Thank you. It was quite cloudy for days at a time but I was very grateful for a mild winter with only a few snow storms with less shoveling and plowing involved. I hope it clears up for you soon.
I adore my Stellarvue, have it mounted to an Oberwerk tripod. I also have a similar mount for smaller scopes (Dwarfstar from the now sadly defunt Universal Astronomics) which is great for solar/birding/grab and go, or if I'm feeling particularly lazy - on a camera tripod its just a few pounds.
Another good video Tsula. I personally find that for me the biggest advantage to using an EQ mount is that most them can carry much more weight for a lost less money. That being said, my experience is limited to about 2 years and 4 telescopes, most of which have been mounted on eq mounts and one them I have to use on a goto mount simply because I don't have a manual mount large enough for it. I did just secure an 8" dob though and am very excited for that particular alt-az style telescope lol that will be my largest telescope so far.
Thank you. I have some alt az mounts that can hold quite a bit but I often feel like they are going to topple over when I put a big telescope on them. So far nothing bad has happened. Congratulations on the 8" Dob. You'll be able to see so much more if that's your biggest scope so far.
Nice review. It would perhaps have been good to have had an intro that explains why anyone might consider a manual mount at all? I use the Skywatcher AZ5. It’s excellent.
Thank you. That is a good point. I should have included that information and in retrospect I wonder if I should have explained a little more basic information. Next time. Oh, and I looked at that AZ5 so many times but have never tried it out and that's why I didn't mention it.
Hi Tsula. Thanks for your channel. i really enjoy it and look forward to each episode. I’ll second your recommendation on the SV MC-2 with either the Denali wood or stainless steel tripod. I have owned the latter for several years, and both are great mounts. I mount my SV-80S, SVR-102T and SVX-90T refractors on these mounts. They just get out of the way and let you observe with a minimum of fuss and bother. I’ve known Vic Maris for some 20+ years - SV produces great equipement and takes care of thier customer. n addition to encoder based digital settings circles, i recently purchased a PiFinder Raspberry-Pi based camera /computer device that uses plate solving for positioning the scope on DSOs. It is compact and mounts directly on the scope - so no external wires and mount disassembly is required. Good stuff. Another alt-az mount combination are the DM-4 and DM-6 mounts by Discmounts. Also rock steady. The 4 and 6 refer to the size of bearing diameter in inches. Rebalancing on this mount is not generally required. - even when switching between 1.25” and 2” eyepieces. I’ve used both mounts individually for many years. One addtional thing to note is the benefit of a handle sold by SV and Discmounts. It allows for very smooth tube movement operation and avoids having to grab the scope itself. Anyway - Clear skies! - Jim M
Thanks! I have enjoyed using the M2C mount especially when the weather is partly cloudy and might turn bad. I can just put it on the deck easily and view until it gets too cloudy and then just put it back inside with no setting up and tearing down involved. I have never heard of that PiFinder but it sounds like a nice thing to have. I forgot to mention the handle that Stellarvue sells to move the M2C mount around. Thanks again and clear skies to you too.
Hi Tsula!! I missed a few of your videos, but thought I'd start with this one to catch up. Great review of some of the better-quality mounts for visual obs! I had (but sold) an Celestron Omni CG-4 mount (manual equatorial) that was pretty good and sturdy, but using a manual equatorial mount for visual is a bit of a pain, actually. I'll opt for an alt-az mount next time. Love the Stellarvue mount. Looks great. If Stellarvue made faster scopes, I'd definitely buy one for astrophotography, but I've only seen scopes that are about f/7. Their quality all-around is fantastic, though. And they give veterans a discount! I'll have to look into the M002C mount head or mount package. Thanks for the great review!!
Hi Greg. Thanks! Good to hear from you. I have to agree with you on the equatorial mounts. It's just so much more convenient to grab something that doesn't have counterweights to fool around with. I thought f/7 was pretty good but I guess if you have been using something in the 3-4 range your exposure time increases quite a bit. Is that the issue?
