Steve Saturn
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/10/03
Posts: 1011
Loc: San Diego, CA
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I'm thinking about purchasing a GEM to use in conjunction with a 10-12" SCT OTA. I would also like GOTO capability. I've got my eye on the G-11 with the Gemini system, but that setup could cost me my lunch money for a long, long time. What's the best value out there? If it's the G-11, so be it. If there's a functional and affordable option I'd love to hear about it. Either way, I'd appreciate your input! I looking for something rock solid but tranportable.
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Celestron 11" XLT
Hyperstar
TMB 80/480
Losmandy G11/Gemini
QHY8 Camera
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Ricky
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/09/03
Posts: 2170
Loc: Nor Cal
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Hi Steve,
I see you have an ST-7 which to me means imaging platform needed as well. The G-11 w/Gemini would be the route to go. You can also look into the Celestron CGE mount for about the same price as a used G-11. There has been much said in regards to the ability of the CGE to track past the meridian but I have read many of the users are fine w/it and have seen some very impressive images taken w/it. The Tak EM11 w/Temma would be another possible option as well.
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Regards Ricky
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Astro-Tech 6" RC (wait list)
ADM Mount (on the way!)
QHY 8 ccd (wait list)
66-80mm apo (deciding)
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Suk Lee
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 4315
Loc: Pleasanton, CA
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Ditto the G11. Best bang for the buck out there.
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http://www.siliconvalleyskies.com
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wilash
Fairy Godmother
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 5746
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As for Takahashi, you would want an EM-200 for those scopes, but a G11 may be the cheaper alternative.
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PMB
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/07/03
Posts: 768
Loc: Gainesville TX
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The G11 is worth missing lunch for a while 
I have a 10" SCT on mine and it IS rock solid. I did have a C14 but it was a lil much for me. Now wishing I might have gone for a 12" OTA but had already missed way too many lunches  IMHO, a C11 or M12 is the idea setup on a G11. I use it for visual only so I cant comment on imaging platform. It has a fine reputation. You might save some money buy using digital setting circles instead of the goto.
I use the Losmandy hardware and SkyCommander Computer. There isnt anything I cant find. ( as long as its seeable)
I used a LX200 goto before this GEM. I dont really miss the goto . Hey, and no more coffee grinder either !
The G11 is portable but its nothing you fold up and stick in the trunk quickly. I have mine mounted in a MA adapter on a concrete pier in my observatory and I do take it to monthy or everyother month star parties with the tripod which is very beefy and easy to use. I'll have this mount for a long time to come!!! Very pleased.
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Patrick
Mountain Springs Observatory
Mewlon 250/NJP zzzz Dream zzzzzz
One good Eye one bad
Overwerked 11X70's
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jay52
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/26/04
Posts: 2280
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Will:
Actually, I think the EM-11 stacks up well against the G-11, assuming it were used in photographic situations. Most people will tell you that the G-11, though with an advertised 60 lbs. payload, can only hold 30 to 40 lbs. for imaging. Tak mounts are rated very conservatively, and usually are indicative of the true photographic payload of the mount. For example, the EM-11 is rated for a 25 to 30 lbs. payload (depending on the source), but that can be applied directly to imaging. Plus, the quality of the mount will standup better to overloads if you so need as long as you've balanced the setup well.
So, the EM-11 will almost hold the same payload as the G-11 for imaging, and it will do so with much better and smoother PE, in the 5 to 7 arc second range. Plus, the EM-11 is only around $3500 with Temma GOTO, which compares well to the G-11 with Gemini.
While the EM-200 is indeed the best comparison for visual work, the EM-11 loses very little to the G-11 when it comes to imaging. In fact, I'd choose the EM-11 over the G-11 in a heartbeat, especially when you consider its more portable than the G-11 and that Tak mounts have the best polar alignment scopes in the business. Drift alignments are a thing of the past with Tak mounts.
Of course, we have to take this with a grain of salt since there aren't a whole lot of EM-11s in circulation now. However, given Takahashi's reputation with making quality mounts, I'd bet my own reputation that the EM-11 fits perfectly into the Tak line-up of mounts.
Oh, one more thing. I use a Tak NJP-160 mount that is rated at around 60 or 65 lbs. (depending on the source). Russell Croman used this same mount for a while to image with a 14.5" RCOS Ritchey-Chretien (70 lbs. itself) plus about 20 lbs. of additional equipment. This is definitely the max for that mount, but great results are possible. See an example here by Russell using that same setup:
http://www.rc-astro.com/galaxies/m74.htm
This is a good example how Tak mounts can handle photographic payloads that exceed the advertised rating of a mount. Of course, it helps to have somebody like Russell pushing the buttons!
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jay
www.allaboutastro.com
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wilash
Fairy Godmother
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 5746
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Jay, the EM-11 is an excellent mount and the replacement for the EM-10. Physically it is the same size as the EM-10, but the EM-11 has better bearings. But with the size and focal length of a 10" or 12" SCT (I am assuming Meade), the EM-200 is a much better match. Takahashi rates the EM-11 at about 8kg - 9kg (17.5lb - 20lb). I know Takahashi ratings are conservative by US standard (I have two of their mounts), but I still think an EM-11 would be too light for those scopes. Takahashi themselves don't package anything as large as a 10" SCT with the EM-11 - at least not in Japan.
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Steve Saturn
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/10/03
Posts: 1011
Loc: San Diego, CA
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Thanks a lot for all the info guys. Any and all input is greatly appreciated so that I can weigh my options and my wallet before making an investment of this magnitude! CCD imaging is a priority for me, and I'd certainly like to make an informed choice based on all of your collective experiences. Thanks again!
Steve
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Celestron 11" XLT
Hyperstar
TMB 80/480
Losmandy G11/Gemini
QHY8 Camera
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I agree with Will. I used to have an EM-10 for my Mewlon 210 (similar size and weight to the C-9.25) and it was only good for low-power visual use. The EM-11 is supposed to be slightly better, but it's basically the same size.
But I can't advise you on what does work - I still haven't bought a new mount for my Mewlon. I might just get an EQ-6 Skyscan.
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jay52
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/26/04
Posts: 2280
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Okay, guys. I just think we are often too quick to jump on the G-11 bandwagon when an good Tak mount might do the trick. But if I were imaging with a larger SCT, I'd probably rethink my choice of an EM-11 over the G-11. Perhaps that's why I also have a CGE? ;-}
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jay
www.allaboutastro.com
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Steve Saturn
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/10/03
Posts: 1011
Loc: San Diego, CA
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Hello Patrick and all,
You mentioned the SkyCommander Computer. I would definitely be interested in investigating this as a more cost effective alternative to the Gemini system. Can you provide a link or additional info to steer me in the right direction? Is this a system that can easily be user installed on the G11? Are there other such "push-to" systems out there worthy of consideration? Thanks for your help.
Steve
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Celestron 11" XLT
Hyperstar
TMB 80/480
Losmandy G11/Gemini
QHY8 Camera
Edited by Steve Saturn (02/09/05 01:32 AM)
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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You might also want to consider the new EQ6 with Skyscan . At $1500 CDN it's a pretty good deal and some of the early adopters (check it out on Yahoo's EQ6 newsgroup ) are reporting some promising results for long exposure photography.
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