ASTERON
sage
Reged: 11/24/07
Posts: 238
Loc: ISRAEL
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I have a chance to get a naked OTA of a 12" LX200 ACF which has been dismantled from its fork mount.
I was thinking about mounting it on a a GE mount for visual and perhaps AP use.
I need help on the following issues:
1) what in your opinion is a suitable GE mount with a good price/performance ratio which would also be suitable for AP.
2) What is the best way to mount the LX200 ACF (about 17 Kg for the OTA only) on an GE mount. This is a bare bones OTA which was designed to be fork mounted and I dont know if there is any standard solution for GE mounting. From looking at the OTA it seems that it may be possible to attach a dovtail bar to the OTA but I don't think it would be sufficiently sturdy ! OTOH- going for rings + Dovetail type solution would possibly require huge and heavy 12" rings adding to the weight and expense. 
Any help or suggestions will be welcome. 
Thanks for reading,
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Meade 12" LX200R (GE mounted
100mm Astrotelescopes Achromat
WO 90mm Megrez "Fluorite" Doublet
WO 66mm (Petzval)
ETX125PE
Garret Optical 25X100 Binoculars
Lunt LS60THaDS BP1200/FT (pre-ordered)
Lunt LS60CaK BP1200/FT
Orion Atlas EQG Mount
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Joseph Gillman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 2342
Loc: Boothwyn, PA
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Shalom asteron. The most used solution is to get a Losmandy DM12 dovetail system to attach to your tube. Then any mount that accepts "losmandy style" dovetails will work. For a 12" you need something in the class of a celestron CGE or a Meade LXD750 that meade doesn't make anymore (contact me if you are looking for something) or Losmandy G11 class for "medium duty" photography. For "heavy duty" photography you'd spend a lot more for Astrophysics AP900 or 1200 or Paramount ME but that is another class of accuracy and payload capability. I hear you can just "set it and forget it" on those mounts like a popular american infomercial guy says.
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Meade RCX400 30cm --
People dont like when I stick up for Meade but they're just jealous of my RCX 
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ASTERON
sage
Reged: 11/24/07
Posts: 238
Loc: ISRAEL
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Quote:
Shalom asteron. The most used solution is to get a Losmandy DM12 dovetail system to attach to your tube. Then any mount that accepts "losmandy style" dovetails will work. For a 12" you need something in the class of a celestron CGE or a Meade LXD750 that meade doesn't make anymore (contact me if you are looking for something) or Losmandy G11 class for "medium duty" photography. For "heavy duty" photography you'd spend a lot more for Astrophysics AP900 or 1200 or Paramount ME but that is another class of accuracy and payload capability. I hear you can just "set it and forget it" on those mounts like a popular american infomercial guy says.
Joseph,
Shalom and thanks for the tip. would the DM 12 fit a run of the mill Orion Atlas EQG mount ? does the OTA have standard pre-drilled holes for the DM12 or do I have to hack the OTA myself ?
The AP 900 or Paramount may be out of my budget right now but maybe a used losmandy G11 will be within it if I manage to buy one here. 
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************************************************
Meade 12" LX200R (GE mounted
100mm Astrotelescopes Achromat
WO 90mm Megrez "Fluorite" Doublet
WO 66mm (Petzval)
ETX125PE
Garret Optical 25X100 Binoculars
Lunt LS60THaDS BP1200/FT (pre-ordered)
Lunt LS60CaK BP1200/FT
Orion Atlas EQG Mount
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Joseph Gillman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 2342
Loc: Boothwyn, PA
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The DM dovetails all fasten to existing holes, that's what those screws around the front and back black rings that don't seem to do anything are for. Remove those screws and it goes there.
An Orion atlas takes a "vixen" type (narrow) dovetail and it is a bit small for the 12" scope. It will be fine for visual but don't expect as good a performance as with a smaller scope. There is some aftermarket "saddle" that can go on in place of the one that comes with the atlas mount, that accepts the wide losmandy dovetail for about $90.
