Turn Your EQ Mount Into a Alt-Az
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ส.ค. 2024
- Regret buying a telescope with a EQ mount? Don't worry because in this video I show you how to turn your EQ mount into a more user friendly Alt-Az mount and you will not believe just how easy it is to do.
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Appreciate your simple and clear explanations delivered in an informal and cheery manner! Will be watching more of your helpful videos. Keep up the good work!
My first scope was a cheap orion on an EQ mount. i watched your "how to use an EQ mount" video and it really is easy to use an EQ. if you put in effort and learn how to use it they are great and tracking is so much easier.
you my friend are a star. wish i had known about this a while back. better late than never. 👍
Your more than welcome friend.
Always great to see a new video! 👍 Your demeanor is always happy and relaxing to me. Thank you
Thank you for watching my friend and your more than welcome.
Great tip! Has already made my viewing life so much more pleasant and less prone to being whacked by errant counter weights! Thank you Sir!
Thank you and you are more than welcome my friend.
Fantastic video! I've long advocated using these EQ mounts in AZ mode, but I've never seen a youtube video demonstrating it. When I started out I had an EQ2 like yours, and I found it very frustrating and counter intuitive, especially when looking toward the pole. I never knew about his trick back then, but when I got a dob I became sold on AZ mounts for visual observing. Great tip about the wooden block! I'd also make the point that is not necessary to get it all the way to 90 degrees, it will still work fine. I sometimes even leave it set for normal eq mode but point the telescope in the opposite direction to the polar axis, with the bar horizontal. Like this it still works fairly intuitively, much like an AZ mount for that part of sky, then I just pick up the tripod to point the scope toward the target. I generally prefer to keep the counterweights in place, to help keep the tripod more balanced.
I did this with that cheap Explore Scientific EQ and 102 AR combo because I couldn't get it steady in EQ mode. My first scope and didn't understand how to make it work. Wasn't great in AZ mode either, but it was better. Scope was 1000mm long and even on a Twilight One AZ is too long, I put a 714mm f7 102 carbon fiber on it was about the max for length. Did fine with a 150mm Maksutov because it's shorter and doesn't have the long arm problem.
Have That Same Scope And Mount..Agreed..That Mount Isnt Made For That Scope,So Now My Mak90 Is On The Eq3,And The AR102 On The Orion VersaGo
Thanks to this vid I'm going to go with the omegon 90 as it comes with an eq2 and f11 as against my original choice of evo star 90 az and f10 as I get the impression every inch of focal length counts with acromats and I imagine lenses are the same quality. Very handy vid thanks
I really like the way you demonstrate things, even l can keep up.
Another great video Jason. But I would suggest putting a tennis ball or something on the end of that counterweight bar. It looks like it could do some real damage to an eye when you're fumbling around in the dark.
Could Just Take It Off As Well
I recently stumbled across your channel while looking for information on focal length/ aperture. I'm a 23 male in the USA and watching your videos has ignited the flame for astronomy in my life. I really enjoy your method of explanation especially in your video on making journals. You've saved me from alot of beginner mistakes and have made the experience so much smoother. I know this is your hobby and you could have easily ignored ever making content. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience it's make my entire entry into the hobby a true joy with minimal headaches lol. I cannot wait to see what you have in store for the future!
Comment like yours are why I do it my friend.. All the best for 2024.
Always good, thanks.
Genius, thanks!
Hi Good morning. Great video, indeed. Very helpful. Since I bought my telescope, I was wondering what to do so that I won't have to sit on my knees. Now, I know - millions of thanks Jason. Keep the great work on ...
Did it once when I wanted to use my scope through a window of my room. Sometimes you may just want to look at the moon
Excellent video. 7:30 - with the counter weight on it wouldn’t have dropped to the side. I also have a EQ3 mount and I use it as ALT-AZ mode from day one.
This such great information and a great video, its like having a dob on a eq mount. 😂
Thank you and your more than welcome my friend..Haha that's one way of looking at it yes..
Thank you.
When I was playing around with the EQ mount, I somehow ended up using the exactly two other axes as a improvised alt-az
I've always found the AZ mounts to be frustrating and counter intuitive. For me only EQ makes sense for astronomical observations, especially if you need to track. I guess it's because I learned using EQ as a teen and have been using it for half a century, and my brain just simply adapted to think in terms of celestial mechanics My mount however, is not a german equatorial, but rather a yoke or fork mount with a simple clock drive.
Great idea thanks Jason. I have the same model as you. It must make portability alot better also
Thanks pal and your more than welcome.. Indeed it does without the counter weight it's so much lighter.
An EQ mount is literally an ALT/AZ mount tilted over it's side so the ALT axis is converted to the RA axis and is polar aligned. This is a pretty good video for a beginner that's bought an EQ but doesn't yet have the skills or need to auto track.
Correction: it's the Azimuth axis that gets tilted & polar aligned if you transform an alt-az mount into eq mode.
@@edfort5704 You're right 🤣 I discovered this mistake a while back but forgot where I commented it to correct it.
I never had a problem setting up the Celestron EQ mount .I have an 80 mm powerseeker.Its always better to just learn how to use it. You can do a lot with the EQ mount.
