[Atmob-discuss] "CUBE" Mount

[Paul A. Valleli]

To ATMoB,
Some members know that I was at the clubhouse last
Saturday, experimenting with my new  GPS GoTo
Cube mount from iOptron ( ioptron.com) while others
slaved at shoveling snow from the observing field.
 
The mount I bought sells for $365+ S&H but lacks a
counterweight system for equatorial use - an
oversight to be corrected.
I did not realize that I could get a complete
refractor system for $410. iOptron sells made- in
- China gear that seems of high quality. Their main
office is in Woburn, MA ( just next town from me)
but ships from CA or China. Some models are not yet
available. 
There is a manual unit for $199 + S&H
 
ioptron.com  is their new website and you can order
online - No, I am not involved in the company or get
a cut.
 
I just thought that there may be members going to
the China Eclipse, either with Mario Motta or other
trips that might be interested in using one.  The
mount looks ideal as a portable unit that can be
brought aboard as carry-on luggage. It runs on 8 AA
batteries, 120V power supply, or auto 12V.
It has an option to point at the Sun ( with
appropriate warning) and it should be possible to
align it in daylight, rather than one or two star
alignment. I have to try this myself for future
reference. I presume the GPS unit can tell which
direction North is. It weighs just 8 lbs. and uses
the standard Tak/ Vixen dovetail attachment.
  
I am not sure how accurate the tracking is in the
Alt-Az mode but should be OK for photography as long
as the zenith area is avoided. I would use a
counterweight even in Alt-Az mode although a simple
CW  bracket could be attached to the small stainless
steel tripod that comes with it.  There is another
tripod with latitude tilt option but similar to the
Meade ETX EQ
but I would be inclined ( Ha -ha!) to get a
conventional wedge from another vendor.
The website has some interesting comments from
recent purchasers. The instruction manual is
available online but lacks much needed info for the
experienced observer. 
Happy New Year !
Paul
 
 

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