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Meade RCX400 30cm --
People dont like when I stick up for Meade but they're just jealous of my RCX
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ASTERON
sage
Reged: 11/24/07
Posts: 238
Loc: ISRAEL
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Joseph,
Thanks for your help.
I think I will start with the ATLAS +DM 12 +OTA for visual and upgrade from there when I have the money 
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************************************************
Meade 12" LX200R (GE mounted
100mm Astrotelescopes Achromat
WO 90mm Megrez "Fluorite" Doublet
WO 66mm (Petzval)
ETX125PE
Garret Optical 25X100 Binoculars
Lunt LS60THaDS BP1200/FT (pre-ordered)
Lunt LS60CaK BP1200/FT
Orion Atlas EQG Mount
|
NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12078
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Atlas with the 12" would be pushing it...
You'd be best to find a USED CGE at Minimum... Of course when you start getting more involved with imaging, you'll be adding a guide scope, as well as webcam (or other guide camera) to the setup (And appropriate rings and such)... By then, even the CGE may be on the light side for it. You're be better off with something in the Losmandy Titan range, or possibly even bite the bullet and get into the AP900 or 1200...
Most imagers have one saying around here. (Paraphrasing) Suffer the pain of the mount purchase ONCE, and get something that will cover what you need.
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Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
 Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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ASTERON
sage
Reged: 11/24/07
Posts: 238
Loc: ISRAEL
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Quote:
Atlas with the 12" would be pushing it...
You'd be best to find a USED CGE at Minimum... Of course when you start getting more involved with imaging, you'll be adding a guide scope, as well as webcam (or other guide camera) to the setup (And appropriate rings and such)... By then, even the CGE may be on the light side for it. You're be better off with something in the Losmandy Titan range, or possibly even bite the bullet and get into the AP900 or 1200...
Most imagers have one saying around here. (Paraphrasing) Suffer the pain of the mount purchase ONCE, and get something that will cover what you need.
Hi Jeff,
First, Thanks for your advice.
I totaly agree with you on the quote and I believe in "you get what you pay for" 
I already have a newly purchased Atlas which will soon be used for guided imaging with the WO Megrez 90 fluorite Doublet.
I know that for AP it will be overtaxing the EQG but I only intend to use the OTA with the atlas for visual use only (with proper care given to balancing).
I assure you that I will gladly purchase a AP1200GTO on the first moment that my bank manager lays down the whip  
On more serious matters : what type of ADM mounting accessories would you (or any other member who is reading this thread) recommend for attaching the 12" lx200 ACF OTA to the Atlas - if budget is not concern. Would these accessories be also usable with an AP1200 or Losmandy Titan if I ever get lucky.
Finally would you consider the bare OTA (brand new, American made OTA without diagonal or accessories) a good purchase at 40% discount over approximate list price ?
the cost is about 25% of the cost of the fork mounted full goto version complete package as it sells around here after taxes and shipping.
I am tempted just because the ACF optics may be much better than any regular SCT I can get for double the price.
Thanks for your comments
Asteron
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************************************************
Meade 12" LX200R (GE mounted
100mm Astrotelescopes Achromat
WO 90mm Megrez "Fluorite" Doublet
WO 66mm (Petzval)
ETX125PE
Garret Optical 25X100 Binoculars
Lunt LS60THaDS BP1200/FT (pre-ordered)
Lunt LS60CaK BP1200/FT
Orion Atlas EQG Mount
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Joseph Gillman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 2342
Loc: Boothwyn, PA
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http://www.admaccessories.com/ADM%20Products/DUAL-SAD-EQG.htm
I thought they made a cheaper one ($90?) that only accepts Losmandy style dovetails, but this might have replaced it, I don't know.
The Atlas has its own kind of saddle, you would need Astro Physics' own adapter part (DOVELM I think AP calls it) to do the same thing with their mounts.
