Telescope Reviews: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . .

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dawziecat
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/20/10

Loc: Rural Nova Scotia

My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . .
#4410702 - 02/25/11 01:16 PM Attachment (145 downloads)

I have more questions than answers for folks interested in this thing though.

First impressions:
1/Beautifully made . . . the setting circles and verniers are GORGEOUS!!

Ya, I know . . . but I was always a sucker for setting circles ever since my Unitron Model 152 days back in 1960.
2/ Surely a manual is in the offing?

Clutch knobs and an additional 21 lb wt are still on back order at Astronomics.

You guys with Gemini 1 experience know WAY more about this thing than I do!

So, stand by for questions.

Edited by dawziecat (02/25/11 04:01 PM)

Post Extras:

nemo129
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/03/10

Loc: WMass

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4410731 - 02/25/11 01:31 PM

Wow, that's a real beauty Terry!

I hope the mount did not bring clouds as well and you get to try it out for first light soon! No manual huh?

Post Extras:

HunterofPhotons
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 04/26/08

Loc: Rhode Island, USA

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4410774 - 02/25/11 01:49 PM

There is quick start guide available for level 2, and from what I can gather many of the Gemini 1 features are similar if not the same in version 2. The level 1 manual should answer many of your questions until the level 2 manual comes out.

dan

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gnowellsct
Postmaster

Reged: 06/24/09

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: HunterofPhotons]
#4410783 - 02/25/11 01:55 PM

Manual's on the web site...

Greg N

Post Extras:

gdd
sage

Reged: 11/23/05

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4410959 - 02/25/11 03:21 PM

Quote:

Beautifully made . . . the setting circles and verniers are GORGEOUS!! Ya, I know . . . but I was always a sucker for setting circles ever since my Unitron Model 152 days back in 1960.

You can use the setting circles and keep the Gemini 2 for backup in case the batteries in your flashlight go dead

Gale

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dawziecat
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/20/10

Loc: Rural Nova Scotia

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: gnowellsct]
#4411060 - 02/25/11 03:56 PM Attachment (80 downloads)

OK, thanks, I found the G-11 manual on-line.
Find nothing about mounting the motors though.
Seems to me the RA motor to controller cable is a bit short?
I have tried mounting the motor in the two possible orientations, with cable port towards the rear and towards the front. Towards the front and it gets in the way of the polar axis. Towards the rear and cable seems a bit tight. Straight down would be about right but the motor mounting holes do not permit that.

Image shows the "towards the rear" orientation.

Post Extras:

dawziecat
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/20/10

Loc: Rural Nova Scotia

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4411066 - 02/25/11 03:58 PM Attachment (109 downloads)

The old C11 mounted on its new perch. First time mounted in several months after the drive controller on the fork went kablooie. . .

Edited by dawziecat (02/25/11 04:03 PM)

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nemo129
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/03/10

Loc: WMass

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4411070 - 02/25/11 04:01 PM

Hey...two classic cats! Nice. I always loved the orange tubes! The furry guy to the left is cute too!

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MikeCatfin
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 03/12/04

Loc: NJ, USA

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4411087 - 02/25/11 04:11 PM

Why don't you just turn the mount head around so the polar scope is over the control box.. this way you won't have to wrap the cable around the mount?

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rsbfoto
sage

Reged: 06/10/06

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: MikeCatfin]
#4411140 - 02/25/11 04:40 PM

Hi,

The way you mounted the head is totally wrong.

The head has to be in direction opposite to the control box eg. the control box and the mount have to be in straight line.

If you use it as you have mounted it there is the Danger that your tripod can tip over ...

Correct assembly

This is only a GM8 but in the same way you have to mount the G11.

The image in the Losmandy site is totally wrong and dangerous.

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dawziecat
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/20/10

Loc: Rural Nova Scotia

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: MikeCatfin]
#4411159 - 02/25/11 04:49 PM

Quote:

Why don't you just turn the mount head around so the polar scope is over the control box.. this way you won't have to wrap the cable around the mount?

