"The C14 is a small portable scope!" Really?

Complete setup the C14 on CGX-L from opening the car until it's ready for alignment.
Watch this also:
• c14 is a small scope (...
Link to the chair: www.amazon.de/gp/product/B000...

[@radnukespeoplesminds]

the Hubble is also technically portable.

[@denbyscott5745]

So is SOFIA

[@cv507]

@@denbyscott5745 & hägjä ^ ^

[@weschilton]

No the Hubble is *mobile.*

[@seabeepirate]

The Hubble was transportable, there’s a subtle difference.

[@alphaadhito]

And JWST is foldable

[@GaryCameron]

I would have nightmares about the tube sliding off that seat during setup.

[@Chris_LSZO]

It's 100% safe at this point.

[@3VAudioVideo]

It could be 100% safe on the chair, the way it is, but It's just scary watching him walk so close past it so many times with his back to it.

[@hvodinh]

I had the same thought but then I realized that the first thing he did after lifting the C14 onto the seat is attaching it to the mount head, so the seat is only supporting the C14 vertically. After that It's not going anywhere.

[@Chris_LSZO]

@@hvodinh Exactly. Once it is inside the dovetail guide you can remove your hands and tighten the screws easely.

[@pduffy421]

Depends how physically big and strong someone is if a scope is portable. That's an awesome scope for sure.

[@vaibhavsati538]

This ain't it

[@rexsterling7346]

true

[@aarondaniel4020]

@@vaibhavsati538 Yo, Why so??

[@regeclow2198]

@@aarondaniel4020 and which car ;) this car is super space enough. But not everybody has such car

[@railgap]

Yeah, when I was a kidin the 1970s, we had a "portable" TV that weighed 75 pounds. You could tell it was portable because it had a carrying handle. ;)

[@loadedgoat3966]

In 1979 I bought an orange tube C14, which I still have. I used to own a 1978 Fiat Spyder, a two seater convertible sports car. Well... it had a back seat where a third person might fit if they sat sideways. In 1981 I loaded that car up with the C14 tube assembly, the fork mount, equatorial wedge, and the tripod (no shipping trunks). And then I added my Quantum 4 Maksutov (no tripod or shipping trunk). And why not I thought, add my 6 inch RFT (no equatorial mount or tripod). Luggage... I better toss in a suitcase. I drove all from Oregon to Southern California and back. I don't know how or why, but I did it with no problems. The C14 can be portable, but nowadays I prefer to leave it in one place. About 20 years ago, I made a set of wheels for it, as it could be a PITA to set up and take down. I cut a triangular piece of 1/4'' steel to the same footprint as the tripod, welded a ~one inch tall piece of pipe on where the tripod points touched, and bolted a set of four inch wheels to the bottom. Out and back into the garage in one minute.

[@prabhakarrao4922]

Greetings from New Zealand. I’m 65 and parted company from my C14 almost 6 years ago. I simply couldn’t manage the weight. That aside it was in all other respects a truly amazing piece of gear. I downgraded to the C11 which although still good it is several notches down from the C14. I found the C14 thermally more stable and didn’t require that Frequent collimating. FYI your technique is much better than mine

[@alcosound]

Always impressive to see someone handling alone a C14 and the whole setup

[@Chris_LSZO]

Piece of cake ;)

[@peter7624]

Arnold Swartzeneger comes to mind!

[@frankv7068]

If you can’t carry 100 lbs hit the gym 💪🏽

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@frankv7068 It's not about that. It's about mistakes that happen in the cold after six hours of observing.

[@spex357]

I'm classing my 80mm Nikon F1.4 as portable :-)

[@vencislav_krumov]

Not a bigger hustle than setting up my C6 on an AVX. However, at the end, mouning the C14 looked like mouning a boiler on the wall. 😉 Clear skies!

[@williamogilvie6909]

Very organized. I was a bit worried when I saw the telescope tube sitting on that small chair. I didn't realize it was also attached to the mount.

[@Chris_LSZO]

Yes you don' have to be worried. It's a very safe procedure.

[@arcadecup]

lol the c14 hanging over a ledge with one foot over on that chair!. absolutely gold. awesome!

[@Chris_LSZO]

Works very well since long time like this :)

[@vincenzomiceli]

Wow! You are surely quicker than me setting up my 8" SCT :-) Well done!

