It seems like everyone wants the latest and greatest, cutting edge mount, many of which have teething problems or cost a fortune or weigh a ton or something else is an issue. Is there a good, reliable classical EQ mount for mainly visual use, time proven, spare parts abound, or is this just as rare as a unicorn?
/Ira
Good, classic, reliable, EQ mount
Started by
Ira
, Feb 27 2013 08:29 PM
20 replies to this topic
#1
Ira
-
-
topic starter
- Posts: 2,992
- Joined: 22 Aug 2010
Mercury-Atlas
Posted 27 February 2013 - 08:29 PM
#2
orlyandico
-
-
- Posts: 9,916
- Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Cosmos
Posted 27 February 2013 - 08:47 PM
G11 non GoTo.
Atlas / EQ6 non GoTo.
Atlas / EQ6 non GoTo.
#3
gonzosc1
-
-
- Posts: 246
- Joined: 08 Nov 2012
Mariner 2
Posted 27 February 2013 - 08:48 PM
I believe theres an Atlas non goto on ebay now!
#4
mdowns
-
-
-
- Posts: 5,829
- Joined: 12 Jun 2010
Fly Me to the Moon
Posted 27 February 2013 - 09:00 PM
I second orlyandico comments.The non goto versions of the losmandy g8s and g11 are solid,reliable performers.Replacement parts are readily available.The g11 that carries my c11 is sweet!Several years earlier I had a g8,again sweet.Just power it up and track.
#5
frozen.kryo
-
-
- Posts: 149
- Joined: 28 Jan 2011
Vostok 1
Posted 27 February 2013 - 09:46 PM
Good, classic, reliable?
The Vixen GP/GPDX springs to mind.
The Vixen GP/GPDX springs to mind.
#6
comets4tom
-
-
- Posts: 738
- Joined: 08 Feb 2005
Viking 1
Posted 27 February 2013 - 09:56 PM
I agree with the mention of the GP/GPDX. Parts should be available since it is still currently sold.
Tom H.
Tom H.
#7
JMW
-
-
- Posts: 5,073
- Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Fly Me to the Moon
Posted 28 February 2013 - 12:40 AM
I think you can find an used Atlas for well under $900. They are a nice step up from the CG-5 and can be used for imaging also.
#8
RogerRZ
-
-
- Posts: 3,467
- Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Whatta you lookin' at?
Posted 28 February 2013 - 07:44 AM
How much of a pain would an older G11 be for imaging at or less than 1200mm fl? I have an EQ6 pro that kind of works, but has a PE curve about a mile wide (20 seconds max unguided with a 200mm lens).
#9
t.r.
-
-
- Posts: 6,834
- Joined: 14 Feb 2008
Fly Me to the Moon
Posted 28 February 2013 - 07:51 AM
Yep, Vixen Super Polaris/Great Polaris/Deluxe are the workhorse mounts! 
#10
orlyandico
-
-
- Posts: 9,916
- Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Cosmos
Posted 28 February 2013 - 10:08 AM
Roger,
I'm pretty sure an old G11 can manage much better than 20 seconds unguided with a 200mm lens!!
But a much cheaper option, although not as appealing, is to simply buy an Aeroquest worm for the Atlas/EQ6. It's only a little over a hundred bucks. You will get a worm that is at least 15" p-p and probably better. That's about what you'd get with an old G11. My Aeroquest worm (on my CGEM) is about 16" p-p.
However.. if your PE is that big (sounds like hundreds of arc-seconds), it might not be in the worm, but could be some non-concentric bearings or something. Ed Thomas would be in a better position to know if this is possible or not.
I'm pretty sure an old G11 can manage much better than 20 seconds unguided with a 200mm lens!!
But a much cheaper option, although not as appealing, is to simply buy an Aeroquest worm for the Atlas/EQ6. It's only a little over a hundred bucks. You will get a worm that is at least 15" p-p and probably better. That's about what you'd get with an old G11. My Aeroquest worm (on my CGEM) is about 16" p-p.
However.. if your PE is that big (sounds like hundreds of arc-seconds), it might not be in the worm, but could be some non-concentric bearings or something. Ed Thomas would be in a better position to know if this is possible or not.
#11
RogerRZ
-
-
- Posts: 3,467
- Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Whatta you lookin' at?
Posted 28 February 2013 - 10:34 AM
I bought it brand new, and it's been like this from day one. I suppose I could have returned it, but I didn't really care for the hassle. As big as the PE is, it seems to be quite smooth, as it autoguides out quite well, up to 1000-ish mm...
