Paul Milligan
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 1225
Loc: 54°12.0' N; 4°25' W
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Hi folks
I can't get my head around the pricing of the new Vixen GAIAX Mount. It retails for $12,999 and has a load capacity of 100lbs.
Now the Losmandy Titan has load capacity of 100lbs and retails for $5,995 less than half of the Vixen.
A Paramount ME retails for $12,500 which is less than the Vixen and has a load capacity of 160lbs.
The AP 1200GTO has a load capacity of 140lbs and costs $9,400.
Is it me or does the Vixen seem overpriced? Does anybody own this mount yet and have a view on its value for money.
I will hopefully upgrade my mount and primary imaging scope this year and have been looking at mounts in the 100lbs loading capacity. For me the best value mounts look to be the Losmandy Titan and the AP1200GTO.
When I heard that Vixen was releasing a mount in that load capacity range I hoped for a good price. I am disappointed, any views on this mount and its pricing.
Thanks in advance!
Paul M..
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Tak Epsilon 160 / 16 Inch Custom Truss Dob
WO FLT-110 [TEC] APO / WO Megrez 80FD APO
EQ6 Pro / Canon Rebel XTi / QHY5 / GSTAR-EX
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http://www.eyetotheuniverse.com
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gordianknot
sage
Reged: 09/04/05
Posts: 446
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I wonder if the high price has something to do with the current USD/Yen exchange rate.
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Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 16399
Loc: Brooker, FL
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If it were I, the consideration would be that both the AP-1200GTO and Paramount ME are known superbly-performing units. The Vixen GAIAX is new, untested (by consumers), and is basically an unknown. It may be fine, but it's not established a reputation, one way or the other. Frankly, I suspect it'll not be able to compete with the -1200 or the -ME, unless serious price reductions occur, especially since the customer service of AP and Software Bisque are known, reliable quantities.
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Colonel Bogey
sage
Reged: 01/27/07
Posts: 282
Loc: Sweden
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Sounds strange... In Europe, the Gaiax retails at Eur 9850, whereas e.g. the Paramount costs Eur 12500. This still makes the Gaiax rather expensive IMHO.
And if you US guys translate these prices to USD, be sure to put on those Peril Sensitive Sunglasses...
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Obs: Paramount ME/C-14/TCF-S/FW8-STL BVRI/STL-1001E + TV85/STL guider
Portable: Giro Gr-III/TEC140/Pentax XW line
Binocs: Fujinon 16x70
Grab&go: Manfrotto tripod/FS60C
SW: Mira Pro, IRAF, MaximDL, CCDSoft, TheSky6, VisualSpec etc etc
S.C.R.A.P - Stocksund Centre of Rooftop AstroPhysics
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Miguel Lopes
sage
Reged: 01/04/07
Posts: 481
Loc: Portugal
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Vixen is currently expensive in the US.
On the other hand, it became cheaper in europe in the past 6 months!
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Astrology is the science for ignorants. Astronomy is the science for those who feel ignorant. - Miguel Lopes
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Strgazr27
Scope Junkie
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 6017
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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Like almost everyhting else from Vixen it is rediculously overpriced (Especially their mounts as of late. The otpional pier is close to $2000 and quite honestly it's capacity, ay less than 100 lbs depending on where you get the specs from is not in the same league as the ME or 1200. The PE sounds impressive but I question it's accuracy and I'm also wondering if the capacity includes the CW's. (wouldn't be the first time this was misunderstood). Personally I would go with the ME if permanently mounted and the 1200 if your going to be moving around. The 1200 isn't quite portable but I have seen it done. If your payload is under 80 lbs I would rather have the 900.
CS's
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Bobby
StonyHill Observatory
Atlas w EQMOD
Vixen R200SS
Orion ED-80
AT-111
AT66-ED
QHY-8
SSAG
YAHOO TMB 130SS Group
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Paul Milligan
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 1225
Loc: 54°12.0' N; 4°25' W
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Yep I think you all clarify my thoughts that the Vixen is overpriced.
Initially the mount will be used to setup in my backyard but hopefully towards the end of the year I will have an observatory so it will then be transferred to a permanent setup.
The Paramount sure seems to be weighty and just for the permanent setup, so its between the Losmandy Titan and the AP1200. Waiting times for the AP1200 have come down but I am not sure how long it would take to get one.
The Losmandy Titan should be fairly easy to obtain, any thoughts on its performance. The scopes I will be upgrading to is either the Planewave CDK 12.5", an RCOS 10" or a Deep Sky Instruments RC14C.
Additional items of weight would be a WO Megrez 80FD guidecamera, mounting plates & rings, imaging camera, guide camera, counterweights etc.
The Losmandy should cope with the weight ok any thoughts on its performance. Also if anybody knows the waiting time for the AP1200GTO, that sure would make a difference as I would rather the AP1200 than the Losmandy even though its slightly more dough.
Thanks in advance!
Paul M..
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Tak Epsilon 160 / 16 Inch Custom Truss Dob
WO FLT-110 [TEC] APO / WO Megrez 80FD APO
EQ6 Pro / Canon Rebel XTi / QHY5 / GSTAR-EX
----------------------------------------------
http://www.eyetotheuniverse.com
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gordianknot
sage
Reged: 09/04/05
Posts: 446
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That doesn't sound particularly heavy. What do you think the total weight will be? The RCOS 10" is only 32 lbs and the CDK12.5 is 45 lbs, nothing's published on the RC14C. Without doing the math, I'd think an Tak NJP/MI-250/AP-900 should be easily able to handle that kind of load, even with all of your accessories. Those mounts might be a smaller, lighter and (relatively speaking) cheaper solutions.
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g__day
member
Reged: 06/19/07
Posts: 90
Loc: Sydney
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I wonder if there will be a large gap between Vixen Marketing saying - look it exists and it being supplied and at what price. No one seems to know anyone who has bought one, or is inclined to write a review. I am thinking maybe its a paper launch?
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g__day
member
Reged: 06/19/07
Posts: 90
Loc: Sydney
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Five months later - questions unanswered and still no reviews I can find!
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AlienRatDog
sage
Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 456
Loc: Detroit
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No kidding...
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Abe -- the poor PhD student
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12" LX200GPS-SMT w/UHTC
Celestron 4" C100ED
CG5-GT EQ Mount
Vixen Portamount
Nagler 31mm, 22mm, 12mm
Baader Hyperions 8mm, 5mm
12X50 Binoculars
DSI
LPI
Understanding wife (with a bun in the oven)
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AlexN
sage
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 451
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As if you would consider a Vixen over AP.. AP holds more weight, has a proven brilliant track record, costs less and can hold more weight (yes, i said it twice)
in order of preference if I was buying a mount in that weight range I'd be looking at a list like this:
AP1200GTO
Losmandy Titan
AP900
Paramount at the top if it had to be 100% robotic.
Astro-Physics all the way!
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Celestron C11 11" f/10 SCT With MoonLite Motorized Crayford :: EQ6 Pro + EQMOD :: William Optics M102ED :: William Optics Megrez 90 FD :: Orion ST80 Guidescope :: Thousand Oaks Dew Heater :: 2" 13nm Ha Filter :: DBK31.AU :: QHY8 :: 5x Powermate :: 2.5x Powermate :: Canon 350D ::
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