CGX-L or G11 .... AP900GTO? ...Titan, EQ8

[miki63au]

Hi everyone,


My CGEM-DX kecked and the Byers gear mount project will take time...


So, I'll need a mount for my C14 and 6RC.
I do like the CGX-L (no new software to learn) and the price at Bintel is cheaper than the G11. And track pass the meridian.

However I do like the G11's machining and I asume in the long-run is a better mount. Mind you Bintel not have it on stock and the indicated price is without the one-piece worm or a spring-loaded version... or a RA extension etc.


I also dream of a AP900GTO 2nd hand imported from US (about U$5500) ... not sure about the risk or import costs. (If I ever get an AP900 I'll sale the Byers worm gears...)



:question::confuse3:


Cheers for your ideas, suggestions.


Clear sky to you (not to the farmers)
Mick

[Slawomir]

Hi Mick,

How many years did you get out of the CGEM-EX?

I have not used a Losmandy mount, but from what I read you can expect that it will last many years and parts can be purchased if needed.

A well looked after AP 900 would certainly be my pick over the others (I have been happily using a Mach1 for about two years now and I am not planning to part with her). However, if you are not doing any long-exposure astrophotography, then perhaps any of the other two would be sufficient?

[miki63au]

Hello Suavi,


I had the CGEM-DX for 6 years and kept it outside under cover. It would have been OK, but the poor bugger couldn't handle a nudge from my Triton UTE, reversing on to it... oops, my baaaaad :bashcomp::mad2::scared:.
The worm wheel has been busted, and look like the RA servo encoder PCB too.... working on it :sadeyes::screwy: ...will see if the insurer help me out.


The mount served me well, considering it's not suited to a C14. But was OK for planetary and for focal length more civilized than the C14. (6RC with CCDT67)


I dream of a mount like the old Byers Series II .... and I secured two of Mr Byers worm gear to do that. My friends in the workshop will help hopefully with the machining.


But I happy to drop that plan if I find a mount like the AP900 .... not sure about the G11 and the CGX-L.



Cheers,
Mick

[blink138]

hi mick a ripper g11 2 is on the iis trades at the moment ...... 2nd page at top
pat

[miki63au]

Thanks Pat,


Saw that... it's in WA, the shipping to SA is expensive I guess.



Mick

[blink138]

i would ask ............ you never know what arrangement may be made, but that sounds like a cracking unit
pat

[netwolf]

I have an older g11 but the great thing about this mount is it is still fully compqtible with the modern mount upgrades and parts are easy to get.

No 2 the number of drive options
1. The stepper tracking only (mine had this). With dsc Losmandy, Argonavis, Nexus etc.
2. Gemini 1 ( i have this now)
3. Gemini 2
4. Sitech ( i also have this and can use with same motora as Gemini.
5. Onstep stepper goto
6. PMC8 from ES
7. Anything you can fit onto it. I am considering eqdrive with synscan HC and stepper motors for mine. I hve seen so many varieties, littlefoot , skywalker, vixen skysensor etc etc

For a mount thats been around more than 20 years its fully upgradable to modern systems. Unlike many other vendors where older mounts can not be upgraded and need to be replaced to get new.

The issue you have is the c14. The g11 was sold with the C14 long ago by Celestron, so for visual and perhaps planetary is ok.

[Slawomir]

What about G11 GT ? Specs indicate it has a higher loading capacity than G11.

[miki63au]

Yes, this is the combo of the Titan's RA with G11's DEC axis.... with the RA drive 'tacked ' above. --I think $4000 US
withhout tripod. It can track pass meridian and has a one piece worm-block.
I think there is a long waiting list for order... and import charges/shipping cost as well. Still, a good option:thumbsup:


Mick

[lazjen]

What about a ioptron CEM120 (http://www.ioptron.com/product-p/7300.htm)?

[miki63au]

Hi Chris,
not sure about that design... limited pass the meridian for sure.


I should hunt for a second-hand Titan.

More I read about it the more I like it :rofl::D


Mick

[multiweb]

The G11 might struggle a bit with a C14. AP mount sounds good. Or an EQ8 maybe?

[miki63au]

Thanks Marc,


Yes, read a lot about the limit of the G11.... not for the C14.


I 'drifiting' towards a secnd-hand Titan... can't afford a new one.



Cheers,

Mick

[miki63au]

Re EQ8 ... the design with alu shats and lack of quality control keep me away from that.

[multiweb]

The few I've seen on the field are awesome.

[netwolf]

how about the Mesu best weight capacity in its price range.