#12
Tom and Beth
-
-
- Posts: 4,184
- Joined: 08 Jan 2007
Skylab
Posted 28 February 2013 - 04:58 PM
It seems like everyone wants the latest and greatest, cutting edge mount, many of which have teething problems or cost a fortune or weigh a ton or something else is an issue. Is there a good, reliable classical EQ mount for mainly visual use, time proven, spare parts abound, or is this just as rare as a unicorn?
/Ira
How about Cave with the 1.5 inch shafts? Further up the chain would be G11, and don't forget about the Push To Astro Physics. I put hundreds of hours annually on my circa 1994 AP1200DA. Can still get service with a phone call, replacement parts in a week or so.
For grab-n-go, the Vixen SP and GP
#13
Geo.
-
-
-
- Posts: 5,711
- Joined: 01 Oct 2008
Vendor - Nexstar Parts
Posted 28 February 2013 - 07:01 PM
Yes, many parts for the Vixen GP can be obtained from one of the U.S. Vixen distributors. When Orion was a dealer they kept a lot of spares. I got a large flat rate box of 'em off eBazy. Need any motor covers 
One thing I'm hanging onto are those spreader hinge pins!
One thing I'm hanging onto are those spreader hinge pins!
#14
coopman
-
-
- Posts: 7,516
- Joined: 23 Apr 2006
Cosmos
Posted 01 March 2013 - 08:47 AM
I would not buy a used Orion mount due to the fact that if you ever need parts, they will not sell them to you.
#15
rmollise
-
-
- Posts: 24,232
- Joined: 06 Jul 2007
ISS
Posted 01 March 2013 - 10:01 AM
Well, that's true to some extent. Orion doesn't make a single mount...and parts for the mounts they sell are generally available from other sources.
#16
NealC
-
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 27 Dec 2011
Lift Off
Posted 09 March 2013 - 05:15 PM
Well, that's true to some extent. Orion doesn't make a single mount...and parts for the mounts they sell are generally available from other sources.
Please do tell identities of these sources.
#17
rmollise
-
-
- Posts: 24,232
- Joined: 06 Jul 2007
ISS
Posted 09 March 2013 - 06:33 PM
SkyWatcher is one. 
#18
Hikari
-
-
- Posts: 940
- Joined: 05 Jan 2011
Viking 1
Posted 10 March 2013 - 12:55 AM
Takahashi EM2S. Only a RA motor and manual dec. Built like a tank.
#19
rzep8
-
-
- Posts: 545
- Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Viking 1
Posted 10 March 2013 - 08:10 PM
I don't know about spare parts (as the thing has never broken), but my Byers 812 is probably the best "push-to" mount around. Solid, transportable (but it ain't light) and reliable. Uses 120VAC synchronus motors so you'll need a frequency chopper drive corrector (an old Accutrak still show up on A-mart now and then). A good one costs about $2K or so.
#20
orion61
-
-
-
- Posts: 7,201
- Joined: 20 Oct 2007
Vendor - Clear Edge Optical
Posted 11 March 2013 - 09:51 AM
+1 on the SP/GPYep, Vixen Super Polaris/Great Polaris/Deluxe are the workhorse mounts!
#21
hottr6
-
-
- Posts: 4,171
- Joined: 28 Jun 2009
Skylab
Posted 11 March 2013 - 10:25 AM
OP never stated payload.... I guess everyone here are better mindreaders than I.
As an owner, I have had experience with the following for visual work:
- Byers or Schaeffer for heavy payloads > 40lbs
- Losmandy G8/G11 for middle-weight payloads 14-35 lbs
- Vixen Polaris for light stuff < 12 lbs.
Shane in gray-zone NM
As an owner, I have had experience with the following for visual work:
- Byers or Schaeffer for heavy payloads > 40lbs
- Losmandy G8/G11 for middle-weight payloads 14-35 lbs
- Vixen Polaris for light stuff < 12 lbs.
Shane in gray-zone NM
CNers have asked about a donation box for Cloudy Nights over the years, so here you go. Donation is not required by any means, so please enjoy your stay.
Recent Topics
-
-
-
-
We have had conversations about how much cloud cover, but what chance of rain?DanMiller - Today, 08:10 PM
Beginning Deep Sky Imaging
-
Friday Saturday May 11~ "Best Chance To See Aurora In Ages" -Strong Aurora Alert for northern USA, Canada, Europemoefuzz - Today, 07:53 PM
Science! Astronomy & Space Exploration, and Others
-
-
-
-
-
