omaroo
November 28th, 2007, 02:14 PM
I picked up my Tak Teegul Sky Patrol II mount this afternoon from Emanuel (the seller) while I was in the city. A really top bloke who will come and visit MAS. He's also selling a couple of nice Nikkor Ai lenses on AstroB/S - a 50mm f1.2 and the legendary 180mm f/2.8. Hmmm...... thinking...thinking....
Anyhoo - I just got it home and mounted it temporarily on my AZ3 mount - with the baseplate tilted and tightened at around 34 degrees. The base of the Sky Patrol has a 1/4x20 threaded hole to mount the whole init as you would a camera on a tripod.
I've connected the unit up and so far it seems to be rotating in RA beautifully - and silently. There is no noise, even if you stick your ear directly on the gearbox. Clutch release on both axes is via a set of small knurled knobs on each housing. You can completely relax it in RA and Dec to get your camera/lens in perfect balance. Everything about it is smooooooth.
It came with the optional polar scope which is attached to bottom of gearbox. It peers through the counterweight shaft assembly to find Sig Oct (which is etched on the scope optics). It also came with a spare counterweight so I'll be able to run a 60-70mm scope along with a camera body.
The Hand controller has a simple switch to select Northern or Southern hemisphere - so it'll be great for travelling. The whole thing will fit in my camera case along with a selection of meaningful lenses and a couple of bodies.
Can't wait to try it out. Clouds - go away!
http://www.omaroo.net/albums/album34/800_PB280022.jpg
http://www.omaroo.net/albums/album34/800_PB280023.jpg
Anyhoo - I just got it home and mounted it temporarily on my AZ3 mount - with the baseplate tilted and tightened at around 34 degrees. The base of the Sky Patrol has a 1/4x20 threaded hole to mount the whole init as you would a camera on a tripod.
I've connected the unit up and so far it seems to be rotating in RA beautifully - and silently. There is no noise, even if you stick your ear directly on the gearbox. Clutch release on both axes is via a set of small knurled knobs on each housing. You can completely relax it in RA and Dec to get your camera/lens in perfect balance. Everything about it is smooooooth.
It came with the optional polar scope which is attached to bottom of gearbox. It peers through the counterweight shaft assembly to find Sig Oct (which is etched on the scope optics). It also came with a spare counterweight so I'll be able to run a 60-70mm scope along with a camera body.
The Hand controller has a simple switch to select Northern or Southern hemisphere - so it'll be great for travelling. The whole thing will fit in my camera case along with a selection of meaningful lenses and a couple of bodies.
Can't wait to try it out. Clouds - go away!
http://www.omaroo.net/albums/album34/800_PB280022.jpg
http://www.omaroo.net/albums/album34/800_PB280023.jpg