Product Description
M002C Mount Operator's Manual - Click here for our online manual: M002C
Several years ago, we redesigned our M002 mount into a more advanced M002C mount. This newer version uses larger shafts and a stainless roller bearing, making it even smoother than before.
The M002C mounts directly to large camera tripods with a standard 3/8”-16 threaded hole, or it mounts to a number of tripods using one of our optional rock-solid MEC columns. Mount the column to a tripod, and the M002C mount drops into the column. Secure the mount head to the column with three set screws and you have an impressive, heavy duty, ultra-smooth alt-azimuth mount.
The M002C mount head with combination Losmandy and Vixen shoe weighs 6 pounds.
We manufacture this mount here in America using stainless steel and aluminum. It is machined and assembled in our CNC metal shop, so it is extremely precise. The smoothness makes slow motion controls unnecessary, so they are not included. Simply set the knobs for minimum drag and glide around the night sky. The M002C is a pleasure to use.
In order to use the M002C mount with our tripods, the MEC style column is required. Our latest version of our Denali Tripod (The Denali 2) has a column base. So, order the MEC column only for use with the Denali 2 tripod. Save money when you order the M002C mount, the MEC column and our new Denali 2 tripod together as a complete system (M002CW).
If you want to use the M002C with the former Denali tripod (without the column base) use the MEC003 column. This column has a standard 3/8-16 threaded hole so it will work with many heavy-duty camera tripods. If you are using a surveyor's tripod (with 5/8-11 attachment bolt), use the MEC002 column. If you will use a Celestron AVX/CG5/Vixen type tripod, use the MEC010 column which has a 10 mm attachment bolt. This is the most common bolt size for Chinese tripods. Larger import tripods such as the CGEM tripod and our TSS stainless tripod work with the MEC012 column which has a 12 mm threaded hole.
This latest version of the M002 uses smooth 3” over-sized bearings on each axis. The tension is adjusted on both axis with over-sized knurled knobs. Once the tension is set, it is easy to glide from object to object without the need for slow motion controls. The mount will hold our 70 mm - 115 mm telescopes. The M002C mounted to our stainless-steel tripod will hold our SVX130T and other scopes, up to about 25 pounds. The mount head itself weighs about 6.2 pounds and comes standard with our TDLV spring-loaded shoe to accommodate both Vixen and Losmandy rails. If using a Losmandy style rail, we recommend using a safety screw with washers or a spacer so it will not slide through the shoe when the knobs are loosened.
Spring and guide pin upgrade: We recently improved the spring and guide pin on the TDLV shoe. We now use a machined guide pin and a heavier tension spring to improve the performance of the shoe. If you own a former M002C mount using a threaded guide pin (or no guide pin), an upgrade kit is available here.
Encoders: The JMI encoder system made for the older M002 mount does not currently work with this redesigned mount. If you are interested in a complete encoder system for this mount head, we recommend the Nexus encoder kit for the M002C by Astro-Devices.
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M002C mount
This mount is the S**t, it's solid, smooth and my girlfriend is pissed because I love it more than her. She even tries to steal it for her scope, and I say, "get out of here get your own", "use that junky explore scientific mount". It can carry a variety of scopes, 4"APO? You bet. 127mm Maksutov? No prob. 6" 8" Newt tube? Ha! You know it son, throw that pig on and glide from star to star like it's on ice or some s**t. Plus it's made here in the US of A.. built with good old Yankee Ingenuity, it's like we beat the commies to the moon twice, Plus this thing is solid as a rock, if someone breaks into your house to steal your Stellarvue refractors, you can basically beat them with this mount, then throw your scope right back on and check out that 3rd quarter moon while you wait for the cops to show up at 3am. If astronomy is your thing, and you need a kick a** alt az grab and go mount ( you do) than you need to buy this thing now.
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Stellarvue M2C Mount
Holy Cow.....I had read that this is a fine piece of machining, but when I received it, I couldn't believe nice it is. It exudes quality from the friction adjustment knobs to the bottom of the pier. It was easy to install with the pier and I've already noticed a significant lessening of vibration, which is why I ditched my old mount.
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Stellarvue M002C
The workmanship is outstanding, this thing is beautiful to look at. Makes you feel proud to own it. Oh, yes, it works as good as it looks. Rock solid and very smooth operation! Does require minor adjustment as the night temperature changes, but that's to be expected (hardly worth mentioning). I highly recommend this product, top notch!!
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It's a chunky monkey
This is a pretty great mount; totally rock solid in every way. It's a lot bigger in person that you might expect, too, but that chunkiness is a part of how good it is. I feel like a pound of unnecessary material could probably be shaved off, but that's not really a big deal. Motion is a dream. I love the smoothness and the adjustable clutches. I thought I would miss the lack of slow motion controls when zoomed on on planet at high magnification, but I really don't, because for this use case you adjust the telescope position in its rings to its proper balance point and then you can open up the azimuth clutch and guide by hand with a feather touch. It works great. I have only one real complaints: this thing is sharp! There's no reason why the corners and edges couldn't be rounded down. I use this this as a grab-and-go mount, moving the telescope, mount, and tripod all at once. I naturally grasp this whole thing by the mount, and the sharp edges are a bit annoying. Also, as mentioned earlier, I think it could be about a pound lighter with no loss of functionality. Regardless, I have no regrets! It's a great. mount!
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So happy with this mount
First off the mount is awesome - really, like butter holding my SV80 with ES 12mm 92 all on my Manfrotto stand. The only thing better was the customer service. I needed this new mount so i could take my scope to the beach and it showed up 48 hours later with plenty of time to try it out before the trip. Awesome, awesome, awesome! thank Stellarevue.
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Stellarvue M002C Mount
This is actually my second M002C mount. I use my first one with digital setting circles. I wanted a second one for easy grab and go with my Denali tripod. This mount is beautifully machined and a joy to use. I can easily balance my TeleVue 85 with heavy 2 inch eyepieces or use a bigger 100 mm refractor. I highly recommend for visual astronomers. I can hardly wait for Vic and team to release a bigger version designed to hold larger refractors.
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stellarvue M002c mount
this in the best altazimuth mount i have ever purchased!!!! well built, smooth movements in both axis and last but not least, made in the good ol USA!!!!!
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Fantastic mount
I got this for a 115mm refractor for alt/az viewing. The mount is fantastically engineered. It's solid, smooth, and does exactly what it needs to. Would recommend to anyone!
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More than I was expecting
I was able to give this a first light the day I got it and I have to say, I'm really impressed. It's just solid - I'd wager that the 25 lb. limit is conservative. Super easy to adjust (the knobs are massive) and very easy to mount a scope. Worth every penny and then some.
