Telescope Reviews: Question for Losmandy Imagers

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blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories

Reged: 07/20/07

Loc: California

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#2951280 - 02/26/09 03:54 PM

I heard the AT RC8 will no longer feature (or offer) the Feathertouch and that they can not say a Feathertouch will even fit the scope. It seems to be the same focuser that the 6" uses and it will not handle a 3 lb camera, according to Astro-Tech. So, not sure what to say about the 8" model, may not be good for cameras like my ST2000xm with filter wheel.
Cost $1395
Blueman

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blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories

Reged: 07/20/07

Loc: California

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#2951283 - 02/26/09 03:57 PM

Hi,
This looks very good indeed. If you can get the two blocks to line up without causing the two bearings to bind, the 76 error will diminish a lot.
I am not sure what it is saying the actual Peak to Peak is, but it looks smooth enough.
Blueman

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alanon
Nobody tells me anything

Reged: 06/29/07

Loc: Las Vegas

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: blueman]
#2951372 - 02/26/09 04:46 PM

So with all of the need to rebuild, and The GM-8's performance being so average at a medium load capacity, what is the advantage to paying such a premium for this rather light weight mount? An Atlas is cheaper, and a Sirius has as good a capacity. What DO you get from a GM-8 that justifies the cost? I looks great, but that in itself doesn't seem to warant the $1000 premium. For a thousand or more dollars over the 2 Orion offerings wouldn't one expect a premium performance? What am I missing here?

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Strgazr27

Reged: 10/04/04

Loc: StonyHill Observatory

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: blueman]
#2951413 - 02/26/09 05:13 PM Attachment (23 downloads)

Quote:

I heard the AT RC8 will no longer feature (or offer) the Feathertouch and that they can not say a Feathertouch will even fit the scope. It seems to be the same focuser that the 6" uses and it will not handle a 3 lb camera, according to Astro-Tech. So, not sure what to say about the 8" model, may not be good for cameras like my ST2000xm with filter wheel.
Cost $1395
Blueman

Floyd,

As of today the Feathertouch will be offered as an option with the adapter for $450 on top of the base price of $1395. There are no issue with fit of the FT. I don't know who gave you that information but it's incorrect. Both the 6 and the 8 are going to use a newer style focuser that uses a rail and bearing system and will easily support more than 3 lbs

and should be good to at least the 8lb mark. The optics will easily cover an APS-C chip and will do a FF with perhaps the need for flat frames. There is plans for a .75 reducer for the scope also.

I have attached a picture of the new focuser which shows the new design. There are 4 bearings that guide/support the drawtube and should work very well.

I do stand corrected though. With the FT focuser the price difference is basically a wash between the VC and the ATRC. The baffled tube and FT focuser are a big step up from the VC's as well as the AT having a normal set of spider vanes.

Hope this info helps clear things up a bit

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waassaabee
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/26/07

Loc: Central California Coast

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#2951435 - 02/26/09 05:25 PM

Back on subject here...

Dan, I'm with you.. Maybe that CGEM isn't such a bad deal after all...

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blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories

Reged: 07/20/07

Loc: California

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: alanon]
#2951524 - 02/26/09 06:21 PM

The Mods that I and others have performed are not required, but rather elective. We are trying to get the G-11 and GM-8 to perform to a degree that rivals mounts costing 2-3x more. Out of the box, they work very well, but with Mods they can be made to work even better.
It is this quest for excellence that is behind the Mods, not a lack of quality or capability in the mounts in my opinion.
Blueman

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blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories

Reged: 07/20/07

Loc: California

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#2951542 - 02/26/09 06:28 PM

Hi Strgazr,

That is good information, but it is not found on the site. So when I was told that the FT had been withdrawn and all, it was from someone that had talked with them about the new RC8. I will have to call again and see what is being said by the vendor.

The new focuser could work well, though I have not yet heard of any real reviews of it using a heavier load. The original one was lacking for cameras above 1 lb or so.

This is still a Chinese focuser that is certain and I have had issues with some of them, so I will hold judgment until I hear more from the field tests.

