Well, after 2+ years of on/off frustration with my broken MX mount a new MEII is shipping out today. Whilst I'm sure the MX would have been returned to me fixed (the diagnosis was an imperfect fit of the polar axis shaft and bearing) I decided to take the plunge and upgraded to a brand new MEII. Software Bisque was very fair about the trade in. Fortunately I already own the ME pier so it sholdn't be difficult to put this up other than lifting it on. My poor little TEC140 is going to look like a finder scope on this mount, but I'm expecting great performance. I somehow feel a new scope in my future. I keep looking at the AG14, but until I move to a dark site I suppose it would be a wasted effort, right?
Good move Peter. That PMX was giving you nothing but grief. There would always be an element of doubt that you had a lemon and something else would fail. Whoever did the shoddy job on that bearing and shaft most likely did other components on that mount.
PME 11 as pointed out gives you more options and overmounting a scope is a good thing. AG14 in light polluted area would still be great for narrowband.
Pictures or it didn't happen Peter. Please show us all pictures, data, PE measurements, tracking test images, etc. soon after you get the mount up and running.
Pictures or it didn't happen Peter. Please show us all pictures, data, PE measurements, tracking test images, etc. soon after you get the mount up and running.
I'm told the mount could make Sydney by Monday so customs will be the next obstacle. DHL was excellent in this regard with my MX so who knows. I might have it by the weekend. Good weather??? Ha, why do I even contemplate that.
Yes, for sure I will put up lots of stuff. It is happening!
Finally the MEII arrived! It's gorgeous!! and a beast.
DHL was a bit frustrating in that there were delays - not their fault but that they were bad at explaining. For instance I tracked the shipment and saw that it arrived in OZ and was at customs. Shortly I got a message (Tuesday) saying I owed GST, etc which I paid immediately. DHL said I should have the mount on Wednesday. No mount, Thursday, no mount. After many calls I'm told that the mount actually didn't arrive when they said it did even though it had "cleared customs." Very odd. Anyway, today it came, and really what's the difference with this rain! The mount is so heavy that I cannot lift it. Hopefully tomorrow with help I will get it on the pier. Photos will follow shortly.
Well, heavy for me! The MEII box has a warning sticker on it "Caution, Weight over 70 lbs." The two boxes totalled 190 lbs. The way the MEII lies flat in the box makes it rather awkward to lift out. There is no way to lift it without leaning over and possibly ruining ones back! I thought about tilting the box up so the base of the mount would be nearly flat to the floor and then abandoned that idea after imagining it falling sideways. I'll just wait for some help!
My first impression is confirmed. This is a "beast" of a mount. My TEC140 looks pretty small!
I really like the level adjusters on this mount. It's too bad they were dropped as an idea on the MX. Another interesting fact I learned. I can use my MX declination shaft and counter weights on this mount. Still need to do through the mount cables. Perhaps the weather will hold a bit longer!
It is a beast of a mount. Looks to be a similar size to the PME. The level adjusters were good on PME and odd they did not have them on PMX was my thought too.
I am also using the counterweights on the PMX from the PME. That is a good idea.
It is a beast of a mount. Looks to be a similar size to the PME. The level adjusters were good on PME and odd they did not have them on PMX was my thought too.
I am also using the counterweights on the PMX from the PME. That is a good idea.
Hi Paul,
I'm not sure we are saying the same thing here. The MEII declination shaft is thicker than the MX shaft (and older ME?). What surprised me on the MEII is that the smaller MX shaft will screw into the declination axis of the MEII as it has smaller recessed threads and will take both types.
