Telescope Reviews: Best GOTO mount

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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

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ones
sage

Reged: 05/27/08

Loc: IL

Best GOTO mount
#3132634 - 05/28/09 04:35 PM

Being a newby, I would like to hear who makes the best goto mount. Not looking to start trouble. Just looking for information. The search function returns a lot of posts! My only experience is with a Meade ETX125PE. Not the best of results for me. After following ALL of the suggestions i'm in the market for something that works better. Not to slam Meade. The optics are great. Any help would be appreciated.

Post Extras:

David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: ones]
#3132791 - 05/28/09 05:54 PM

I would put Astro-Physics and Paramount as the top brands. Takahashi and Mountain Instruments are very close to that level of performance.

After that, Losmandy and Celestron. However, you have to also take into account the reason for having the mount. For the casual user needing to do visual with about a 30# loading, it's hard to beat Celestron's CG5-GT. And Orion's Atlas is always in the conversation.

But if you want the absolute last bit of tracking nirvana, it gets really expensive. But it sure is a real joy to use these mecahnical marvels.

It's no different than any other hobby. You have to weigh budget against the need for "it works well enough" or "I want it to work REALLY well".

David

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johnfdean
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 06/04/06

Loc: southern tip of Illinois

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: David Pavlich]
#3132968 - 05/28/09 07:39 PM

Of course the is the issue. The best for what purpose with what scope?

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Al Canarelli
Post Laureate

Reged: 12/06/07

Loc: Central New Jersey

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: johnfdean]
#3133149 - 05/28/09 09:42 PM

Your question is much like asking who makes the best car in the world. If there was an actual BEST mount made, then all of us would know about it and all of us would own only one mount...the best one. As it is I own 4 mounts and I'm looking at another one.

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LLEEGE
True Blue

Reged: 03/03/05

Loc: Cloud-chester,NY

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: Al Canarelli]
#3133270 - 05/28/09 11:01 PM

Lets see, I've owned:
1- CG5ASGT
2- LXD75 x's 2
3- CGE x's 2
4- CGEM
5- AP900 x's 2
6- AP1200 x's 2
They were each the best for what I wanted at the time. And no, I'm not a gear junkie.

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Rusty
Postmaster

Reged: 08/06/03

Loc: Brooker, FL

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: LLEEGE]
#3133337 - 05/28/09 11:54 PM

Quote:

They were each the best for what I wanted at the time. And no, I'm not a gear junkie.

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g__day
super member

Reged: 06/19/07

Loc: Sydney

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: Rusty]
#3133614 - 05/29/09 06:58 AM

I'd guess the Astro-Physics 3600 or Paramount ME used to be top (except for the really high end Tak EM-3500 mounts). I ponder the Astelco NTM-500 - massive carrying capacity, 100 degree a sec slew rate, no PE, 1 arc sec pointing all sky, ability to take many hours long shots at long focal length - unguided, makes it the undisputed leader in the below $50K mark.

http://www.astelco.com/products/ntm/ntm.htm

or
http://www.darkhorseobservatory.org/index.php?CategoryID=69

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Chris Curran
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 06/14/05

Loc: Brandon, FL

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: g__day]
#3133622 - 05/29/09 07:12 AM

The BEST mount, hands down:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap090525.html

It even makes everything listed above look like junk...

Post Extras:

ones
sage

Reged: 05/27/08

Loc: IL

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: Al Canarelli]
#3133634 - 05/29/09 07:25 AM

Quote:

Your question is much like asking who makes the best car in the world. If there was an actual BEST mount made, then all of us would know about it and all of us would own only one mount...the best one. As it is I own 4 mounts and I'm looking at another one.

Gee, that about narrows it down

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starbob1
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 03/11/07

Loc: IN

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: ones]
#3133717 - 05/29/09 08:41 AM

You can of set your self up for this.If your on a budget under $1500'The new celestron cgem is the hot mount right now.Also you should have stated for visual or astrophotgraphy'that makes a big difference.BOB

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AlienRatDog
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/15/05

Loc: Ann Arbor

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: starbob1]
#3133756 - 05/29/09 09:04 AM

Yep all depends on what you want. I personally do not like GOTO, learn the sky, or if you need some help, digital setting circles. I can push faster than any of the 3-5 deg/sec mounts or even my LX200, unless I am being slow that day, lol. Well I don't think I can beat that really fast slewing mount I saw a while back in a video, ASA is it? Ok I will stop rambling...

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Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: AlienRatDog]
#3133933 - 05/29/09 10:32 AM

As with many things in life (that are manufactured precision instruments anyway), you'll find it pretty much tracks with price...

My progression?

EXT90 - GoTo was really "go somwhere, maybe close, maybe not"
Vixen Sphinx SXW - GoTo was "go TO" in wider angle EPs, tracking ok, limited capacity
CGE - GoTo was "near center FOV in all EPs.. tracking good, capacity good, but wanted more
MI-250 - GoTo is functionally perfect, Tracking excellent, great capacity - MAY be my last mount

I know that AP1200 is better still, and likely too are the even more expensive ones, e.g. Paramount, or uber-high end Takahashis, etc...

It's all relative...

clear enough skies

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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/12/05

Loc: Central Kentucky

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3133944 - 05/29/09 10:40 AM

Quote:

As with many things in life (that are manufactured precision instruments anyway), you'll find it pretty much tracks with price...

I agree with the above, good optics on a poor mount gets you no where. poor optics on a great mount at leasts gets you round stars

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hfjacinto
I think he's got it!

Reged: 01/12/09

Loc: Land of clouds and LP

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: DeanS]
#3133967 - 05/29/09 10:56 AM

The best mount is the one you use

I have the LXD 75 and C GC5 and both are good, not great. But they are both reasonable and work well, what else do I want?

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phanf4
super member

Reged: 07/31/07

Loc: Over there in Chattanooga

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: Chris Curran]
#3134072 - 05/29/09 11:56 AM

Quote:

The BEST mount, hands down:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap090525.html

It even makes everything listed above look like junk...

Can't wait to see this eclipsed

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LLEEGE
True Blue

Reged: 03/03/05

Loc: Cloud-chester,NY

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: DeanS]
#3134073 - 05/29/09 11:58 AM

Quote:

Quote:

As with many things in life (that are manufactured precision instruments anyway), you'll find it pretty much tracks with price...

I agree with the above, good optics on a poor mount gets you no where. poor optics on a great mount at leasts gets you round stars

Maybe not round, but not trails.

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PhilG
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 01/27/05

Loc: Denver, CO - USA

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: LLEEGE]
#3134195 - 05/29/09 01:06 PM

Like LLEEGE "I'm not a gear junkie".

But, I have owned a BUNCH of different mounts and I would say the AP Mach1GTO has got to be in the running for the best mount when you factor in price, load capacity, performance, portability and looks.

Edited by PhilG (05/29/09 03:10 PM)

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RAKing
Postmaster

Reged: 12/28/07

Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula

Re: Best GOTO mount new

[Re: PhilG]
#3134266 - 05/29/09 01:48 PM

Quote:

But, I have owned a BUNCH of different mounts and I would say the AP Mach1GTO has got to be in the running for the best mount when you factor in price, load capacity, performance and portability.

I'll second that vote. The AP Mach1GTO is a super mount and it even looks cool enough that my wife lets me keep it in the family room.

This could be the last mount I ever need.