@@tsulasbigadventures Yes, exactly Tsula. My large refractor is natively f/7 but I can halve my exposure by using a reducer and it makes quite a difference in terms of time, especially here in VT where clear-sky time is at a premium. So, I already have a moderate focal-length f/7 scope, otherwise I'd probably opt for a Stellarvue since the quality is really exceptional. Using my EdgeHD (f/10) for galaxy season...fuggetaboutit! The reach is nice but the required exposure times are a bit of a drag, to be honest. Anyway, I was thrilled to see Stellarvue makes a quality mount for visual work! Are you traveling to see the eclipse?
@@gregerianne3880 Hi Greg. OK. That's what I thought. I just returned from another adventure due to a little addiction I developed around aurorae, and have many photos to process and then, yes, I am going to Texas with my sisters to see the eclipse. I hope it works out. My sisters both live in NC and saw the eclipse in 2017 but they said it was cloudy. So, we are all hoping for clear weather. Fingers crossed. Are you going to try to see it?
@@tsulasbigadventures That's great, Tsula! Fingers crossed for you...hoping you have clear skies. We're going to have a family thing since we're right in the path of totality here in VT, so I'm bringing some of my equipment and we're going to watch it with everyone. Of course, the clouds around the VT mountains might have something to say about it...
Great review! I didn't know there was so much to tripods, and I didn't know about encoders for DSCs. This is some serious gear. A solar eclipse at totality must be amazing through your friend's telescope, especially during a solar maximum. I hope she won't be yelling at clouds! I'm already disappointed, having just learned that totality's path will be a considerable distance from New York City. I shouldn't have trusted the newspaper article which, several months ago, said the "eclipse" will be visible over the entire Northeast - or perhaps I read too much into what I was reading, thanks to wishful thinking. 🌕🌒🌑🌘🌕
I think a 90 mm refractor is a good size to look at the solar eclipse-- not too big but big enough so you can get a good look at the corona if it's not cloudy. Ah yes, there will be partial eclipse over most of North America but the total eclipse only through a narrow path.
@@tsulasbigadventures If I remember correctly, the newspaper said: "There will be a total solar eclipse visible over much of the Northeast, including New York City." That's only technically correct, of course, and may be the fault of an author only partially versed in astronomy. (But there's always Utica!) PS: I'll bet the few minutes of totality will be one time when amateur astronomers aren't eager to share what they're seeing... 🙂
@@waltergold3457 Well prominences are very cool. I have seen some with a Daystar Quark eyepiece but I have never seen the corona since I've never seen a total solar eclipse. So, that's what I would like to see.
@@waltergold3457 Well, that sounds about right. They assign these stories to reporters who don't really know that much about astronomy. I have heard some really bizarre things said by reporters.
I have the M2C with the extension pier on the metal tripod. It is a great mount. I installed the encoders and use it with my iPad and Sky Safari to locate and identify targets. I use it with my 6” reflector, 127mm apo, and my 80mm refractor. It works great! I also have the same Orion tripod as you. I have a Tele Vue Tele Pod on it. I use this with my 80mm refractor as my grab and go scope. I am thinking about adding the same brand encoders to the Tele Pod head so I can find objects easier with it too! Thanks for keeping the videos coming. Well done! Have you thought about doing a EAA video? That would be interesting. I am just getting into it with my 127mm apo on a Celestron CGEMII mount using the ASIAIR PLUS and my iPad. What a great system. I can detect 17 mag galaxies with the 127mm and this system.
Good to know about the encoder working with your ipad and Sky Safari. I have no experience with it. My Orion Dobsonian is an Intelliscope and has encoders on it that it came with but I never use them because if I don't level the telescope precisely it won't locate the object and after a while I found that I could find objects way faster by myself without trying to get that thing leveled on an uneven driveway. That's incredible you can detect 17 mag galaxies with such a small system. I don't have any experience with EAA and don't own any such equipment. If some company wants to mail me a free one I would be more than happy to review it and try it out though!
I have the EQ-26 and it is a good mount. It is no Skyview pro though and I would not say it can handle 26 lbs as they say it can but its a good mount all around.
