The Twilight 1 Alt-Az Mount with Heavy Duty Tripod by Explore Scientific:
Sometimes you want your telescope, and you want it now! If you are lucky enough to own a big equatorial mount and a large aperture optical tube assembly, that isn't easy to do unless you have it all ready to go in an observatory. However, if you have a nice, medium-sized refractor and an uncomplicated alt-azimuth mount at the ready, then it is easy to get outside and begin observing in just a few minutes. That can be a real benefit on lots of occasions, whether the moon beckons or a comet is hanging near the horizon, threatening to set into the west while you are still getting your 12-inch OTA out of its case! Enter the Explore Scientific Twilight Mount!
Explore Scientific Twilight 1 Alt-Az Mount with Heavy Duty Tripod:
The Twilight I is a light-to-medium-duty alt-azimuth mount and tripod designed to quickly and easily accept small to medium sized refractors, such as the Explore Scientific AR102 or Carbon Fiber 102 mm, and of course, the 80 mm. Lightweight, fast Newtonian telescopes will also match up nicely with the Explore Twilight I mount. As long as your telescope does not exceed 15 pounds, you are good to go.
The Twilight I alt-azimuth mount head is made of powder-coated aluminum and there are worm gears on both axes. The adjustable angle head can be tilted forward or back at a 45-degree angle, or you can point it straight up for viewing at the zenith. Slow motion control cables are attached on the vertical and horizontal axes and are easy to turn during the night, even with gloves on, due to the over-sized knurled knobs that are attached to the end of each cable. A small wrench is included with this package, and is stored in the fork arm and held in place with a magnet. If you need to make quick adjustments to your mount, it is a snap to access the wrench and then store it safely away when done. It is a small thing, but an adjustment wrench is one less tool you will need to remember to bring with you on observing sessions!
The chrome-plated steel tripod that comes standard with the Twilight I mount has adjustable legs and a wide footprint of 42 inches, which makes the tripod more stable. A spreader bar locks against the inside of the legs to secure the tripod even further and keep vibrations to a minimum.
Explore Scientific Twilight 1 Alt-Az Mount with Heavy Duty Tripod Specifications:
- Tripod fully collapsed, no mount head: 29.5-inch
- Tripod fully collapsed with mount head: 42-inch
- Tripod open, retracted legs, no mount head: 25-inch
- Tripod open, retracted legs with the mount head: 38.5-inch at highest point, 36-inch to the center of the mounting bracket.
- Tripod open, legs fully extended, no mount head: 42-inch
- Tripod open, legs fully extended with the mount head: 55.5-inch at highest point, 53-inch to the center of the mounting bracket.
- Mount head dimensions: 14 x 7 x 4-inches
- Foot print: 42-inches
- Tripod weight: 11-pounds
- Mount head weight: 6.6-pounds
- Total weight: 16.7-pounds
OPT Product Number: ES-MAZ01-00
