21 replies to this topic

[WiredWolf]

Looking for experience from folks who transport an 11" setup (not forked, separate ota and mount) to a dark site on a semi-frequent basis.

How's the experience of setting up/tearing down (tripod + mount + ota + balancing CW)

Did it start getting old at some point? Made you start thinking of something smaller like an 8" ?

Thanks.

[ETtheExtraterrestrial]

I use an Ioptron HAE69 so the benefit of no balancing but I do. It’s not that bad but it is a lot. Definitely need to be careful loading the OTA on the mount.

[ShaulaB]

Greetings. Not sure how old you are or in what shape you are in. Over the years, I have helped several older gentlemen sell scopes too heavy for them. They bought Meade 10 inch or other SCT's when they retired, thinking taking up astronomy would be fun. After not many years, the weight of the optical tubes got to be too much for them.

 

Setting the OTA precisely on a mount in the dark requires strength, and balance. Holding the OTA for a few minutes might be happening. A friend had an SCT crash to concrete because he was not paying close enough attention.

 

So working out at the gym lifting weights regularly might help. Taking naps in the afternoon before a night observing session might help. For me personally, the taking gear down at the end of the session, and the drive home, can be challenging now that I'm old.

 

If this is your first scope, I admire your ambition to use an 11 inch Celestron. But thousands of people have been satisfied with the 8 inch SCT.

[Bob51]

It started getting old when I got old. I then, downsized from a C-11 to a C-8. Downsized from a 22-pound 130 triplet refractor to a 102 doublet too. Went from a 180 Mak to a 102 Mak, also. 

[Jethro7]

Looking for experience from folks who transport an 11" setup (not forked, separate ota and mount) to a dark site on a semi-frequent basis.

How's the experience of setting up/tearing down (tripod + mount + ota + balancing CW)

Did it start getting old at some point? Made you start thinking of something smaller like an 8" ?

Thanks.

Hello Bomny,

I started out with a G11 mount and a C8 as well as a C11, It gets old really fast right from the beginning. The C11 is a chunk. Your situation has alot has to do with your plans, whether or not you are going to be imaging or viewing. An imaging set up will certainly take a lot more effort as well as time and weigh a good bit in order to support a C11. If your intentions are to image, you really don't have much of a choice other than to deal with it, or aquire a much smaller set up all the way around. If you are only going to be viewing, this will be a whole lot easier and much lighter, especially if you use an Alt/Az mount. My star party and travel rigs have become quite modest. All are manual Alt/Az mounts no electronics nor computers, imaging only with my phones camera. Set up and break down time,10 min.  

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro.

Edited by Jethro7, 18 September 2023 - 05:47 PM.

[WiredWolf]

Hi Jethro7,

I'm doing purely observation, no AP, the C11 will be mounted on AZ-EQ6, wondering the amount of hassle it will be to setup/down everything (including CW balancing), compared to say an Evolution 8".

[ShaulaB]

If you have never used an equatorial mount before with a counterweight, you are in for some fun times (not) learning how to balance a C11 on it.

[WiredWolf]

As I'm doing observation only the plan is to set it up as AltAz, will balancing it be more/less challenging than in EQ mode?

[scoale]

Looking for experience from folks who transport an 11" setup (not forked, separate ota and mount) to a dark site on a semi-frequent basis.

How's the experience of setting up/tearing down (tripod + mount + ota + balancing CW)

Did it start getting old at some point? Made you start thinking of something smaller like an 8" ?

Thanks.

I am a visual observer and use my C11 fairly regularly.  Mounting a C11 on a regular basis is definitely something worth giving some thought to.

 

First, a fork mounted C11 was a non-starter for me; just more weight than i want to deal with.  After a bit of research, I decided to go with a Panther TTS mount for my C11 ota.  The Panther is an alt az mount that allows you to top load the C11 at a bit less than chest height (for me).  The Panther is also very easy to setup/takedown, very easy to balance, and very easy to transport.  Lastly, it does not need to be leveled or polar aligned.  There are some good videos on Youtube.

 

I also note that some folks are mounting their C11 on lightweight harmonic mounts.  At any event, for me, the right mount is the key to making frequent setup/takedown of a C11 manageable.

