17 replies to this topic

[Ranger Tim]

I’m buying a Mach1 from a friend/original owner. It will come with a hand controller and a 3rd generation computer box. I intend to replace my hypertuned CGEM DX that is housed in my backyard observatory. The DX will often guide .6 to .9 with lighter loads and short focal lengths but it struggles mightily when I try to shoot with heavy loads over 1200mm fl. I operate it with an ASIAir Plus and am content with my workflow. I also have laptops and Stellarmate OS and Rpi’s and such. I can run most anything for Windows 11 in Parallels as well.

 

Am I making a mistake by not buying a newer SWG mount that would handle the big stuff? I feel like the Mach1 would still be the best option for an observatory/permanent installation at the ~$5000 price point. Is there a much better solution available to me that I am ignoring? I do wish to utilize the Air for the short term since I have been around the block with other computer solutions — it does what I want with little drama and I like that. There are reports that indicate it does work with the Mach1, even the version I’m getting (2017). Is this true? Again, I’m not interested in SGP, Equinox or NINA, although I could run one of them if I really got stuck. It’s just so easy to run the Air on an iPad with my feet up in front of the TV drinking my favorite wheat soda.

 

I would not be considering this mount unless I had the opportunity to get it from a person I trust that takes care of his things. This is the last mount for me, so I don’t want to walk down a path to a dead end. And I definitely don’t want to try guiding a C11 through an OAG at f9/11 with .5 sec. exposures to satisfy a SWG mount!

[psandelle]

Mach 1s are SUPERB. They may be a generation behind, but only if you're talking unguided performance (compared to a Mach 2). Guiding-wise, they were always great, and nothing has changed. Once you learn the ins & outs, you will FORGET ALL ABOUT IT! Also, if you need help the people at AP will TOTALLY help you. As long as it's a good example (and it sounds like it's from a friend, then it probably should be...maybe  ) then you can't really find much better in that price range. It will guide as good and mostly much better than any SWG mount out there.

Paul

Edited by psandelle, 24 March 2025 - 01:25 PM.

[WadeH237]

A used Mach1 is a excellent choice.

 

If you are OK with the weight of the Mach1, then you shouldn't even think about strain wave mounts.  The Mach1 will easily best any of them for accuracy.

 

In my opinion, it's a special mount, and I wish that Astro-Physics still made them as their entry level mount.

[Ranger Tim]

This is very encouraging! I’ve been playing in this hobby for a few decades, slave to various mid-level mounts and have this one chance to pounce. i’m hoping this will cure my mount envy for good. Now I just need to figure out which mounts to sell because I promised SWMBO I would get rid of at least one. Hi, my name is Tim, and I have an astronomy problem….

[cytan299]

Hi Ranger Tim,

 

Getting a Mach1GTO is a no brainer for non-encoder mounts. It's a pity that AP no longer makes them because with guiding, it works as well as its heavier cousins like the Mach2GTO and AP1100AE (I had sold the AP1100AE but still own both the Mach1GTO and Mach2GTO).

 

Here's an example of the Mach1GTO doing it's thing:  I can consistently get guide errors  < 0.5 arcsec rms when I have good seeing:

 

 

The only disadvantage that I can think of, which is true for all non-encoder mounts, is that it's not as wind resistant as encoder mounts.

 

cytan

Edited by cytan299, 25 March 2025 - 06:49 AM.

[bobhen]

I came to a Mach One from a Losmandy G11. The accuracy of the Mach One was definitely superior. Once you learn the mount, the Mach One makes imaging as easy as it can ever be made.

 

Bob

[RAKing]

I bought my Mach1 in late 2008, and it was delivered in May 2009.  At that time, there was a waiting list for the mounts, and I was happy to get one after somebody backed out.  I had done all the research and wanted a "lifetime" mount - a mount that could carry any scope I could lift.  At the time, I owned a C11 and used it on an Orion Atlas mount after the original CPC unit burned out.

 

To this day, it has been my best and happiest decision in astronomy!  The mount has performed almost perfectly for 16 years, and my only issue was the CMOS battery in the hand paddle finally died a few years ago.  That failure simply suggested to me that I should go ahead and upgrade to the CP4 control unit after I replaced that battery.  I did, and we have been back in business ever since.

