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Looking for Stellarvue SVX102T and AM5N Users

Stellarvue SVX102T ZWO AM5N Refractors Buying Advice
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Jim Waters avatar
Jim Waters avatar
I currently own a SVX90T and thinking about upgrading to the SVX102T.  With the dew shield extended and with the imaging equipment (FF, ZWO CAA, Filter Drawer and ASI2600) its 28.5” long.  The weight of the OTA and the listed imaging equipment is ~13.5 pounds excluding rings and saddle.  It sounds like the SVX102T would add another 8” and 2 pounds.  What’s the imaging length of your SVX102T setup and the approximate weight?  Excluding rings and saddle.

I am currently using an AM5N mount.  Would the SVX102T imaging setup be too much for the AM5N? 

Thx

Jim Waters
Phoenix, AZ
Mike McDowell avatar
Mike McDowell avatar
Hi Jim - I have an SVX102T and have been running it on an AM5N mount without any counterweights. The mount handles the scope without issue. I'm running the whole setup with an ASI Air Plus controller. The scope with the camera on and dew shield extended is about 37 inches long. The weight of my scope, with the rings is 18.2 lbs (about 8.3 kg). Tracking accuracy is outstanding in my experience. This is a recent image of mine with the SVX102T and ASI2600. I think you will really enjoy the scope. This was taken without any filters.  
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Jim Waters avatar
Jim Waters avatar
Thanks for the reply Mike.  Is there a risk of the OTA hitting the ZWO TC40 Carbon Fiber Tripod at zenith?  

Jim
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Mike McDowell avatar
Mike McDowell avatar
I added the pedestal to the tripod to avoid that. I was concerned that that was a possibility when I first got the mount and tripod. The pedestal provides plenty of clearance for the scope. Here is my setup. 
John Sims avatar
John Sims avatar
Hi Jim,
I own a SVX 102T with AM5. It includes ASI2600MC Pro camera, ZWO CAA, Filter Drawer, EAF, rings, Los Mandy Dove Tail plate (~9"?) Stellarvue 50mm guide scope and mounting bracket, ASI Air Plus, Dew Rings, and probably something I have forgotten, I also use a counter weight (~10 lbs) to stabilize the mount and scope.  So, IMO, the SVX works fine in this configuration. I regularly get sub .5" guiding. You should do no worse with AM5N.
John
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Jim Waters avatar
Jim Waters avatar
Nice setup Mike.  Are you in Tucson?

Jim
Jim Waters avatar
Jim Waters avatar
Thanks John.

Jim
Mike McDowell avatar
Mike McDowell avatar
Jim - Yes, I'm in Tucson in the Catalina Foothills. That is where the data for the Triffid was collected.
Cheers, Mike
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John Sims avatar
John Sims avatar
I also use the ZWO 200MM Pier Extension. I have not had any issues with the camera striking the tripod., but guess there might be problems without the extension.
jratino avatar
jratino avatar
Jim, my rig with the 102 is around 37 inches long as well. I haven't weighed it, but estimate it's around 18-19 pounds. I have been meaning to weigh it. I do have a full set of accessories, EFW, EAF, rotator, light panel. I recently added a CW as I read that it may help improve guiding. The AM5 handled the weight with no problem at all. My guiding was around 1.2-1.3 with nice flat graph and pinpoint stars. Last two nights with the CW it was around .7-.8. And it was a bit windy, have only tossed a couple of images due to clouds.

I don't have to tell you about the quality as you have the 90 already. Here is my latest image, M51
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jratino avatar
jratino avatar
Jim Waters avatar
Jim Waters avatar
I have a bad right shoulder rotator cuff so I leave my Losmandy D Plate w/ rings attached to the AM5N saddle.  As I mentioned my SVX90T lifting weight is around 13.5 pounds.  It sounds like the SVX102T with imaging equipment is around 15 - 16 pounds.  Is this correct?

Jim
Mike McDowell avatar
Mike McDowell avatar
Jim - I took my OTA out of the rings to weigh it separately. It came out to 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg). So about the same as you 90.
Cheers, Mike
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Jim Waters avatar
Jim Waters avatar
Many thanks Mike.

CS
Jim
Glenn Baxter avatar
Glenn Baxter avatar
Hi Jim,

My setup:
AM5 mount with TC40 tripod and pier extension
Stellarview SVX102T
ZWO ASI2600 MM Pro
ZWO filter wheel 7x36mm
ZWO OAG L
ZWO ASI174 MM Mini guide camera
Manual rotator
ASIAir Plus
WO Lomandy Dovetail
Stellarview 2.5" risers



Weight is 9.3kg (20.5lb)
Length with dew shield extended, flattener and appropriate focus extended is 950mm (37.4 inches).

I've never had a problem with the optical assembly hitting the tripod using standard meridian flip settings however the EAF has hit the base of the mount a few times depending on the orientation. That's why I've added the risers to the plate and the manual rotator downstream. The rotator also makes it so easy to rotate the camera assembly for framing.

Now with the risers, I've added a 4.5kg counterweight.  I often don't have the tripod legs fully extended as I can protect the unit better from gusts of wind at the cost of overall stability. Prior to that I used to dangle a 5kg dumbell partly off the ground from the centre of the tripod for much improved stability.

Never had a concern with guiding.  Usually around 0.5.  Around 0.8 when I can't see the pole and have to use NINA to align in the opposite direction.

I can carry the whole rig inside and out without disassembly.

You'll be very happy with the setup!

Best wishes

Glenn
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Jim Waters avatar
Jim Waters avatar
Thanks Glenn.

Jim
Glenn Baxter avatar
Glenn Baxter avatar
Sorry…weight is with rings and dovetail plate - 0.5kg or less. Overall still a long way off to have to start worrying about.