Mount for RASA 11

[rubberbudgie (Darren)]

I have a RASA 11 on a NEQ6 mount and it has trouble with keeping alignment.
The RASA weighs about 19kg and the mount is rated at 20kg so I'm wondering if once I add the camera and other accessories that it is just too heavy for the mount to handle?

[Dave882 (David)]

I agree you’re overloaded for that setup. You’re really going to be looking for mount with 35kg+ capacity. Eq8, cgxL, cem120. Something in that kinda range. Balance and polar alignment is still going to be important, and if I were you, it doesn’t take much at all to put a guide scope and camera for guiding. Do you have a camera yet?
Good luck!

[Startrek (Martin)]

An option might be the Skywatcher CQ350
Around $5,200
Some good reviews and I’m sure it could handle the RASA 11 with 20kg payload

Cheers
Martin

[rubberbudgie (Darren)]

Originally Posted by Dave882

I agree you’re overloaded for that setup. You’re really going to be looking for mount with 35kg+ capacity. Eq8, cgxL, cem120. Something in that kinda range. Balance and polar alignment is still going to be important, and if I were you, it doesn’t take much at all to put a guide scope and camera for guiding. Do you have a camera yet?
Good luck!

Yeah that's what I was worried about, having to spend even more money especially when it's becoming harder and harder to get any good nights over here when it's not too windy to be able to take good shots.

I do have a guide scope and camera which only add to the weight issue.

As for cameras, I have an ASI1294MC Pro and and ASI1600MM Pro. The 1600 does a great job, the colour one is pretty average.

[rubberbudgie (Darren)]

Originally Posted by Startrek

An option might be the Skywatcher CQ350
Around $5,200
Some good reviews and I’m sure it could handle the RASA 11 with 20kg payload

Cheers
Martin

Yeah I thought something like that might be the go.

[Peter Ward]

A Losmandy G11T as best "bang for buck" would be my choice.

Or if you want perfection, the Astro-Physics Mach 2.