FIRST LIGHT
Avalon Evo-Zero mount with T-Pod 70 tripod
A sophisticated – yet sturdy and compact – mounting duo that oozes quality
VITAL STATS
• Price £3,499 mount; £499 tripod
• Mount type Equatorial/ altazimuth
• Load capacity 9kg (13kg with optional counterweights)
• Slew speeds 5 speeds
• Autoguider port ST4, USB, Wi-Fi
• Power 12V to 16V PSU supplied
• Weight 13.6kg with accessories; 4.6kg mount; 3kg tripod
• Supplier Widescreen Centre
• Tel 01353 776199
As more and more advanced telescope mounts become available for amateur astronomers, we were keen to see how the Avalon Evo-Zero stands out from the crowd. Our review package arrived in a single box and included the mount, T-Pod 70 tripod and all the accessories neatly stowed in a sturdy nylon holdall. This is easily carried, weighing only 13.6kg in total. The PDF manual, along with the StarGo software, is on a handy USB flash drive.
The quality of the construction and attention to detail that has gone into the manufacture of the mount stands out. Designed in Italy, it is beautifully machined from solid blocks and exudes understated style. The matching T-70 tripod is stylishly built too, providing a sturdy platform for the mount. It comes with adjustable legs and a very useful carry handle too. Both are clearly products from a company that is passionate about what it does.
The Evo-Zero is designed for astrophotography with short tube telescopes, but can be used for simple visual observing sessions and, with a latitude adjustment range of 0°–90°, as an altazimuth mount, or configured for long-exposure astrophotography.
The Avalon Evo-Zero is driven by belts and pulleys, in contrast with the worm gear systems of established mounts and with more recent harmonic drive motors. The benefits of the belt drive are less wear to components, improvements in accuracy, and the elimination of the backlash and errors that are inherent in worm gear systems – all important benefits for long-exposure photography.
Some setup stumbles
Initially the mount appeared to be quite complicated, or at least there was a lot to remember when first using it. The ASCOM-based StarGo software is also not particularly intuitive and we had to refer to the manual repeatedly.
For first light, we adjusted the latitude to suit our location. This is a two-stage process and a little fiddly at first, but once the adjustment pin is installed to fit the desired range, fine-tuning the mount is easy. Setting its location and altazimuth or equatorial configuration must be performed via connection to a PC or laptop, using the StarGo software from the USB drive. A USB connection cable is provided for this. The mount also creates its own Wi-Fi network and connecting to this it can be controlled via a laptop. It is also useful for visual observing by connecting to the Sky Safari app via a smartphone or tablet.
The Evo-Zero has a Vixen-style dovetail saddle clamp to which we attached our 500mm focal length refractor. By using three stars for alignment, we had a reasonably accurate Go-To capability with just a rough polar alignment. The tracking speed can be adjusted via the StarGo software, or Solar, Lunar and No Tracking modes are available.
Unique belt drive system
Avalon have used high-grade, 400 step motors for both axes, with polymer fibreglass pulleys and steel-strengthened timing belts. No internal maintenance or greasing of the belt drive system is required. The rigidity of the drive allows for a certain amount of flexibility when balancing the telescope.
We found the motors to be quiet and with our small refractor on board we could use the Ultra speed mode for slewing, which was nippy and still very accurate. Turning down the speed gives very fine movement control, perfect for high-magnification viewing.
For telescopes up to 6kg, it performs without a counterweight. A 3kg counterweight is included for telescopes up to 9kg. The maximum capacity is 13kg, but this requires the purchase of an additional weight. With increasing telescope loads, slower slew speeds must be observed, and a list of advisable slew rates is included. The mount has no clutches and there is some leeway as regards balancing the optical tube. If balancing is required, the RA axis has an electronic brake that must be manually released via a ridged knob.
SCALE
StarGo software
There is no on-board star database, but the StarGo software allows the mount to link to PC-based planetariums like Cartes Du Ciel or the mobile app Sky Safari for choosing your targets. Everything else is controlled within the StarGo user interface. It is ASCOM-based and can be used with compatible software, such as PHD2.
Tripod
The T-Pod 70 aluminium tripod raises the platform to 77cm with the legs extended. It sits on rubber pads on tiltable feet and has a built-in levelling bubble. A single, central bolt with tightening knob holds the mount head securely in place and it is quick to disassemble.
For long-exposure photography, more accurate polar alignment is necessary. A separately available kit which attaches to the side of the mount can be used for visual alignment – useful for when you’re using the setup without a PC – but the StarGo software includes a plate-solving and polar alignment app, X-Solver. This is very precise even if Polaris is not visible and gives highly accurate Go-To capability. We used the polar alignment routine within PHD guiding software to achieve alignment. We then pointed the telescope at a star in the east, where movement would be most noticeable, locked onto it and observed the guiding graph over a couple of hours. Even with very poor seeing conditions, the guide graph was smooth and steady, and perfectly suited to accurate long-exposure photography.
Overall, we were pleased to conclude that the Avalon Evo-Zero is a high-quality, capable and refined portable mount that should satisfy the demands of discerning astrophotographers.
KIT TO ADD
1. Avalon 200mm extender for Evo-Zero
2. Avalon Polemaster adaptor kit
3. Avalon X-Guider guidescope mount
VERDICT
