SolarQuest review

[Ronnie_Clayton]

Great Review Pedro!

One question, is it possible use this mount in equatorial mod? (like the SkyWatcher AZ GTi)?

Um grande abraço!

Ronnie

[pedro]

HI Ronnie

No, you can use it only in azimuthal mode. It works only for solar observation

abraço amigo

[Ronnie_Clayton]

Thanks for your explanations Pedro

Um forte abraço amigo!

Ronnie

[skyhawk]

Great review, ordered

[pedro]

Thanks

[skyhawk]

Just bought, HATE the terrible flimsy tripod not safe for an expensive kit so changed for EQ5 legs from Ebay

Thanks for the SUPERB review it was that, that sold me

The video is of the flimsy mount only don't download if slow internet

solar tracker mount.mp4

(23.58 MiB) Downloaded 512 times

IMG_20190312_153712082.jpg (65.76 KiB) Viewed 18458 times

IMG_20190312_154116283.jpg (83.65 KiB) Viewed 18458 times

[skyhawk]

Great Review Pedro!

One question, is it possible use this mount in equatorial mod? (like the SkyWatcher AZ GTi)?

Um grande abraço!

Ronnie

No ? it is a Solar mount ?

[skyhawk]

Any idea whet it means when the RED and GREEN LED's flash alternately, is it looking for GPS ?

[pedro]

nice mod of the SolarQuest Mount

The led flashes when it is acquiring the GPS

[skyhawk]

Thanks,GPS then, appreciated

[skyhawk]

I fitter remote focus to my ED72 on the GREAT Skywatcher Solar tracking mount

https://youtu.be/o7VXcG6hmFA

AND what about the 12v adapter that comes with it, perfect

IMG_20190312_151617045.jpg (98.5 KiB) Viewed 18281 times

IMG_20190312_151602373.jpg (109.01 KiB) Viewed 18281 times

[pedro]

I also use the same 12V adapter

[pedro]

Daystar Quark Chromosphere SWSolarQuest mount + FS60C/SM60/BF10

[DeepSolar64]

What brand of scope is this Pedro? It looks like a small fine apochromatic refractor.

[pedro]

It's a Takahashi FS-60C
http://www.takahashi-europe.com/en/FS-60C.php

[shetowl2020]

What about the tripod, is it solid? live in a windy area in Shetland, UK

[pedro]

Not really, you better change it. I did it recently. The maximum payload is 4kg

SW102_SM60_SolarQuest_20200422-011 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

SW102_SM60_SolarQuest_20200422-010 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

[marktownley]

What about the tripod, is it solid? live in a windy area in Shetland, UK

Hi There and welcome to the forum. I have the AZ GTi, essentially the non solar version but with the same tripod. I changed mine so it sits on top of my EQ6 tripod.

P1100957.jpg (1.17 MiB) Viewed 8521 times

Or, alternatively on my pier

P1100963 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

I got one of these adapters from FLO https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-wa ... ripod.html

IMHO, either the solarquest or the AZ GTi package (including tripod) is built to a price point and the savings are made with the tripod. Any good tripod with a 3/8" thread on the top will be a better alternative than the stock tripod.

[shetowl2020]

what's the tripod like in windy conditions

[shetowl2020]

What about the tripod, is it solid? live in a windy area in Shetland, UK

Hi There and welcome to the forum. I have the AZ GTi, essentially the non solar version but with the same tripod. I changed mine so it sits on top of my EQ6 tripod.

Do you still need the extension pole on the EQ6

P1100957.jpg

Or, alternatively on my pier

P1100963 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

I got one of these adapters from FLO https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-wa ... ripod.html

IMHO, either the solarquest or the AZ GTi package (including tripod) is built to a price point and the savings are made with the tripod. Any good tripod with a 3/8" thread on the top will be a better alternative than the stock tripod.

Do you still need the extension pole on the EQ6

[marktownley]

No, I thought I might, but, took it off in the end. Depends how tall you are I guess

[marktownley]

I've just bought the solarquest head this weekend, so look forward to it arriving and comparing with the AZ GTi. I think it may end up living in the back yard on the tall pier for quick full disks. Next step is a nice tripod for the 'travelling' setup, I find the legs on the EQ6 tripod jam so I struggle to extend them, and in the 'wrestle' that ensues I invariably end up pinching my fingers. A nice Barlebach springs to mind...

[marktownley]

So, my solarquest head arrived today... It was supposed to be clear skies so i'd arranged to work at home, instead it rained, so I went into work

First step was a quick mod; change the vixen saddle on it for the ADM dual dovetail designed for the AZ GTi.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-re ... z-gti.html

I was greeted by thread locker galore on the screws that hold the stock vixen saddle, not a problem for a determined solar modder

Then realised the hole pattern on the solarquest saddle compared to the Az GTi saddle is offset by 45 degrees, so, in its present guise does not fit. I could fix it on, but the OTA would sit at 45 degress to the sensor, and that would mean when the scope was on the sun the sensor would be off the sun by 45 degrees, and i'm not sure it will work with that much offset...

It's an easy mod, the plate is going into work tomorrow and I will tap out the appropriate threads in the new hole pattern on the black fixing plate that comes with the ADM kit. Should all fit in nicely...

Keep you updated!

[marktownley]

So an update folks. Successfully modded the Solarquest head to accept the ADM dual dovetail adapter.

P1000678 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

P1000677 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

az-gti-plate by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Really quite an easy thing to do. All needed to do was drill out and tap one of the 4 counter sunk fixing holes. One thing to note; the ADM uses an Imperial fitting 1/4" UNC, i'd tapped using metric m6, so a brief head scratching moment before I worked out why the ADM allen stud was not going in. However an easy fix just replacing with a m6 stud from my box of fixings. Attaches just fine as you can see in the pictures above.

The only thing I don't like the pier extension, the head is fixed to the top by 3 finger tight knobs, felt play in this a couple of times. Not sure I want to rely on this for expensive solar gear. Tecnosky do a pier extension that seems a little more substantial, however before splashing cash i'm going to explore how essential the pier extension is. Unlike night sky, for me, with solar the sun never gets close to the zenith so i'm not convinced the ota fouling the mount will be an issue. I have a devil sat on my shoulder now whispering Barlebach down my ear as I don't like the metal EQ6 tripod, but that's a way down the line yet if it happens.

Just need the sun to come out from the grey, damp and cold winter skies!

[Highbury Mark]

Very nice Mark - I too have struggled with the ADM clamp upgrade, but good to see there’s a solution. I’m interested to see if you can use the mount for imaging - short bursts of video?