Skywatcher guidescope mount

[A McEwan]

Anyone used one of these?

Skywatcher Guidescope Mount | Telescope Accessories | Rother Valley Optics

I'm wondering if I could use it on my dual-mount bar instead of guidescope rings, which limit me to certain tube diameters and would seem to be more of a faff to use.

Anyone?

Ant

[blinky]

It looks OK, especially if you are using a very small guide scope. I just worry about flexture as it looks a lot less solid than a piggy back scope in guide rings.

[A McEwan]

It would actually be for visual use, generally for solar use. To hold a 4kg-ish 90mm tube assembly...

[jarbi]

I have just received two of these, and I am impressed with the quality. I think it can easily hold 4 kg or even more.

To be able to use it on more places, I have fitted a Skywatcher dovetail under it. I would like to use it mainly for photography , I hope I can test it soon :-).

Cheers,

Janos

[Black Knight]

I have been wondering about these too. The main advantage for me would be the ease of setting up and taking down compared to a traditional piggyback arrangement. So for me it would be down to something like this or a standard side-by-side bar. But the mounting does concern me though.

If I understand it correctly it is mounted on the main OTA tube ring using a single camera-type stud which, well, just doesn't seem very secure. So I'd be interested in hearing about any real-world experience others have had with this.

[jarbi]

Mounting it with a single bolt wouldn't make much sense I think.

To make things more clear, this is what I do ( see pictures below ):

1. Ther is a dovetail fitted under the gudescope mount.

2. I have a Vixen type holder mounted on a dovetail, this can be piggy-backed on my scopes using bolts on the scope rings.

3. I can then put the guide holder on top of it or on the mounting plate for side by side mounting.

Cheers,

Janos

[Black Knight]

Interesting pics . So are you using 2 bolts to attach the guidescope adapter to the dovetail? That would seem much better.

[A McEwan]

Interestinger and interestinger... Jarbi, looks like you've improved upon an already good idea!

[barkis]

I have one, and I intend to mount my zs66 Apo on it as a guidescope. I think my ED80 might be a tad heavy as a guider.

It seems a very solid mating, and I don't envisage any flexing problems, although that needs confirming in use.

Ron.

[jarbi]

I have one, and I intend to mount my zs66 Apo on it as a guidescope. I think my ED80 might be a tad heavy as a guider.

It seems a very solid mating, and I don't envisage any flexing problems, although that needs confirming in use.

Ron.

Ron, I have asked the astroshop how much weight can be on, and they stated 7kg (!). I didn't find this info on the Internet, but the shop has direct contact with Skywatcher. When it proves to be true, the ED 80 is certainly under the limit.

[jarbi]

Interestinger and interestinger... Jarbi, looks like you've improved upon an already good idea!

Thanks :-)

[michaelmorris]

I'm looking at one of these as well. Has anyone tested one as a guidescope holder yet to see if there are flexure issues?

[jarbi]

I'm looking at one of these as well. Has anyone tested one as a guidescope holder yet to see if there are flexure issues?

Michael,

I had 3 photosessions using this mount already, an Orion 80mm shorttube was mounted on it as guide scope (so a very light one ). I didn't detect any flexure on my frames. In some cases I needed to chase for a better guide star, and it is soooo easy with the guide scope mount ! I didn't have to worry to drop my guidescope, it is sitting firmly all the time .

clear skies,

Janos