Well, er, ah, ahem!

Thank you, Mike.

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Waxing Gibbous
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/19/10

Loc: Victoria, Australia

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4411567 - 02/25/11 08:21 PM

Lovely mount. Lovely cat!
Am saving my pennies for one of these myself.
You'd think for the money they would include a manual tho'.
That's very poor!

BTW: What model 'Gitzo' is that in the background (if I may ask)?

Post Extras:

dawziecat
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/20/10

Loc: Rural Nova Scotia

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: Waxing Gibbous]
#4411639 - 02/25/11 09:08 PM

Quote:

BTW: What model 'Gitzo' is that in the background (if I may ask)?

G410

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bradisback
member

Reged: 01/05/10

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4412211 - 02/26/11 04:24 AM

Yes, the control panel must be under the polar finder
like this:

Good fun!!!
Stef

Post Extras:

dawziecat
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/20/10

Loc: Rural Nova Scotia

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: bradisback]
#4412547 - 02/26/11 10:20 AM

Thanks, we have the head oriented correctly now.

Balance Issue: Pretty good on RA axis with 21 lb CW all the way out on the shaft.
Not so good in dec. Even with my lightest EP the OTA is back heavy and I do not have the CWs for the sliding rod atop the C11 with me here in FL. They are back home in NS. Is this a serious issue for the dec motor in casual observing? I don't want to busticate anything before I even get started.

What are Gemini users doing as per a shelf or clip to rest their HCs while at the scope?

Reading through the Quick Start Guide for starting Gemini 2 up:
Long, lat and time zone entries on HC at startup: Are these in decimal or minute notation?

Post Extras:

lightyear44
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/29/09

Loc: Ontario

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4412565 - 02/26/11 10:28 AM

To answer your hand-controller question, Terry, I use heavy-duty velcro & attatch it to a tripod leg. Same with my gps, and dew controller. Even my A/C converter for my DSLR camera. That velcro is as handy as ductape, but more attractive. -David.

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dawziecat
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/20/10

Loc: Rural Nova Scotia

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: bradisback]
#4412605 - 02/26/11 10:43 AM

Stef:

I see you have two CWs but one of them is smaller than the other. A 21 lb and an 11 lb I presume?
With all the gear you have mounted and that is enough makes me think I am wrong in ordering another 21 lb weight. Maybe I should call Astronomics and cancel my backordered 21 pounder and go with an 11 instead.

Post Extras:

rsbfoto
sage

Reged: 06/10/06

Re: My Losmandy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4412713 - 02/26/11 11:33 AM

Quote:

Stef:

I see you have two CWs but one of them is smaller than the other. A 21 lb and an 11 lb I presume?
With all the gear you have mounted and that is enough makes me think I am wrong in ordering another 21 lb weight. Maybe I should call Astronomics and cancel my backordered 21 pounder and go with an 11 instead.

Hi,

No. Keep your order with the 21lbs counterweight. It is better to have the counterweights nearer to the rotation point of the RA axis as far away. Far away means more possible vibrations while tracking.

In regard to your balance in DEC be careful. The standard motor if too warm tend to fry. They only can stand as maximum an unbalance of less then half a pound. Ask me why I know

. Is there no way that you push your Refelector farther outside ? Go to the really end of the dovetail plate.

Edited by rsbfoto (02/26/11 11:40 AM)

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akua
member

Reged: 03/01/06

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4412714 - 02/26/11 11:33 AM

I use two 7.7lb and one 15lb casady SS counterweights for a total of 30.4lb to balance 1100 Edge with about 10lb of accessories without problem.
I would get smaller counterweigts for more flexibility. Two 21lb counterweights are a lot weight and it is good for 50lb plus of payload.
If I were you I will replace all counterweights with Casady ones. Not only they look better but they are easier to adjust plus they won't scratch the counterweight bar.
I've never use the original 21lb CW so my CW bar still looks like new.

