Dave M
Postmaster
Reged: 08/03/04
Loc: N.E.Ohio
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3030133 - 04/07/09 03:37 PM
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What I don't like about it - the illuminator is external, the battery case is very clunky and does not come with a dimmer. I have taken to shining a red flashlight down the illumiator hole rather than using it. That really is my only complaint with it.
Charlie, i have one of these, the first generation version
and it works great.
http://www.4saleusa.net/astroelectric/dimmer.html
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imhotep
Vendor - Optical Supports
Reged: 02/14/07
Loc: Floriduh
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: mnaf]
#3030190 - 04/07/09 04:06 PM
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Have you considered a Tak EM200? Excellent tracking and painless polar alignment from all accounts. There's fantastic work being done with them and I've seen some complete systems for not much more than your budget.
No I hadn't, but maybe I should educate myself. Tak seems to have a lot of proprietary stuff though.
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Strgazr27
Reged: 10/04/04
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: imhotep]
#3030204 - 04/07/09 04:12 PM
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You'll rarely see a used 200 for less than $4000. The payload is considerably less than the 11 and GoTo will rely on planetarium software.
On the plus side the polar scope is stupid accurate and they track extremely well.
A G11 can be made to track just as accurately, with a higher payload at a cheaper cost. I will say though, the NJP I owned was an amazing mount and the 200 should posess all the TAK qualities also. You just are going to pay for them in dollars instead of time.
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mnaf
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/03/06
Loc: Bay Area, CA
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: imhotep]
#3030222 - 04/07/09 04:20 PM
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Moreso with their scopes, I think. There's a lot of components out there - Cassidy, etc..
It may not change your course but it'd probably be worthwhile to check them out. People who have upgraded to EM200's rave about them and the polar scope is probably the best in the industry. 15+min. guided shots with the quick polar scope alignment (that's probably conservative).
I've never heard of anyone needing to upgrade or "tune" a Takahashi/EM200 for better performance...
P.S. I believe the Atlas' counterweights are compatible with the EM200's! That can save a bunch.
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imhotep
Vendor - Optical Supports
Reged: 02/14/07
Loc: Floriduh
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: mnaf]
#3030258 - 04/07/09 04:38 PM
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Ok Mike, you've peaked my curiosity. I'll look into it. I'm assuming that the EM200 will natively interface with MaximDL, The Sky 6, etc?
I might be willing to go $4K if it doesn't need tuning 
Edited by imhotep (04/07/09 04:44 PM)
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Loc: NE Ohio
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: Strgazr27]
#3030283 - 04/07/09 04:48 PM
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You'll rarely see a used 200 for less than $4000. The payload is considerably less than the 11 and GoTo will rely on planetarium software.
I doubt there's much of a true payload difference. The EM200 is perfectly comfortable with an imaging load of 40 pounds. Applying the usual derating factor to the G11 for imaging loads it would appear to be similar. It's true that you probably won't find one for much under $3500 (and it may take a little while to find one at all - folks tend to keep them). There's something attractive, though, about using a mount that is specified to perform out of the box at the level that folks strive to achieve with other mounts with "tuneups" and modifications. Mine would never have left if the NJP hadn't showed up.
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mnaf
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/03/06
Loc: Bay Area, CA
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: imhotep]
#3030302 - 04/07/09 04:56 PM
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Curt,
I've never owned one (but I almost did!) - I decided to save a bit longer to get a Mach1 - so I can't ring in on the software compatibility.
I would be very surprised, however, if any of the software you mentioned does not work with it. I've not heard of any specific incompatibilities.
I'm sure there are more knowlegeable folks on here that can be more specific.
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Loc: NE Ohio
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: mnaf]
#3030311 - 04/07/09 05:00 PM
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I would be very surprised, however, if any of the software you mentioned does not work with it.
I forgot to mention - both worked fine with mine (as did all other software on hand).
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blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories
Reged: 07/20/07
Loc: California
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: imhotep]
#3030382 - 04/07/09 05:36 PM
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Same Polar Alignment Scope that AP uses, very nice. It works with three stars and when all three are lined up where they belong, it is very close.
Then you just do a 2-3 star alignment and run Polar Align Correction and you will get VERY close.
Blueman
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Charlie Hein
Postmaster
Reged: 11/02/03
Loc: 26.06.08N, +80.23.08W
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: imhotep]
#3030526 - 04/07/09 07:07 PM
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Ok Mike, you've peaked my curiosity. I'll look into it. I'm assuming that the EM200 will natively interface with MaximDL, The Sky 6, etc?
I might be willing to go $4K if it doesn't need tuning
The Atlas is roughly based on the EM-200.
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imhotep
Vendor - Optical Supports
Reged: 02/14/07
Loc: Floriduh
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: blueman]
#3030893 - 04/07/09 10:08 PM
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...and run Polar Align Correction and you will get VERY close.