Edited by scoale, 18 September 2023 - 06:23 PM.

[carolinaskies]

A C11 is about 28lbs but it's the bulk which gets in the way loading big aperture telescopes onto saddleplates.  The issue revolves around getting a good seat in the saddleplate with the dovetail of the telescope.  For non-fork mounts the best method of attachement for large OTAs tends to be having a table next to the mount where the OTA is set vertically and aligned to the saddle carefully.  

[ABQJeff]

First welcome to Cloudy Nights!!!

 

I replied to your other thread as well.  From my personal lesson learned, if you have the funds and are debating between two sizes and there is not an obvious limiting factor (like having to use on a balcony in an apartment or physical impairment), go with the bigger aperture.  You can always down size and you will be second guessing yourself every time you used a smaller scope.

 

I got a C9.25Edge.  It was too light, too easy.  I got the C9.25 because I got spooked by CN posts on how big the C11 was and how seeing wouldn’t support it, etc.  But every time I brought the C9.25 out, its too super light and too easy lift and seeing that exceeded its capabilities just reminded me, I could do more/better.  So I upgraded 18 months later to the C11 Edge.  Perfection.  Small enough not to be a burden, big enough so I am not thinking C14.  Don’t do like I did, do the C11 first. 

 

On handling, the 11” is not hard at all,  especially non-forked.  It is only 28lbs, bags of dog food or cat litter can weigh more.  (Edit: I can hold it with one arm and my body as I put it on its saddle).  As I just stated, it is weighty enough to feel like a serious telescope without straining yourself or risking personal injury alone at a dark site.

 

I go to my dark site 110 miles away (1 hr 45mins, got to love the fast open highways of western US), once or twice a month.  It takes me about one hour to fully set up everything you see. 30 mins if I just do the C11 and refractor set-up.  I have gone every month since April (ski season and weather prevented Feb & March).  I was just there this past weekend, I look forward to October.  Some people go fishing or go camping once a month.  I do astronomy.

 

Jeff

 

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Edited by ABQJeff, 18 September 2023 - 11:26 PM.

[12BH7]

I'm curious as to how much experience you have both using or actually seeing different setups? 

 

The C11 on a AZ EQ6 mount is bordering on beasty. 

 

A lot of this depends on your physical condition and enthusiasm. 

[WiredWolf]

I'm curious as to how much experience you have both using or actually seeing different setups?

The C11 on a AZ EQ6 mount is bordering on beasty.

A lot of this depends on your physical condition and enthusiasm.

Previously 8/10 dobs and a Meade LT.

[12BH7]

Previously 8/10 dobs and a Meade LT.

I started with Dobs and they are very different designs when it comes to moving them. 

 

Try to find a star party, astronomy club, local observatory, etc... that has setups on display. I think if you can lay eyes on a few of these setups you will get a good idea of what level you're comfortable with.

 

Again, this comes down to you physical condition and enthusiasm 

[carolinaskies]

I'm curious as to how much experience you have both using or actually seeing different setups? 

 

The C11 on a AZ EQ6 mount is bordering on beasty. 

 

A lot of this depends on your physical condition and enthusiasm. 

The EQ6 mount is a 40lb class which is capable of visually holding the C11.  I have the older NEQ6 which cannot do AZ only EQ.  You have to get over the notion size necessarily dictates capability but also recall the OTA diameter does act as a wind-sail if observing in location where wind can become an issue.  Until you get up to maybe an EQ8 level mount the OTA dwarfs the saddleplate, DEC, and RA on even 70lb class systems.  In wind prone areas the fork mount pretty much handles all but the worst conditions. 

I moved from my CPC1100 to a 10" LX200 for the sturdier mounting fork arms and base which doesn't rotate so power cord wrap is a non issue.   

  

[WiredWolf]

The EQ6 mount is a 40lb class which is capable of visually holding the C11. I have the older NEQ6 which cannot do AZ only EQ. You have to get over the notion size necessarily dictates capability but also recall the OTA diameter does act as a wind-sail if observing in location where wind can become an issue. Until you get up to maybe an EQ8 level mount the OTA dwarfs the saddleplate, DEC, and RA on even 70lb class systems. In wind prone areas the fork mount pretty much handles all but the worst conditions.

