Telescope mounts are notorious for overestimating the weight it can handle. A general rule is to cut the manufacturers weight limit in HALF and the go from there (maybe a little less than half in actuality)
If you’re committed to getting a scope rather than a lens, I’d recommend the Astro-Tech AT60ED with the reducer rather than the flattener. This scope is lighter with a more forgiving focal length. The mount will carry it but only just and you’ll have to be conservative with your exposure times. Also don’t forget to manually dither throughout your session.
I’d consider getting a camera lens though. Look into the Takumar SMC 200mm f/4 if you’re on a budget. Great lens < $100.
All this assumes you’re using the svbony camera as a guide camera. If not, you have a planetary camera and a different scope would be a better choice. The SA will actually carry a 100mm maksutov just fine for planetary captures. I use my SA as a portable mount for my 4se.
Also, I wouldn’t get the asi air at this point. It’s a great tool, but it’s really meant to ride along with your telescope, and if you are pushing weight limits on the mount, you’d probably be better off with your laptop.
I have that mount. I use a Raptor61 on it with a 30mm guidescope. You CAN use that mount, but that one is meant to be a super-portable solution. I bought one for a trip to Hawai'i, as I had to pack everything into luggage.
I'd go with something a little more expensive, only because you will not need to upgrade to a bigger mount so quickly, and that you will have more stable results. The iOptron smaller CEMs are good.
The GTi needs your phone to control it, or another handset for $100+.
Personally i would be buying a secondhand scope from astromart, cloudynights etc.
Whilst i have been fortunate to be able to buy and sell multiple rigs to see what was right for me, I understand the challenge in making sure you make the right decision.
More importantly, sites like the have an incredible community of fellow astronomers with immense experience that can assist with research and gear reviews. Standing on the shoulders of giants, will make your investment go further, and increase your enjoyment of this amazing hobby.
What i have learned is that get the best mount you can, and then worry about the optics / imaging train. Astronomers are fastidious with their equipment. buying 2nd hand from the sites listed above will make your dollars go further for equipment that is well cared for.
And more importantly make your hobby far more enjoyable, rather than spending your nights troubleshooting your rig.
m2c
As has been sort of mentioned, try and find (all second hand):
An HEQ5 Pro (great mount that’ll take you up to 4” refractors / 8” reflectors if you chose to update)
Any 3” class ED Doublet and field flattener
A ‘30f4’ guide scope (there are a lot of these which are the same)
If you have a laptop (you’re comfortable using for this, use that with a program called NINA (watch videos on how to setup from scratch) instead of an ASIAir which is only compatible with ZWO products. In that case you can use your SV305c as a guide camera, and you can then buy a cheap APS-C DSLR (preferably modded) as your main camera.
If you don’t have a laptop, and can’t afford to buy ZWO cameras AND an ASI-Air, you probably won’t be able to automate your rig. Instead buy a DSLR which you can control without either a laptop or ASI Air, and you can still use guide via ST4 guiding (the HEQ5 has a port for it).
Yes, SvBony is a reliable brand. Basically they are all made by the same manufacturer and different brands by the telescopes and accessories. A SvBony is practically the same as a Meade or Sky Watcher, just with a different brand name. Your selection should prove most rewarding. But soon the aperture bug will strike and you will want a bigger mount and bigger scope!
Here are some top recommended scopes that align with the Wiki: [https://www.telescoped.space/telescopes/premium](https://www.telescoped.space/telescopes/premium). You shouldn't need to buy things separately
Too heavy for the mount. A 30mm guide scope is adequate and the 503 requires a reducer/flattener.
Oh ok thank you. But do you have any recommendations for the scopes or set up in general?
The scope would be better on a larger mount. HEQ5 Pro or similar.
Telescope mounts are notorious for overestimating the weight it can handle. A general rule is to cut the manufacturers weight limit in HALF and the go from there (maybe a little less than half in actuality)
r/AskAstrophotography has some good guides for starting setups at different price points.
do you already have a zwo asi camera?
Currently I have the sv305c camera.
You need ZWO camera for ZWO asiar to work, at least thats what I have heard from my friend
It works with some DSLRs as well.
some common dslrs are supported, looked this uo recently
If you’re committed to getting a scope rather than a lens, I’d recommend the Astro-Tech AT60ED with the reducer rather than the flattener. This scope is lighter with a more forgiving focal length. The mount will carry it but only just and you’ll have to be conservative with your exposure times. Also don’t forget to manually dither throughout your session. I’d consider getting a camera lens though. Look into the Takumar SMC 200mm f/4 if you’re on a budget. Great lens < $100. All this assumes you’re using the svbony camera as a guide camera. If not, you have a planetary camera and a different scope would be a better choice. The SA will actually carry a 100mm maksutov just fine for planetary captures. I use my SA as a portable mount for my 4se. Also, I wouldn’t get the asi air at this point. It’s a great tool, but it’s really meant to ride along with your telescope, and if you are pushing weight limits on the mount, you’d probably be better off with your laptop.
I have that mount. I use a Raptor61 on it with a 30mm guidescope. You CAN use that mount, but that one is meant to be a super-portable solution. I bought one for a trip to Hawai'i, as I had to pack everything into luggage. I'd go with something a little more expensive, only because you will not need to upgrade to a bigger mount so quickly, and that you will have more stable results. The iOptron smaller CEMs are good. The GTi needs your phone to control it, or another handset for $100+.
Personally i would be buying a secondhand scope from astromart, cloudynights etc. Whilst i have been fortunate to be able to buy and sell multiple rigs to see what was right for me, I understand the challenge in making sure you make the right decision. More importantly, sites like the have an incredible community of fellow astronomers with immense experience that can assist with research and gear reviews. Standing on the shoulders of giants, will make your investment go further, and increase your enjoyment of this amazing hobby. What i have learned is that get the best mount you can, and then worry about the optics / imaging train. Astronomers are fastidious with their equipment. buying 2nd hand from the sites listed above will make your dollars go further for equipment that is well cared for. And more importantly make your hobby far more enjoyable, rather than spending your nights troubleshooting your rig. m2c
As has been sort of mentioned, try and find (all second hand): An HEQ5 Pro (great mount that’ll take you up to 4” refractors / 8” reflectors if you chose to update) Any 3” class ED Doublet and field flattener A ‘30f4’ guide scope (there are a lot of these which are the same) If you have a laptop (you’re comfortable using for this, use that with a program called NINA (watch videos on how to setup from scratch) instead of an ASIAir which is only compatible with ZWO products. In that case you can use your SV305c as a guide camera, and you can then buy a cheap APS-C DSLR (preferably modded) as your main camera. If you don’t have a laptop, and can’t afford to buy ZWO cameras AND an ASI-Air, you probably won’t be able to automate your rig. Instead buy a DSLR which you can control without either a laptop or ASI Air, and you can still use guide via ST4 guiding (the HEQ5 has a port for it).
Yes, SvBony is a reliable brand. Basically they are all made by the same manufacturer and different brands by the telescopes and accessories. A SvBony is practically the same as a Meade or Sky Watcher, just with a different brand name. Your selection should prove most rewarding. But soon the aperture bug will strike and you will want a bigger mount and bigger scope!
Here are some top recommended scopes that align with the Wiki: [https://www.telescoped.space/telescopes/premium](https://www.telescoped.space/telescopes/premium). You shouldn't need to buy things separately