 

When I first got the mount, it was rated for a 45-pound load (for IMAGING) - and it could easily handle 60 pounds for visual observing.  Roland finally got tired of the confusion and now the Mach1 is rated at 60 pounds.

 

I have used my Mach1 with the A-P Portable piers (three), an Eagle pier (awesome!) and two different Losmandy tripods.  It works great on everything - and it has handled everything from an 80mm SV LOMO refractor to a 10-inch f/5 Newtonian - along with SCTs and Maks from 6 inches to 11 inches - some with a camera piggybacked on top.

 

When I bought the mount, I was told that the A-P hand paddle would spoil me for anything else - and they were right!  It's just as easy to key in the RA-Dec coordinates to an object as it is to select an object from the database.  It's a wonderful mount - and it also has a great support system only a phone call away!

 

Cheers,

 

Ron

 

My Mach1 - on the job last weekend.  I will be 78 next month and have been forced to downsize my telescopes.  But I cannot bring myself to sell my Mach1.  I am glad it breaks into two pieces so I can still carry it outside.  

 

 

 

[Wildetelescope]

Everyone who has responded agrees with me(Joking:-).   Seriously, I do not think there is a SW mount out there that compares with the Mach I.   SW mounts have their place, but if you do not mind the larger wt of the Mach I, which is not bad at all, there is no reason to look elsewhere.  You will be happy.  Enjoy!

 

JMD 

[Ranger Tim]

Now I just have to figure out if it will work with the ASIAir Plus. Since I will be getting a hand control with it I can work through some problems I think. But it's totally new to me so what do I know? I think it is a good move for me regardless.

 

So do I sell an ancient GM-8 or the CGEM DX? I'm leaning toward the GM-8. It needs a total rebuild, bearings, cleaning, lube, etc. It is from the era of Celestron branding with a fiberglass leg tripod (very sturdy). I bought it used years ago when I was not as picky about accuracy. It saw a lot of use before I got it so it needs a loving touch that I don't have the energy to give. The CGEM DX could still carry the C11 for EAA on outreach trips, especially with the Hyperstar. It is still easily capable of imaging with modest focal lengths less than 1000mm.

 

The only downside of all this is that these older mounts are not bringing much on the used market lately. It seems like the Strain Wave mounts have replaced the entry to mid level worm drive mounts for good. I admit they are tempting with their light weight and no balancing needed. But I really need a solid mount that will last me and carry the C11 plus the 8 inch reflectors I plan on building (one short, one looong).

Edited by Ranger Tim, 25 March 2025 - 04:02 PM.

[joshman]

You won't go wrong with any AP Mount. I picked up a 1200GTO in the middle of last year, and it's been fantastic. consistently guiding <0.5", and I've seen it as low as 0.26"! Which is fantastic, considering my less-than-amazing coastal skies. I'm planning on putting it on a permanent pier in the backyard at some point this year.

 

There's a Mach1 for sale locally at the moment, and I'm very tempted to grab it. I guess i could put in a second pier....

[Kitfox]

This is very encouraging! I’ve been playing in this hobby for a few decades, slave to various mid-level mounts and have this one chance to pounce. i’m hoping this will cure my mount envy for good. Now I just need to figure out which mounts to sell because I promised SWMBO I would get rid of at least one. Hi, my name is Tim, and I have an astronomy problem….

 

It is a great mount, I have two of them.  But a cure for mount envy?  Sorry...   Mach 2, 900, 1200, 1600 and 3200.  And the 400, 600 and 800 are so sweet!  The drooling continues...

[robbieg147]

You have made a great choice, and should you ever need any help the support is out of this world.

 

The only thing that puzzles me is in a observatory why use an ASIAir? I guess we all have our different methods?

[Ranger Tim]

I need only basic things from my mini computer. I pop the top open on my POD, turn on the power to the mount and Air, wake the mount from hibernation and remove dust covers. I can then go back inside and manage target acquisition, focus, guiding and setting the shooting sequence from my iPad while sitting on the couch. Once I kick off the sequence the Air takes care of the rest. It also parks the mount at the end. I don’t need to worry about interruptions from updates, extensions fighting, or any other software conflicts. It stores the files on a micro SD card that will hold a week’s worth of subs that I can remove and take inside. I really don’t need more than this, so simple is easiest.

