get the same saddle for much less on eBay though although you may have to waait a bit for it to come from China. There are many others that will fit as well of course.

1A504043-E7EC-4379-8772-AE9DD5FBD8A7.jpeg

Edited by johninderby
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Probably OK without a counterweight. Would try it first without and if not smooth enough then use a counterweight. The AZ5 is a surprisingly nice mount to use despite not being of high build quality. Great value.

I really liked my AZ5 when I had it although have now upgraded to a Rowan AZ100.

Edited by johninderby
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