[@ntbarone]

I bought a CPC 1100 a few months ago. It is a smaller 11inch scope that weighs 65 lbs on a fork mount and the tripod is 27 lbs. Comes with a large case that looks like a casket. It is not portable by any means, but the views are fantastic.

[@melvincoleman8008]

Wow! I didn't think one person could handle a 14" scope. Now, I must rethink my options.

[@Chris_LSZO]

Just to clarify: My last sporting activity was 20 years ago. :)

[@charlessands6933]

I had a friend many years ago who had a c14 back when they were a dark blue or black color and he handle it fine by himself. He was about 45 or so at that time. He also said that the tube itself weighed around 55 lb.

[@3CH09R]

Thanks! Now my Celestron C90 Mak, looks like a finderscope compared to the size of this Celestron C14!!! lol XD

[@aethyr13]

great job Chris, its nice to give confidence to those who question the procedure

[@StevenParrisWard]

Well Chris you've shown us how its done. I'm sold! Danke.

[@ivanominoia5233]

What a beast of a telescope! Many compliments and greetings from Italy.

[@joerenzetti1]

I transport my C14 OTA, CGX-L mount, and all the accessories in a Prius sedan. So yes it's very much portable. I'm 51 and can hoist the OTA on the mount without the chair assist...for now.

[@martinlagrange8821]

Yeesh....my 10" ES Hybrid truss I setup in 4 minutes, the classic C8 fork mount in the same time, and the 4" Maksutov GEM in 2 .... it was nerve-wracking watching that, the thought of the potential to drop the OTA made me jittery....

[@Chris_LSZO]

Yeah you have to be aware of that at all time...

[@slapastronomy8646]

Excellent video sir. The C14 Edge HD / CGX-L combo is the next scope on my list. Watching your process really helps.

[@MountainFisher]

My astronomy club has a Mead 14" and a Mead 16" both in observatories of their own in two parks. The lines on Outreach nights can be long sometimes.

[@mitubo1970]

A great 'step-by-step painstaking/set-up video. Thank you.

[@GeneralLee131]

My 9.25 is just portable enough to where moving from indoors to the back yard is a even ratio of dread to enjoyment. Anything bigger i’d never use.

[@ultrametric9317]

Brilliant method! I wish I had thought of this! My 10" Newtonian is almost as heavy as the 14" here and hefting it up onto its equatorial mount has become harder and harder with my old back. I will be using your method from now on!

[@craiglowery4427]

Very impressive. I've had my C14 since 2014 and never thought of mounting the OTA on to the CGX-L the way you do with the OTA resting on a chair. I may have to try this. Great video.

[@Chris_LSZO]

It is much more easy and secure(!) then without this support.

[@craiglowery4427]

@@Chris_LSZO will the wheels work with the CGX-L mount

[@Chris_LSZO]

@@craiglowery4427 What wheels?

[@johnwright291]

What amazes me here is that he set the tube down right on the corrector plate. I don't think that I would do that.

[@frankv7068]

I like your technique in ergonomics 👍🏽💪🏽, flawless.

[@stephencampbell7427]

Thank you for the demonstration

[@ragrabau]

I like how you mount the OTA to the mount. I see something like that for my C11 in the near future. I see a custom wooden support that will support the OTA and be at the right height for the mount. Thank You!

[@PlanktoniusRex]

Great video showing the process. I used to use a CGEM with a 102MM refractor and also a Meade 12" SC. I used to dread doing this process at night! The worst part was getting the SC OTA on the dovetail mount because it was not tall enough to utilize the astro-chair like you did here. Nice scope btw.

[@jamiboothe]

I was horrified for a few moments, until I understood your procedure. I have a C11 with a G11 mount and I think I will try this technique.

[@Nottsboy24]

Wow! a C14 🙌 what a beast.....I would love to own a C14, I only have the Celestron Nexstar Evolution 9.25" 🔭

[@davidhaquet1490]

Beautiful and impressive telescope, Celestron manufactures one of the best SCTs of its kind, the Edge HD C14, a device that is very suitable for carrying out both planetary, and deep sky observation missions, as well as astrophotography, astrometry and observational astrophysics.

