Telescope Reviews: Question for Losmandy Imagers

Thanks for the info, Tom.

My loads on the mount are as follows...

WO 98mm FLT (aluminum)
WO ZS66 Guide scope
Canon 450D
Auto guider cam
Mounting hardware,Field flatner, etc.

This is a load of 20-25 lbs.

I am interested in the GM8 if I go Losmandy. It is a major chunk outside the budget I had set at $1500 anyway, so the G11 is out of the question. I just can not afford $3K. My question was mainly about the GM-8. would it make a reliably good AP mount under those load conditions? Will it still out perform a mount (the Atlas) that is touted as handling that much weight with ease? For a Gemini version the extra expenditure is a 66% increase in cost.

Yes I am interested in the GM-8, but for the extra cash is it 66% more capable? Or is it even somewhat more capable for a 25lb rig? People do astounding work with the autoguided Atlas. So I think that the question of How much better the GM-8 will do in comparison. Would I be getting a step up in performance with my load requirements?

I would certainly love to own a G-11 or for that matter an AP mount. If Money were not the issue then I would be all over the G-11. The GM-8 is a very big stretch as well for my retired income. I'm just asking that if I can swing that much more, what do I get for the money, over the Synta offerings? This is a reasonable question right? Since my expendable cash is limited, It is only reasonable to get the biggest bang for that amount.

Some here have made a couple of fair cases for the losmandy GM-8, but just as many have brought up issues of load capacity. I can't spend more to fix it with an upgrade to a G-11. The GM-8 has to compete for my dollars without its illustrious big brother. Specially since I have to buy an OS now.

I love the sexy look of the GM-8. In my mind there is an asthetic value to the mount. I just want to be certain before I pull the trigger that I will get the extra value for my load requirments out of that extra $1000.

Correct me if I am wrong but the issue boils down to something like this.

GM-8
Pros. Better build, tighter tolerances.
cons. weight capacity is not so good. Cost is high, need to purchase extras seperately.

Atlas
Pros. Holds a heavier load, cheaper, comes with most of the accessories like polar scope, and more counter balance weight
cons. Not as tight tolerances. PE not as good.

To me a sports car is very cool and sexy, but if you need to haul lumber it isn't the right tool for the job. Similarly at some point that great PE is not going to look so good if the load I place on it is too much. Is 25lbs that proverbiale straw that broke the camels back, or would I still be better off with the GM-8?

I am really interested to hear from all of you guys as to how you would choose under these circumstances? I really do appreciate all of the time you guys spend in helping this old newby to AP. I want to buy once, and want this to be a good experience. As always thanks for the help.

EDIT: Tom, that is one great looking rig you have there.

Edited by alanon (03/06/09 01:08 AM)