ATLAS TRIPOD- CHANGE TO MANUAL VS. GOTO

[TangoCharlie]

This will sound backwards but for me-it is moving forward. 

I currently own an Explore Scientific AR152 -6 in. Refractor with an Atlas tripod with Synscan GoTo Mount drive. 

Wanting to learn the sky better, after a long hiatus from astronomy.  Is there a manual mount I could buy that would fit my telescope and my Atlas Tripod?  In essence, making my GoTo a manual mount for my reintroduction to astronomy.  

Any help or suggestions are appreciated!

[lvan]

An EQ5? You could convert to altaz if you wanted. Use as is for your grab and go, and keep the goto for when you want goto. I believe Geoptik make an adapter to fit your existing tripod if you wanna go down that route.

[Cosmic Geoff]

I'm not familiar with the mount, but you can probably use it as a manual just by leaving the clutches slackened off.  It may also be possible to reconfigure it as an alt-az if you reconfigure it for 0 deg or 90 deg latitude.

Personally I don't believe in this 'learn the sky' philosophy much.  This isn't the 19th century. Electronics rule.

[lvan]

23 hours ago, Cosmic Geoff said:

Personally I don't believe in this 'learn the sky' philosophy much.  This isn't the 19th century. Electronics rule.

Word up!

[lvan]

I think the Atlas is equivalent to the eq6.

With a 6” frac that’s gonna be a beast.

Maybe you need something more manageable for when you just want a quick session, hence the suggestion of a manual eq5 which should carry your scope. Otherwise consider a smaller set up to compliment, like a tabletop dob.