Orion AstroView Equatorial Mount

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Orion AstroView Equatorial Mount
This is my first mount, so althought I really haven't had any (major) problems with it and it has done it's job, I can't give it a perfect score.

Weight-wise, its easy to carry. What I don't like is that in order to collapse the legs for storage or transportation, you have to remove three screws from the tray.

Having a built-in polar alignment scope is nice, especially when comparing it to the AstroView Pro model which doesn't come with one. Aligning the polar scope can be a pain. Not sure why they didn't just mount it permanently into the EQ base in the first place.

Although the legs of the mount are aluminum, they are pretty steady. Unfortunately, the further you pull the extensions out, the more unstable it seems to get. One time while extending the legs, one of the extensions slid completely out on the ground, so there doesn't seem to be any stop mechanism from preventing that.

The EQ mount is nice and fluid. The RA and Dec knobs may need to be regreased as there are times were a little turn will provide the results you need, while other times it seems like you can give it a good twist before anything happens.

I have a 6" 750mm newt tube attached and it does its job. I have gotten some nice short exposure astro pics with heavy equipment so it can handle additional weight, but problably not too much more. However, I've had the scope up to some very high magnifications with heavy eyepieces and on breezy nights it seems to cause vibration issues.

Overall, I'm happy with it, but with any piece of equipment, there is always the yearning to upgrade.

Overall Rating: 7
Performance:7 Ease of Use:7 Value:7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=431113

Orion AstroView Equatorial Mount
very good mount. i have a short tube refractor on it so it works well. the only bad part are the setting circles. th RA setting circle is too loose.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=439877

Orion AstroView Equatorial Mount
Yes, it is an inexpensive mount, but for those on a budget, it does quite well.I have my SPC-102 & 70mm guidescope on the equivalent mount that comes standard with Orion's F5 rich field refractor........{I have referred to this as an "EQ-#3" in a review of my SPC-102}I like being able to put the ST in, and also use the same rings cradle for my F9.The tripod in my opinion is worthless____I replaced with quality wooden legs.This is the only reason I have rated it thusly.

Overall Rating: 8
Performance:8 Ease of Use:7 Value:9
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=480412

Orion AstroView Equatorial Mount
Legs are the weakest link. I suspect with good legs this thing will be even better.

Update: I have tried a Synta 6" F8 Newtonian on it and it is adequate. Vibrations damper out in around 2 seconds. I've used this set up for digi-cam imaging Saturn with success.

Overall Rating: 7
Performance:6 Ease of Use:7 Value:9
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=541416

Orion AstroView Equatorial Mount
This mount is relatively inexpensive, easy to adjust, and stable if used with telescopes 10 lbs. or less. At the time of this writing drive motors are optional, but I recommend the RA axis clock drive motor to maintain objects in the center of the field for more relaxed viewing. My 6" f/8 (48") Newtonian at 10.5 lbs., not including finder scopes and rings, stretches it to its limits but works. It is much more suited to my 5.1" f/5 (25") Newtonian at just over 6 lbs., where it feels absolutely unstrained and rock steady. It is definitely better than the EQ1 or EQ2 mounts that are supplied with many entry level telescopes and is recommended over either of these. Considering the price it is a good first mount to consider for a beginner or upgrade for an intermediate user who may have started with a lesser mount.

Overall Rating: 7
Performance:7 Ease of Use:7 Value:9
Weight: 20 (Notable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=578558

Orion AstroView Equatorial Mount
This mount is a great value. I bought it for a 4" refractor for public viewings. I was looking for a mount that was inexpensive and not easily damaged. I got that and more.
With the 4" it is amazingly stable. I suspect this was modeled off the original Vixen Polaris. I own one and they sure look similar.

Overall Rating: 8
Performance:7 Ease of Use:8 Value:10
Weight: 36 (Notable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=580176

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