12 replies to this topic

[Tom Duncan]

Off of Craigslist, a very cool and in incredible condition old Parks "Superior" GEM mount with 1.5" shafts, untested AC drive in the RA axis (odd wiring, I need to figure it out before plugging it in) driving a Byers Drive gear set, manual fine DEC adjustment, JMI NGC-MAX computer, encoders on both axis, 48" tall pier along with the more common 25" and three large counterweights along with some small ones adding up to more than 100lbs. 

 

On top of it came a home made 6" f10 achromat with a nice Scope Stuff dual speed focuser.

 

Tried it out last night on the Moon (virtually no color!) and M13, could resolve to the core without averted vision from Bortle 5 skies. 

 

I've had many old GEM mounts in the past but none this big or tall. It was quite a delite to use it, looks like I've joined the brotherhood of owners of large GEMs and refractors!

 

However the mount is BIG and HEAVY, I don't know if I can keep it or not. I will be keeping the OTA, I seem to be enamored of long focus large aperture refractors at the moment. 

 

Tom Duncan

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[Cavs56]

Very nice, I like long refractors also.

[DouglasPaul]

That is pretty sweet. Looks like a very enjoyable set up.

[apfever]

Tom!,  Wha..????  You just posted this find HERE a few days ago. Now this.  How do you find these? Ohhhh, that's right your in Cali. never mind.

[Kasmos]

Cool find!

From that photo it's hard to tell it's a 6".

The mount looks like it might be a modified Parks.

[CHASLX200]

Tom!,  Wha..????  You just posted this find HERE a few days ago. Now this.  How do you find these? Ohhhh, that's right your in Cali. never mind.

Cali has it all sally.

[Martin]

Very cool looking rig. Seems like all the cool stuff is in California and Florida. 

 

Martin

[CHASLX200]

Very cool looking rig. Seems like all the cool stuff is in California and Florida. 

 

Martin

FL?  Never anything close to Cali. Never see this stuff on my CL.

[starman876]

FL?  Never anything close to Cali. Never see this stuff on my CL.

your just not paying attention to what is for sale in FL.  I have found lots of great stuff in FL.   One of the best finds was the AP1200 mount.  Some refractors, some SCT's including a real nice C11 and other scopes.   all of it shipped to my front door.  Oh yes an awesome  Quantum 4.  and lots more.  

Edited by starman876, 17 August 2024 - 01:39 PM.

[CHASLX200]

your just not paying attention to what is for sale in FL.  I have found lots of great stuff in FL.   One of the best finds was the AP1200 mount.  Some refractors, some SCT's including a real nice C11 and other scopes.   all of it shipped to my front door.  Oh yes an awesome  Quantum 4.  and lots more.  

Maybe in Miami where the rich live but not within 30 miles of me. I passed on a  AP1200 for 2.5k in FL but 100 miles away and the wrong pier.  Now find me a AP900 that someone rigged up SLO- MO's on and i am in.

Edited by CHASLX200, 17 August 2024 - 03:11 PM.

[Kasmos]

Was Parks always in the title? I guess I missed that. 

[bjkaras]

Off of Craigslist, a very cool and in incredible condition old Parks "Superior" GEM mount with 1.5" shafts, untested AC drive in the RA axis (odd wiring, I need to figure it out before plugging it in) driving a Byers Drive gear set, manual fine DEC adjustment, JMI NGC-MAX computer, encoders on both axis, 48" tall pier along with the more common 25" and three large counterweights along with some small ones adding up to more than 100lbs. 

 

On top of it came a home made 6" f10 achromat with a nice Scope Stuff dual speed focuser.

 

Tried it out last night on the Moon (virtually no color!) and M13, could resolve to the core without averted vision from Bortle 5 skies. 

 

I've had many old GEM mounts in the past but none this big or tall. It was quite a delite to use it, looks like I've joined the brotherhood of owners of large GEMs and refractors!

 

However the mount is BIG and HEAVY, I don't know if I can keep it or not. I will be keeping the OTA, I seem to be enamored of long focus large aperture refractors at the moment. 

 

Tom Duncan

My 10” f/5 is on that mount. It would be a good fit for my 6” f/12 refractor also! It’s on a Meade 826 now, which is not really as steady as I’d like. You’re right though, it’s a very heavy mount.

[jragsdale]

your just not paying attention to what is for sale in FL.  I have found lots of great stuff in FL.   One of the best finds was the AP1200 mount.  Some refractors, some SCT's including a real nice C11 and other scopes.   all of it shipped to my front door.  Oh yes an awesome  Quantum 4.  and lots more.  

Yep, I just bought a 3" Alvan Clark from FL. Seller packed and shipped and no issues.