Which portable mount do you recommend? [Astrophotography] - Forums

Topic starter

Jul 23, 2024

Hey, thanks for reading this post.

Question: What portable mount would you recommend for my specific setup?

Besides my beloved Unistellar Equinox 2, I also own a Canon 100Da, and a Bresser 90/500.

I bought the setup with the Bresser Exos 2 goto mount, but the mount is terrible and never worked really...
But I also want to give it another try with a different mount. Preferably a mount that is really easy to polar align. It has to be portable and lightweight.

The price should be as low as possible. Alt-Az mounts are ok if they have decent enough tracking power. (for astrophotography)

I really appreciate your help!

Thanks

Engaging

tjm8874

Jul 23, 2024

(1) ZWO AM3 ($1499) + ASIAir ($299)
Portable, lightweight 3.9kg mount head, software polar alignment, Smartphone control.
AM3 can be mounted on 3/8" generic carbon tripod or you can add ZWO TC40 $299.
Cons: Vendor lock-in to ZWO.

(2) Celestron AVX ($999) + SharpCap Pro PC Software ($18/Year)
several hundreds$ cheaper but Total Kit Weight = 47 lbs (21.31 kg)
Software polar alignment, no vendor lock-in.

Helpful

Devon Maddox Brunner

Topic starter

Jul 23, 2024

(1) ZWO AM3 ($1499) + ASIAir ($299)
Portable, lightweight 3.9kg mount head, software polar alignment, Smartphone control.
AM3 can be mounted on 3/8" generic carbon tripod or you can add ZWO TC40 $299.
Cons: Vendor lock-in to ZWO.

(2) Celestron AVX ($999) + SharpCap Pro PC Software ($18/Year)
several hundreds$ cheaper but Total Kit Weight = 47 lbs (21.31 kg)
Software polar alignment, no vendor lock-in.

Thank you very much, appreciate your help.

I've already seen the Celestron AVX and i think it is a pretty powerfull and reliable mount. But is there an even cheaper option around?

Michael Jarvis

Jul 23, 2024

Agree with TJM8874 on Option 1. The AM3+ASIAIR Plus work great and very easy to transport. These are a bit more costly compared to other options, but ease of transport and great guiding make the investment worth it. Check out my Astrobin images for examples using this gear.

tjm8874

Jul 23, 2024

Devon Maddox Brunner:
But is there an even cheaper option around?

Really cheap but you will hate : iExos 100-2 PMC 8, $499
between Bresser and AVX : SkyWatcher Star Adventurer GTi mount kit, $749. 10kg travel weight, up to 5kg capacity.

I believe saving $ for mount is just wasting money. reliable mount is peace of mind.
AVX is the "at least" mount for astrophotography newbie.
AM3 is the perfect grab-and-go mount up to 10kg.
(I have both AVX, AM3 and several other mounts)

Oscar H.

Jul 23, 2024 · Edited: Jul 23, 2024

with my AVX, I regularly get 0.45" - 0.55" total RMS, when there is no wind, (one time I got 0.33", but that was because of a strange imbalance phenomenon), with my Askar 65PHQ, which is 416mm focal length

a word of advice, if you get this mount

NEVER MESS WITH THE GEARS!

they're fine the way Celestron put them

I messed with a DEC gear (shifted it closer to another), thinking I was going to "eliminate backlash", and all that did was make my guiding 10x worse

but I put the gear back in the right place and now I can easily get 10 minute exposures (with an OAG)

Supportive

The East Coast Astronomer (Brian)

Jul 23, 2024

Skywatcher GTi is pretty good. I use it with a Redcat 71 and 2600mm and filter wheel .. while above the weight limit - it handles it fine (though you'll need extra weight).

dayglow

Jul 23, 2024

On the used market, CEM25P and CEM26 from iOptron should handle your needs pretty well. I've been using CEM25 (non-P) for years with a similar load.
The mount is light and compact. The carrying case holds mount, counterweight and cables so not many loads to carry when setting up.

Well written Concise

Sean Mc

Jul 24, 2024

Save for an am3. You’ll thank us later.

AstroRBA

Jul 24, 2024

Devon Maddox Brunner:
Hey, thanks for reading this post.

Question: What portable mount would you recommend for my specific setup?

Besides my beloved Unistellar Equinox 2, I also own a Canon 100Da, and a Bresser 90/500.

I bought the setup with the Bresser Exos 2 goto mount, but the mount is terrible and never worked really...
But I also want to give it another try with a different mount. Preferably a mount that is really easy to polar align. It has to be portable and lightweight.

The price should be as low as possible. Alt-Az mounts are ok if they have decent enough tracking power. (for astrophotography)

I really appreciate your help!

Thanks

Hi Devon - I'm on the side of the SW GTi; I can take it anywhere; even in my carry on baggage - AND it must be good because wherever I take it it's always cloudy ...

