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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Excellent product
You can sense the pride that goes into building these mounts. It's a work of art.
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ItsJewel
1 to 10 . 10 the highest 12
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M002C Mount
Works beautifully as intended. Fit and finish excellent, and reasonably priced. You would have to spent much more elsewhere to get this level of quality and function.
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MO02C
Photo doesn’t do this justice - it’s a superb mount for a travelscope.
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Well designed and built
I use this mount on my old Manfrotto 055 tripod to hold my WO 81GT scope. Total weight is about 12 lbs which this mount handles with ease. Well engineered and built axes with no play in them. Drag and lock friction have good feel and the large knobs are easy to use. I am not using the optional riser on my tripod. The mount is attached to the top of the center column which I leave in the down position. Recommend a good tripod. Overall very pleased.
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M002 Mount
This mount represents one of the best purchases I've ever made for my astronomy endeavors. The mount is well made, operates smoothly and predictably...The M002 is as versatile as it is functional as it adapts to a myriad of tripods on its own or with one of the columns that Stellarvue offers...my grab and go game just went up ten notches thanks to this mount and stellarvue, and it didn't break the bank either.
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M002 Mount
Thankyou for the comment on my review from June 2020 of the M002. I just your reply today (December). I stand corrected! The stainless steel roller bearings are indeed there as described. I was expecting them as supporting the shaft, but makes perfect sense. Over the months I have used the mount it has proven to make all the difference in my enjoyment of my sessions. I'm using it for a "grab and go" 6" Newtonian reflector and the combination is ideal for my purposes. Apologies for the bearing misunderstanding. I've upgraded my review to 5 stars. Cheers Steve
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The only mount I'll need
My journey navigating the telescope landscape has been long and costly. It has taken quite some time for me to realize exactly what I wanted out of my stargazing sessions. I’m someone who is not interested in astrophotography, so the expensive mounts/tripods on the market aren’t really suited for me. But I own an Explore Scientific Comet Hunter (Mak-Newt) which weighs about 15 pounds and the only mounts available for that kind of weight are GEM. I searched for a long time, all I wanted was a non-go-to mount that I could quickly set up and start scanning the skies with, preferably an Alt-Az mount. The only mounts that fit my style were the Stellarvue M002 and the Losmandy AZ8. I went with the Stellarvue because I already had a Meade LX85 mount and tripod. I bought the Stellarvue extension column (M002C Head to Tripod w/ 10mm Bolt) and the Stellarvue M002. The extension column fit the Meade LX85 tripod beautifully and I have a tripod and mount combo that is easy to set up and take down; it’s also lightweight! The mount itself functions perfectly, it’s smooth, never binds, and is made of quality materials. When you get your hands on the mount, it feels as if it’ll last you a lifetime. And I hope it does, because I’ll never need another mount. Huge thanks to Stellarvue for making such an awesome product.
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M002C Mount
This is a very well made and solid mount. I purchased this along with an extension column for my ASGT tripod. Fit and finish of everything is first rate. The mount moves freely and easily. Overall very pleased!