Post Extras:

Daniel Mounsey
Vendor - Vixen Optics

Reged: 06/12/02

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4412863 - 02/26/11 12:38 PM

That's nice but ironic you took pictures of everything else but one of the most interesting things that seperates the G2 from the G1 and that's the hand box.

Post Extras:

dawziecat
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/20/10

Loc: Rural Nova Scotia

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: Daniel Mounsey]
#4413245 - 02/26/11 03:35 PM Attachment (69 downloads)

Quote:

That's nice but ironic you took pictures of everything else but one of the most interesting things that seperates the G2 from the G1 and that's the hand box.

Here it is . . .

Post Extras:

drksky
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/01/09

Loc: Bloomington, IL

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4413336 - 02/26/11 04:34 PM

I really like that they put the tactile buttons on the back.

Post Extras:

Paul G
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/08/03

Loc: Freedonia

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: lightyear44]
#4413451 - 02/26/11 05:46 PM

Quote:

To answer your hand-controller question, Terry, I use heavy-duty velcro & attatch it to a tripod leg. Same with my gps, and dew controller. Even my A/C converter for my DSLR camera. That velcro is as handy as ductape, but more attractive. -David.

I'd recommend putting the hook surface on the tripod leg. If it is on the hand controller it tends to snag sweaters and other fabrics. I had to purchase a very nice sweater for a woman after my hand controller snagged and pulled her sweater when she was using the scope at a public viewing session. Cost me several hundred smackers.

Post Extras:

EFT
Vendor - Deep Space Products

Reged: 05/07/07

Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4414838 - 02/27/11 12:54 PM

Quote:

Thanks, we have the head oriented correctly now.

Balance Issue: Pretty good on RA axis with 21 lb CW all the way out on the shaft.
Not so good in dec. Even with my lightest EP the OTA is back heavy and I do not have the CWs for the sliding rod atop the C11 with me here in FL. They are back home in NS. Is this a serious issue for the dec motor in casual observing? I don't want to busticate anything before I even get started.

What are Gemini users doing as per a shelf or clip to rest their HCs while at the scope?

Reading through the Quick Start Guide for starting Gemini 2 up:
Long, lat and time zone entries on HC at startup: Are these in decimal or minute notation?

Your OTA counterwieght system was designed for when the OTA was on a fork mount where the center of gravity of the OTA was closer to the center line of the OTA). Placing CWs up on the top of the OTA will not be the most stable of setups. You would probably be better off doing what I do and attaching a counterweight to the dovetail under the OTA. This will lower the overall center of gravity and should be easier to balance in the long run since it places the wieght closer to the saddle and the axis of rotation. Some off balace is OK here but you don't want a lot. In addition, it can be nice to have the OTA a little farther back in the saddle. I usually find that a one or two pound wieght is all that is needed to do the trick.

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dawziecat
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/20/10

Loc: Rural Nova Scotia

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: EFT]
#4415059 - 02/27/11 02:48 PM

Thanks for the suggestions about my dec balance issue. In the interim I have removed a safety screw on the scope dovetail bar. Not real happy to do that but it allows me to slide the OTA far enough up the mount saddle plate to achieve balance.

On a light note . . .not meant to sound snippy but, about this whole CW thing: I am not sure which depresses me more:
1/ That I need an additional 21 lb Losmondy dead weight that costs another $100 plus (non-negligible) shipping

, or . . .

2/ I should discard the Losmondy CW outright and order two 23 lb stainless steel- brass bushinged wonders from Casady for $400 plus (non-negligible) shipping!

These are counterweights for crying out loud! Not jewelry! Are we nuts?? Why can't we use barbell weights?

