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Hi
I came across this while looking for a tripod for my small refractor.
This mount is supposed to be even cheaper than in the US but still cost $650. Anyone can elaborate on why it so expensive/cheap? the link seemed to suggest that its actually a televue mount!
The image is not very clear but it looks like it has no slow-mo control and head to mount a refractor although the info link says there is.
Can I assume we are supposed to move the scope like a dob in which case balance would be important? and because there is an eyepiece holder in the centre, the packed assembly would be a long package and the eyepiece holder stored separately?
Would this have performed better than a 410head+ 190D combination?
I think it also need tube rings....
The image is not very clear but it looks like it has no slow-mo control and head to mount a refractor although the info link says there is.
Can I assume we are supposed to move the scope like a dob in which case balance would be important?
There are two knobs for slow-motion control, so it does not move like a dob. There is also a dovetail saddle for mounting the Vixen dovetail. I suppose you can test it out at Robin's showroom to compare with the 410.
The image is not very clear but it looks like it has no slow-mo control and head to mount a refractor although the info link says there is.
Can I assume we are supposed to move the scope like a dob in which case balance would be important?
There are two knobs for slow-motion control, so it does not move like a dob. There is also a dovetail saddle for mounting the Vixen dovetail. I suppose you can test it out at Robin's showroom to compare with the 410.
thanks "R - two",
but if there is slomo control, then we will not need the 410 head...right?
- "R - one".
The Boldly Go Where No Meade Has Gone Before Captain, RSS Enterprise NCC1701R United Federation of the Planets
Hi,
It got slow montion control and you can also move it freely like a normal tension base Alt-Az mount.... similar to Takahashi TG-SM small Alt mount.
Anyway, it is design for small scope and short scope.... and I think it is cheaper than S$650.
Have a nice day.
Yang Weixing "The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance."
The advantage of the porta mount (or micro-star and astro-slew) is that once the scope is properly balanced, you do not need to lock the dec axis to maintain its elevation (unlike a normal photographic tripod head). This advantage is not trivial, for it makes tracking an object that much easier without having to repeatedly lock and unlock the mount.
The 410 slow-mo controls have too much back-lash and jerkiness to be suitable for astro use IMHO.
cheers
cc
We do it in the dark...
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
I think the porta will be perfect for your small refractor. Tried it in a shop and it was sweet! The alt-az bearings are smooth, slightly tensioned and with little backlash. Since there are no axis locks, the slow mos are convenient to use. One advantage over the astro slew is the offset arm design. When pointing at the zenith, the astroslew's non-offset arm makes it difficult to move the scope in azimuth by just pushing on the diagonal, not so with the porta. Do note that the porta is only sold with the tripod, which is pretty good for a small refractor but not super-portable. Not sure how the head can be separated from the tripod but looks possible. I think this will take up to a 80mm short tube only. Fyi, this will cost only S$300 in Japan.
The 410 slow-mo controls have too much back-lash and jerkiness to be suitable for astro use IMHO.
Hi Rich1, after extensive use of the 410, I would agree with Chee Chien, as the 410's slow-mo suppose to help with high power viewing but turning the knob frequently causes the object to jerk around. It is also a bit of a hinderance when starhopping using low power as it can be jumpy if the quick-release knob does not re-engage properly. So I sold mine away and got the Astroslew, which is a alt-az mount w/o slow-mo that allows fast easy star-hopping and yet supports smooth high-power viewing, once the setup is properly balanced. Just my personal experience, your preference may differ.
thanks rich2
i am not familiar with the astroslew but I can surmise based on your usual requirements it would be sturdy but bulky too..heh heh...any info on this mount?
The Boldly Go Where No Meade Has Gone Before Captain, RSS Enterprise NCC1701R United Federation of the Planets
"The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance." 
