![]() The side with the power switch and other ports also has the Alt/Dec clutch lock wheel and the extendable counterweight shaft. The Standard attached dovetail is the Vixen Style however a Losmandy D Style Saddle is also supplied along with a spare Vixen Saddle to attach a second scope. There is a battery compartment to power the unit from 8 AA Batteries if needed. The HBX ports are for the Hand Controller and accessories such as auto focuser or auto guider. ![]() ![]() The mount itself is quite a simple cube arrangement with power switch, 12v power port, power LED and 2 x HBX ports. Ioptron are considering Air Freighting out a replacement tripod. After talking to other Ioptron Owners and Ioptron Service Agent I confirmed that no one had ever seen a tripod with this problem before. AEC response was good however Ioptron made the excuse that all legs were fitted like this so any tripod could have an offset facing leg. While this does not hinder the operation of the tripod itself, it does mean that it is impossible to fit upgrades to the tripod legs (like spreader arms and tray). In my case one leg was oriented outwards. All three legs should be oriented exactly the same with the lock lever and 2 screws facing inward towards the vertical central position of the mount. Third issue was with one of the tripod legs. ![]() This can be overcome by working the screws through completely several times. Second Issue I noted is that the threaded holes for the Tripod Level Adjustment screws have not been threaded properly making it extremely difficult to thread the screws in. I quick photo the next day was sent to AEC & Ioptron and within 2 days I had an express package with replacement rubber feet. As the surface was a flat cement surface this meant that the rubber was very old or had been exposed to some condition to make it brittle. These tips would not have to be extended unless the surface was very uneven or rocky.įirst Issue I noted was that the rubber tips broke up and fell apart on the first evening of use. The bottom of the tripod legs have extendable rubber protected tips to assist reduce vibration and help reduce slippage/movement on uneven surfaces. The outer 3 holes appear to be used for options like the Pier Adapter. The level adjustment screws have one threaded side and one plane rounded off side separated by a plastic knob. 3 of these (inner holes) are used for the Level Adjustment Screws which is Ioptron’s unique way to support and help level the mount (even if the tripod is not level). The top of the tripod has 6 threaded holes. The plastic tripod support bracket is relatively small and has 3 indentations (one for each leg) which helps locate and lock the legs just under the base of the tripod top. There is no tray or spreader arms to assist with stability although there is a heavy plastic tripod support bracket to helps with that which gets screwed down after the mount is screwed onto the top of the tripod. Lock down seems to be rock solid as I tested the movement of the legs against heavy load and they did not budge. The legs on the tripod are extendable and have a simple locking lever which is easy to operate. The Ioptron Pro Tripod is the heavier 2inch version and I would suggest based on current experience with this tripod is that this would be the minimum size that should be purchased to give reasonable stability. So you have everything to connect and get the mount up and running in one tidy case. However the Mount is sent in a custom lined silver case and appears to be well packed, protected and easy to transport.Īlso supplied in the mount case is the Hand Controller, Hand Controller Cable, 240 to 12v Power Pack, USB Cable, a 12v Cable with a Lighter Socket Plug, Tripod Level Adjustment screws, spare Vixen and Losmandy Saddles, and a counterweight. Unlike Takahashi who lines each box with foam the Ioptron is just double cardboard boxes and the only packing foam is in the inner box for the tripod. The mount and tripod come in 2 separate double cardboard boxes. The Ioptron seemed to be the only ideal fit available in a Alt/Az mount to meet all the specifications. I also decided that it would be good for him to learn on an Alt/Az mount then move into a GEM after he had much more practical experience. Ability to Plug into Laptop or Iphone/Ipad Ease of Use with GOTO and Tracking & GPS Handle TSA120 Payload with Extra Capacity Allowance Having Purchased a Takahashi TSA120 for my Son and Family as a Grab and Go Refractor, I decided to purchase a Ioptron Minitower Pro (MTPRO). I decided to split this thread from my TSA thread as the Ioptron Mount does need to be covered in independent discussion.
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