langejcarl
member
Reged: 01/05/05
Posts: 38
Loc: Michigan USA
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I have never used goto before. Please give me some suggestions for my first goto mount for $1000 or less for an 80mm WO refractor. It will be for visual use only. Your experienced opinions will be much appreciated.
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-10 inch f4.9 Dobstuff dob w/ Swayze mirror
-William Optics Megrez 80 Super APO
-Coronado PST
-22mm T4 Nagler
-TV Smoothside plossls 32mm,26mm,21mm,17mm,13mm, 10.5mm and 7.4mm
-Pentax XW's 10mm, 7mm and 5mm
-Leupold 6x32 Katmai
-Celestron Noble PC 8x42
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D_talley
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/07/05
Posts: 890
Loc: Richmond VA
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You can get a CG5 AS for around $500 that has a great goto and can be connected to a computer that is running The Sky 6. I bought one for my girlfriend and she uses a Celestron C8+ for visual work on this mount.
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Dwight
SBIG ST2000xm
TEC 140 APO #74
Meade LX200 14 OTA
Orion 12.5 DOB
Celestron C8+
Celestron 102AZ
Losmandy G11 Gemini
Argo Navis
Canon 350D self mod
Hyperstar
ST-4 Guider
STV Guider
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langejcarl
member
Reged: 01/05/05
Posts: 38
Loc: Michigan USA
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Is there an option where I don't have to hook it up to a computer? I would prefer as compact a package as possible where the database is an integral part of the mount.
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-10 inch f4.9 Dobstuff dob w/ Swayze mirror
-William Optics Megrez 80 Super APO
-Coronado PST
-22mm T4 Nagler
-TV Smoothside plossls 32mm,26mm,21mm,17mm,13mm, 10.5mm and 7.4mm
-Pentax XW's 10mm, 7mm and 5mm
-Leupold 6x32 Katmai
-Celestron Noble PC 8x42
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DaveJ
sage
Reged: 01/07/05
Posts: 331
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
Is there an option where I don't have to hook it up to a computer? I would prefer as compact a package as possible where the database is an integral part of the mount.
Absolutely! The external computer is used only if you desire to - the CG5 mount works just fine stand-alone using only the hand control that comes with it.
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Dave Jessie
Outreach Events
Scopes: TEC 140(#407), 12" LX200GPS, C11, M102ED, PST
Mounts: CGE, Meade LXD650, Voyager
Binoviewers: Denk IIs w/Denk R-1 PxS diagonal
Eyepieces: Naglers, 6E, 10E, 13E & 17E, 2 sets of Sheldon Faworski Orthos
Dew Prevention: DewBuster controller + Dew-Not Strips
Binoculars: Canon 15x50IS
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Nebhunter
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/04/03
Posts: 1259
Loc: Frostbite Falls
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The problem with this hobby is that nothing stays the same for any length of time. You have a nice 80mm scope, and get a mount sufficient for it. Easy enough to mount and set up - not too heavy. You will probably be doing most of the packing and lifting for her?
That 80 scope gets used for a season or two, and now comes the desire for more aperture. Now the mount limits the scope size due to weight and torque due to the length of the scope. Sell it all, and buy everything again.
I would suggest that you consider the future - within limitations - where the scope may end up at that magic 100 to 110 size. This is the size where you can now get some detail with planets and fainter objects. The 80 - is a great place to start and makes a great travel or packing scope.
Now, find a mount that fits those parameters long with price and overall size. Always try to leave some room especially with the mount so you can grow - without going to something like a 150 scope etc which is beyond your present intentions.
If you have a grand to spend - use it. Find the best mount you can for that money. Good deals on used mounts right now as well. Any money you save will probably be spent on dinner - equal to the amount of money left over. So spend more on the mount - and eat cheap.
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The StarGeezer
Those who trade liberty for security have neither. ~John Adams
TEC 140 (Katyusha) & F/F - Equinox 80 - Losmandy G11/Gemini - ST-4 guider. PENTAX 67ii - 400(EDif) & siblings. I shoot FILM.
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Luigi
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 4934
Loc: MA
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>>>If you have a grand to spend - use it. Find the best mount you can for that money.<<<
IMO, buying new, the best go-to mount for a grand is the CG5ASGT. And if you pay somebody a grand for one, they'd be very happy as you can get them new for $600.
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17.5" f/5 Dob. IM-715 MCT. 120ED. Lunt 60mm Ha.
Zeiss, Leica, Fujinon, Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell bins
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David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 8655
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.22 X 90....
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For the under-$1000 mount, the CG5-GT is the winner. Good tracking, 35lbs capacity and good hand controller (firmaware). Once in a while they go on sale for around $500. Heckuva' mount for that price.
