Another Alt-Az Question?

Could you all endure one more alt-az question? I'm currently using an 80 mm f/5 on a Paragon tripod with an Orion slow motion adapter. The adapter provides the motion control I want, but is not as stable as I'd like, so I'm considerinbg an upgrade. QUESTION: has anyone here had a chance to compare the Universal Astronomics Microstar mount to a Bogen 410 geared head? Alternately, has anyone had experience using the Bogen 410 with a short tube refractor? Thanks for any help you can offer
Larry

Larry,
Save yourself some money in the long run and get the Microstar. You'll end up getting it or something similar even if you try the Bogen/Manfrotto 410. The 410 suffers from the same problems as other photo heads, namely the center of gravity of the OTA is not aligned with the altitude axis. Plus, motion is limited by the gear range.

Jim

I have been using the Bogen 410 geared head for a Stellarvue AT1010 (80 mm)refractor and the heavier Bogen 405 for a Televue Genesis (100 mm). The arrangement is not perfect, but quite satisfactory for both scopes. I appreciate not having to worry about constantly rebalancing the scope. The slow motion controls work well at higher power.

The main negative is having to reach up to the geared controls (which are behind the tripod for a refractor). The Genesis is also somewhat harder to move in altitude when near zenith.

I have looked a number of times at the Universal Astronomics Mounts (at NEAF) and still prefer my current arrangement.

Joseph

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