I moved from my CPC1100 to a 10" LX200 for the sturdier mounting fork arms and base which doesn't rotate so power cord wrap is a non issue.

Almost got a 10 lx200 but decided I'm not going to subject my back to hoisting 60lbs every setup/teardown, must be a ota/mount/tripod setup for me.

[Freezout]

The simple fact that you feel the need to ask may be an indication that a C11 is a bad idea?

 

Disclaimer: 37 years old, good shape, but due to my preference for mobile & fast to install equipment, I do not imagine myself carrying more cumbersome than what I have for trips to a dark site... a 150mm Mak-Cass. 

[carolinaskies]

Almost got a 10 lx200 but decided I'm not going to subject my back to hoisting 60lbs every setup/teardown, must be a ota/mount/tripod setup for me.

I had a job loading/unloading trucks when I was younger.  I learned I'd rather lift one heavier box once than 4 boxes that amounted to 125% of the weight.  I consider the whole action of bending, grabbing, lifting, turning, placement.  Repetitive injuries occur with light pieces as easily as heavy ones. 

For fork mounts in Alt-az the use of 'landing' pad surface on top of the tripod also make it much simpler.  Also, understand if placing on a wedge, place the Fork on the wedge then adjust the tripod height is a lot easier.  I've solved the issue entirely by mounting my 16" on an electric wheelchair so I don't have to lift it at all! 
 

[Bill Barlow]

I have a C11 and have been using it now for over two years.  It is my largest scope at 31 pounds and I don't plan on going any bigger at my age (almost 69).  I use it on a UA alt-az mount (UniStar Super Deluxe with a duel clamping 7" saddle) attached to a Meade field tripod.  It goes significantly deeper than a C8, so I hope to keep using it for a few more years.  After that, probably will sell it.  I might be getting a C8 soon so to have a smaller/lighter option when I don't want to take out the C11.  I only take the C11 down to our astro clubs darker site 25 miles south of KC once or twice a month.  I have never set it up in my light polluted yard, I use my smaller scopes for that as I have to move the scope and tripod around to see different parts of the sky due to trees.

 

Bill

[whizbang]

My 11 inch, dark site telescope is a CPC single-arm, with a C11 and the CPC tripod.

 

I find the time and effort is about the same as setting up my Evolution 9.25.  The mount and tripod weigh twice as much as the Evo.  And the C11 is 7 pounds heavier than the 9.25.  So, more effort is required.  But the steps are identical and the time nearly so.

 

After I arrive at a dark site, I can generally be set up in about 20 minutes.

[luxo II]

Not an 11" SCT, but a 10" MCT. This was about as big and heavy as I was prepared to consider some years ago (I'm 66 now) - and I would not consider a CPC1100 or Meade 12" LX200 - too big/heavy in one piece.

 

OTA with rings weighs 15kg similar to an 11" SCT, mount was a G11 but have replaced that with a Skywatcher CQ350 (much better). Tripod is a Berlebach Planet altered slightly to suit the CQ350.

 

https://www.cloudyni...th-70mm-on-top/

 

I've seen an older guy take a tumble with a 12" LX200 - it can and does happen - and it was the end of his observing days, so I'd have to say play safe when choosing your gear.

Edited by luxo II, 19 September 2023 - 06:06 PM.

[12BH7]

Not an 11" SCT, but a 10" MCT. This was about as big and heavy as I was prepared to consider some years ago (I'm 66 now) - and I would not consider a CPC1100 or Meade 12" LX200 - too big/heavy in one piece.

 

OTA with rings weighs 15kg similar to an 11" SCT, mount was a G11 but have replaced that with a Skywatcher CQ350 (much better). Tripod is a Berlebach Planet altered slightly to suit the CQ350.

 

https://www.cloudyni...th-70mm-on-top/

 

I've seen an older guy take a tumble with a 12" LX200 - it can and does happen - and it was the end of his observing days, so I'd have to say play safe when choosing your gear.

I've seen club members slip but no major injuries. Mostly pride and a dented scope to remember it by.

 

I wasn't around to see it or the scope, but one of our club members did take a nasty fall loading a scope. By the time I knew him he had replaced is back breaker with a wonderful 3.5" Questar.