SingAstro

I am selling a one-of-a-kind alt-az mount with slo-mo controls.

I modified the EQ3-2 to work in alt-az mode with slo-mo controls. The fine controls is important during high magnification use.

http://www.singastro.org/album_pic.php?pic_id=843

The mount comes with:
1) slo-mo stalks
2) 2 counter weights (only 1 shown in the pic)
3) tripod and accy tray
4) saddle plate from denebman

I am looking at $390 neg. The modifications alone cost $150, not counting the cost of the saddle plate and the original Eq mount itself.

I will only sell this with or after the 8" Meade SCT as the mount was made for the scope.

Pls PM me if you are interested.

Kay Heem

Mount still available as scope was just sold.

Kay Heem

This one-of-a-kind mount is still available and should be able to hold a 8" SCT for visual use. IMHO, slo-mo is very important at high powers.

I do not know of any other alt-az mount with slo-mo controls with this capacity. The portamount is excellent, but can't take the 8" SCT.

Kay Heem

Still available. Portable and can be considered to be grab and go for some people.

Can the mount turn 90 deg so that the saddle plate face up?

Clifford60 wrote:Can the mount turn 90 deg so that the saddle plate face up?

What are the differences when using from this facing up position from the default facing sideways saddle plate position?

Clifford60 wrote:Can the mount turn 90 deg so that the saddle plate face up?

I do not get what you mean by 'saddle plate face up'. If you are wondering, yes, the scope can point straight at zenith with no problems. It is 360 deg around in azimuth and 360 deg in altitude (although for half of this range it is pointing below the horizon :-)

Kay Heem

Kayheem, your pict shows the saddle plate facing sideways. I think Clifford is asking whether your saddle plate can be facing upwards (whether a cup of coffee can be placed on the saddle plate without spilling).

mrngbss wrote: What are the differences when using from this facing up position from the default facing sideways saddle plate position?

OK, now I know what clifford60 is talking about.

In the picture from the link in the first post, it is a side facing saddle. In this configuration, it is the easiest to balance the scope so there will be minimal vibration. The CG is more or less over the axes of rotation at all altitudes.

If it is a top facing saddle (like a normal photo tripod), it will be unbalanced once the scope tilts above a certain altitude. The CG is no longer over the axis of rotation, leading to imbalance, vibration and risk of the scope toppling over.

To answer your question, no, the saddle plate cannot face up.

Hope that helps.

Actually, I was thinking to mount my big bino for the time being and may be later get a bigger scope. Since it can't, well think of other idea.