The Perfect Setup: Grab and Go (inc AZ4 Review)
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- Опубліковано 21 жов 2024
- A grab and go setup to visit local dark sky site
William Optics Megrez 90
Skywatcher AZ4
APM 20mm eyepiece
TecnoSky linear binoviewer with 13mm Naglers
Intestellarum atlas
Sketching kit
Lovely set up! Fantastic optics, pin point stars, light weight, easy to set up and carry to/from car.
Easily caught the glow of the Rosette Nebula away from the streetlights.
My friend Peter brought a Altair Astro 152mm Starwave refractor on a Celestron AVX equatorial mount.
Very enjoyable and informative I am getting back into this beautiful and peaceful hobby/interest, to be honest taken aback by just how the subject has advanced, equipment wise. So lots to learn exciting times. Thank you.
Cheers John - and yes there is something about being under the stars that recharges the batteries (even at 0300!).
Just slide your telescope further forward when using heavy binoviewers etc. This works great for me and I don’t need to over tighten the altitude tension screw.
The minimalism is the key for success in nomad astronomy. I plan a long van trip to the north with the better astronomical set-up I can. You inspire me with this great video ... as usual !
Michel
Merci Michel and wishing you a safe trip. I look forward to your sketches on CN - always wonderful to see.
I use the AZ4 with a Televue 85 and the same happens, at high altitude angle the balance point changes and more tension must be applied to the Altitude axis. I have used this mount with an Orion EON 120mm F7.5 and it didn't exhibit this problem, likely as the scope was longer and it mass spread out and better balanced. As a note, I also use a Televue Telepod head with the TV85 and exactly the same issue occurs, especially with heavier eyepieces. Focuser end of scope, with heavy 2" diagonal and heavy eyepiece, skews the balance. It is still much easier to move about than my Losmandy GM8 equatorial.
Thanks, Stephen and interesting to note your 120mm scope didn't exhibit this out of balance effect. And yes, a small altaz is soooo much easier than an equatorial mount, isn't it?
Your note says ‘Needs UHC filter’ do you think so? lovely drawing btw, how did the linear bins do on this, must be very relaxing I keep adding and taking them out of my cart on FLO website. I understand on planets they are no really suitable but I assume on clusters etc they would be ok.
I really enjoy the linear bins for deep sky observing. Not only are the views pretty good but you don’t need to faff with optical correctors (that push up the magnification).
They don’t do so well, however, on moon and planets. I find I get lots of internal reflections - much worse in the C11 than the Megrez 90.
Very enjoyable video Mark. Interesting insight into your grab and go kit. You’ve given me some excellent ideas. That 90mm WO on the AZ4 looks like a great combination. I have a 102ED which is also a good size for grab and go, but my mounts are either to big for G&G (Skytee) or too small for the scope (mini giro) so the AZ4 looks perfect. 👍 Enjoyed the observing session - great sketch. Regarding your balance problem, could you use an L bracket? That way you lower the centre of gravity of the scope and reduce the issue?
Thanks Rob, and yes the AZ4 seems to work just right. Thanks for the advice re the L bracket, I am not sure that would work as lowering the scope will clash with the mount and tripod. I think it is just one of those thing when using heavy eyepieces. Enjoy the 102ED - I bet it has lovely optics.
Nice video. I use my Megrez 90mm mainly for imaging but I agree its perfect for grab n go.
Totally agree - fantastic bit of kit.
Another super video Mark! Very useful to see your kit and how it is organized - I am always forgetting something when I go out - and it is often a battery!
The Megrez looks like a nice size scope of very decent quality - I have the 70mm version and like it a lot, so an extra 30mm aperture would be extremely nice. Did you get a chance to have a look through the 152mm Achro - what did you think of it? Again it looks like a telescope that would appeal to me despite the alleged CA in these short focal length achros. I have the AZ5 alt-az mount and it has exactly the same issue with balance with the ST120 I use, bit of a pain, but still a nice easy mount to use so I can live with it, and a lot more portable than the SkyTee2 that I used before. Keep up the good work with these videos, I get a lot of vicarious astronomical enjoyment from them!
Hi Barry - lovely to hear from you. My apols for being so rubbish at staying in touch. I am looking forward to another tea and cake when diaries align. Yes, the Megrez is a lovely scope, so easy to use and stunning views. I can understand why you enjoy yours!
The 152 Altair Astro is lovely too, you only see the CA on brighter objects and to be honest, after a few seconds I found my brain disregarded it.
So glad you are enjoying the videos. Kelling reports to follow next month!
I have the AZ4, love it but is it me or are the setting circles wrong for the northern hemisphere?
Thanks, I’ll have to have a look - I don’t think I’ve used setting circles as I normally just star hop. And it’s an altaz so not sure how setting circles would work!!
great Review, I have a Similar mount But Used Synscan V5 and its From Orion telescopes! My next Step is To get a medium sized APO Refractor!!
Ooh very nice, what have you got your eye on?
What is the mount like for vibration with the 90 mm telescope attached?
Hi Peter it seems pretty stable although I am not really pushing the magnification (yet!). Certainly nothing to make me worry anyway. Stay safe and speak soon!
Can you send link for your diagonal?
It’s just a Sky-Watcher 2 inch 90 diagonal, you can get them from all the usual places.
@@RefreshingViews Thank you :)