136 replies to this topic

[Echolight]

Don't get me started on EQ (GEM) mounts!     I admit I don't like them, for all the usual reasons that visual astronomers who don't like them don't like them:  they put the observer in uncomfortable positions, the movements are unnatural for human beings, they're heavier than comparable alt-az mounts, they require polar alignment.   My first telescope came with a GEM, and I've had several telescopes since then that came with GEMs.  But over the years, I've gotten rid of all of the GEMs.  I like alt-az mounts. 

 

That said, I'm not really 100% satisfied with any mount I've ever owned, including the ones I own now.  There is always something - or several things - that doesn't quite work ideally.  They are all compromises in one way or another.

 

But the saving grace of a C5 is that it is light and compact, so it will work better on mounts that heavier and/or longer telescopes won't work so well on.  

 

One type of alt-az mount I'd stay away from for a C5 is one that has the telescope positioned directly on top of the mount, like a photo tripod, even one with a fluid head.  The C5 is just heavy enough that when it is pointed toward zenith, it will tend to fall backwards on these mounts.  I have a 501HD fluid-head.  The C5 is borderline - actually goes over the border - for that mount.

 

Get an alt-az mount that attaches the scope at the side.  

 

Mike

An eq mount can be fine....

....as long as it's set up in alt az mode 

  without counterweights

[Sarkikos]

An eq mount can be fine....

....as long as it's set up in alt az mode 

  without counterweights

IMG_20230526_201818336~3.jpg

I've owned several GEMs, and none of them could be set up like that!   Somehow, I think they were designed on purpose to be in GEM mode only, by people who hate alt-az's. 

 

Yes!  The only good GEM is a GEM that can be turned into an alt-az!   That says something.  

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 15 October 2023 - 07:11 PM.

[CHASLX200]

Don't get me started on EQ (GEM) mounts!     I admit I don't like them, for all the usual reasons that visual astronomers who don't like them don't like them:  they put the observer in uncomfortable positions, the movements are unnatural for human beings, they're heavier than comparable alt-az mounts, they require polar alignment.   My first telescope came with a GEM, and I've had several telescopes since then that came with GEMs.  But over the years, I've gotten rid of all of the GEMs.  I like alt-az mounts. 

 

That said, I'm not really 100% satisfied with any mount I've ever owned, including the ones I own now.  There is always something - or several things - that doesn't quite work ideally.  They are all compromises in one way or another.

 

But the saving grace of a C5 is that it is light and compact, so it will work better on mounts that heavier and/or longer telescopes won't work so well on.  

 

One type of alt-az mount I'd stay away from for a C5 is one that has the telescope positioned directly on top of the mount, like a photo tripod, even one with a fluid head.  The C5 is just heavy enough that when it is pointed toward zenith, it will tend to fall backwards on these mounts.  I have a 501HD fluid-head.  The C5 is borderline - actually goes over the border - for that mount.

 

Get an alt-az mount that attaches the scope at the side.  

 

Mike

No mount is perfect. But my favs were a old Edmund 1.5" shaft mount and a AP800 i rigged up with Cave legs. Both were butter smooth at hand moving at 450x and up. I don't like drives or GO-TO.

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[Echolight]

No mount is perfect. But my favs were a old Edmund 1.5" shaft mount and a AP800 i rigged up with Cave legs. Both were butter smooth at hand moving at 450x and up. I don't like drives or GO-TO.

I would like one of those pier and leg combos,.... to put my Unistar alt az mount on top of.

 

From the looks of them, I think my favorite newtonian mounts are the old low ladder legged Edmund fork mounts.

And one of the few eq mounts that I would try.

[Rayje1997]

Agreed. There is no need for a GEM unless you are doing EAA or AP. Even EAA can get away with an alt-az mount and field rotation in most cases.

 

Bob

I have a slight preference for EQ mounts mostly because I enjoy sketching and it can be a lot easier to keep objects in the FoV when all I have to do is twist one knob, or even better, attach a motor drive to it so I don't have to touch the mount at all. I don't mine alt/az mounts, though I must admit that I only own one of them and it came with a really cheap 70mm f/10 maksutov that I bought. I bought it mostly for the mount though because I wanted something small that I could put my Orion ST80 on and that has served me well as a grab n go mount so far, but for any kind of longer sessions, I'm one of those weirdos who actually likes an EQ mount... though maybe what I really need is to try a GOOD alt/az mount and I'll end up changing my mind!

[Bob Campbell]

I have a slight preference for EQ mounts mostly because I enjoy sketching and it can be a lot easier to keep objects in the FoV when all I have to do is twist one knob, or even better, attach a motor drive to it so I don't have to touch the mount at all. I don't mine alt/az mounts, though I must admit that I only own one of them and it came with a really cheap 70mm f/10 maksutov that I bought. I bought it mostly for the mount though because I wanted something small that I could put my Orion ST80 on and that has served me well as a grab n go mount so far, but for any kind of longer sessions, I'm one of those weirdos who actually likes an EQ mount... though maybe what I really need is to try a GOOD alt/az mount and I'll end up changing my mind!

your needs (sketching) are quite similar to those who do AP. The mount needs to do its thing in RA with minimal input. However, a tracking alt-az mount could serve the same function, unless field rotation bothered you. 

 

I use an eq mount, since I do EAA, and the odd positions of the camera don't bother me at all.

 

Bob

[Sarkikos]

I would like one of those pier and leg combos,.... to put my Unistar alt az mount on top of.

 

From the looks of them, I think my favorite newtonian mounts are the old low ladder legged Edmund fork mounts.

And one of the few eq mounts that I would try.

I would like one if I could keep it in an observatory.

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 15 October 2023 - 08:51 PM.

[Sarkikos]

I have a slight preference for EQ mounts mostly because I enjoy sketching and it can be a lot easier to keep objects in the FoV when all I have to do is twist one knob, or even better, attach a motor drive to it so I don't have to touch the mount at all. I don't mine alt/az mounts, though I must admit that I only own one of them and it came with a really cheap 70mm f/10 maksutov that I bought. I bought it mostly for the mount though because I wanted something small that I could put my Orion ST80 on and that has served me well as a grab n go mount so far, but for any kind of longer sessions, I'm one of those weirdos who actually likes an EQ mount... though maybe what I really need is to try a GOOD alt/az mount and I'll end up changing my mind!

I think many observers have eventually changed their minds in favor of alt-az mounts.  Now there are decent ones with goto and tracking.  A catch-22, though, is that if you want an Evolution mount, you have to buy it with a scope. 

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 15 October 2023 - 08:52 PM.

[CHASLX200]

I think many observers have eventually changed their minds in favor of alt-az mounts.  Now there are decent ones with goto and tracking.  A catch-22, though, is that if you want an Evolution mount, you have to buy it with a scope. 

 

Mike

I don't. I know of a naked one near me i may get for my C5.

[CHASLX200]

Tried my 2" 40mm Meade smooth side SWA in my C5 and it's a no go. Big time light fall off at the field edge. A 22mm Nagler was good.

[luxo II]

I don't. I know of a naked one near me 

Oooooh ! Flashing at you, was it ? How naughty !

Edited by luxo II, 17 October 2023 - 08:27 PM.

[Sarkikos]

Oooooh ! Flashing at you, was it ? How naughty !

Not Evolved enough to wear clothes, apparently.

 

Mike