Jason B
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/21/04
Posts: 2071
Loc: Mid-Michigan
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First off, I don't mean this as some philosophical discussion on whether goto is needed, the right thing to do, etc. I have star hopped my entire astronomical life (20+ years) other than when using the Fox Observatory's LX200's and actually find I prefer star hopping to a goto scope, even when imaging, which has become a much bigger part of the hobby for me (I guess I just like the satisfaction of the hunt!).
I am considering buying a Sirius or Atlas mount. I like the idea of saving a few hundred bucks by not buying the goto system (I could always add it later for only about a $60 difference in total cost in the end). My main concern is can I still auto-guide the mount without the goto controller? Are there any other functions that I would not have access to without the goto controller? Thanks in advance for any help!
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Jason
Discovery 12.5" F5 PDHQ
GSO 6" F5 Newt.
Vixen 80mm F8 APO (FL80S)
Vixen GP and Astro-Tech Voyager Mounts
MX 716 and Canon Rebel XT
Too many eyepieces and other accessories to list
Fox Park Observatory
16" and 2 x 12" LX200's
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MtnGoat
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/18/07
Posts: 939
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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I star hopped my entire life...and now GOTO up a storm for imaging. There are enough other issues going on surrounding imaging that I want to minimize acquisition time so I can maximize imaging time.
Not sure about the auto guiding without GOTO for those brands, but since getting back in the astrophoto game I know I am very thankful for GOTO in slashing finding and framing time.
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"Ignorant people think it's the noise which fighting cats make that is so aggravating, but it ain't so; it's the sickening grammar they use." Mark Twain
Edited by MtnGoat (10/02/08 04:58 PM)
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Jason B
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/21/04
Posts: 2071
Loc: Mid-Michigan
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Thanks, I know exactly what you mean but I rather enjoy that part (call me crazy!  ). It limits me to really one good pic a night but that's ok with me.
But, I appreciate the input!
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Jason
Discovery 12.5" F5 PDHQ
GSO 6" F5 Newt.
Vixen 80mm F8 APO (FL80S)
Vixen GP and Astro-Tech Voyager Mounts
MX 716 and Canon Rebel XT
Too many eyepieces and other accessories to list
Fox Park Observatory
16" and 2 x 12" LX200's
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MtnGoat
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/18/07
Posts: 939
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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no worries. if that's all part of the fun, then that's how it is! The one object per night is about where I am when trying to aim the Z12 manually...FOV 8' doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room!
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"Ignorant people think it's the noise which fighting cats make that is so aggravating, but it ain't so; it's the sickening grammar they use." Mark Twain
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doug76
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 2651
Loc: SE Louisiana
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Not sure, but since the auto-guide port is on the mount, and not the hand control, and being that the mount is available either way, I figure you can guide without the GOTO HC. And I am sure that except for GOTO, the mount does everything it should do, GOTO or not. I will be getting the non-GOTO myself when the time comes to get the Atlas mount I require.
Doug
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Doug
The Truckstop Astronomer
Meade 12" Lightbridge/Dob Driver II
Celestron C6 SCT
Celestron C6R/Moonlight focuser
Celestron XLT150
Astro-Tech AT80EDT
TOWA 60/700 (under construction)
Celestron CG5-ASGT, CG-4
Celestron Nexstar SE (large)
Meade SWA 34mm
Televue Panoptic 24mm
Pentax XW 10mm, 7mm
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Astro-Tech AT66ED
Celestron Nexstar SE (small)
Televue Plossl 32mm
Smart Astronomy Solar System 14.5mm
BO/TMB Planetary 9mm, 7mm, 5mm, 4mm, 3.2mm, 2.5mm
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LLEEGE
Running out of Oxygen
Reged: 03/03/05
Posts: 6859
Loc: Cloud-chester,NY
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Yes, you can autoguide a non goto mount.
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AP900,LXD75
AP140EDF, TSA102, ZS80EDII
SN6-OTA, C8-OTA
Canon 20D, 350Hutech
PST, Lunt LD60T/DS (on order)
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Mojo.LA
member
Reged: 03/29/08
Posts: 41
Loc: Monrovia CA
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Autoguiding does not depend on GOTO, only on having a connector that will let your autoguider nudge the telescope in four directions.
But that might not be the case for the specific products you're evaluating.
Mojo
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--
Morris Jones
mojo@whiteoaks.com
Old Town Astronomers http://www.otastro.org
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Jason B
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/21/04
Posts: 2071
Loc: Mid-Michigan
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Thanks guys. I realize it doesn't have to have goto to be autoguided but in the case of my current GP mount, I would have to buy the Starbook S to get an autoguider port unless I want to take the chance to modify the DD1. I could buy a non-goto Sirius for the same cost of the Starbook S and replacing my broken DEC worm and get more capicity to boot. Granted, I would rather have a top line mount like a AP/Tak etc. but the budget must be followed.
Thanks again!
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Jason
Discovery 12.5" F5 PDHQ
GSO 6" F5 Newt.
Vixen 80mm F8 APO (FL80S)
Vixen GP and Astro-Tech Voyager Mounts
MX 716 and Canon Rebel XT
Too many eyepieces and other accessories to list
Fox Park Observatory
16" and 2 x 12" LX200's
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Oly Olson
super member
Reged: 02/17/08
Posts: 155
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The Sirius has a connection for the hand controller (either the goto or the non-goto) and an autoguider so I don't think (99.99% sure) that one is dependent on the other.
Re. the Sirius: It's a nice mount and I like mine. I got the Sirius vs. the Atlas since it weighs significantly less but I find myself having to haul it out in multiple trips anyhow so after the fact I wish I'd sprung for the beefy Atlas as it's just not that much more. The polar scope doesn't have a lighted reticle and I'm not sure if the Atlas does but if it does that would be one consideration as well.
Regards,
Oly
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Jason B
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/21/04
Posts: 2071
Loc: Mid-Michigan
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Thanks Oly. I am not as concerned about the weight of the individual mount. Not sure if I will need the extra capacity of the Atlas or not though. I image with small refractors and/or my 6" F5 Newtonian with a 8" RC/SCT/Vixen Cat (depending on budget) etc. being the next step for me. The bigger difference for me is cost. (dang budget!  )
Given that the drives/electronics are the same, the real question for me is if the quality (accuracy) is equal or is there more to the price difference than just size and capacity? Anybody have experience with both?
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Jason
Discovery 12.5" F5 PDHQ
GSO 6" F5 Newt.
Vixen 80mm F8 APO (FL80S)
Vixen GP and Astro-Tech Voyager Mounts
MX 716 and Canon Rebel XT
Too many eyepieces and other accessories to list
Fox Park Observatory
16" and 2 x 12" LX200's
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Bill W.
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 1437
Loc: Western PA, USA
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No, you don't need the hand controller for autoguiding on a Atlas. If you buy EQMOD ($39) and use your laptop you can also have goto on a Atlas pretty cheap and EQMOD can be added later should you change your mind. I'm not familiar with the Sirius but would recommend going with the Atlas. It's hard to beat the Atlas for the money especially considering the max load it can carry. I'm sure other will chime in here on what a great mount it is for the money.
-Bill
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Orion Atlas EQ-G (EQMOD), SBIG ST-2000XM & AO7
Stellarvue SV66ED
Skunk Hollow Observatory
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