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SV225 vs SV225 Mini A-Z Mounts - Detailed Review
Choosing the right alt-azimuth mount is the key to smooth observing - whether you're observing the moon or tracking bright planets. Today, we're comparing the SV225 and SV225 MINI a-z mounts and analyzing their differences to help you choose the best mount for your telescope.
Basic Parameters and Appearance
| Feature | SV225 | SV225 Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ~3.5kg | ~1.5kg |
| Max Load Capacity | 10kg | 5kg |
| Finish | Glossy white finish for durability | Same as SV225 |
| Packaging | Unassembled, parts protected by thick foam | Same as SV225 |
Core Design Differences: What Makes Them Unique?
Structural Details
Locking Screws: The original SV225 features 3 locking screws, while the Mini version has 2. Despite this, both are fully compatible with standard Vixen bars.
Altitude Adjustment Bar: A standout feature of the SV225 - its horizontal altitude adjustment bar makes repositioning the mount smoother. The Mini omits this design, requiring slightly more manual effort for altitude tweaks.
Vertical Clearance: A Critical Fit Factor
Clearance is vital for avoiding collisions between your telescope and the mount, especially with bulkier optics:
- The SV225 offers 16.5cm of vertical space between the Vixen bar and the azimuth gear plate.
The Mini mount version reduces this to 10cm (and just 5.7cm when tilted horizontally for high-sky targets).
Note: Widebody telescopes (e.g. Maxutov or Cassegrain) may be limited by their size and the width of the telescope needs to be measured in advance.
Slow-Motion Control Arm(Core improvements)
The slow-motion control arm is where the Mini truly outshines the original, solving a key pain point:
SV225: Uses a wing nut to connect the control arm to the brass worm gear. Over time, this can loosen, resulting in the “idle feeling” similar to the gear backlash during fine adjustments (not a defect, but frustrating for precision tracking).
- SV225 MINI: Redesigned with a half-moon worm gear and hex screw, ensuring a rock-solid connection. No more loosening! The top of the brass worm is flat (the SV225 is a raised design), which is more tightly fitted with the control arm, and operates smoothly, close to the "hydraulic feeling".
Note: Control arms are not interchangeable between models due to differing worm gear designs.
Azimuth Control Arm Adjustment
SV225: Lets you rotate the control arm into 8 different positions, offering maximum flexibility for tricky angles (e.g., low-horizon targets).
SV225 MINI: Due to its compact size, some rotation angles are blocked by the worm gear housing. As a result, fewer than 8 positioning angles are actually available, but this does not affect daily use.
Performance & Real-World Use
Both mounts excel in their niches, with distinct strengths for different setups:
Smoothness: both have a smooth rotation experience, the mini model has fewer worm gear teeth (design difference), the azimuthal movement brought about by each rotation is slightly larger, and the fine-tuning accuracy is slightly inferior to the original, but the “silky smoothness” is closer to the hydraulic operation.
- Backlash control: the internal structure of the two models is the same (the mini model has smaller gears), but the mini model is more stable due to the connection of the control arm, the actual use of the “idle feeling” is weaker, and the response is more immediate.
Which Mount Should You Choose?
Applicable Scenarios
SV225: High load-bearing capacity, suitable for heavy telescopes (e.g. large aperture telescopes). Suitable for observations requiring high stability.
SV225 MINI: Lightweight and easy to carry, suitable for small and medium-sized telescopes, especially for mobile observation or high portability requirements.
Matching Recommendation
The mini model with the SV48P refractor (total weight 4kg, within the weight range) is stable, with vertical adjustment up to 85°, and 90° zenith observation by adjusting the position of the Vixen bar (to avoid conflict between the focuser and the control arm).
The mini model is also compatible with the MK105 telescope and the MK90, but the MK127 is recommended to be used with the SV225.
Comprehensive Evaluation
The SV225 MINI is a "lightweight upgraded version" of the SV225 mount, the core improvement focuses on the stability of the slow-motion control arm, which solves the main pain point of the original version and is suitable for users pursuing portability and small and medium-sized equipment.
Both are high quality choices among manual equatorial instruments, and can be selected according to the weight of the telescope and the need for portability: choose the original version for heavy equipment, and choose the mini model for light equipment or mobile observation.
If you want to know more, feel free to click A-Z Mount review video!
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