David
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Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research..."
A. Einstein
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BRCoz
sage
Reged: 10/21/05
Posts: 431
Loc: Moreno Valley, CA
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CG5-GT and a battery to run it.
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60mm AP guide scope
WO ZS80FD 10th Anniversary
FS102, AR5, APM/TMB 130
102 Apex, 8" Meade LX10, C11
PST
GM8, G11 & ASGT
Denk Standard, 25x100 binos
30D, 10D, AE-1, OM1
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langejcarl
member
Reged: 01/05/05
Posts: 38
Loc: Michigan USA
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If I went with the CG5 for use with the WO Megrez 80, how large of a refractor can it handle if I did later go bigger?
It seems that at that load capacity I should be fine if I ever get something in the 110mm range, right?
--------------------
-10 inch f4.9 Dobstuff dob w/ Swayze mirror
-William Optics Megrez 80 Super APO
-Coronado PST
-22mm T4 Nagler
-TV Smoothside plossls 32mm,26mm,21mm,17mm,13mm, 10.5mm and 7.4mm
-Pentax XW's 10mm, 7mm and 5mm
-Leupold 6x32 Katmai
-Celestron Noble PC 8x42
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adamsp123
sage
Reged: 11/20/08
Posts: 442
Loc: welshpool mid wales UK
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I had a SW 120ED on mine when I had a CG5, handles it easily.
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SkyWatcher 120ED PRO, GSO 200mm F4 Astrograph, Meade 10" SNT, WO 72ED & 66ED
Vixen Sphinx and Vixen Atlux with starbook,
QHY5 guider, Modded Canon 1000D, Baader MPCC.
WO Flattener III
Don't you wish there were a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence? There's one marked 'Brightness,' but it doesn't work."
TV is called a "medium" because it is neither rare nor well done.
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la200o
super member
Reged: 09/09/08
Posts: 167
Loc: SE Michigan, USA
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Ever consider a push-to mount instead? I have Sky Commander on my Half-Hitch mount, and although this particular set-up goes well over your budget, I'm sure SC can be mounted on less expensive mounts and there are some pretty significant advantages: less power required and less to go wrong.
Bill
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CPC 9.25
TV 102
Unitron 114
Half Hitch Mk III
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Chris Rowland
sage
Reged: 02/28/05
Posts: 268
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For visual use a NexStar 6SE would be worthy of consideration - or maybe an 8SE for $200 more than the budget. The WO scope can be fitted instead of the SCT and the SCT can be used if you want a larger scope.
The AltAz mount keeps the EP in a more sensible place and will be easier to use - but this is really visual only.
If any astrophotography is envisaged I'd join the throng recommending the AS-GT.
Chris
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langejcarl
member
Reged: 01/05/05
Posts: 38
Loc: Michigan USA
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Push-to is something to consider. I went to the Half Hitch website and read his case for that set-up. I'll have to think through what my goals are regarding my observing habits and consider future scope changes.
Here is how this whole inquiry started:
I have been observing for a little over 10 years now. I have tried to keep it simple with an 80mm refractor on a simple alt az (Desert Sky Astro) and a 10" dob. I have never used a motor drive, go-to or push-to.
The majority of my observing is just outside metro Detroit under suburban skies.
Last weekend I was able to get to northern Michigan and was excited because of the opportunity for dark skies. I certainly had some nice views of the easy targets. However, beyond that, I started to get frustrated when I realized that the urban skies are so different from the dark skies. For example, while it is easy to find Cygnus at home, with all of the stars now in front of me I couldn't find the constellation! That is when I started to consider go-to.
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-10 inch f4.9 Dobstuff dob w/ Swayze mirror
-William Optics Megrez 80 Super APO
-Coronado PST
-22mm T4 Nagler
-TV Smoothside plossls 32mm,26mm,21mm,17mm,13mm, 10.5mm and 7.4mm
-Pentax XW's 10mm, 7mm and 5mm
-Leupold 6x32 Katmai
-Celestron Noble PC 8x42
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watcher
sage
Reged: 11/21/07
Posts: 406
Loc: NJ
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If you want goto for cheap, Amazon has the Celestron 60SLT on sale for 175.00. Buy it, throw away the 60mm scope, and you have a great grab and goto mount sufficient for an 80mm scope. I use one for my TMB 80SS. You may have to cut the fairing that meets the scope, but it's not a major project. Even if you go to a bigger scope on a bigger mount later, it's always nice to have a grab and go 80mm scope that's a breeze to set up and use. If you upgrade to a 4" ED or Apo, this mount will handle that too. Anything bigger, you'll need a second bigger mount.