[@Chris_LSZO]

Yes this flexibility is unique. This was the main reason for me to buy this system. If you add the reducer and the Hyperstar the universe is yours ;)

[@CoolMusicToMyEars]

It would be nice if your van opened up from the top & the C14 came out on a hydraulic lift, rather the floor raised up with all the mount attached etc, But I just buy a home in the ideal dark area of light pollution then build an observatory around it as you get older backs tend to give problems, The other idea would be a swing out arm with a mount, or back of the van on a sliding platform like a large ambulance 🚑 slides out, everything attached hydraulic lift for sure is required as we get older,

[@jimzeleny7213]

Don't forget you'll be doing this in reverse, tired and cold at the end of the evening. A person's age has a lot to do with this. I have dragged my 6" refractor to a dark sky site, hauled it out of its cases set up and observed and then packed it all up a few hours later. But that was years ago. Set up the scope and mount weighs about 115#. When it's in its' cases the total weight is about 250# (yes cases weigh something). So to my way of thinking, setting up a monster like this is doable just not forever.

[@Chris_LSZO]

In reverse it is less difficult and faster in my experience.

[@joeshmoe7967]

Yes a late reply but.....Age has nothing to do with man handling a C 14 or any other piece of gear of any kind. People think they are old, so they get old. I am 61 and take measures to keep my strength and fitness up. In 4 years when i am 65, I will still heft stuff around. If I had the cash I would be tossing around a C14. The OTA weighs maybe 50 pounds....no problem for me, and I am not a big guy, but I do think big......

[@jeffreyvictor3678]

Well Done!! You have that monster tamed!!

[@tim71pos]

Chris you have a very good procedure. I like the minimization of carrying the equipment by having the van right there next to the telescope. Leaving the eyepiece and the diagonal in is an interesting idea I'll have to think about, it would reduce setup time. The tripod is a very fast setup too. Your video reminded me that I have a penalty in time set up because I mount a refractor on top of the c14 which makes balancing more difficult. I could not fail to notice the beauty of the area you are in which I guess is clear of snow because it is near a highway. It looks wonderful!

[@Chris_LSZO]

I think with mounted diagonal (and reducer) it's a bit to long to fit in your corolla standing on the passenger seat. I has try it in my second smaller car and it doesn't work. BTW: This is the region around Andermatt/Switzerland.

[@tim71pos]

@@Chris_LSZO Beautiful area. It was nice to see you show up on CN. I'm driving an Accord these days but it's the same issue. It's also just a lot of *possible* stress on an expensive part (AP diagonal). But the AP diagonal is probably most suited to taking that kind of stress...

[@Masterchief68]

Lol! I didn’t for a moment consider My C9.5 “small” and a C14 in my opinion is humongous!😂😂😂 anything over 10” should be considered backyard permanent mount in your own little hut. Would have enjoyed watching your alignment procedure.

[@peteallennh]

I like your portable stool. And here I am working out at the gym with weights in order to hoist the C14 onto the mount 😃

[@Chris_LSZO]

Why? I never go to the gym :))

[@Chris_LSZO]

@@gcampagn Yes my english is just horrible, I'm sorry about that :/

[@davidlang4442]

It looks freaking cold there!

[@Chris_LSZO]

It is! ;)

[@gwzapo]

Oh my, who the hell says a 14 inch, 21kg, (46 lb) scope is portable. BTW, that tripod is pretty solid too. Well so is the mount....For me, portable is a 5-inch Maksutov, and evolution mount or my twilight 1 mount. All that aside, what an amazing setup. So that's what chair is for...lol. Well executed installing the scope from that little chair....

[@theone2519]

Well done Sir

[@Mike__G]

I have enough of a challenge with my 9.25 on an AZ EQ6. Got it on a scope buggy so I can wheel the whole setup in and out of the garage.

[@Chris_LSZO]

Thats a good option if you have a suitable backyard.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Here I am thinking my C8 is beefy (and often lazily use my 3” APO)

[@docar1523]

You can probably launch a missile of that tripod!! Great video!

[@mcsew2k]

My LX200 10" on its fork mount seems to weigh more than my C14 OTA alone. The D-rail clamp-on handles make handling the C14 much easier.

[@backpages1]

Initially I thought it was an observing chair. Without it, he would have still been short one man and a dog.

[@hughezzell10000]

That's a nice equitorial mount. My C14 has one of the old style yoke mounts - dont like it much but can afford one like yours. My scope, obviously, is heavier than yours, when I was your age I could lift it like you do. Nowadays, I look for help. Dang, wish I had a mount like that.....

[@Chris_LSZO]

Older C14 are heavier?