@@tsulasbigadventures Probably true with the exception of the Skyview Pro. I think it can take close to 30 lbs for visual. I love that mount. Sorry they don't make it anymore.
iam soo sick of goto eq mounts. Not only the alignment takes too long it loses money and once it get older its starts to have issues with the electronics. Like you since i have been in hobby long time (31 yrs) i can star hop faster then the goto can take me there plus the alignment process. I have two EQ6 that are NOT goto's but have the dual drives built inside. & a Eq5 manual mount with upgraded 2' steel legs. and a Svbony 225 AZ mount for quick grab and go lastly whaqt ever mount i get i NEED slow motion controls i find most az mount dont have them
Joe, I find the M2C mount does not need slow motion controls. if you balance the OTA, You can lightly tighten the Alt and Az knobs and it moves buttery smooth with just a touch on the eyepiece. It does take a bit of getting used to not placing your eye in contact with the eyepiece. With over 50 years of observing I find this to be my favorite alt Az mount. The encoders work wonderfully along with my iPad. I can setup and be observing in about 5 minutes. Just setup the tripod, attach and balance the OTA, point the scope North, with the OTA level with the horizon. Turn on the encoders, turn on your iPad and launch Sky Safari, click on the connect icon. Point the scope to a known Star and select the Star in Sky Safari and click on align and you are ready for a night of observing with push to accuracy.
@@curronhill2744 thanks for that info. i think where i like slow motion controls is when iam viewing the planets in high power from 200x to 400x depending on which scope iam using of course. I guess when doing low powers slow motion controls are not really needed then at least for me. BTW are you greek? i ask cause my kids are half Greek half Portuguese and your name looks greek to me.
Very informative; hope you are keeoing warm in the snow. Here in the UK not a clear night for 6 weeks! I hope you are fairing better
Thank you. It was quite cloudy for days at a time but I was very grateful for a mild winter with only a few snow storms with less shoveling and plowing involved. I hope it clears up for you soon.
Vic makes some excellent refractors!
Indeed!
I adore my Stellarvue, have it mounted to an Oberwerk tripod. I also have a similar mount for smaller scopes (Dwarfstar from the now sadly defunt Universal Astronomics) which is great for solar/birding/grab and go, or if I'm feeling particularly lazy - on a camera tripod its just a few pounds.
Another good video Tsula. I personally find that for me the biggest advantage to using an EQ mount is that most them can carry much more weight for a lost less money. That being said, my experience is limited to about 2 years and 4 telescopes, most of which have been mounted on eq mounts and one them I have to use on a goto mount simply because I don't have a manual mount large enough for it. I did just secure an 8" dob though and am very excited for that particular alt-az style telescope lol that will be my largest telescope so far.
Thank you. I have some alt az mounts that can hold quite a bit but I often feel like they are going to topple over when I put a big telescope on them. So far nothing bad has happened. Congratulations on the 8" Dob. You'll be able to see so much more if that's your biggest scope so far.
Nice review. It would perhaps have been good to have had an intro that explains why anyone might consider a manual mount at all? I use the Skywatcher AZ5. It’s excellent.
Thank you. That is a good point. I should have included that information and in retrospect I wonder if I should have explained a little more basic information. Next time. Oh, and I looked at that AZ5 so many times but have never tried it out and that's why I didn't mention it.
Hi Tsula. Thanks for your channel. i really enjoy it and look forward to each episode. I’ll second your recommendation on the SV MC-2 with either the Denali wood or stainless steel tripod. I have owned the latter for several years, and both are great mounts. I mount my SV-80S, SVR-102T and SVX-90T refractors on these mounts. They just get out of the way and let you observe with a minimum of fuss and bother. I’ve known Vic Maris for some 20+ years - SV produces great equipement and takes care of thier customer. n addition to encoder based digital settings circles, i recently purchased a PiFinder Raspberry-Pi based camera /computer device that uses plate solving for positioning the scope on DSOs. It is compact and mounts directly on the scope - so no external wires and mount disassembly is required. Good stuff. Another alt-az mount combination are the DM-4 and DM-6 mounts by Discmounts. Also rock steady. The 4 and 6 refer to the size of bearing diameter in inches. Rebalancing on this mount is not generally required. - even when switching between 1.25” and 2” eyepieces. I’ve used both mounts individually for many years. One addtional thing to note is the benefit of a handle sold by SV and Discmounts. It allows for very smooth tube movement operation and avoids having to grab the scope itself. Anyway - Clear skies! - Jim M
Thanks! I have enjoyed using the M2C mount especially when the weather is partly cloudy and might turn bad. I can just put it on the deck easily and view until it gets too cloudy and then just put it back inside with no setting up and tearing down involved. I have never heard of that PiFinder but it sounds like a nice thing to have. I forgot to mention the handle that Stellarvue sells to move the M2C mount around. Thanks again and clear skies to you too.
