cygnus72
super member
Reged: 06/13/07
Posts: 160
Loc: State College, PA
|
|
Hi folks, Matt here.
If you've never been unemployed and suffering from scope-itis, let me be the first to tell you, few things suck worse.
But being unemployed is not without its unseen benefits. It has forced me to reconsider my priorities, not only in life, but in amateur astronomy as well. I have come to realize that what is possibly more important to the amateur astronomer than optical tubes is his/her choice of mounts, eyepieces, filters, and other accessories.
So, I've been doing some thinking about my next major purchase. While visions of Taks, ATs, SVs and WOs haunt my dreams, I've come to realize that my next big astronomical purchase should be a good, solid, reliable mount.
Someday, hopefully within 2 years, I'd like to get into astrophotography, and I'd like to take a survey to determine the best mount suitable for astrophotography for under $1500.
In the meantime, I'm going to go dream about owning an Astro-Tech. I blame you, Denjo!
--------------------
We have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.
|
jrbarnett
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/28/06
Posts: 2605
Loc: Petaluma, CA
|
|
I have two mounts in your price range - both of which I really like.
A non-GOTO Losmandy GM-8 and an Orion Atlas EQ-G.
The Losmandy is better made and better looking, but carries less payload by 15# and lacks GOTO (at least at the $1500 price range). The Atlas is strong and has many electronic features that the Losmandy lacks, but it's mechanicals are all internal and it is much harder to tinker with and adjust than the Losmandy which wears its motors on the outside.
Regards,
Jim
--------------------
"The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be. Our feeblest contemplations of the Cosmos stir us — there is a tingling in the spine, a catch in the voice, a faint sensation, as if a distant memory, of falling from a height. We know we are approaching the greatest of mysteries." - Carl Sagan
|
vinnie
Latinist
Reged: 01/05/08
Posts: 1444
Loc: Queensland, Australia
|
|
Atlas/EQ6
|
ducatirob
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/15/05
Posts: 529
Loc: Centerville, Ohio
|
|
I agree with Vin, Atlas/EQ6.
Rob
--------------------
C6-R /Atlas EQ
Meade AR-5
Meade 90mm refractor
10x50 binoculars
15x70 binoculars
|
JakeJ
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/31/04
Posts: 1520
|
|
Another vote for the Atlas. I used mine for many published photos, it was an excellent astrophotography mount, and could carry a payload.
--------------------
12.5" Discovery TD
Vixen ED103S
...and way too many eypieces to list!
|
RogerRZ
Whatta you lookin' at?
Reged: 01/09/06
Posts: 2122
Loc: West Collette, NB, Canada
|
|
EQ6, running EQMOD, and a wireless PS3 joystick. Better than Mom's apple pie...
--------------------
-Roger Pitre-
1 X 7 binocular
Meade 2080 LX10
5" Celestron SCT
Skywatcher Equinox 66
Starblast OTA
EQ6 Pro mount (spiffed up with ADM stuff)
8X42 Bushnell binos (pretty decent for 25$)
Canon Rebel XT (AKA 350D)
Starshoot autoguider
Tolerant Spousal Unit (AKA The Lovely Mrs. RogerRZ)
----------AJP Observatory----------
|
RAKing
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/28/07
Posts: 796
Loc: Virginia
|
|
Matt,
I've been there, done that, and I feel your pain. 
The best mount for that budget is the Atlas EQ-G. 
Best of luck,
Ron
--------------------
Time spent looking at the stars is added to your life.
"Hi Def" TV-102
C925-CF SCT "Time Machine II"
Orion XT10i / Moonlite CR2
GM-8 GEM / A-P Portable Pier
|
George Methvin
sage
Reged: 01/30/06
Posts: 405
Loc: Central Texas
|
|
Don't make fun now but I still like the Meade LXD75 goto mount. I have two of them and have never had a problem with eather. The goto works great and some folks have taken great photos using this mount and they cost around $600 dollars lots of bang for the buck.
Edited by George Methvin (08/19/08 09:19 AM)
|
Al Canarelli
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/07
Posts: 1531
|
|
I think that you may be putting the cart before the horse. You should have a very good idea of the kind of OTA that would suit your needs BEFORE you think about a mount. You may be happy with an 8 inch SCT, in which case a far less expensive mount will do the trick for you. On the other hand, you may want plenty of aperture and opt for something like a C-14. If that be the case, your $1,500 mount that you buy today may be worthless to you tomorrow.