Post Extras:

EFT
Vendor - Deep Space Products

Reged: 05/07/07

Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4415140 - 02/27/11 03:26 PM

Quote:

Thanks for the suggestions about my dec balance issue. In the interim I have removed a safety screw on the scope dovetail bar. Not real happy to do that but it allows me to slide the OTA far enough up the mount saddle plate to achieve balance.

On a light note . . .not meant to sound snippy but, about this whole CW thing: I am not sure which depresses me more:
1/ That I need an additional 21 lb Losmondy dead weight that costs another $100 plus (non-negligible) shipping , or . . .

2/ I should discard the Losmondy CW outright and order two 23 lb stainless steel- brass bushinged wonders from Casady for $400 plus (non-negligible) shipping!

These are counterweights for crying out loud! Not jewelry! Are we nuts?? Why can't we use barbell weights?

Actually, I think that there are some people out there who use barbell weights. There might even be someone out there who sells a stop for securing them on the bar but I can't remember where I saw those. They just need to have the correct ID and if you sandwhich them between two other wieghts that have the ability to attach to the counterweight bar then you are good to go. It is amazing how much one big chunck of steel can cost. Of course, some of them are just about as pretty as jewelry for your mount. Bling for your mount. My teenage daughter would love that.

Post Extras:

rsbfoto
sage

Reged: 06/10/06

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: dawziecat]
#4415157 - 02/27/11 03:34 PM

Hi,

You need an additional CW because of the mounted scope. You can spare the US $ 100.00 if you mount a lighter scope on it

Be happy you bought a Losmandy mount. They come at least already with ONE CW. Other mounts come with ZERO CW

You are right. Casidy counterweights just because they look nicer

What if the CW shaft gets a bit marred by the CW ? We use the mounts for imaging or observing the night sky OK other buy a mount for observing it

Of course you can use Barbell weights but so far I guessw there are no Barbell weights with an inner diamater of 1.25" and the other question is how to fix them on the shaft so they do not slip on it. You will need tog et to a machine shop and adapt them to the shaft.

Keep in mind that the fixing screw of the Losmandy CW has a plastic insert on the tip so it does not scratch the CW shaft.

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akua
member

Reged: 03/01/06

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: rsbfoto]
#4415230 - 02/27/11 04:13 PM

"Keep in mind that the fixing screw of the Losmandy CW has a plastic insert on the tip so it does not scratch the CW shaft."
The scratches don't come from the set screw, it is the rough finish in the interior that causes the scratches when you move counterweight.
The Casady CWs use brass pistons to push against the CW bar so they are easier to make fine adjustment as you you don't have to hold CW in place firmly as the tip of pison does not rotate against the CW bar.
The Casady CWs are well after sought in the use market and they fetches very close to their selling prices.

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lawrie
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/31/06

Loc: Okanagan Valley

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: bradisback]
#4415454 - 02/27/11 05:47 PM

Quote:

Yes, the control panel must be under the polar finder
like this:

Good fun!!!
Stef

Why?

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drksky
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/01/09

Loc: Bloomington, IL

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: lawrie]
#4415519 - 02/27/11 06:11 PM

I believe it has to do with the cable lengths. If on the left, then the Dec cable doesn't reach. If on the right, the RA cable doesn't reach (or is very taut).

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lawrie
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/31/06

Loc: Okanagan Valley

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: drksky]
#4416122 - 02/27/11 11:15 PM

I was thinking of my mount, where I have the Gemini mounted just below the R/A motor, but it's on a pier with the pier adapter.
I think the Gemini ends up below the polar scope when you use a tripod and have one leg below the counterweight bar, as you should do, for stability.
The only cable that moves is the Dec cable, when the mount moves in R/A.

Post Extras:

bradisback
member

Reged: 01/05/10

Re: My Losmondy G-11 Gemini 2 has arrived. . . new

[Re: lawrie]
#4416367 - 02/28/11 05:33 AM

No, keep the 21 lbs.
They sent me for free, but it is too little ... With 2x21 is perfect!

Stef

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