PSA: Cheap star tracker mount ruined my $900 camera lens

Bought a no-name tracker off Amazon for $120 last month to shoot Andromeda. The clutch slipped at 30 seconds in and my 200mm lens swung straight into the tripod leg. Cracked the front element clean through, lens is toast. Anyone else had a budget mount fail on them? Wish I'd just rented a proper Sky-Watcher for the weekend instead.

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felixh455d ago

Learn to test the clutch before you trust it with anything expensive. I had a similar scare with a knockoff mount last year, so now I always do a quick shake test and check the tension knob before attaching real gear. Honestly, that $120 saved you from learning the same lesson on a $1,500 lens down the road.