Hi Tsula! I have a explore scientific twilight 1 altaz mount and its been a joy too use ! Clear skys!
That looks like a nice option. I like that it comes with slow motion controls.
Hi Tsula!! I missed a few of your videos, but thought I'd start with this one to catch up. Great review of some of the better-quality mounts for visual obs! I had (but sold) an Celestron Omni CG-4 mount (manual equatorial) that was pretty good and sturdy, but using a manual equatorial mount for visual is a bit of a pain, actually. I'll opt for an alt-az mount next time. Love the Stellarvue mount. Looks great. If Stellarvue made faster scopes, I'd definitely buy one for astrophotography, but I've only seen scopes that are about f/7. Their quality all-around is fantastic, though. And they give veterans a discount! I'll have to look into the M002C mount head or mount package. Thanks for the great review!!
Hi Greg. Thanks! Good to hear from you. I have to agree with you on the equatorial mounts. It's just so much more convenient to grab something that doesn't have counterweights to fool around with. I thought f/7 was pretty good but I guess if you have been using something in the 3-4 range your exposure time increases quite a bit. Is that the issue?
@@tsulasbigadventures Yes, exactly Tsula. My large refractor is natively f/7 but I can halve my exposure by using a reducer and it makes quite a difference in terms of time, especially here in VT where clear-sky time is at a premium. So, I already have a moderate focal-length f/7 scope, otherwise I'd probably opt for a Stellarvue since the quality is really exceptional. Using my EdgeHD (f/10) for galaxy season...fuggetaboutit! The reach is nice but the required exposure times are a bit of a drag, to be honest. Anyway, I was thrilled to see Stellarvue makes a quality mount for visual work! Are you traveling to see the eclipse?
@@gregerianne3880 Hi Greg. OK. That's what I thought. I just returned from another adventure due to a little addiction I developed around aurorae, and have many photos to process and then, yes, I am going to Texas with my sisters to see the eclipse. I hope it works out. My sisters both live in NC and saw the eclipse in 2017 but they said it was cloudy. So, we are all hoping for clear weather. Fingers crossed. Are you going to try to see it?
@@tsulasbigadventures That's great, Tsula! Fingers crossed for you...hoping you have clear skies. We're going to have a family thing since we're right in the path of totality here in VT, so I'm bringing some of my equipment and we're going to watch it with everyone. Of course, the clouds around the VT mountains might have something to say about it...
@@gregerianne3880 Sorry. I didn't realize you were in the path and don't have to go anywhere. I hope it is clear for you and me!
Great review! I didn't know there was so much to tripods, and I didn't know about encoders for DSCs. This is some serious gear.
A solar eclipse at totality must be amazing through your friend's telescope, especially during a solar maximum. I hope she won't be yelling at clouds! I'm already disappointed, having just learned that totality's path will be a considerable distance from New York City. I shouldn't have trusted the newspaper article which, several months ago, said the "eclipse" will be visible over the entire Northeast - or perhaps I read too much into what I was reading, thanks to wishful thinking.
🌕🌒🌑🌘🌕
I think a 90 mm refractor is a good size to look at the solar eclipse-- not too big but big enough so you can get a good look at the corona if it's not cloudy. Ah yes, there will be partial eclipse over most of North America but the total eclipse only through a narrow path.
