Astrotrac Travelset

Thanks Graham, the idea would be to use the prisim rail to mount the scope on one ballhead and the camera on another ballhead. Both of these would be on the Astrotrac. But not always at the same time!

I understand, but to get the most out of the astrotrac with any 'sort of' weight you might also need to consider the counterweight bar?

Also to take advantage of the guider function you will need to have both your guide scope and camera on the astrotrac. unless your going for a dual sensor ccd thingy on the scope alone. either way the weight is going to mount up...

I am definitely looking for one for myself eventually and these are the questions I am asking myself, am either going to go all out or just simply get a clock drive!

perhaps just the mini guider and the camera on the scope. Mini guider has very little weight, and invest the few quid in a better camera lens rather than the APO?

Ill be aksing myself all the same questions i have no doubt over the next while.

That 'should' be fine but as soon as you start to add things onto it then the tripod and head I believe may also need upgrading.

So if say max weight is 8kg on the tripod then maybe a steady weight of 5kg?

Astrotrac 1000g
Camera 675g
Lens 490g
Ball Head 800g

Thats about 3kg so may still be a bit of leeway with a heaver lens assuming its possible to balance the astrotrac without needing a counterweight??

yeah from what I read on-line balance is ok with out the optional and expensive counter weight system, once you don't go over 300mm lens, at 500mm you have to have the ball head very tight. which is also not good.

I think id have plenty in 5kg for what I want it to do with the camera. Ill leave the APO out and invest in a solid wide angle lens.