[miki63au]

Thanks Fahim,
Call me old fashioned, but I prefer wormgear drive... correct me if I'm wrong but the Mesu is friction drive.

I should progress faster with the Byers-worm/EQ mount project. Have high hope for that... but if a good deal Titan or similar mount come up for sale, I may cut the chaise.

Mick

[DarkArts]

The G11 limit is accurate and applicable to astrophotography - no 'rule of thumb' reduction needed. I run a C14 on a G11 without problems (although I did upgrade to high torque motors, not that I really needed them). At one point, Celestron sold the two together as a package called 'CG14' though that G11 mount allegedly had 'beefier' bearings according to some.

The G11 is a very well made/machined mount and Gemini 1 or 2 is very capable, but the handset might drive you crazy. :screwy:

[miki63au]

"but the handset might drive you crazy"

I do worry about that... too old for change...:D :P :sadeyes: :screwy:



The G11 is waaaay better than the CGEM-DX I used for the planets. My biggest issue is the the lack of one-piece-worm carrier with spring load and the issue of meridian tracking without an expensive motor replacement. I know this is can be addressed with $$$ ... and I do like tinkering... but need to get it for the right $$$


ps. is the extra bearings improve the max load and the new RA/DEC extension for pass Meridian tracking reduce the load capacity?


Cheers,
Mick

[DarkArts]

According to some, the alleged beefier bearings were only needed because old C14s were 10lbs heavier than current C14s. My grey tube C14 seems fine. I also have the RA extension and haven't noticed any issues - I don't think it affects load capacity but some think it has a marginal effect: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/379890-losmandy-g-11-ra-extension/

New G11s should have the high torque motors as standard and also get the tucked-in motor arrangement, but not the RA extension.

Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfFvn9KTSgU

[miki63au]

Thank you :)

[DarkArts]

Looks like the tucked motor mounts aren't widely shipping yet ...

[miki63au]

Hi Pat,

I did pm... no response. ... yet. He's in Perth... like you. Do you know him? Please give him a nudge :help::D:poke:

Cheers
Mick

[miki63au]

Not sure what to do... have 11" Byers spring loaded worm for RA and 7" for DEC... yet to decide of the design (??)... open for suggestions..



But for now have no EQ mount till machining....



If I sell the gear will help to buy a G11GT or a 900GTO ... not sure about the the import duties GST etc. .... anyone did this ?


Cheers,
Mick

[gregbradley]

AP mounts are among the very best you can get. I not 100% sure of the others performance but I am of an AP. They are overengineered, accurate mounts, modern electronics now are available and some models have options for future encoders for eliminating PE.

As far as weight loads for AP900 you would have to check on the AP website but a C14 may need an AP1200.

Greg.

[miki63au]

Thanks Greg,


Do you know the custom $$$ for importing such an item? I assume 10%GST ... any other charge? :sadeyes::mad2:



I can't afford an AP1100 or an 1200 ... a second-hand 900GTO is the only option. I think it's rated 40Kg? Love to see one inside... bearings, shaft and worm arrangement. Can't find anywhere a pic... probably owners never need to thinker with it :rofl:



Still, I may proceed with the DIY EQ mount with the Byers worm gear... just not sure if the machining can match the AP quality, despite the good worm...:screwy:


Mick

[billdan]

Hi Mick,

When I imported my Mesu 200 mount, TNT Express organised everything, all I had to pay was the 10% GST plus an administration fee of $80. No customs duty charges.

Cheers
Bill

[miki63au]

Great news Bill, thanks :thumbsup:

[RickS]

The manual says 70 lbs but this is a conservative rating and assumes that you might have a difficult load like a long refractor. I have used my AP900 for imaging with close to 40Kg on it (Ceravolo 300, Apogee U16M, etc.) and it performed beautifully.

I don't have any internal pics of the mount for the reason you mention :)

Cheers,
Rick.

[miki63au]

Hi Rick,


My scopes: C14HD, GSO 6RC and a 80ED .... ATIK's 314l+ moded 1100D
Use a WO 66 refractor for guide the GSO. Neither scopes are long...
To load all this on a 900GTO is way too much... but if I build the EQ mount with 2.7" RA shaft/11" worm gear... it may hold it all in an obsy.



Still procrastinating should I build the EQ mount or just buy the mount I can afford and get on with enjoying it :lol:


Mick

[RickS]

Good luck with that decision, Mick!

[miki63au]

http://store.losmandy.com/g11gtlt



The Losmandy G11GT-LT with shipping to AU is around U$4500 ... would be OK for the C14, but just a bit more $$$ can have the 900GTO.