Explore Scientific's Twilight II Alt-Azimuth Mount with Pier Extension provides a solid platform for your favorite telescope optical tube assembly (OTA), or dual mount two OTAs with the included pier extension. The mount and pier extension each have saddles that accept Vixen-style dovetail plates. With a maximum payload capacity of up to 30lb per side, the mount can hold most medium-sized refractors and larger reflectors. The dual-mount ability is ideal for star parties or to have an astro-imaging rig on one side and an optical scope set up on the other side for observing the same subject. Oversized adjustment and locking knobs on the mount and tripod allow for easy use and manipulation even while wearing gloves. The included tripod features 2" chrome-plated 3-stage legs that provide a sure and stable footing. To add extra stability, a spreader can be locked in place by tightening a threaded bolt in the center.
UPC: 812257015917
In the Box
Explore Scientific Twilight II Alt-Azimuth Mount with Pier Extension
Alt-Azimuth Mount Head
Adjustable-Height Tripod
Pier Extension
Limited 1-Year USA Warranty, Extendable to Transferrable Lifetime Warranty with Registration
Table of Contents
1Description
Mount Type
Manual Alt-Azimuth
Load Capacity
60 lb (27.2 kg), maximum
Tripod
2" chrome-plated steel legs
Fully collapsed Without Mount: 31.5" (80.0 cm) With Mount: 38.5" (97.8 cm) With Mount and Pier extension: 46.0" (116.8 cm)
Open with Retracted legs: Without Mount: 26.5" (67.3 cm) With Mount: 34.5" (87.6 cm) at highest point, 32.0" (82.3 cm) to the center of the mounting bracket With Mount and Pier extension: 42.5" (108.0 cm) to highest point, 40.0" (101.6 cm) to the center of the mounting bracket
Open, Legs Fully Extended Without Mount: 42.5" (108.0 cm) With Mount: 50.0" (127.0 cm) at highest point, 47.5" (120.7 cm) to the center of the mounting bracket With Mount and Pier extension: 58.0" (147.3 cm) to highest point, 55.5" (141.0 cm) to the center of the mounting bracket
Weight
Tripod: 13.6 lb (6.2 kg) Tripod with Mount: 22.3 lb (10.1 kg) Tripod, Mount, Pier extension: 24.6 lb (11.2 kg)
Twilight II Alt-Azimuth Mount with Pier Extension is rated
3.0 out of
5 by
5.
Rated 3 out of
5 by
Zakwan from
DisappointingMovement not smooth, very hard to do any serious planetary, even solar or lunar visual observation. I use it mainly for solar observation mounting Coronado Solar Max ii 90mm and 6 inch Explore Scientific refactor. I should have invested in something more serious. I'm now obligated to but a high quality, driven EQ mount, I have probably wasted $400!!
Date published: 2016-05-10
Rated 1 out of
5 by
Joe from
Complete waist of Money1. No instruction Manuals anywhere 2. Where screws have to be screwed in to hold something , guess what ? The Holes are bigger than the screws and the holes are NOT Threaded ! 3. Missing Parts 4. Pier Extension is Useless , ( On the subject of screws again ) , Their is a top cap that gets threaded to the pier extension , Explore Scientific decided that in order to hold it in place , you do it by inserting and tightening 3 microscopic hex screws into guess where ? Thats right , the Threaded part of the Cap ! Completely brain dead over their at Explore Scientific .
Date published: 2016-05-23
Rated 1 out of
5 by
Joe from
Complete waist of time and money1. No instruction manual ANYWHERE ! / Just a small pamphlet with horrible explanations . 2. Missing parts 3. Where screws need to be screwed in , Guess what ? The Holes are bigger than the screws and the Holes ARE NOT THREADED ! 4. This Renders the Pier Extension completely Useless . 5. Cap that goes between Pier Extension and mount head gets threaded on. Okay no problem , EXCEPT , the microscopic 2mm Hex screws that hold the Cap in place get screwed into the ACTUAL THREAD ! Absolutely Pathetic !
Date published: 2016-05-24
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Denis from
Wish I had bought this soonerThe item fits its description. A lightweight Altitude-Azimuth mount that can handle a large payload. It performs well and can handle a 25lbs 6 refractor in one side perfectly. I also tried using it with a smaller scope in the other side and worked well. It has some vibration that settles in 2 seconds. I wish I had bought this mount sooner. Since I have been using the ES Twilight II for all my observing instead of my light GEM. I only see getting anything else whenever I would want a tracking or Goto mount, otherwise this is my quick grab and go even with the Beast 6 refractor.
Date published: 2017-10-15
Rated 5 out of
5 by
AhBok from
Works great with my 4 F9 Apo!This mount is everything you want in a beefy alt az mount. The key to making it work well is making sure each side is roughly balanced when using an OTA of 10lbs or more. I use with one scope that weighs about 12 lbs with diagonal, RDF and eyepiece. I mounted an 11lb weight to the other side using a spare 4 dovetail, a 6 ScopeStuff counterweight bar and a spare Celestron counterweight. I'm 5'9 and even with my longish F9 refractor, the mount provides plenty of height. I use this on a home made dolly, so I actually have to lower the height in order to see objects below 35 degrees altitude. Vibrations at 180X dampen in about 1.5 seconds using vibration pads on my concrete drive. Movements are smooth and I have not had any stick-tion issues. The clutch knobs are oversized which will be great in the winter when using gloves. I purchased this during a sale which made this mount a no-brainer to buy.
UPC: 812257015917
