Astrophotography Japan / SV225 ALT-Azimuth Mount Review (Episode 24)

The design & features of a new manual operation ALT-Azimuth mount (SV225) released by SVBony in November 2023 are reviewed. This telescope mount is well engineered & constructed, and its fluid feel and operation make it a good value at ~$140 (retail price).
00:30. Packaging
01:11. Assembling the base
06:13. Vixen dovetail clamp
07:22. Adding on the accessory parts
10:13. Attaching the telescope
11:05. Fully assembled & ready for viewing
16:03. Photo montage
SV225 AZ mount head: www.svbony.com/sv225-alt-azim...
SV225 AZ mount with tripod: www.svbony.com/sv225-alt-azim...

[@rogeriorangel9590]

I ordered one based on your excellent review. The SV225 is very robust and well finished indeed. Thank you.

[@jpastroguy]

Hi Rogerio, that is great news! Thanks for watching and clear skies!

[@JackyCheung-jx2qr]

A very high-quality video. Each frame can be directly screenshotted as a wonderful poster. I hope to see more of your related videos in the future.

[@jpastroguy]

Thank you, Jacky! I appreciate the kind words and your interest in Astrophotography Japan! Clear skies!

[@matthiasharbers2533]

Nice to see another video from you! I hope will have a lot of fun with the new mount.

[@jpastroguy]

Me too! Thanks!

[@berndkruger5030]

Thank you very much for the video. It is very useful for me because I was looking for exactly this kind of mount.

[@jpastroguy]

Excellent. I am glad you found it helpful! Clear skies!

[@LindaKing-gx9sh]

Thank you so much for your wonderful review!

[@jpastroguy]

Oh, great...... I am happy you found it helpful. Thanks for the feedback and watching Astrophotography Japan!

[@kekkoukedarake110]

Quite a complete review of the ALT-AZ mount. Sounds good for small telescope for visual observations. Hope you enjoy it a lot!

[@jpastroguy]

Yea, I agree. It actually is ideal for small to medium size telescopes! I am going to use it under the stars on this weekend, for the first time!

[@deepskywindow]

Great review, thanks!!

[@jpastroguy]

I appreciate the comment, Fran. And thanks for watching Astrophotography Japan!

[@williammitchell3586]

Excellent review clearly explained operation. I purchased this mount. I will use it for Stellarvue sv70t apo with a carbon fibre tripod of 25 kg capacity.

[@jpastroguy]

Hi William, I think you made a good choice, and the tripod seems like a decent choice. That Stellarvue sounds nice!.

[@dunringill1747]

Nice review!

[@jpastroguy]

Thank you. I am pleased with the mount. Clear skies!

[@3dfxvoodoocards6]

Like! I got the Svbony sv225 a few days ago, it probably is the best az mount. It’s even better than the Twilight, because it has 2 safety screws instead of just 1, it has 3 parallel bars on the side arm instead of the 2 and it also has a handle, the Twilight doesn’t.

[@jpastroguy]

Thanks for sharing that information. I am not familiar with other mounts. But I too and satisfied with the SV225. Thanks for watching Astrophotography Japan!

[@AmatureAstronomer]

Looks nice.

[@jpastroguy]

I waited 3 months for it. I heard it was coming. Glad I waited; it is far better than my top-loaded SkyWatcher AZ-Pronto mount. Thanks for watching Astrophotography Japan!

[@ianfoster8908]

Can't wait for it to be available in Australia

[@jpastroguy]

I usually buy SVBony products direct international from China, if the shipping fee is not too high. This one was reasonable. Thanks for watching Astrophotography Japan from down under!

[@No_More_Wrath]

Pretty sure you could figure out which wrench fits the setting circles and you could easily adjust them. 🤷‍♂️

[@jpastroguy]

It turns out....I noticed.....that the marked circles are set properly for using the mount when it is set up straight vertically. Strange that they would use that as the zero setting when 90% or more will actually incline the mount at 45-degrees to use in astronomical viewing. As for the screws, they look to be some kind of star pattern of extremely small size. I will deal with it someday...... Thanks for watching!

[@82cooper82]

Thanks for the review. Maybe you can help, as I could not find the info (support could not answer it either): Will this fit an EQ-5 tripod?

[@jpastroguy]

I appreciate your interest in Astrophotography Japan content, but unfortunately I have no answer for you. However, if you place a metric ruler on top of the tripod and send me a close-up photo, I might be able to advise you. Send the image to [e-mail]. PAUL

[@woodswalker88]

will it fit on a reflector scope? I just bought another similar AZ mount and it does not match up with the baseplate of my Orion Observer tripod.

