Omegon Montierung Twinmaster AZ

This purchase was expensive, but worth every dollar. The mount does need a heavy duty tripod and at least 8 lbs of counter balance for a scope of 18-19 lbs. It is quite steady when paired with the Heavy Duty Mount. It dampens less than 2 seconds after making adjustments to follow your object. You can use either slow motion cables or ADM slow motion knobs. I recommend this mount for the mid to expert level ametur astronomer. I cannot comment on Astrophography using this mount; but for just visual purposes it is excellent!.

This is a review for the Twinmaster mount and the tripod. First the mount which I received with out the tripod because I mistakenly ordered it separately believing it was included. This was partly due to the pictures which show the tripod -not greyed out making me think it might be included and Astroshop mistakenly answered my question about this with: "Dear customer: ... tripod is included." That combo is actually a separate listing. Astroshop did send me the tripod Virtually overnight (From Europe!) once their mistake was pointed out. Great customer service. A boon for me. Thanks Astroshop! They have corrected the listing, so that won't happen again! My point is that I don't know what is included in Mount & Tripod package deal. Despite the description saying that no counterweight was included, the mount box came with a 4lb weight. Before ordering I asked what weight was compatible and Astroshop suggested I use a Bresser 9.9lb weight. (Mine: actual weight 11lbs+) Which I bought off their website (cheap-express shipping!) What a great suggestion! This mount comes with a very short bar but this weight is counter sunk so it can slide down over the stop screw cap. It cannot fall off the bar though. This gains 6+cm of overhang for even more leverage! It is also 1cm smaller in diameter so even better clearance. The mount itself is very well constructed. There's no slop in the slow motion alt/azi adjustments which have cam levers to engage.I have read complaints about the dovetail clamps, but I like them as they won't gouge my rails. The knobsscrews are aluminum and some people seem to think that they will wear down or strip their threads. Physics says the threading will hold, probably, a few hundred pounds of pressure. But maybe one could over torque them. I suggest, if possible, to use a screw in one end of the mounting bar as an emergency stop bolt. That should alleviate any worries of your scope sliding outfalling off. Once you have aligned both scopes they will move in tandem, which is why people like twin mounts. This mount will also allow one to adjust the side with the counterweight bar separately (alt&azi) if one wants to. These mounts hold a max payload of 13kgs to 15kg (Skywatcher branded version claim 15kg) on each side. My main scope weighs 8kg so I can even upgrade to a bigger scope sometime in the future. The white finish looks nice but I noticed it can chip off. Mine did near one of the screw holes. Not a big problem but one should know that it can peel up on the rough edges of the holes. The tripod works well with this mount. It has a "tongue" that fits into the grove on the base of the mount keeping the mount from accidentally rotating on axis when making azimuth adjustments. The tolerances here could be closer but keep in mind these items were designed separately. The tripod has an eggshell white finish though the mount is has a slightly creamy white color. The difference is hardly notable. The mount is very strong and stable and it has rubber tipped peg feet. The "accessory tray" doesn't actually touch the spread legs and is not necessary for structural support.(Note: Actually the rod came with a nutscrewed all the way up and tight so I set up tje tray with the nut in the same place. Wrong! Remove the nut, then slide tray on use the nut to firmly pusj tray into position then the dumbel screw and finishing nut. My picture is wrong.) The dumbel screw will help to tighten or loosen the rod which is necessary to attach the mount. The tray and mounting rod system is a work of art... It looks great. Mine arrived as a separate item, so I may have received a part, the mount adapter for other OEM mounts, which may not be included in the mount & tripod package deal. It has 3 mounting holes and a center threaded hole. Adjustable legs with 2 set-screws for each providing assurance they wont slip. Min height to dovetail clamp: 93cm / 36&1/2"Maximum height to dovetail clamp: 136cm / 53&1/2" I love this setup. And know without a doubt it will last for generation(s) to come. Lucky Kid. Further: I recommend Astroshop as a supply source for quality telescopes, mounts optics (ordered flip mirror too) and parts especially with their amazingly fast and affordable shipping. Picture 1: It Looks great!Picture 2: Not a lot of counterweight clearance. So, get the 5kg Bresser weight if you have a large telescope.Picture 3: Tray mount.Picture 4: This is the type of picture that should be used for the mount only option.