SkyWatcher 102/500 refractor on StarQuest mount

The Sky-Watcher 102/500 refracting telescope is a compact telescope with high light gathering capacity. The F/5 focal ratio results in a short tube and compact size. The objective lens is a Fraunhofer-type system with 2 elemens. The objective lens is fully multi coated and provides excellent and distortion free view. Ideal for observing large and faint deepsky objects, but of course can be used to observe the Moon and planets in the magnification range of 16-120x. The rack and pinion focuser is made of metal and accepts 2" eyepieces and accessories. At 16x magnification the field of view is large, over 4,5 degrees, and is ideal for North America, Pelican or Veil nebula, and Andromeda galaxy.

The StarQuest mount is functionally very similar to the Avant mount, but instead of the polar wedge we can adjust the pole height using the two screw solutions. Like the Avant, the axes are lightweight, but they have a strong design, and can be fixed by the discs on the bottom. Both axles have fine-tuning (with the usual flexible arms). The instrument can now be fixed to the mount with a more practical plate. The counterweight sits on a threaded end counterweight shaft. The length and weight is less than the EQ2 mount. The reason for this is that, due to the more compact mechanical head, the center of gravity of the telescope is closer, so a shorter axis and less weight are required.

The head is located on the thinner aluminum tripod, which still provides sufficient stability even on the 130/650 instrument. The head can be fixed to the stand with the usual hand-held screw. The head has a black finish with green sticker scale. The capacity of the mount is approx. 4 kg.

Direction of Dec and RA axes can be rotated at 360 degrees. The RA and Dec gear tooth numbers are 122.