[@AstroSoundscape]

This is a nice technique 👍

[@Volans2000]

Nice technique you have, using that bench to support the telescope, while you attach it to the mount. Anyway, it's a good workout assembling a telescope like that!

[@devvin]

I really need to upgrade my CGE mount to one of these CGX-L mounts for my C14. Great video! For those doubting that this isn't a portable scope, I set my C14 up alone as well and it doesn't take but 10 minutes if I'm in no hurry. I carry it either in my Camry or my CR-V. It's really not bad.

[@Chris_LSZO]

I would not recommend the CGX-L. Jump over to the next step and buy a 10Micron GM 2000...

[@devvin]

@@Chris_LSZO Thanks! I will have a look at it.

[@capturethephotons2078]

I felt the mount when you took it off the van 💪 🔭

[@Chris_LSZO]

I was just carefull to don't touch anything with the OTA. But seriously, it's not that heavy like it looks in my face :)

[@hypersphereengineering6015]

I used to own a LX 200 16 Inch Meade with a Supergiant Field Tripod. I had a Ute with a swivelling engine crane. It was too heavy to lift by yourself, but the engine crane on the Ute tray made it kinda portable lol 😂

[@Chris_LSZO]

You should make a video about :)

[@hypersphereengineering6015]

@@Chris_LSZO I actually sold that Telescope to a friend of mine. It is setup permanently in his Observatory. When I sold it I used the money to buy an Astro Physics GTO 1200 mount. I now have that setup permanently in my Observatory .

[@RobertKarlBerta]

One of my setups is a Celestron 14" HD SCT on a Celestron CGX PRO mount. I never would use that as a portable mount by myself. It would be far to easy to loose control of the scope and down it goes....or you injure yourself. My regular setup is an Astro Physics GTO 1100 and either a 11" SCT or a 6" APO refractor both of which are about the same weight.....40#. I am 74 years old but have no problem with that setup. The AP mount is neat in tat you can separate the DEC head from the rest of the mont so each part is liight and easy to work wit.

[@Chris_LSZO]

If the scope is sitting on the chair it's a 100% stable and safe situation and you need just one hand to hold it there.

[@RaulRodriguezasteroides]

Livianito.... Es como Mike Tyson.... Un coloso!!!

[@johnnycanosoda]

Thats right on the edge of portable, would have bee nice to see some of your imaging tho...Awesome setup

[@rwmcgwier]

I love the "ladder chair". Do you have a brand name or a link to it? On aligning the tripod I would worry about the compass in your cellphone being impacted by ferromagnetic metals in ths trip top. Thank you for the video! I can not wait to try it on my 1400 Edge HD.

[@Chris_LSZO]

Link to the chair is in the descirption. Compass works fine, it's just a rough alignment of the tripod needed.

[@peeb2896]

That is a beast!!!!

[@johnw4260]

Very impressive Chris. Is that a 0.7x reducer between the scope and diagonal and is that a 31mm Luminos EP ? If so, any noticeable vignetting with that combination?

[@Chris_LSZO]

Thanks :) It's a 0.7x and an 23 mm Luminos.

[@grant1390]

I owned a C14 once upon a time. I'm (by normal standards) a very large individual - but the C14 is a pain in the backside. (At times literally).

[@MarkManner]

Hi, do you have any concerns about having the scope mirror down during your mounting or transport? I see a lot of people who store them mirror down, but I've always tended to keep them horizonal in storage or while mounted. Thanks for your thoughts on this, Mark

[@Chris_LSZO]

To be honest, I haven't thought about that yet...

[@MarkManner]

@@Chris_LSZO Hi Chris, my guess is that it doesn't matter. I see so many knowledgeable people who store their SCTs mirror down. My cassegrain experience in the past was mostly with open tube cassegrains that had the secondary exposed at the top, and you could never put them in that position obviously, so it just looks strange to me. I'm going to adopt your method of mounting my new C14, so thank you for the education on it. Best regards, Mark

[@Chris_LSZO]

@@MarkManner Be aware! Never mount and dismount the OTA without a 100%-solution to prevent the OTA slips out of the clamping at the mount. It was happen to me twice!!! Check the pictures out here about my solution: forum.astronomie.de/threads/c14-mobil-erste-erfahrungen.304769/#post-1567511 The adjustment is not needed, but the brackets are!

[@debragibson3489]

Yep, portable......It got their!!