[@jpastroguy]

I have detailed photos of the SV225 taken with a ruler to show the size and spacing. If you want me to forward those photos, I can email them to you. Contact me at [e-mail] and make that request. Then you can make your own decision based on the measurements of your scope. Thanks for watching Astrophotography Japan! Clear skies! PAUL

[@sekitv]

Hello Paul san. Thank you for nice ALT-AZ mount review. Just timely I am thinking about ALT-AZ mount for Bino. How do you think Paul san ,Is this good for Handy Bino also ? (Of cause use with L-clamp)

[@jpastroguy]

Hello Seki-san, if your bino^viewer and L-bracket weighs less than 10kg, I believe it should work fine!

[@pyro6128]

Would this mount work with the ZWO AM5 tripod, TC40? It looks to have the same thread and the base looks about the same size as the adapter plate that comes with it.

[@jpastroguy]

Sorry for the late reply. I looked closely at this idea, but it is not possible. The SV225 base is too narrow and falls into the tripod because the TC40 top ring is too wide. Even if you repurposed the fitting plate used to secure the AM5 mount, there is no way to attach the ALT AZ mount to the flitting plate. I highly recommend the GeeHope tripod I showed in this video. It is rock solid and surprisingly inexpensive. Thanks for watching Astrophotography Japan!

[@mthirugnana]

Paul, Thanks for the very detailed, informative Post! Do you think this will handle a refractor 13 lb+ diagonal+rings+eyepieces (I have Astrotech 115EDT in mind)? How would you compare this to Explore Scieintific Twilight 1 mount (looks very similar, but twilight 1 comes with tripod) ? Thanks - Muru

[@jpastroguy]

Hi Muru, I think the SVBony SV225 would securely handle the AstroTech 115EDT. That should be no problem. As for the Explore Scientific Twilight mount, you are correct they look very similar. The SVBony has an additional vixen-bar-locking screw (total of 3), a different design regarding the attachment of the base plate to the arm, and a handle-bar for pointing and manipulating the scope. Personally, I like the SVBony assembly design that has only one big screw and a secure no-slip fitted connection to the base plate. Because it has only one screw, I can rapidly disassemble and store the mount head compactly. I need to be mobile and compact, and hence the Twilight system does not look good for me. However, if you do not mind the long two-section Twilight tripod design, I think it looks exceptionally wide and stable. My recommendation is the following; if you want mobility, light weight and compactness, you should mirror my set-up with the SVBony SV225 mount and Geehope CF tripod. But if weight, compactness and mobility is not a priority for you, I recommend the Twilight design - mainly for its stable-looking tripod (you have a big scope). The mount heads look very similar with only slight advantages going to the SVBony (no big deal).

[@mthirugnana]

Hi Paul, that was good comparison info. I will keep that in mind. Thanks for taking the time to provide such a detailed reply!

[@williammitchell3586]

17:03

[@matheusmartignago3824]

Very nice Review !!! What's your opinion about the SV550 122mm over this mount ? Thanks.

[@jpastroguy]

Thanks for the comment, Matheus! Regarding your question..... I can only speculate......since I do not own that telescope. But I am definitely thinking about buying it! My opinion is that the SV225 mount will work fine. It will be a good low cost option to support visual astronomy. Thanks for watching Astrophotography Japan!

[@artyombeilis9075]

I'm considering it for C8. From weight perspective it seems it passes the specs. What does concern me is clearance for 8" tube. Question what is the clearance between the altitude axis and the surface of the mount? For NexStar SE it is around 25cm which is borderline when used with 2" back+diagonal. What is the celarance on this mount? What is the clearance when it is at 45 and 90 degrees?

[@jpastroguy]

If you do not mind, send me your email address and I will provide you with a bunch of photographs of the mount with a strategically placed ruler. That way, you can determine for yourself if there is enough clearance. My mail address is [e-mail].

[@artyombeilis9075]

@@jpastroguy thanks a lot. I've end you an e-mail!

[@FR-op7zo]

Curious to know if this will cope with a C6 sct with a pair of finders and a heavy 1.25 inch eyepiece.

[@jpastroguy]

Well, they say it has a capacity of 10kg. I tend to believe it based on the sturdy quality design and build. So far my only complaint is that the hand-tightened slow motion knobs have a tendency to get loose. I found myself hand tightening them every 30 to 60 min or so. But no big deal. If your OTA and accessories are less than 10kg, I think it should be fine.

[@soundknight]

Have you been to Yoron island for the astrophotographer meet ups?

[@jpastroguy]

No. have never heard of it. But I cannot imagine traveling to Okinawa with all my equipment. Maybe only a camera to catch the Milky Way? But thank you for the information! Does an actual group exist? Do they have a FACEBOOK page or something?