Acuter Merlin Multi-Function Mount and Tripod
Acuter Merlin Motorised AZ Mount
The Acuter Merlin all purpose mount
The Merlin mount is truly all purpose but it is also the most convenient mount I have used.
It''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s main limitation would seem to be that it can only be used with telescopes up to 4Kg in
weight. However, when you see how big a scope can be before it reaches 4Kg, this ceases
to be a problem. This mount is intended for small scopes of all kinds. It is equally at home
with a spotting scope, an 80mm refractor, a 5 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain or a Coronado solar
scope. I have tried each of these and the mount coped easily with them. It will be suitable for
many more.
The Merlin is very light weight and sturdy. It has a foam grip at the top of one leg and can be
lifted easily with one hand. Even with a PST or a shorttube refractor attached there is no problem
lifting the whole setup with one hand.
The unit can be powered by 8 x AA batteries or by an external power supply. The batteries last a
long time, so this just adds to the portability of the mount.
Setting up couldnt be easier. To set it up as an altazimuth astronomical mount you first of all
have to teach it your latitude. This simply involved using the handset to move a pointer on the
mount to your latitude on the latitude scale on the support arm. this only needs to be done once.
Press a couple of buttons and your latitude is stored for future use.
To start off, the scope should be level (there is a built in bubble-level), horizontal and facing north.
I use a small compass to check the north position and this is quite good enough.
Then turn on the power. The mount expects the scope to be horizontal and facing north when it is
switched on. Press the Fast button to slew the scope quickly, and using the left-right, up-down
buttons, simply drive the scope to the object of interest. When you have it centred in the
eyepiece, just press a couple of buttons together and the mount will track the object. It couldnt be
simpler.
The Merlin Mount has transformed my solar observing with my Coronado PST in that from picking up
the mount and scope inside the house, to observing the Sun takes just 3 minutes. Moeover, it is great
for imaging and I have imaged the Sun and Moon using this mount as the platform for my scopes. The
story doesnt end here as the scope can be programmed to cycle between terrestrial targets and even
take images. It is therefore useful for surveillance and remote observing.This is the most useful piece of
kit I have bought in a while and I can heartily recommend it to any observer with a small scope.
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