Orion VersaGo Precision Altazimuth Telescope Mount
Reviewer: Steve Stonehill
I bought this mount for daytime prime
focus photography through refractors and
casual astronomy. In the photo role it
does fine with refractors up to 120mm
f7.5. For astronomy I have found this
mount to be very disappointing. I have
tried a PST, 127mm f12.1 MCT, 80mm f7.5,
and a 102mm f6.5. The only scope that
this mount handles suitably is the PST.
Based on my experience I would not
recommend this mount for astronomy due
to its less than fluid tracking,
instability at even moderate mags, and
lack of any slow motion controls. Using
VSP pads helped minimally YMMV. Clear
Skies, Steve
Orion VersaGo Precision Altazimuth Telescope Mount
Reviewer: Ed Drown
Bought the VersaGo to mount my 80mm
ed refractor. Found the unit easy to
assemble, and am pleased with it's
stability. It would easily handle a 5in.
Mak or a 6in. Newt. My setup comes in at
about 20lbs, that's a one arm grab, and
out the door I go, especially nice in cold
weather viewing.
Vibrations settled out in a second after
the rap test, and perusing Orion at 200x
wasn't difficult despite no slo-mo
controls. The mount moves smoothly on
each axis and the friction clutches work
well.
The only complaint I have is that the
handle, even when seated, jiggles
slightly, but doesn't interfere with the
use of the mount, and there are some
fixes for this.
All in all, someone on a budget, who
wants a mid-priced, decent, and stable
altazimuth mount, would get what they
pay for, and I would like to congratulate
Orion for bringing us a product that fills
the niche between upper-end and just
adequate.
Orion VersaGo Precision Altazimuth Telescope Mount
Reviewer: Enrique
I bought a Mak 127 spotting scope from
Orion a couple of months ago. I tried
different tripods but none would hold the
weight properly. Finally, I gave in and
bought the VersaGo mount from Orion.
What a difference! Put it together in five
minutes and was out looking up in
another five. The complaint about the
handle being wobbly is legit, but I put a
nut into the shaft first and then put the
handle onto the mount, tightened the nut
and wobble is gone. The mount is
extremely solid and I don't get any
movement whatsoever on the legs, head
or any other part of it. My only request
would be for metal knobs all the way
around. I dropped the mount yesterday
and one of the knobs that holds the
scope hit the pavement first and was
shattered to smithereens. My fault, but
metal would have taken the hit with only
a scratch. All in all, a great product for
those of us who want to observe and not
fiddle endlessly with complicated
equipment.
Orion VersaGo Precision Altazimuth Telescope Mount
Reviewer: Dennis Hunt
pluses:
easy to assemble/use
good stability + damping
smooth motion
good tension adjustment
can position vertically
easy to find/center objects
design + dovetail accessories help
keep scopes balanced
minus:
too short for straight optic paths,
1' higher would be nice to reduce some
back/neck bending (and I'm not a tall
person)
nitpicking:
large dovetail screw heads may get in
way of larger scopes (but works fine for
my use)
attaching and detaching the accessory
tray requires a little bit extra work
(need to unscrew from tray then screw up
from underneath), a 1 step solution
would be better.
handle doesn't seem to screw in very
tightly, so it wobbles a bit even when
screwed in all the way
it would be nice to have:
degree markings (to help identify
objects by reading alt/az change to
known object)
a bubble level (ditto)
another threaded handle slot at a 90
degree or so offset (for those vertical
moments when the legs can get in the way
of the handle)
Orion VersaGo Precision Altazimuth Telescope Mount
Reviewer: Rossco Wright
This thing works great. With my 80mm
refractor, I really don't need any Slo-Mo
or fine position controls. The clutch
mechanisms are smooth and precise
enough. When I point it straight up, or
anywhere in-between, it still balances.
I didn't get it that I needed a dovetail
mount plate of some sort. If you are
ordering one of these, think seriously
about how you will attach it. Orion offers
several mount accesories but it doesn't
come with any mount mechanism.
Orion VersaGo Precision Altazimuth Telescope Mount
Reviewer: philip blades
I have only used one time, so far.
At full height with apex102 it
wasn't as stable as I thought it should be,
considering the price. After buying I saw
a similar product with slow motion
controls built in. I will eventually try
with
legs not fully extended. Leg holders are
plastic.
Orion VersaGo Precision Altazimuth Telescope Mount
Reviewer: Bill Mullins
I always wanted a solid, quick platform
for simple
visual astronomy and I finally found it in
the
VersaGo. It does not have slow-motion
controls,
but it has absolutely no slack as gear
slow-mo
mounts usually have. Both axis have
smooth, sure
ranges of motion that allow easy
tracking at low-
to-medium magnification. My 80MM APO
is secure
and solid on this mount. I highly
recommend this
mount to anyone looking for a simple,
hassle-free
viewing experience. Great value &
quality.
Orion VersaGo Precision Altazimuth Telescope Mount
Reviewer: bruce lawley
well made and much improved from az
3. did find that bolt holes didn't line
up. had to elongate with file. slow-mo
control would be nice.