Joe
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(quote)"That does it! Next Big Bang, someone has got to rethink this gettin' old business!" Joe Daugert
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1986 Celestron c-8 (retired)
Celestron Omni XLT 120
Celestron Astromaster 70 AZ
Vixen GP2 mount on Omni XLT tripod (soon to be driven by iOptron GOTO Nova)
Meade 16x50 binoculars
Edited by watcher (10/25/09 02:07 AM)
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skybsd
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 598
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Hi,
Quote:
If I went with the CG5 for use with the WO Megrez 80, how large of a refractor can it handle if I did later go bigger?
It seems that at that load capacity I should be fine if I ever get something in the 110mm range, right?
Yes.
Seriously, the CG5-GT is the most suitable mount for the budget you quoted at the moment.
The native payload capacity is more than capable for your immediate (80mm) to medium term (110mm - 115mm ~f/7 - heck, even an appropriate 120mm is okay) needs. Also, the software will be a great and relatively straight-forward way to get you going in no time.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
skybsd
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langejcarl
member
Reged: 01/05/05
Posts: 38
Loc: Michigan USA
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The suggestion to consider DSC's makes sense using a unit such as the Sky Commander. If I am correct, I could hook it up to my dob and use the same hand controller for my refractor. There is info available on how to attach the encoders to my dob, but can I attach encoders to my current alt az (Desert Sky Astro) mount for my refractor? Would I need to look into getting a different mount for the refractor with encoders already installed?
--------------------
-10 inch f4.9 Dobstuff dob w/ Swayze mirror
-William Optics Megrez 80 Super APO
-Coronado PST
-22mm T4 Nagler
-TV Smoothside plossls 32mm,26mm,21mm,17mm,13mm, 10.5mm and 7.4mm
-Pentax XW's 10mm, 7mm and 5mm
-Leupold 6x32 Katmai
-Celestron Noble PC 8x42
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Jeff Lee
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/17/06
Posts: 508
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Got to say I've had great luck with my 2" leg LXD75. Like the ability to download tours, like the quiet slew, and like the high percision find for very dim subjects.
Similar price on the used market.
Edited by Jeff Lee (10/25/09 02:52 PM)
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johnnyha
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/12/06
Posts: 1105
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Another possibility is a used Losmandy G8, which is maybe the easiest-to-use tracking mount in push-to mode, the slip clutches are fantastic. You simply push the scope wherever you want and when you let go it continues tracking. I have seen nice ones for less than $1000 all the time, you may even be able to find a G-11 for that price.
I laughed when you talked about how hard it was to find Cygnus in a dark sky, I had the same experience. It just pops out here in Los Angeles but out in the desert it certainly starts to blend in with all those stars!
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Johnny
Spicewood, TX
Sherman Oaks, CA
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averen
super member
Reged: 01/20/09
Posts: 117
Loc: Austin TX
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Well I'm going to disagree about the CG-5. True it's an excellent mount. I used to have one and would normally recommend it. However since you're strictly visual I would go with a nice Alt-Az mount.
The NexStar 6/8SE mount is nice and you can find them used for around $300. Or just get the entire 6/8SE package and add a new scope :-)
Also the iOptron Mini-Tower is supposed to be a pretty decent little Alt-Az mount too. And they have the new Mini-Tower Pro which is supposed to be around $1200 but has beefier legs and a higher capacity.
The Half-Hitch is nice but probably on the upper end (if not way over) the $1000 limit. Same with DiscMounts. Both of these are very nice and I believe they're both Push To.
Like I said the CG-5 is a great mount, but it can be a little much for visual use with the counterweights and additional setup time. Not to mention the weird positions that the eyepiece will get put into. If you want to do photography at all then by all means go with the CG-5! However if you're STRICTLY visual then go with a nice alt-az.
Jared
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Some Glass...
Some Mirrors...
Some Photon Collectors...
Way too much aluminum.
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langejcarl
member
Reged: 01/05/05
Posts: 38
Loc: Michigan USA
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Here is where I am at. I decided to go ahead and order the Sky Commander XP4 and encoders to add it to my dob. So, basically I will have the DSC hand controller that I can use for both my telescopes. Shouldn't I be able to save some money by using the same hand controller for both my dob and refractor?
So then the question is what are some options for an alt az mount with encoders already installed or that encoders can be easily added to? The Half Hitch and DiscMounts are really nice, but are there less expensive options?
--------------------
-10 inch f4.9 Dobstuff dob w/ Swayze mirror
-William Optics Megrez 80 Super APO
-Coronado PST
-22mm T4 Nagler
-TV Smoothside plossls 32mm,26mm,21mm,17mm,13mm, 10.5mm and 7.4mm
-Pentax XW's 10mm, 7mm and 5mm
-Leupold 6x32 Katmai
-Celestron Noble PC 8x42
|
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