[@keplerr.tumler9796]

Hi Chris. I noticed near the end of your video something attached to the 'orange' dovetail of the C14 (7:45/8:04). The device appears to consist of a threaded screw/bolt with knob/handle, that threads thru a 'L' bracket attached to the 'orange' Celestron dovetail. It would seem the bolt can be pushed against the mount's saddle to slide the dovetail for micro-balancing the declination-axis while heavily loaded. Is this correct? If so, did you make it yourself, or is it commercially available?? P.S. Great video.

[@Chris_LSZO]

I built that myself. The clamping of the Dovetail is pretty unsafe. Already 2 times the OTA is slipping out, I had much luck every time that nothing bad happened. That's why I built 2 brackets (the other one can not see on the video) so that the OTA is secured in both directions. In addition, I have implemented adjusting screws to easily balance the OTA. This adjustment are not necessary, but the brackets absolutely! Here you can find some pictures about: forum.astronomie.de/threads/c14-mobil-erste-erfahrungen.304769/#post-1567998

[@keplerr.tumler9796]

@@Chris_LSZO Thank you Chris for your reply. The pictures on your given 'link' clarified my questions. My 'ADM' dovetails utilize a supplied 1/4" bolt w/ knob that you place at the ends of the plate. But, the adjusting bolts for balancing look interesting, I might look into my own application for my mount assembly...

[@Beaver-be8vk]

Just put in an order for a C9.25 with a CGEM II. I was hesitant for exactly this reason. Hoping it won’t be too big of a pain setting up.

[@Chris_LSZO]

A 9.25 you can handle with one single hand. ;) A C11 is also pretty handy. For a C14 you have to think about carefully and should use some help like my chair. Keep in mind: If the OTA slips out of your hands or mount and fall to the ground you will need a new one...

[@jules-pierremalartre7800]

Thank you for this video. I’m looking to buy a Celestron SC, and I was debating whether or not the C14 was beyond the limit of portability, but it looks like setting up my old 10-inch alt-az LX-200 was harder than this.

[@Chris_LSZO]

By using the technic I showed here it's a really handy process. :)

[@jules-pierremalartre7800]

@@Chris_LSZO you convinced me to buy one thank you

[@Arsenic71]

If I was a cyclops I'd say yeah it's perfectly portable, albeit a bit small and fragile. But perfect for one-eyed beings! But then again I'd also call that crane in the background portable.

[@MAXLAND7]

Impressive scope and mount!!! And smart procedure. I own a C11 and cgx. But, i think that at the end you are not pointing north.

[@Chris_LSZO]

Why not?

[@HollomanUFOLanding]

Great video, thank you. You make it look so easy! I have a RASA 11 on a CGXL. Where is the location for the video? It looks beautiful.

[@Chris_LSZO]

Thank you. Location is Andermatt/Switzerland.

[@HollomanUFOLanding]

@@Chris_LSZO Thank you! Subscribed

[@seanmolony-redstickastro238]

If you can do it then do it. That's what I do. Hats off Buddy!

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

What size Mak is the equivalent to a 10" Dob?

[@Dartheomus]

perfectly portable as long as you have a conversion van to carry it in!

[@Chris_LSZO]

No you are wrong, check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inPEqK1sbtailaM

[@gunnarjensen5910]

With such a huge focal lenght is off-axis guiding realistic or is it better to use a special guidescope ?

[@Chris_LSZO]

The short guidescope I only use for Hyperstar. At primary focus I use a OAG.

[@Lou-py5lq]

You need to make an update video of you using this telescope homie. 😯

[@Chris_LSZO]

Sorry, I'm not a youtuber, this video was only upon a certain request. My english is very bad and I have no idea about how to make good videos here.

[@peter7624]

Ed Tings' comments were that most people who buy them never use them because of the weight, and leave them in the garage! More suitable for a home observatory or permanent set up perhaps... Lovely scope though! My own 8" Meade SCT is heavy enough for me!

[@Chris_LSZO]

Thats true. Much better is to set this scope in a observatory. Atm I build one...

[@Vesbolk]

Looks simple enough. What kind of chair is that? Thanks for the demo. Nice setup!

[@Chris_LSZO]

Link to the chair: www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00008WZ0K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@bourkland1]

That looks like a beautiful rig, but I'm afraid it might be too much scope for me.

