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I've been getting some good feedback that this is the mount to carry my C6R achro refractor. Is that right, and is it stout enough to carry a C11 SCT. Not carrying both together, of course.

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I don't know that much about the refractor, sorry OTOH.., on spec, it should take the C-11, which according to Celestron has a bare-metal weight of 27.5lbs. Unlikely though, that the mount will cope with additional loads outside of the associated accessories.

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Also, is the non-Goto the same as the Goto, except fot the different hand control. And if so, is upgrading to Goto as simple as buying the proper HC?

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I'm in the UK, so can speak to the EQ-6. See I DO have the EQ-6 non-GoTo .

The EQ-6 non-GoTo mount is absolutely not the same as the EQ-6 Pro GoTo .

Both have different handcontrollers for sure, but the drives and PCB / motherboard are also different.

I note that you're in the US though.., So it might well be that there is another version of non-GoTo that others have referred to available over there in providing feedback to you.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

skybsd

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From emailing to skywatcher the newest version of the EQ-6 is the same base unit for goto and non goto just the added hand controller. The older models were different and needed more than the hand controller change. This is the same as the Orion Atlas.

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THAT is an email I'd really like to see a copy of..,

I just spoke to a couple of resellers on the telephone, your (and indeed my original) statement is in fact, only half-true here in EU.

There is actually, ANOTHER, COMPLETELY SEPARATE MODEL out there in Skywatcher-land - its called the EQ-6 SynTREK

So what the resellers have been telling me (I called two to be sure) is that the EQ-6 SynTREK isn't really "new", its actually what was apparently always available in the US as the the Atlas, and was subsequently available here in Europe, but only after quite some time after the original EQ-6 non-GoTo were in circulation.

Sorry for any confusion on my part

Regards,

skybsd

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Mine would be coming from Orion, here in the U.S., but their site doesn't indicate whether or not they are the same except for hand unit. Getting a lot of conflicting opinions here, so still don't know the correct answer. Keep 'em comin', boys!

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Sorry for the confusion. For the US, I believe you'd be looking at the Orion Atlas EQ-G With Dual Axis Controller .

On the right of that page, you'll see the "STEP UP TO" window that's a link to the Orion Atlas EQ-G With GOTO Controller .

Its not entirely explicit, but after reading the product specifications for both, you'll work out that the "Atlas EQ-G Mount with Dual-Axis Controller" model is the non-GoTo that only needs a change of hand-controller (and possibly HC update) to become a GoTo

Hope that helps!

Regards,

skybsd

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Mine would be coming from Orion, here in the U.S., but their site doesn't indicate whether or not they are the same except for hand unit. Getting a lot of conflicting opinions here, so still don't know the correct answer. Keep 'em comin', boys!
Doug

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They are EXACTLY THE SAME except for the presence/absence of the SynScan HC.



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Peace,
Uncle Rod

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Will it hold a C11 good enough for not only visual, but AP?

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I cannot speak for Rod, but my Atlas carries my C11 just fine. In fact, it is an AWESOME combination.

I'm not into AP yet, but have been assured the mount is equal to the task. I think you will be very happy with this choice. To get anything better (G11, CGE, and etc.), you would have to double the price, IMHO.

Ron

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Time spent looking at the stars is added to your life.

C11-A SCT "Time Machine"
C925-CF SCT "Time Machine II"
TV-102 "HDTV"
I-M 703 MCT
Atlas EQ-G GEM / A-P Portable Pier

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Mine would be coming from Orion, here in the U.S., but their site doesn't indicate whether or not they are the same except for hand unit. Getting a lot of conflicting opinions here, so still don't know the correct answer. Keep 'em comin', boys!
Doug

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Orion badges the EQ6 SynTrek as the non go-to Atlas. It is identical in all respects to the go-to model *except for the hand controller*.

If you were looking at a used mount then I'd be careful to pick the right model if you're looking to buy a non go-to version and upgrade later. You'll want the one that has the ST-4 type autoguider jack on the faceplate of the mount and a DB-9 connection for the handbox. If the mount doesn't have both of these telltales then it is the original Atlas. Either mount can be upgraded to full go-to, but the one with the autoguider port and the DB-9 handbox connection can be upgraded simply by changing the handbox. To upgrade the original version you have to also replace the electronics and stepper motors, which is significantly more expensive.

Charlie

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Weston CSC:

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Will it hold a C11 good enough for not only visual, but AP?

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I cannot speak for Rod, but my Atlas carries my C11 just fine. In fact, it is an AWESOME combination.


Ron

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I have no doubt it is. I generally put one of my C8s on it for imaging (I like the 8's wider field and with a C8 the Atlas doesn't even notice it's got an OTA on its back).

But the C11/Atlas is a great combo...one heck of a lotta bang for the buck.

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Peace,
Uncle Rod

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I'm glad to hear that the C11 and Atlas is a good match, I had mentioned to Doug I thought it might be on the heavy side. I would like to add a C11 to my Atlas but had started to consider the C9.25. I see you have both, can you give me any differences and which one do you use the most. Do you have any images?

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Thanks for asking. I do not have any images yet. I used to be a professional photographer and kind of burned out. It's a shame, because I have a ton of great equipment and haven't used it in years. I'm sure the bug will bite again soon. I talked to the Hutech folks at NEAF and am considering a modded Canon.

For visual work - it's a toss up between the C11 and the C925. My C11 was originally fork mounted and had to spend a month in "rehab" at Celestron. I picked up the C925 during that time because I thought that would be the biggest OTA I could handle on a GEM with my physical problems. The Celestron guys said the image might be a tick darker, but I would not be disappointed with the scope -- and they were right.

When the C11 came back from the factory, it sat in the basement for a few months because I could no longer haul that heavy CPC out the door. I finally got tired of looking at it and just decided to strip it off the forks and see if I could lift it onto the Atlas. In my case, it's not how much the mount can carry; it's how much my body can carry. Wonder of wonders, I could and it works great.

BTW -- all up weight of my C925, ready to use, is 25 pounds. The C11 comes in at a hair over 32 pounds. I use Losmandy D dovetails and my Atlas has the ADM Losmandy saddle -- highly recommended. I have an ADM Mini Rail on top of each and fashioned a handle for the top to make it easier to carry each tube. I've attached a picture of the handle on the C925.

I am very happy to tell you that if you are ever forced to choose between these two tubes -- you are a WINNER. They are both great. Since the C11 was my first love, it gets the most use. All of my eyepieces were chosen with that scope's focal length in mind and I know I'm looking at the brightest picture I can get. The C925 has served me well and I plan to keep it, too.

Take care,

Ron

--------------------
Time spent looking at the stars is added to your life.

C11-A SCT "Time Machine"
C925-CF SCT "Time Machine II"
TV-102 "HDTV"
I-M 703 MCT
Atlas EQ-G GEM / A-P Portable Pier

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