Hi guys,
Am interested in acquiring a llight weight tracking platform something like the kenko skymemo for my short tube refractor. the scope's 11lbs and this kenko mount can only take 5lbs on each side only.
So any other mounts out there that are similar in portability to the kenko but would give me extra payload??
Thanks
Light weight tracking platform??
Hi,
you can try the Kenko Skymemo, but will be at the limit of its holding capacity. Which short tube refractor are you using? It is rather heavy at 11lbs. Like Arief has pointed out, it will be better to get a GP mount, or a GP Photoguider which is more portable and offers a portable tripod. See www.starmatrix.biz for more portable imaging solutions.
you can try the Kenko Skymemo, but will be at the limit of its holding capacity. Which short tube refractor are you using? It is rather heavy at 11lbs. Like Arief has pointed out, it will be better to get a GP mount, or a GP Photoguider which is more portable and offers a portable tripod. See www.starmatrix.biz for more portable imaging solutions.
Hi again Remus,
Was searching for the vexen photoguider mount but can't seem to find anyone selling it. Is it a discontinued product?
Anyway, was looking at mcgill's website and their vixen shortube refractor,(which is light enough for the kenko skymemo) is going for a good price. Should i:
1) Get that vixen short tube refractor plus the kenko skymemo and travel lighter (and let my celestron shortube collect dust)
OR
2) just get the vixen gp-e and use it with my current short tube refractor and travel with more weight
Was searching for the vexen photoguider mount but can't seem to find anyone selling it. Is it a discontinued product?
Anyway, was looking at mcgill's website and their vixen shortube refractor,(which is light enough for the kenko skymemo) is going for a good price. Should i:
1) Get that vixen short tube refractor plus the kenko skymemo and travel lighter (and let my celestron shortube collect dust)
OR
2) just get the vixen gp-e and use it with my current short tube refractor and travel with more weight
Hi oxyqn,
The Vixen Photoguider is still in production and now comes in the white colour version, in parallel with the current GP2 series. I believe STARMATRIX sells them at a good price (and sold them before), and some locals do have them. You can check with Michael at sales@starmatrix.biz for more details?
As for your other options:
Choosing (1) will lead you to a lighter package yes, but will you want to "abandon" your current refractor, it is really up to you.
Choosing (2) will be advantageous because GPE is more versatile then any of the above solutions and will be able to handle greater capacity. Ideally if you have a GPE together with the shorter AL90 aluminium tripod, you will have a neat astrophotography platform that you could handle overseas as well. I used to travel with the GPE with a borg refractor to Australia for imaging, and all could squeeze into one of those roller cube-like bags with the tripod in a separate carrying bag.
Alternatively, you could opt for the Photoguider and have light refractor (something like a Borg, one of the lightest), and then piggybacked with a camera for wide field piggybacked imaging, and utilizing the small alumnium tripod, or for whole disk solar/lunar imaging.
The Vixen Photoguider is still in production and now comes in the white colour version, in parallel with the current GP2 series. I believe STARMATRIX sells them at a good price (and sold them before), and some locals do have them. You can check with Michael at sales@starmatrix.biz for more details?
As for your other options:
Choosing (1) will lead you to a lighter package yes, but will you want to "abandon" your current refractor, it is really up to you.
Choosing (2) will be advantageous because GPE is more versatile then any of the above solutions and will be able to handle greater capacity. Ideally if you have a GPE together with the shorter AL90 aluminium tripod, you will have a neat astrophotography platform that you could handle overseas as well. I used to travel with the GPE with a borg refractor to Australia for imaging, and all could squeeze into one of those roller cube-like bags with the tripod in a separate carrying bag.
Alternatively, you could opt for the Photoguider and have light refractor (something like a Borg, one of the lightest), and then piggybacked with a camera for wide field piggybacked imaging, and utilizing the small alumnium tripod, or for whole disk solar/lunar imaging.
If you are referring to the Vixen A80SS, I suggest you read the comments in other Forums, or take a look through it personally before you decide.
Cheers!
Cheers!
[80% Steve, 20% Alfred] ------- Probability of Clear Skies = (Age of newest equipment in days) / [(Number of observers) * (Total Aperture of all telescopes present in mm)]