I've been in astronomy for a while and I've learned that what you want today may not be exactly what you want 2 to 4 years in the future. My suggestion to you is to save your money and spend it when you are ready to buy the whole package. Chances are that there may be new technology available tomorrow that you may not be able to buy if you've already spent your money. Additionally, prices of astronomy equipment have a tendency to go down over time.
|
christinam
sage
Reged: 03/29/07
Posts: 403
Loc: Duncan BC Canada
|
|
I totally agree with the vote for the EQ6. Groz has one and we have loved it from the time it came outta the box.
Chris
--------------------
"Those who have a why to live can withstand any how" Nietzsche.
 Duncan BC.
Nikon D50
Nikon 18-55mm and 70-300mm lenses
WO ZS80ED (thanks Santa Baby)
HEQ-5 Pro (woohoo)
Also using the B/Fs Mak &
Skywatcher ST80 and
EQ6Pro
Bunches of eyepieces
|
kaaikop
sage
Reged: 07/13/08
Posts: 459
Loc: Ste-Therese, Canada
|
|
Traded in a CG5 for an EQ-6 while ago, never looked back.
For that price range, it's the only choice!
--------------------
Benoit, RASC Montreal
-C 9.25XLT on EQ6 Pro / ED80SF on Portamount
-Plossls, Radians, Naglers, LVW's & Orthos.
-a pair of 7x50's
|
cygnus72
super member
Reged: 06/13/07
Posts: 160
Loc: State College, PA
|
|
Hey guys, thanks for the input. Do any of you have any astrophotos you've taken with your respective mounts?
--------------------
We have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.
|
jaynes
super member
Reged: 12/09/05
Posts: 140
Loc: North Carolina
|
|
Matt,
I'm looking at a new mount as well and came across the following post on EQ6 Yahoo! Group. (An EQ6 is the same as the Orion Atlas.)
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/EQ6/message/25049
If you aren't already a member of that group, here's the link in that post to his first light report with the EQ6.
http://astroshed.com/observatory/EQ6/eq6-firstlight.htm
I found his results very impressive.
--------------------
Chuck Jaynes
Stellervue SV4 APO Refractor
|
cygnus72
super member
Reged: 06/13/07
Posts: 160
Loc: State College, PA
|
|
Hey guys, thought I'd give this post a touch-up.
Is there a difference between the Atlas and the EQ6, or are they both pretty much exactly the same?
--------------------
We have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.
|
Steve Fisher
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/12/06
Posts: 783
Loc: Utah
|
|
There are two huge differences between the EQ6-Pro that I just sold and the Atlas that my friend bill owns. The EQ6 is white and the Atlas is black, and the leg locks on the EQ6 point out and the Atlas they are on the inside of the leg.
Two huge differences eh?
Other than that they are the same.
--------------------
Steve
----------------------
"Never try to teach a pig to sing, It wastes your time and it annoys the pig". (Robert Heinlein)
|
w orchid
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/23/07
Posts: 660
Loc: Tampa, Fl
|
|
Atlas is a great choice. LXD75 / CG5 were fine choices years ago but are way to loud. Next to a white light being lite at a star party, is the horrible dying sound of those loud mounts.
--------------------
Celestron C8 orange tube circa 1982
Stellarvue SV102ED
|
LLEEGE
Running out of Oxygen
Reged: 03/03/05
Posts: 6752
Loc: Cloud-chester,NY
|
|
May be too soon to say, but the CGEM may be a contender in the sub 1500 category.
--------------------
AP900,LXD75
AP140EDF, TSA102, ZS80EDII
SN6-OTA, C8-OTA
Canon 20D, 350Hutech
PST, Lunt LD60T/DS (on order)
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22342
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
May be too soon to say, but the CGEM may be a contender in the sub 1500 category.
It's one that I'm watching for myself.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200
ST-10XME
|
Billy Bl.
member
Reged: 05/26/07
Posts: 81
Loc: Germany
|
|
Another vote for the Atlas, although it's the only mount I've ever owned. Got curious about the above-mentioned CGEM so had a look at the Celestron site. My, my, my but that tripod looks familiar.
|
AlexN
sage
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 336
|
|
Atlas or EQ6 pro - In my opinion it can not be beaten price:performance wise...
I thought it was very robust and sturdy when I had an 8" newtonian on it for planetary imaging, Now, with a C11, guide scope, cameras, dew heaters and sheilds, 4 counter weights and enough cables to choke a few camels, my opinion of the mount has only improved... Its a mount that can be pushed to its very limits and will still perform...
In addition, coupled with an EQDIR from shoestring astronomy and EQMOD software, the mount goes from Awesome to Extraordinary!!
Its got my full recommendation.
--------------------
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 ::
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