If you see my threads I compared ACF to SCT optics and the ACF was clearly an improvement in the samples that I used.
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Meade RCX400 30cm --
People dont like when I stick up for Meade but they're just jealous of my RCX
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imjeffp
Senior Space Cadet
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 4435
Loc: Cedar Park, Texas
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Our buddy Snufus has 2 12" ACFs--one on a CGE, the other on an LXF750. Both use the Losmandy rail.
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Blog
ST80 • AT80EDT/LXD650
ETX-90/DS-2000 • 10" LX200 Classic ("The Quarter-Meter Telescope at the Heritage Park Observatory")
SPC900NC • DMK21AF04 • Digital Rebel XT
  
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ASTERON
sage
Reged: 11/24/07
Posts: 238
Loc: ISRAEL
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Quote:
Our buddy Snufus has 2 12" ACFs--one on a CGE, the other on an LXF750. Both use the Losmandy rail.
Jeff and Joseph,
Thanks for comments - it looks like its a good deal so I will probably go for it. 
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************************************************
Meade 12" LX200R (GE mounted
100mm Astrotelescopes Achromat
WO 90mm Megrez "Fluorite" Doublet
WO 66mm (Petzval)
ETX125PE
Garret Optical 25X100 Binoculars
Lunt LS60THaDS BP1200/FT (pre-ordered)
Lunt LS60CaK BP1200/FT
Orion Atlas EQG Mount
|
JAT Observatory
Space Freak
Reged: 02/20/05
Posts: 5662
Loc: Eastern PA
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Asteron,
If budget is not a concern I would buy the Losmandy DM plate. The reason I say that is I purchased a ADM plate to use on one of my OTAs in order to mount it to my Paramount ME's Versa-Plate.
The Versa-Plate accepts Losmandy 4" wide dovetail plates. The ADM plate would not slide in. The angle of the dovetail is different than Losmandy's. The angle on the Versa-Plate is an exact match for the Losmandy plate so there will be no play in the interface. That helps eliminate flex during pointing. Also in fairness to ADM Anthony did offer a refund but I found another use for the plate. I also believe he may at some point change the angle of the plate so it is closer to Losmandy's.
The point here is while I consider the ADM stuff to be of good quality it is not always a direct replacement for Losmandy stuff and may not fit all Losmandy type adapters.
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-Marcus
The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice.
http://jatobservatory.org
12" LX200R on a Paramount ME
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snufus
sage
Reged: 09/10/05
Posts: 379
Loc: Round Rock, TX
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Yep as everyone else said Losmandy DM12 plate all the way. There is nothing better stability wise.
I have two CGEs and an LXD750 I use my 12's on. Both the CGE and LXD750 handle them with ease. Even with a 102ED mounted to the top. 
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Best Regards,
Daniel
Scopes
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Meade 12'' LX200R #1
Meade 12'' LX200R #2
Orion Premium 102ED
William Optics 66SD
William Optics 66ZS
Mounts
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Celestron CGE #1
Celestron CGE #2
Meade LXD750
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ASTERON
sage
Reged: 11/24/07
Posts: 238
Loc: ISRAEL
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Thanks Daniel and Markus
Do you know if the standard DM12 will fit well on the ADM Losmandy saddle for the Atlas which is offered by ADM ??
--------------------
************************************************
Meade 12" LX200R (GE mounted
100mm Astrotelescopes Achromat
WO 90mm Megrez "Fluorite" Doublet
WO 66mm (Petzval)
ETX125PE
Garret Optical 25X100 Binoculars
Lunt LS60THaDS BP1200/FT (pre-ordered)
Lunt LS60CaK BP1200/FT
Orion Atlas EQG Mount
|
Joseph Gillman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 2342
Loc: Boothwyn, PA
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Yes that is the purpose of the ADM saddle, to accept Losmandy dovetails, as I said earlier.
--------------------
Meade RCX400 30cm --
People dont like when I stick up for Meade but they're just jealous of my RCX
|
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