What is the Best Mount?
EQUATORIALS Vs. ALTAZIMUTHS: THE TRUTH The various telescope mounting systems available for use by amateur astronomers have been discussed at length on sci.astro.amateur. There has been a great deal of debate, a little ill-informed opinion, and some real misconceptions concerning each of the basic mounting schemes, so perhaps it is time to clear the air. One basic and irrefutable fact must be stated up front: NO MOUNT SYSTEM IS PERFECT FOR ALL SITUATIONS! Any attempt to champion one mount scheme over another without considering all the facts is doomed to failure. Below are the true advantages and difficulties of the two most popular mounting sytstem. The ALTAZIMUTH (ie: Dobsonian, ect.).
EQUATORIAL Vs. ALTAZIMUTH: THE TRUTH The various telescope mounting systems available for use by amateur astronomers have been discussed at length on sci.astro.amateur . There has been a great deal of debate, a little ill-informed opinion, and some real misconceptions concerning each of the basic mounting schemes, so perhaps it is time to clear the air. One basic and irrefutable fact must be stated up front: NO MOUNT SYSTEM IS PERFECT FOR ALL SITUATIONS! Any attempt to champion one mount scheme over another without considering all the facts is doomed to failure. Below are the true advantages and difficulties of the two most popular mounting system. The ALTAZIMUTH (i.e.: Dobsonian, etc..). This mounting system has gained considerable popularity over the past 20 years, evolving from the old “pillar and claw” system originally used only in inexpensive small telescopes, to a modern well-designed one which boasts of supporting some of the largest apertures in amateur astronomy today. ++Alta