Exactly what I did with my old Meade Polaris 130 before I moved on to a proper Dob
Thats Awesome Jason,I Never Knew My Explore Scientific Eq3 Would Do That..Pretty Sure The Eq,35Pro Wont😂..Thank You,Thats Just Sweet❤❤❤❤Clear Skies
If I’d known that about the eq mount I would have kept my explorer 130m.sold it and bought a stellalyra 8 inch dob from FLO no regrets it’s great!
Great choice, personally I think an 8" dob is the perfect all rounder.
Thank you for your efforts here. You actually taught me how to colminate. Anyway I'm looking a book of messier objects. Like has object on left page blank on right for notes and sketch... you know of anything like that?
Interesting.
Thank you for watching my friend.
I would like a video about focuser improvement.
Great idea, I'll add to my videos to make list.
Great video. I wonder if the counter weight might be needed to keep the mount balanced?
Thank you my friend, very much appreciated .
I'm very surprised you don't need the counterweight, with the scope off to one side like that.
Why not leave the counterweight on?
Some good warnings
Hi Jason - I noticed you've taken the slow motion controls off here - Do you have to take these off when you do this, or can they be left on, for minor aim adjustments? (I have the same telescope as you, mine's the 650mm focal length version though, 130P) - loving the channel 👌
Hello - yes, you can leave them on if you want, but sometimes they get in the way that's the only reason I removed mine. Thanks for watching, all that best for 2024.
@@smalloptics753 Yeah, I did wonder if they'd get in the way, I'll give it a go and see. Thanks mate and all the best 🤝
Hi Jason, I just finished setting the Alt/Az on my EQ. However, mine isn't an EQ2; well, I had to improvise. It works anyway, not tested though. Question is - once done, the RA & Dec won't have any importance. As a precaution, I left the weight balance trick, any foreseeable problem to that? Thanks a lot for advising. Have a blessed day.
He's not Kidding about the Altitude Axis being Unstable when your Scope is rotated around to the front. My 'block of wood' Failed, as the space was not copasetic to the shape of my wood. Ended up using double back velcro strapping on the back side to secure that surprise 'Thump'! 😎👍
I received a new telescope for Christmas; it's an Omegon EQ3 150/750. Could you tell me if it's a good telescope? I haven't seen many reviews for this brand online!
Hello, you have a great little starter telescope there. Enjoy your new telescope my friend and all the best for 2024.
@@smalloptics753 thanks!!
Your videos are helping me a lot moving my first steps in this hobby!!
hello Jason,i used my eq2 mount on alt-az mode,with a refractor,worked better than i expected,i'll see how it will work with a newtonian reflector,but i have a question.....eq3 mounts can be used as alt-az?
Hello, I ran across your videos, probably like a lot of others have out of frustration. I recently gave 15 u.s. dollars for a levenhuk skyline 90 telescope that I know nothing about but would like to learn how to use it seems to be in good condition with mount and tripod but no finders scope so I was wondering if you would be willing to recommend one for it thank you your time and I have already learned a lot from your videos
Hello. Finder's are essential for any telescope No matter what the size and I always recommend a red dot laser finder. They are very easy to use and set up, and relatively cheap, roughly $20.
I'll leave you a ink so you know what to look for you can get them in the states too. The only thing you may have to do is drill a few holes to accept the bracket that houses it. This is easily done because you can actually fit them to the plastic dew shield at the front of the telescope if it's a refractor.
www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/skywatcher-finder.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAiP2tBhBXEiwACslfnjpL8DtmDuqWJp9AxiWE7iwmZ_G-h5usn521s5iFP1kB5DR3I5H68xoCtLwQAvD_BwE
I need some help. Not sure I can but sure want to try.
I have a Bausch & Lomb spotting scope that is straight through view. Can I add something like a Star Diagonal to make it a 45 or 90 degree view? Without Major Surgery.
Anyone?
Are there any tripods suitable for both telescopes & DSLR cameras? I’m wanting to upgrade my camera tripod anyway (not necessarily for astrophotography). Sorry if this is a daft question, I’m new to all this! 😂
Hey sir why not try from alt az to equatorial mount
I'm sorry, but when you say "turn your mount axis to 90...don't you mean ZERO"??
I tried the 90 thing. With no counterweight...the telescope kept almost falling over!!
Please clarify.
Just tried both. At 90 the cheap lock/ clutch couldn't hold the weight without a couple of tie wraps lashing things in place. At 0 it all seems a lot more secure but time will tell (Celestron 114 EQ given to me free, always been a refractor alt-az sky viewer before, love the simple life)
The Eqm35Pro Will😂😂😂😂Now..Whenever My Skies Clear.Im Going To See If This Works Along With The Mount,Not Sure Why It Shouldnt…Was This Accidentally Stumbled Upon By Someone Playing With Their Eq Mount..Turned It 90Deg..And Went🤔🤔🤔Wait,lol..Its An Alt/Az Mount Now
Would this work on a 127 eq power seeker?
Yes I believe so they are virtually the same mount as far as I can remember.
@@smalloptics753 great I have a power seeker that I acquired years ago and I’m trying to find ways to improve it. I have an 8 inch dob and a 3.4 inch refractor so don’t flame me. Thx
If the 114 is anything to go by the lock will not hold things in place securely at 90 . Or maybe i was given a faulty one.