custom alt azimuth mount

Enclosed is a picture of my telescope setup. Leonard Higgins, a friend and a member of our small group built the head for me. On the left is a 5" fluorite doublet that I got from Japan maybe 20 years ago. On the right is a Mewlon 250. The tripod is a Quick-Set tripod that can lift 150lbs. The scopes can be adj to view exactly the same area of sky. The set up is very comfortable to use since the height can be adj. and viewing with two people is really enjoyable. There are slow motion controls for both axis with fully adj clutches. Stainless steel shafts, tappered bearings. worm and gear controls. I enjoy star hopping and finding different objects. After 30 years in the hobby I feel I can call myself an amateur astronomer now that I am beginning to learn the night sky. I envy all of you that know it so well! I don't have a picture of me with the mount..sorry. Richard Wong

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That mount is terrific, and your friend should be selling them. I've been looking for a mount, or an adapter to which a mount could be attached that would lend itself to a QuickSet Hercules for a long time.

Richard, who made the 5" fluorite doublet? Vixen and Takahashi used fluorite doublets. The largest Vixen was 4". Takahashi made several larger ones, but not with a black tube! According to MBM (my bad memory), Showa also sold fluorite doublets, but it could have been another company. Few from that third company ever made it to the US.

I have the 4" Vixen, perfect airy disc. Also a 70mm Vixen fluorite, also great optics.

Anything you can tell us about you 5" fluorite doublet?

Thank,
Steven