· 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 >> Equipment Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 lsfinn member Reged: 01/28/13 Loc: State College, PA alt-az + accessories or gem?       #5657877 - 02/02/13 10:37 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Ok - I'm torn. I'm trying to decide between a cpc 925 with accessories or a cgem 925 w/o. I'm going to be visual for a while, but have a burning desire to move into imaging. My previous experience (years ago) was always with an equatorial mount. I understand that alt-az goto mounts are fantastically convenient, and that the alt-az system will be much lighter (and, very possibly, more likely to get out and about). I suppose that when I move toward imaging I can get a wedge; but, will it be as good as a good equatorial mount? Of course, I could always go cpc 1100 w/o accessories... I'd appreciate hearing anyone weigh-in with the kind of choice they'd make . . . and why (understanding always that many of the reasons will be subjective!) Thanks, Sam Post Extras:       fmhill sage Reged: 07/17/12 Loc: Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA Re: alt-az + accessories or gem? [Re: lsfinn]       #5657896 - 02/02/13 10:50 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   If you intend to get into astrophotography, put your money into the best GEM mount you can afford... Alt/Az motions are intended for terrestrial viewing and are adapted to astronomical viewing however the motions are all wrong for astronomical tracking. The GEM mount was developed for astronomical viewing and has the correct motions to compensate for the rotation of the earth relative to the position of Stars, DSO's, and other astronomical objects. Attempting astroimaging with an Alt/Az mount can be done with short exposures and often reduced image quality however an accurate stable GEM mount allows you virtually unlimited exposure times when astroimaging, exposures times are only limited by sky conditions and light pollution provided the GEM mount is polar aligned accurately... Post Extras:       csrlice12 Post Laureate Reged: 05/22/12 Loc: Denver, CO Re: alt-az + accessories or gem? [Re: fmhill]       #5657922 - 02/02/13 11:09 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Yup, if AP is in your future, go with the EQ Mount. Post Extras:       Midnight Dan Postmaster Reged: 01/23/08 Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl... Re: alt-az + accessories or gem? [Re: csrlice12]       #5657936 - 02/02/13 11:17 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Alt/az mounts CAN be lightweight and easy to use but the CPC series combines the OTA and mount head into one unit that is not separable. At 60 pounds, I would personally not consider that lightweight, especially when you have to hoist it onto a tripod. A GEM will certainly weigh more as a complete unit, but breaks down into manageable pieces. And a GEM will do a lot better when you get into AP. -Dan Post Extras:       Gargoyle sage Reged: 03/13/08 Loc: Long Island, New York Re: alt-az + accessories or gem? [Re: Midnight Dan]       #5659040 - 02/02/13 10:34 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Go with a GEM, and get the best one you can afford. Jerry Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 13 registered and 19 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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