Mewlon 210 in AltAz?

bqb

I'm hoping/planning to purchase an AM5 primarily for visual use with a Mewlon 210. That's a 210mm OTA, but these are long for a 210mm diameter tube at 700mm. And...I strongly prefer to use it in Alt-Az mode since I'm doing visual.

Would this OTA have a rocking or vibration issue in this situation? Measuring the total weight with dovetail, 2" diagonal, and Ethos EP it comes to _11kg. Should I perhaps use a very light counterweight, or would that help?

Lastly, has anyone mounted this to a Losmandy LW tripod? The one that comes with the GM-8. I find this tripod incredibly stable. It has a center bolt hole and there are adapters available since I would use it with an extension. Would attaching the AM5 with the single bolt on this tripod be adequate? I currently use it with a DM-6 Discmount with the tripod at maximum height and a 12" extension and it's solid!

Thanks for any (relevant!) replies!

jeremiah2229

bqb

I use a 180mm Mak on the one here and I am using the Losmandy LW tripod (the one from the AZ8) so this is right at the weight you describe but perhaps a wee bit shorter. There is no rocking or vibration issues, focusing is not hindered at all. A counter weight is not needed but I do use a 4 pound at times because I am a stumble butt and known to bump into stuff and knock it over. I too am visual in alt-az mode. I also use a C9.25 on it the same way with no problems. My only issue so far is not having clear skies to get outside like I want and test the new multi-star alignment in the beta firmware. The single star alignment does not work here.

Hope this helps...

bqb

That's a promising response. Thanks! I ordered a counterweight shaft & small weight just in case. I have used my LW tripod with 12" extension for years, and my Discmount DM-6 Losmandy adapter will be perfect for the AM5.

It may take a while since I have to wait for the backordered counterweight shaft to complete my order, but I'll eventually follow up to this post for posterity. I still welcome other responses if someone has used a Mewlon 210.

jeremiah2229

bqb

I was using just the AZ8 6 inch riser with no problems with the CATs but the refractors needed more to clear the tripod legs for upper altitude. I added another 6 inch riser and all is good with the refractors now and it is still stable. Look forward to hearing how the 210 does. 😉

bqb

How have your GOTOs been with regard to accuracy? Have you used the new beta with multi-star sync or "alignment"?

jeremiah2229

bqb

I posted in the FW 1.2.3 thread of the results I had. When testing then I was using the Evostar 120 and the second riser on the LW tripod and there were times when I tapped the scope that it would "ring", that hasn't happened before. I was on concrete so that could have caused it? By ringing I mean there was a super tight vibration / oscillation. Didn't really pay much attention to that because I am just wanting accurate gotos. Maybe I am expecting too much wanting the gotos to be in a 1 degree field in the eyepiece?