· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Mounts Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 Dosster member Reged: 10/27/06 Loc: Cambridge MN New Mount for my SN8       #5518032 - 11/13/12 02:20 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hello Everyone I'm considering a new mount for my SN8 to replace the hyper-tuned LXD75 I have. I'm looking at the big 3 with Astrophotography as the goal. ieq45 with pier (not tripod) Atlas CGEM DX My SN8 with a Canon 40D and the Orion Magnificent Mini AutoGuider, weighs in at 27.5lbs. I figure with heaters and dew shield, I'll be at 28. the average capacity of these mounts is 45#. At 75% this gives me a cap of 33.75# and at 66% gives a cap of 30#. I'm right under the suggested max cap for astrophotography. So far the Atlas has the best reviews hands down. I like the features of the IEQ45 but, heard the tripod is junk. That's why if I go that route I thought the package with the pier would be a better option. The CGEM DX is the tank and possible the most stable of the group out of the box. I have been reading a ton of reviews and can't decide which one would be the best. I'm looking for thoughts and opinions. Also does anyone have the IEQ45 with the pier?? and have any comments? Thanks to all in advance Matt Post Extras:       jgraham Postmaster Reged: 12/02/04 Loc: Dayton, Ohio Re: New Mount for my SN8 [Re: Dosster]       #5518059 - 11/13/12 02:35 PM Attachment (12 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I used a stock LXD75 SN6 for many years and I loved it, but I reached a point where I wanted something a little more robust. I ended up getting an Atlas EQ-G and that did the trick. This mount is rock solid with my SN6 or my SC8 sitting on top of it. My original LXD75 SN6... Post Extras:       jgraham Postmaster Reged: 12/02/04 Loc: Dayton, Ohio Re: New Mount for my SN8 [Re: jgraham]       #5518060 - 11/13/12 02:35 PM Attachment (13 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   And my Atlas EQ-G SN6... Post Extras:       jgraham Postmaster Reged: 12/02/04 Loc: Dayton, Ohio Re: New Mount for my SN8 [Re: jgraham]       #5518066 - 11/13/12 02:38 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   One word of caution... do NOT use the original LXD75 dovetail, it doesn't fit the Atlas quite right, something that I found out the hard way. I ended up moving the LXD75 rings over to the dovetail bar that comes with the Atlas. Have fun! Post Extras:       Erik30 member Reged: 10/16/12 Loc: Cottage Grove, MN Re: New Mount for my SN8 [Re: jgraham]       #5518312 - 11/13/12 05:00 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have the ieq45 and the mount is not "That" bad. hands down better than the CG-5 mount I have. But that is the only other mount I can compare it to. Post Extras:       Erik30 member Reged: 10/16/12 Loc: Cottage Grove, MN Re: New Mount for my SN8 [Re: Erik30]       #5518316 - 11/13/12 05:01 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   And I mean mount as in the tri-pod.. Post Extras:       Ed Wiley professor emeritus Reged: 05/18/05 Re: New Mount for my SN8 [Re: Erik30]       #5518367 - 11/13/12 05:31 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have a SN8 on a Losmandy G-11. Works great. Plenty of stability and no worries about overloading. Its the same mount I use for my 8" DK and with both Gemini II and an Ovision worm on the RA, its one heck of a mount for medium-sized OTAs and the price difference between the G-11 and more premium mounts. BTW: I cannot understand why the Schmidt-Newtonian is no longer made. It is a nice OTA with wide-field advantages. Perhaps someone with one of the F4 Newtonian astrographs can chime in about using this design with a corrector? Maybe that is just as good? Ed Post Extras:       Jb32828 sage Reged: 08/01/10 Loc: Orlando, FL USA Re: New Mount for my SN8 [Re: Ed Wiley]       #5520018 - 11/14/12 07:20 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have the exact same setup as John. Rock solid. Easy to use. EQMOD just rocks. Post Extras:       Startraffic sage Reged: 02/12/06 Loc: Lat. 39.143345, Long. -77.1748... Re: New Mount for my SN8 [Re: Dosster]       #5520065 - 11/14/12 08:00 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Dosster, Why not take a look at a Losmandy G8 with Gemini-2 & a polar scope? Yes, it is more $$$ but, more load cap, better tracking, easily repaired (should you manage to break it), the new Gemini-2 drive system is easy to update, & the mount will last for decades, not a few years. My $0.0125" worth. Clear Dark Skies Startraffic 39.138274 -77.168898 Alt 518ft ASL Post Extras:       chboss professor emeritus Reged: 03/24/08 Loc: Tokyo Japan Re: New Mount for my SN8 [Re: Startraffic]       #5520115 - 11/14/12 08:42 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Matt I think the iEQ45 will work for your configuration. Fully agree with your view to go with the pier, the tripod is just not up to the necessary standard for AP! I use mine on a larger pier and it is rock solid. best regards Chris Post Extras:       jgraham Postmaster Reged: 12/02/04 Loc: Dayton, Ohio Re: New Mount for my SN8 [Re: chboss]       #5520234 - 11/14/12 10:07 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   +1 EQMOD, I don't even bother with the hand controller anymore. Simply fantabulous. 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