So, where do you find the information on the FT option, which vendor or site? Who actually has these for sale? it is my understanding that there is a pre order list only at this time.
Blueman

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blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories

Reged: 07/20/07

Loc: California

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: blueman]
#2951547 - 02/26/09 06:31 PM

Oh, I ask about the availability, because I am actually interested in one myself. The $1395 would be a great price if the focuser works with a bigger camera. But the $450 FT option would not be out of the question either.
Blueman

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jshalpha
professor emeritus

Reged: 04/30/05

Loc: SF Bay Area

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: blueman]
#2951564 - 02/26/09 06:43 PM

I'm interested in one myself, but I also want to see the specs on the 10 inch so I can decide between it and the 8 inch.

Jim S.

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Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.

Reged: 06/07/04

Loc: Right Here

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: jshalpha]
#2951726 - 02/26/09 08:13 PM

Here's the skinny then back on subject.

1. $1395 is the new price.
2. With that price came some concessions.
3. No case.
4. No Feathertouch as standard equipment.
5. A 90x1 metric adapter is what is needed. Ballpark price would be $100 or so hence the $450 upgrade price once you throw in the focuser.
6. Werner made the original adapter and the new owners of Starlight will need his drawings to produce the adapter for the RC.
7. The RC6 and RC8 share the same back housing so the adapter will work on either.
8. The original focuser will hold a decent load, we just didn't want people trying to put an ST series camera with filter wheel and the works. We were trying to impose a ceiling of some sort and may have gone overboard.

I hope this helps clear some things up.

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alanon
Nobody tells me anything

Reged: 06/29/07

Loc: Las Vegas

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: Astronomics]
#2952025 - 02/26/09 10:47 PM

Thanks Mighty Kong!

I think that my question still stands though. If an average performance in PE is + or - 4"to 7", then this mount does little (if anything) to warrant the extra cash out of the box. I should think that an Atlas, Sirius, or CGEM is capable of these numbers as well. Plus rebuilds if I recall, the hyper tuning jobs on the Atlas Mounts do not entail an expenditure of $500 for a part.This doubles the cost of the competitive offerings at this load bearing capability. Please correct me if I am wrong ,but is there something I am that missing? What other qualities are there that would justify this price? I don't mean to be confrontational, but really would like to know.

Add on... I am in the market and haven't scratched the GM-8 from the option list. So, any help would be very useful. Thanks All!

Edited by alanon (02/26/09 10:50 PM)

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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more

Reged: 04/30/03

Loc: NE Ohio

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: alanon]
#2952038 - 02/26/09 11:00 PM

Quote:

If an average performance in PE is + or - 4"to 7", then this mount does little (if anything) to warrant the extra cash out of the box. I should think that an Atlas, Sirius, or CGEM is capable of these numbers as well.

I think you are being very optimistic. +-5 arcseconds is both very, very good and very difficult to achieve. If they could achieve those numbers consistently, Synta would publish it. Everyone who produces mounts that can be relied upon to achieve that performance range - Tak, AP, MI, others - publishes the fact. Otherwise, why would anybody invest in higher-end mounts? I know that I would not.

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alanon
Nobody tells me anything

Reged: 06/29/07

Loc: Las Vegas

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: jrcrilly]
#2952270 - 02/27/09 03:13 AM

Thanks John! I appreciate the clarification.

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alanon
Nobody tells me anything

Reged: 06/29/07

Loc: Las Vegas

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: alanon]
#2952284 - 02/27/09 03:34 AM

I also wish to say that I went back and looked at other PE data that I could find. I learned that you are quite correct that those types of numbers are pretty exceptional.

I also made the mistake of thinking those numbers were for the GM-8. When in actuality the conversation was about the G-11.

Thanks for setting me straight!

edit:One note though... Given we are really talking about the G-11, and not the GM-8, then we are talking a different load class, and more than double the cost of the mounts I mentioned. I was really asking about the GM-8. (GM-8 is what I would consider a somewhat close competitor to the Synta entries load wise) So, how would the GM-8 stack up against the Synta competitors?

Edited by alanon (02/27/09 04:09 AM)

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Gardner
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 01/19/04

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: alanon]
#2952407 - 02/27/09 07:01 AM

One of the important reasons I stepped up to a GM-8 from a CG-5 was the Losmandy clutch system. I do a lot of public sky watches and didn't want to see a CG-5 motor wiped out from an accidental push on the scope.

