I have just joined this group, having been a member of the previous group for many years. I am wondering what Half Hitch mounts members of this group have? I have the FTX v.2, FTX v.1, FTQ, Half Hitch Mark II, and Quarter Hitch.
I bought a FTX v2 and a hitch hiker Astro version from Charles which should be one of the last ones shipped. I also used to have a quarter hitch and a mark II bought on AM. I’m happy with all of them but I’m only keeping the FTX v2 now.
I ordered a Nova Hitch ‘off plans’ after wanting one of Charles’ mounts for many years but never being in financial position to order one (to carry my TSA102s) and ended up with a very different beast!
A fantastic observing mount that has all the extra bells and whistles he added over the extended design period including the elusive hand tracking unit and TQR.
It sits on a Berlebach Planet ash tripod and now (after conversing with Charles), a TEC140-ED!
I use the Nexus WiFi device that hooks up to an iPad running SkySafari - attached via a ‘gooseneck’ arm so the screen is always in the right place for me.
I’m still getting to grips with the tracking and how to set the best rates, but have had some success imaging the sun with the TSA+Quark using a small chipped DMK camera.
Despite the Nova becoming bigger and heavier (and a bit awkward to carry and store), it remains one of my most prized and best astro purchases. His mounts really do ‘disappear’ once in use....
Howard Gao