Orion Astroview: Can it be modified for 0deg Lat?

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 2:10 pm

I have first dibs on a telescope package which includes an Orion Astroview (an EQ-3 class, I think). All manual.
Unfortunately the latitude range is 18-63 deg so clearly in its present state it can't be used for Singapore.
Does anyone know if this can be modded so the latitude is usable locally? I'm thinking of evaluating it for a grab and go mount although if anyone is interested I'd sell it for around SD300 (final price pending shipping costs)

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 2:59 pm

so ex lah! :-D

it looks like a CG-4 clone. those things can go down to zero (more or less).

so do you have any obs plans for the long weekend?

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 3:13 pm

Ya. $300 is kinda ex but that's accounting for $100 USD shipping. I figure the base cost is $$125-$150 USD which is the going rate for used in the US.
I'm actually thinking of selling it on CN/A-Mart.
Having said that, I'm getting the scope attached to it for fairly cheap so I think its still a reasonable deal. Its an older-generation 102mm f6.9 achromat, for grab and go.

Post by **weixing** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 7:08 pm

Hi,
You should look at the Sky-Watcher version (EQ3-2 mount) which can reach 0 lat because the counter-weight bar is between the 2 tripod legs... best if use with the smaller diameter counter-weight, such as vixen counter-weight.

Anyway, I think there are quite a number of people have this mount in Singapore as it's come with the popular Sky-Watcher 127 MCT + mount package.

Have a nice day.

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 7:20 pm

Weixing --> Not thinking of buying it on its own but because of the scope that's attached to it

If not actually have no need for an EQ-3 class mount: My SXD is not much heavier (not inc CW) and has better performance, by far

I've put it up on CN/A-Mart so hopefully there's some takers