[@yobb89]

did use a compass to alighn mount to the celestial pole general direction? xd

[@Chris_LSZO]

I just used my iPhone for rough alignment. Its good enough.

[@luboinchina3013]

I would still stick with the rule - counterweights first

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I thought so as well at first, but putting the CWs first in that case might not be good, since the CW shaft is already horizontal (and needs to be horizontal with this mounting method for the OTA using the astrochair), and would put a lot of torque on the RA axis until the scope is added. With the scope fully supported by a chair designed to support a whole lot more weight, I think the approach here makes sense!

[@cosmoscarl4332]

It's a small portable scope yah! Let's get to the choppa!

[@simona1136]

Can you please tell me what make and model that chair is?

[@Chris_LSZO]

See video description.

[@Rocketman88002]

Permanent or fixed mount scopes are not portable by design. Hubble is a space platform not a portable one......we can't get it and relocate it for use somewhere else. A portable scope is one you can set up almost anywhere, pack it up and set it up again somewhere else.

[@reynoldfrancis6060]

This is Ronnie Coleman's telescope. Lightweight baby!

[@AndrrooRussosso]

Awesome)

[@kimex5164]

what a beast

[@EleanorPeterson]

I'd have problems even getting it to the site! 😁 Ain't got no super-cool astro-van with electric sliding doors - I've just got a backpack and a bicycle. 🚲

[@Chris_LSZO]

In this case a C14 is not a option for you. Maybe a binocular? :)

[@EleanorPeterson]

​@@Chris_LSZO - Yes! 🙂 I have a pair of binoculars on a homemade mount that lets me use them completely 'hands-free' whilst sitting in a reclining chair in my (tiny) back garden. I made a portable fabric enclosure supported by wooden poles which gives good protection from wind and local lights. I enjoy sweeping for comets, and also observing the angular changes of binary stars and estimating the fluctuating brightnesses of variables. I'm based in Yorkshire in the north of England [UK], so the skies are too cloudy to make it worthwhile owning a telescope. I used to make them, though, including quite large mirrors [up to 18"] and objectives [up to 6"] for friends as a hobby.

[@johnlamb2333]

What a great way to set up your scope. Fast, guess you've had lots of experience at it.

[@Chris_LSZO]

Just do it 2-3 times and you will be fast like me. :) But now I build a Observatory and don't move it around anymore.

[@krashunburn]

By contrast, my Skywatcher Flextube 14" only has two parts (base and scope) and takes less than a minute to assemble.

[@marcducati]

Arnold Schwarzenegger agrees, very portable scope.

[@TheCudder4life]

Man, my Evo 9.25 is BARELY "portable" not to mention this beast HAHA!

[@kristoffernor897]

What an absolute unit. What's the cost of that whole rig?

[@reynoldfrancis6060]

I love your location.❤️

[@kennethwilson8633]

Yep I knew a little guy that took one out as a portable scope on an AP mount.

[@ngc-fo5te]

I used to have a C14. After a while they are a pain in the arse. A 20 inch Dob is less bother.

[@bobnolin9155]

I can't imagine taking a risk like that with such an expensive scope. One slip and OOPS! Ten grand up in smoke.

[@Chris_LSZO]

Yes you have to be very careful and aware at all time.

[@gertwallen]

Sorry if this is a Coke vs Pepsi question, is Meade better than Celestron?

[@sashnbash]

That's Massive

[@KaHaDa_life]

I can't even get my 9.25 Evolution on my deck sometimes!

[@luminousfractal420]

The opposite end of my cheap telescope that arrived and was a 30mm monocular 😂

[@alexkalish8288]

I have a Meade LCX-14, It's 70 lbs (30Kgs+) and very awkward. Scopes this size need a permanent mount. You can move them and set them up but probably you are better off with a 10". It's not that big a loss for the visual observer. My mount weighs about 350 KGs. at my observatory at 7000 feet under a real dark sky. That's what it takes to keep these scope from vibration. One day it's going to get dropped and you are out $10K.

[@TheTimeDetective42]

Oh man I take my scope out when it's so cold it fogs up! Wonderful set up tho! I love Germans!

[@McItoshi]

3 things I learnt 1: I wants a giant telescope 2: I need a handy stool 3: keep the spreader/tray on and twist it out the way (genius)

[@Chris_LSZO]

"keep the spreader/tray on and twist it out the way" Sorry, but what do you mean?