This mount should last a lifetime. The mount moves easily enough, but there is enough back movement at high powers to frustrate me. The problem seems to be in the nylon bearings that can get a bit grabby. For using below 100X, it works OK. Be sure and get the handle that goes with this mount. It should have been included instead of extra cost, in my opinion. I have also used this mount with a LOMO 102MN, and it carries the weight fine. I got it in a Nighthawk II outfit that Stellarvue was running a special on. Works very well with the NH II for daytime terrestrial viewing. If you plan on running over 100X a lot, then I would investigate a mount with more precise positioning when you move to an object and remove pressure. The slight back movement of the M1 has you over slewing to counteract the back movement. For birding, the mount continuously slews OK and for that use I think it works much better. You really need an EQ mount for high power astronomy instead of these alt-az mounts.

From: | Created on: 10/16/2009 1:48:51 PM

This mount is a good choice for low to medium power observing with a small refractor.  I purchased it to use with a Televue Ranger 70mm refractor and have it mounted on a Bogen 3021N tripod.  This has made for a lightweight but stable grab-and-go setup.  Overall, the M1s motions are smooth with an easy single knob tension adjustment on both axis.  Tracking objects becomes somewhat difficult, though not impossible, above 100x unless youre using widefield eyepeices (such as Televue Nagles or Panoptics).  When comparing the M1 to my Televue Telepod head, Ive found that the Televue has slightly smoother movement, though, unlike the M1, the Telepod cannot reach the zenith with its mount handle attached. My M1 also has a small zone where the tension is a bit lower when the scope approaches the zenith.  This can cause the scope to drift slightly up or down if the tension is too loose and/or the scope isnt balanced well when pointed near the zenith.  Slightly increasing the tension on the altitude axis compensated for this and still left the existing range of motion smooth and not too tight. The 2 dovetail attachment makes for an easy and quick mounting and unmounting of the optical tube.  Along with the M1 mount head, I also purchased the Stellarvue mount handle (highly reconmended) and a TP-5 dovetail plate.

From: | Created on: 10/16/2009 1:48:51 PM