Another reason is that the club I belong to has a permanently mounted Titan so my dovetails are compatible with that if I choose to use it.

I do image on my GM-8 with the SV80S and the Mini Borg guiding. The focal length of the 80mm scope with the TV 0.8 reducer is very short at 384mm. So I am not stressing the mount there in weight or tracking accuracy. I have not modded the mount at all other than an occasional worm gear adjustment.

One more thing. When I bought the GM-8 I was not intending to get into imaging. If that was my goal I would have moved to a G11 instead as the price difference is not really that great for a large jump in capacity. So I keep my setup well within the capability of the GM-8 and I am quite happy with it. If cost means a G11 is not within reach, I would not shy away from the GM-8 as it can be a capable imaging mount if one works within its load range.

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alanon
Nobody tells me anything

Reged: 06/29/07

Loc: Las Vegas

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: Gardner]
#2952429 - 02/27/09 07:26 AM

Yes my budget is a bit too tight for the G-11. In fact the GM-8 Gemini would be a hard stretch, but if there is a clear advantage for AP over the Synta brands then I could push it to go the GM-8 Gemini. My load is a projected 20-25lbs with my WO98mm, WO66 guide scope, Orion autoguider, Canon 450d, and hardware. Is this asking too much of this mount?

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Carl M
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/21/07

Loc: Vermont, USA

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: Gardner]
#2952457 - 02/27/09 08:00 AM

I own both a GM-8 and G-11. The GM-8 I bought used a few years ago and was made in 2000. The G-11 is brand new. I needed more weight handling capacity the G-11 has. But alas, it arrived two days before knee surgery ( ACL reconstruction) two weeks ago so I haven't been out with it yet. I had a Gemini add-on and a polar scope on the GM-8. I quickly and easily moved both over the G-11. The stepper motors on the G-11 are newer and upgraded compared to the older GM-8 so when I took them off the G-11, I put them on the GM-8. ( I did have the original GM-8 492 digital drive that went on as well) Why do I mention all of this? As others have said, it's easy to service any Losmandy mount and in many cases, the parts are interchangeable.

I have imaged with the GM-8 with a SV-80(NHNG) unguided for 3 min subs without any problems. I have an SV102ED with FT focuser and will guide with a SV F60 and SSAG. The weight isn't as much of a problem as the added length of the SV102ED. Visually with the GM-8, you could see movement if it was windy.
OK, what about new worms, modifications to improve PE, etc? Some one used a car as an example and I will too, but somewhat differently. When I got my first car, it quite functional, worked well, and performed well within normal uses. What did I do? Started 'improving' it. A lot of my time (and all of my money...

) went into the car and in the end, had something quite fast, and perfectly tuned. I think many of us treat mounts like we did cars in our 'younger' years. I must admit, I'm a gear head and I enjoy that aspect of astronomy just as much as the stars themselves!
In summary, both mounts are great and you can't go wrong. I would plan for the future and buy the larger G11 if you can. Chances are you'll upgrade your equipment and need the extra capacity.
Hope this helps!

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blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories

Reged: 07/20/07

Loc: California

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: alanon]
#2953120 - 02/27/09 02:22 PM

Try looking around for PE on Atlas and you will find that +- 15-40" is not unusual.
Blueman

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alanon
Nobody tells me anything

Reged: 06/29/07

Loc: Las Vegas

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: blueman]
#2953183 - 02/27/09 02:50 PM

Hi Blueman,
That is what I found when I corrected myself earlier. I was off by a factor of 10 for Synta when I first posted. Sorry for the mistake all!

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hersey0308
super member

Reged: 12/04/08

Loc: Ontario Canada

Re: Question for Losmandy Imagers new

new

[Re: alanon]
#2953747 - 02/27/09 08:02 PM Attachment (21 downloads)

dan's point still stands. what do you get for the extra $1,000? i'm not certain if modeling is available for the other mounts but it is certainly a welcome part of the gemini system. without half decent pointing afforded in part by a well built model, imaging can become a difficult chore.

another poster mentioned interchangeable parts (motors, cables hand paddles) and if you have a few different mounts this can be very helpful. this has saved me waiting for parts twice in five years.

worth a grand? probably not but i'm still pretty darn happy with my gm 8.

good thread all.

david

Edited by hersey0308 (02/27/09 08:11 PM)

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