17 replies to this topic

[Zebralongwing]

New member here looking for advice. I have a Celestron Astromaster 130 and want to mount it on a go to mount (to use with my DLSR as well). I have a budget of $1500. 

Thanks!

[carolinaskies]

The 130 is pretty lightweight so you have a lot of choices in your price range though some won't offer growth potential.  In general you probably ought ot move up to a better telescope since the 130 isn't going to hold your DSLR very well.  You might consider upgrading from the DSLR to a dedicated camera which will help some with the 130 but that's kind of maxing out the 130's usefulness.   

Some package mount/OTA include refractor & mount or a 150mm newtonian and mount might be in order.


For just a good all around respectible/affordable(sub $1K) mount the Celestron Advanced VX will hold the 130 very well, allow you to upgrade the camera too.  Then you can look at upgrading the OTA.   The AVX(30lb capacity) will easily handle OTAs with accessories where total weight is up to 15-20lbs without straining the drive.  At the top of your budget the AM3 handles 18lbs for visual and probably 12lbs nomial astrophotography.   It offers extreme compactness vs the AVX. 

Don't sell yourself out of used combos though, because at 1500 you might find a decent complete ready to do imaging setup for someone moving up in budget! 

TBH, depending on what you want to do, the smart scopes like the Seestar S50/S30 offer extreme value for getting into astrophotography sub $500!  Lots can be done with them before investing real budgets of $3000 or more.  The big thing with astrophotography isn't fiddling with the mount, it's getting the data to fiddle with.  The smart scopes offer that ability very well. 



 

[EGregerson]

I'd check out the classified for a goto mounts that carry the load u plan; i have a SW eq6 pro; it; works well but has certain foibles, but it's quite stable. I like the look of celestron mounts but never used them. there are orion mounts that are copies of SW EQ's (given the circumstances they might go at a discount).  But whichever, I suggest a guide scope and camera; (with PHD2 software)  i haved a zwo 290 mini for guiding, but also works pretty well for some imaging; it's monochrome for imaging, uses filters like rgb and (Ha, Oii & Sii) for hubble pallet. New cams are better & better; some are actually cheaper.  is your dslr modified? I ask because if you plan to, for the price of a mod, your are half way to a good used 533 or 1600.

[Sacred Heart]

Hello Zebralongwing,

 

Welcome to CN.   I have a friend that bought quite a few mounts, scopes and cameras on the local marketplace website. There can be some nice deals out there, if they are close by I would recommend you drive out to see it in person.

 

Carolinaskies has great advice,  my first thought was an AM3 but as Carolinaskies points out that would limit your growth later on.

 

The used market can be a good place.

 

Joe

[Zebralongwing]

The 130 is pretty lightweight so you have a lot of choices in your price range though some won't offer growth potential.  In general you probably ought ot move up to a better telescope since the 130 isn't going to hold your DSLR very well.  You might consider upgrading from the DSLR to a dedicated camera which will help some with the 130 but that's kind of maxing out the 130's usefulness.   

Some package mount/OTA include refractor & mount or a 150mm newtonian and mount might be in order.


For just a good all around respectible/affordable(sub $1K) mount the Celestron Advanced VX will hold the 130 very well, allow you to upgrade the camera too.  Then you can look at upgrading the OTA.   The AVX(30lb capacity) will easily handle OTAs with accessories where total weight is up to 15-20lbs without straining the drive.  At the top of your budget the AM3 handles 18lbs for visual and probably 12lbs nomial astrophotography.   It offers extreme compactness vs the AVX. 

Don't sell yourself out of used combos though, because at 1500 you might find a decent complete ready to do imaging setup for someone moving up in budget! 

TBH, depending on what you want to do, the smart scopes like the Seestar S50/S30 offer extreme value for getting into astrophotography sub $500!  Lots can be done with them before investing real budgets of $3000 or more.  The big thing with astrophotography isn't fiddling with the mount, it's getting the data to fiddle with.  The smart scopes offer that ability very well. 



 

Thanks much. Great advice. I have a good full frame dslr with a great wide angle f1.8 lens so I should have been more specific that I plan on using the 130 for visual only. That’s why I am focused (lol) on the mount. I have the EQ tripod for the 130 as well. I got it locally on FB marketplace cheap so I am not wed to it. Willing to consider all options.

[Zebralongwing]

I'd check out the classified for a goto mounts that carry the load u plan; i have a SW eq6 pro; it; works well but has certain foibles, but it's quite stable. I like the look of celestron mounts but never used them. there are orion mounts that are copies of SW EQ's (given the circumstances they might go at a discount).  But whichever, I suggest a guide scope and camera; (with PHD2 software)  i haved a zwo 290 mini for guiding, but also works pretty well for some imaging; it's monochrome for imaging, uses filters like rgb and (Ha, Oii & Sii) for hubble pallet. New cams are better & better; some are actually cheaper.  is your dslr modified? I ask because if you plan to, for the price of a mod, your are half way to a good used 533 or 1600.