Blueman
Is that a utility that comes with the EM200, or is it available elsewhere?
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Strgazr27
Reged: 10/04/04
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: imhotep]
#3030928 - 04/07/09 10:21 PM
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Curt,
The utility is part of the Gemini software. The EM has no built in GoTo controller/software. TAK had made one but it was around $700 if I'm not mistaken. You'll need to run planetarium software to control the scope for GoTo's. The EM can probably get as close as the G11 after the routine Floyd speaks of.
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Loc: NE Ohio
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: Strgazr27]
#3030953 - 04/07/09 10:31 PM
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The EM can probably get as close as the G11 after the routine Floyd speaks of.
But without running any routines. Just a peek through the polar alignment scope.
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blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories
Reged: 07/20/07
Loc: California
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: imhotep]
#3030981 - 04/07/09 10:44 PM
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we are talking about the Gemini System with the G-11 when Polar Align Correction is mentioned.
Blueman
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imhotep
Vendor - Optical Supports
Reged: 02/14/07
Loc: Floriduh
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: blueman]
#3031565 - 04/08/09 08:29 AM
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Ok, understood all around. Thanks guys for bearing with me as I learn about these two mounts.
I'm running The Sky 6: Serious Astronomer Edition. Lack of GOTO computer with the EM200 isn't a deal breaker for me personally. It'll be one less object with a cord to clutter up my gear box. The rat's nest I'm currently using with my astrograph is just ridiculous.
I gotta say that EM200 is starting to call my name, but I still can't afford it anytime soon. This is turning into a decision that's more about timing than anything else. If I want a new mount in the next month, my choice is clearly the G11. If I can stand to wait for another 4-5 months, the EM200, or even better yet, an AP mount on astromart is possible. Lately there've been several 'used' AP mounts popping up with all the essentials included. Last week it was an AP900 for $7400, bought new in 2008, never used once.
I'm digressing. Bottom line is that my goal has been reached in this thread. I'm convinced the G11 would serve me well, especially if I put in a little extra time and money to upgrade to an Ovision worm and mono block.
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imhotep
Vendor - Optical Supports
Reged: 02/14/07
Loc: Floriduh
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: imhotep]
#3031576 - 04/08/09 08:40 AM
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One more question on the EM200, lol....maybe I should start another thread.
When I look closely at these images I see a close resemblence to the Atlas with white paint:
http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=611699
Especially this older one:
http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=614491
Charlie, you mentioned that the Atlas is loosely based on the EM200. What are the key differences that make the EM200 superior out-of-the-box?
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starbob1
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/11/07
Loc: IN
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: imhotep]
#3032059 - 04/08/09 01:13 PM
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Curt their is so many difference that it would fill a book.The Tak Mounts are machine to such high standards and use the best parts.The Atlas while fine for it's price is not even in the same League.I also Curt are in the same boat as you.IMHO to spend $3 on a mount and it stills need upgrades is a dealbreaker.Some of us are not machinest.We just want a mount that works.The Tak EM200 is one of the few mounts that fits this bill'Plus they last forever.I seen 20 year Tak mounts that still work flawlessly.Also AP mounts are the same quality.BOB
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blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories
Reged: 07/20/07
Loc: California
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: imhotep]
#3032186 - 04/08/09 02:13 PM
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You might want to check out this link, where the EM200 and the G-11 were tested as well as other mounts.
Please note that the later G-11 (Nov 2004) tested would be the one to be concerned with as it has the latest worms and such. This is the last of the G-11 test graphs. The earlier versions had different worms than the new brass precision worm that is now used.
http://demeautis.christophe.free.fr/ep/pe.htm
If you look, you will notice that the two mounts are pretty similar as far a PE is concerned.
Blueman
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Carl M
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/21/07
Loc: Vermont, USA
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: blueman]
#3033562 - 04/09/09 07:02 AM
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Blueman's right about the new brass worm. It makes a huge difference. I replaced both RA and DEC on my older GM-8 (see my post earlier in this thread) and it made a big difference. My new G-11 was spot-on right out-of-the-box.
One very important factor is availability and standardization you find at Losmandy. It's rather nice to be able to upgrade older mounts(with items like the new worm)and purchase parts in a moments notice.
The polar scope doesn't need adjustment and you can get a different LED unit as mentioned earlier. There are sites listing ways to make one yourself. Just google LED dimmer and you'll be set.
Hope this helps!
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imhotep
Vendor - Optical Supports
Reged: 02/14/07
Loc: Floriduh
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Re: Calling all G11 owners
[Re: Carl M]
#3034004 - 04/09/09 11:50 AM
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Thanks Carl. I wanna make sure I understand exactly right about the polar scope.
Quote:
The polar scope doesn't need adjustment...
Is that to say it has no adjustment screws at all, or that it CAN be adjusted but generally doesn't need to be?
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