 

I can run a laptop with KSTARS in the observatory or remotely with Stellarmate OS on a Pi. I can run the ASIAir app on my Mac Mini inside or run anything on Windows using Parallels. I choose to use the Air because it’s fast, reliable and integrates well with my home network. I keep more hair using the Air. If the Mach1 doesn’t play nice with it I will adjust.
 

[cytan299]

I need only basic things from my mini computer. I pop the top open on my POD, turn on the power to the mount and Air, wake the mount from hibernation and remove dust covers. I can then go back inside and manage target acquisition, focus, guiding and setting the shooting sequence from my iPad while sitting on the couch. Once I kick off the sequence the Air takes care of the rest. It also parks the mount at the end. I don’t need to worry about interruptions from updates, extensions fighting, or any other software conflicts. It stores the files on a micro SD card that will hold a week’s worth of subs that I can remove and take inside. I really don’t need more than this, so simple is easiest.

 

I can run a laptop with KSTARS in the observatory or remotely with Stellarmate OS on a Pi. I can run the ASIAir app on my Mac Mini inside or run anything on Windows using Parallels. I choose to use the Air because it’s fast, reliable and integrates well with my home network. I keep more hair using the Air. If the Mach1 doesn’t play nice with it I will adjust.
 

I think you should be able to run the Mach1GTO with ASIAir because I believe some people do. I'd strongly suggest that you join the AP-GTO user group:

 

    https://ap-gto.groups.io/g/main

 

and ask there because the entire AP brain trust is there.

 

cytan.

Edited by cytan299, 26 March 2025 - 02:39 AM.

[Ranger Tim]

Thx cytan, will do.

[WadeH237]

I think you should be able to run the Mach1GTO with ASIAir because I believe some people do. I'd strongly suggest that you join the AP-GTO user group:

 

    https://ap-gto.groups.io/g/main

 

and ask there because the entire AP brain trust is there.

 

cytan.

The Mach1 has an ASCOM driver.  From a software standpoint, it will work just as well as any other mount with the ASIAir, and you will still take advantage of all that mechanical goodness.  So no problems there.

 

Note that Astro-Physics has a software package called "APCC Pro", which can significantly improve the performance of the mount even more.  It does this by sampling many locations in the sky to characterize a number of aspects of tracking, some related to your mount and scope, and some related to environmental conditions.  It then uses a custom tracking rate to minimize tracking errors.  If you are guiding, it will reduce the amount of work your guider has to do.  And if you have a good PEM curve in the mount, it opens up the possibility of pretty robust unguided imaging.  I use this feature on my own Astro-Physics mounts.

 

The APCC Pro software runs only on Windows.  It pairs well with NINA for automated imaging.  NINA has a plug-in available that can create custom tracking rates specific to the target that you are imaging.  This model is fairly quick to create, and can be completed during evening twilight.  Note that there is a learning curve to doing this, so you may want to keep things simple at first (the ASIAir is suitable for this), and you can optionally take advantage after becoming comfortable with your new mount.

 

Congratulations on the mount, and have fun!

-Wade

[Taylor]

No question, an excellent choice. I do not miss any aspect of my EQ6r Pro after getting the Mach1. I absolutely love this mount. I am no longer curious when people who own the premium gear say "it just gets out of the way". 
It really does, set it up correctly at the beginning and every aspect of the mount works perfectly. Without even putting in more than a minor effort, I can get <0.4 RMS with it. 

I think I tried the ASI2600mc air with it last year and it worked. I only did it once, but if I recall I had it in park 3 and initialized the asiair from there. Plop the mach1 down, tell it to go to park3, and if it's off, manually adjust it to it, then connect asiair and plate solving should work fine. Again, it's been a long time but I'm pretty sure thats what I did. 

[fmeschia]

I got a used Mach1GTO myself last summer. The only regret I have is not getting one earlier...