Star Quest and EQ-AZ Avant - not sold as stand alone mounts?

[vlaiv]

Wonder why is that?

[HollyHound]

Not sure… the first scope and mount I bought (almost exactly two years ago), was a SkyWatcher Mak102 on an EQ-AZ Avant.

It was a decent little mount, lightweight and a good introduction to both EQ and Alt/Az mount configurations. I also bought the RA motor accessory, which worked quite well for tracking 👍

The tripod is not the best, but it’s certainly lightweight enough for grab and go.

I gave it away to a friend when I “upgraded” and it’s still being used now😀

Edited December 20, 2021 by HollyHound

[vlaiv]

I also see them as very handy little mounts that do both EQ and AZ and can track with simple motor.

They do look decent enough to be recommended as a star tracker for someone wanting to do a bit DSLR+lens astrophotography - like cheaper version of star adventurer.

It seems that AZ-EQ avant is no longer available even as bundle?

[HollyHound]

If interested, this site had some information on the mount, and in fact I conversed with the guy who wrote it for a while when first started… very helpful guy 👍

https://www.braybaroque.ie/photo/mak102/unbox.html

 

[HollyHound]

4 minutes ago, vlaiv said:

I also see them as very handy little mounts that do both EQ and AZ and can track with simple motor.

They do look decent enough to be recommended as a star tracker for someone wanting to do a bit DSLR+lens astrophotography - like cheaper version of star adventurer.

It seems that AZ-EQ avant is no longer available even as bundle?

It certainly was decent enough for me to get started. I was able to track quite accurately using the RA motor, by just doing a “rough” polar align. There‘s no polar scope of course, but for visual that’s no problem and likely ok for that type of astrophotography 🤔

The AZ mode was also remarkably useful, with the counterweight rod acting as a useful control arm.

You’re right, they seem to no longer sell that mount anymore.