Pete

Armin Lukas

Jul 24, 2024

Star Adventurer GTI

Nick Grundy

Jul 24, 2024

an AM3 (if you are controlling with the asiair) or the iOptron HEM15 w/ipolar. (I use a laptop with windows, so the HEM15 wins out for me)

the RST-135 is likely past your budget range, and no one seems to know much about the new SkyWatcher 100i.

There's also the UMI 17 lite? (dunno much about that but the specs look intriguing)

Beat Wirthmueller

Jul 24, 2024

Armin Lukas:
Star Adventurer GTI

I started with the basic Star Adventurer and later purchased the Gti-Version. First the gti worked fine with my WO Redcat 51 and a Canon Ra but then I had some issues with a backslash problem and I had to tighten some hidden screws inside the mount . Now it works but it took me some time to solve the problem and it is always embarrassing to loose time under a clear night sky. The next point is the limited payload of 5 kg so if you go for a bigger telescope you will have to buy a new mount.

Actually I'm using the ZWO AM5 and it such a difference to get the mount running, do the polar alignment and find your target using the ZWO App on your phone or tablet. I think the same goes for the AM3 just with a smaller payload. On the other hand: a bigger mount needs more energy and you will have to go for an external battery compared to the Star Adventurer Gti which runs with 8AA Batteries.

It is not the easiest hobby to start with but it is definitely worth the effort!

Helpful Engaging Supportive

Armin Lukas

Jul 24, 2024

Beat Wirthmueller:
Armin Lukas:
Star Adventurer GTI

I started with the basic Star Adventurer and later purchased the Gti-Version. First the gti worked fine with my WO Redcat 51 and a Canon Ra but then I had some issues with a backslash problem and I had to tighten some hidden screws inside the mount . Now it works but it took me some time to solve the problem and it is always embarrassing to loose time under a clear night sky. The next point is the limited payload of 5 kg so if you go for a bigger telescope you will have to buy a new mount.

Actually I'm using the ZWO AM5 and it such a difference to get the mount running, do the polar alignment and find your target using the ZWO App on your phone or tablet. I think the same goes for the AM3 just with a smaller payload. On the other hand: a bigger mount needs more energy and you will have to go for an external battery compared to the Star Adventurer Gti which runs with 8AA Batteries.

It is not the easiest hobby to start with but it is definitely worth the effort!

Regarding price the GTI is not bad. I own one and guiding works very well. Yes, backlash should be checked. But that is not that difficuilt. But if you want to use bigger scopes the GTI is not a good idea, 3-4kg should be max.
But yeah, when it comes to quality AM3/AM5 ist the way to go!

@Devon Maddox Brunner consider saving some money and buy a AM3/AM5 or a similar harmonic mount.

Arpad R

Jul 24, 2024

Skywatcher has an electronic polar alignment feature in their app which is very useful.
If you want a cheap mount, the eq5 class is quite good. It can easily carry a 6 inch newt and maybe even an 8 inch after careful tuning so there is a decent upgrade path.
The downside is that you will need to use counterweights so overall it will be heavier than a harmonic drive mount but it is much cheaper.
If you don't get a mount with WiFi built in, I highly recommend you get a WiFi module as that makes polar alignment so much simpler.
Along with the tripod it is slightly on the larger side, I don't know if you can take it on a plane… probably. It's about the size of the avx but in my experience it's a bit cheaper and performs better.

Helpful

AstroGinger

Jul 24, 2024 · Edited: Jul 24, 2024

Nick Grundy:
the iOptron HEM15 w/ipolar

I agree with Nick for the HEM15 an hybrid strain wave mount, lighter than AM3, 2.7kg with IPolar.
You can add a fiber carbon tripod, like the Innorel RT90C.
And with your configuration, you even don't need PHD2 for guiding but NINA for plate solving as the precision of the GOTO is not the best I've experienced...

However, HEM 15 is not the most accurate mount but as on the go with a focal below 5, it will do the job.

Helpful

Brian Diaz

Jul 24, 2024

hi

the zwo am3 or am5 with asi air pro plus just need 5 mins to start imaging , easy, compact , with a simple and practical setup

CONS: zwo ecosystem , rotator and dome control not yet available

CS.Brian

Devon Maddox Brunner

Topic starter

Jul 24, 2024 · Edited: Jul 24, 2024

Thank you Guys so much for all the answers.

I think I will save the money for an AM3, that was very helpful!

Michele Rainville

Jul 24, 2024

I love my ioptron cem26 and gem28 fairly light but if I’m really feeling lazy the sky watcher adventurer gti fits the bill. Small light (11 lb capacity) guides well, though no good in wind. I do lose one or two subs a session probably due to vibration…

Helpful Concise

Oscar H.

Jul 24, 2024

Devon Maddox Brunner:
Thank you Guys so much for all the answers.

I think I will save the money for an AM3, that was very helpful!

good choice!

AM5/AM3 are very good portable mounts

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