The SW EQ-5 Pro seems to be a good choice for the telescope and my Canon 6D. Is that (or the EQ-6 Pro) the answer?

[Zebralongwing]

I'd check out the classified for a goto mounts that carry the load u plan; i have a SW eq6 pro; it; works well but has certain foibles, but it's quite stable. I like the look of celestron mounts but never used them. there are orion mounts that are copies of SW EQ's (given the circumstances they might go at a discount).  But whichever, I suggest a guide scope and camera; (with PHD2 software)  i haved a zwo 290 mini for guiding, but also works pretty well for some imaging; it's monochrome for imaging, uses filters like rgb and (Ha, Oii & Sii) for hubble pallet. New cams are better & better; some are actually cheaper.  is your dslr modified? I ask because if you plan to, for the price of a mod, your are half way to a good used 533 or 1600.

It’s a Canon 6D mark two and is not modified. Honestly, I’ve seen talk about modifying cameras for astrophotography, but I don’t know what that is. I’ve done a single shot, not stacked Milky Way pictures that have turned out pretty well and it’s given me the taste for more Now that I’m moving to a house with a very dark sky.

[Zebralongwing]

Does this make sense?

 

https://milehighastr...gti-imaging-kit

[zoso916]

I have the AVX and don't think you will be satisfied with it for astrophotography. After struggling with it for a couple of years I eventually bought an ioptron GEM 28. Half the weight, same capacity and at least twice the tracking accuracy. I easily get 3 minute subs without guiding, with guiding I can go as long as I want. Depending on which package you get it comes in at your desired price range.

 

https://www.highpoin...h-tripod-g281b1

[Zebralongwing]

How does the IOptron Gem 28 new compare with a used Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial GoTo Mount for $1100?

[Sacred Heart]

How does the IOptron Gem 28 new compare with a used Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial GoTo Mount for $1100?

Ioptron is 1/4 the weight of the EQ6R and has only a 28 pound capacity.  If you are portable, especially if you have to drive somewhere to set it up AND  your equipment weighs 20 pounds or less...Ioptron GEM28.  That's how I see it.

 

I do not own either mount, just pointing that if I had to set up or load my stuff in a car, and knowing my equipment is at 80% of the max payload spec, that is what I would do.  Ioptron.   Reason I say 80% f payload spec, I allow 20% for possible balance issues and variables like wind.

 

Joe

[Zebralongwing]

Thanks! Travel is a consideration. However, I am moving to a new house with a Bortle 4 sky and am even considering putting a permanent post to mount it on. I est 80%+ of my time will be there. Weight is currently well under 20#. Would that change your assessment?

Edited by Zebralongwing, 16 March 2025 - 08:09 PM.

[Sacred Heart]

Thanks! Travel is a consideration. However, I am moving to a new house with a Bortle 4 sky and am even considering putting a permanent post to mount it on. I est 80%+ of my time will be there. Weight is currently well under 20#. Would that change your assessment?

If you are not moving it, who cares how big or heavy it is.  Just plant it.  EQ6R then, room to grow.

 

Joe

[truckerfromaustin]

Does this make sense?

https://milehighastr...gti-imaging-kit

This is not a bad way to get started. Just remember that you won't be able to use it with a larger telescope.

Clear Skies

[Zebralongwing]

Does an iOptron GEM45 make sense for a beginner?

[Sacred Heart]

Does an iOptron GEM45 make sense for a beginner?

What questions do you have about it??   I know a person who used one, was the first mount he bought, had a SVX 102T on it.   His may have been the CEM version. 

 

I would not put 45 pounds on it,  30 - 32 pounds would be my limit.  About as long of a telescope I'd put on it is 32" or so, focal length maybe 2000mm stepped down to 1400mm for imaging.  That's roughly an 8" SCT with a .7 reducer on it.

 

That would be me,    Joe

[Zebralongwing]

It’s really a question of a iOptron GEM 28 vs a used GEM 45 used for a cheaper price from someone on this forum.

[Sacred Heart]

It’s really a question of a iOptron GEM 28 vs a used GEM 45 used for a cheaper price from someone on this forum.

That, comes down to trust and integrity.  That is also a you question.  I don't think anyone can answer that but you.  I can say I did buy used from a dealer though, not that that matters..no warranty no nothing.  But I was there in person and watched it go through it's paces. I also had Astro Physics reputation behind it.  AP Mach1.

 

In general, people here on the forum are usually honest and giving of helpful information.  I trusted people here on opinions of different refractors.  I did great, they were new refractors.

 

Question,  Can you go see the mount??  If not, maybe see a video of the person using the mount.  Showing goto, tracking..etc??

 

The 45 should be a better mount as far as tracking error goes, especially if you are at 50% of capacity on the 45 vs 80% on the 28.  More wiggle room for variables like wind.

 

Talk to owners of the 45, see what they say.

 

Joe