@@tsulasbigadventures If I remember correctly, the newspaper said: "There will be a total solar eclipse visible over much of the Northeast, including New York City." That's only technically correct, of course, and may be the fault of an author only partially versed in astronomy. (But there's always Utica!) PS: I'll bet the few minutes of totality will be one time when amateur astronomers aren't eager to share what they're seeing... 🙂
@@tsulasbigadventures Actually, I was thinking of using a large telescope to catch a glimpse of a prominence, not the corona. 🙂
@@waltergold3457 Well prominences are very cool. I have seen some with a Daystar Quark eyepiece but I have never seen the corona since I've never seen a total solar eclipse. So, that's what I would like to see.
@@waltergold3457 Well, that sounds about right. They assign these stories to reporters who don't really know that much about astronomy. I have heard some really bizarre things said by reporters.
This was really valuable. Thank you.
Thanks!
I have the M2C with the extension pier on the metal tripod. It is a great mount. I installed the encoders and use it with my iPad and Sky Safari to locate and identify targets. I use it with my 6” reflector, 127mm apo, and my 80mm refractor. It works great! I also have the same Orion tripod as you. I have a Tele Vue Tele Pod on it. I use this with my 80mm refractor as my grab and go scope. I am thinking about adding the same brand encoders to the Tele Pod head so I can find objects easier with it too! Thanks for keeping the videos coming. Well done! Have you thought about doing a EAA video? That would be interesting. I am just getting into it with my 127mm apo on a Celestron CGEMII mount using the ASIAIR PLUS and my iPad. What a great system. I can detect 17 mag galaxies with the 127mm and this system.
Good to know about the encoder working with your ipad and Sky Safari. I have no experience with it. My Orion Dobsonian is an Intelliscope and has encoders on it that it came with but I never use them because if I don't level the telescope precisely it won't locate the object and after a while I found that I could find objects way faster by myself without trying to get that thing leveled on an uneven driveway. That's incredible you can detect 17 mag galaxies with such a small system. I don't have any experience with EAA and don't own any such equipment. If some company wants to mail me a free one I would be more than happy to review it and try it out though!
Pretty cool mounts 😎 🔭
Thanks.
I have the EQ-26 and it is a good mount. It is no Skyview pro though and I would not say it can handle 26 lbs as they say it can but its a good mount all around.
I think most telescope mount manufacturers overstate the payload capacity.
@@tsulasbigadventures Probably true with the exception of the Skyview Pro. I think it can take close to 30 lbs for visual. I love that mount. Sorry they don't make it anymore.
@@lornaz1975 They have a way of dropping their hottest products like that Orion Star Seeker IV.
@@tsulasbigadventures Right and so much of their stuff just got cheaper made!
iam soo sick of goto eq mounts. Not only the alignment takes too long it loses money and once it get older its starts to have issues with the electronics. Like you since i have been in hobby long time (31 yrs) i can star hop faster then the goto can take me there plus the alignment process.
I have two EQ6 that are NOT goto's but have the dual drives built inside. & a Eq5 manual mount with upgraded 2' steel legs. and a Svbony 225 AZ mount for quick grab and go
lastly whaqt ever mount i get i NEED slow motion controls i find most az mount dont have them
Joe, I find the M2C mount does not need slow motion controls. if you balance the OTA, You can lightly tighten the Alt and Az knobs and it moves buttery smooth with just a touch on the eyepiece. It does take a bit of getting used to not placing your eye in contact with the eyepiece. With over 50 years of observing I find this to be my favorite alt Az mount. The encoders work wonderfully along with my iPad. I can setup and be observing in about 5 minutes. Just setup the tripod, attach and balance the OTA, point the scope North, with the OTA level with the horizon. Turn on the encoders, turn on your iPad and launch Sky Safari, click on the connect icon. Point the scope to a known Star and select the Star in Sky Safari and click on align and you are ready for a night of observing with push to accuracy.
@@curronhill2744 thanks for that info. i think where i like slow motion controls is when iam viewing the planets in high power from 200x to 400x depending on which scope iam using of course.
I guess when doing low powers slow motion controls are not really needed then at least for me.
BTW are you greek? i ask cause my kids are half Greek half Portuguese and your name looks greek to me.
No the name is from the Scottish side of the family. 😂
@@curronhill2744 ok kool
I agree and so many goto EQ mounts are terribly inaccurate which defeats the whole purpose of paying extra for one.
Thank you.