ICEINSPACE
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Waxing Crescent 14.5%
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15-08-2018, 03:54 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 388
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CGX-L or G11 .... AP900GTO? ...Titan, EQ8
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...)
Cheers for your ideas, suggestions.
Clear sky to you (not to the farmers)
Mick
Last edited by miki63au; 16-08-2018 at 01:16 PM.
Reason: Mod to title to expand the possible mount options.
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15-08-2018, 04:58 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: North Queensland
Posts: 3,240
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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?
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15-08-2018, 07:40 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 388
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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?
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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 .
The worm wheel has been busted, and look like the RA servo encoder PCB too.... working on it ...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
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15-08-2018, 08:07 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: perth w.a.
Posts: 2,275
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hi mick a ripper g11 2 is on the iis trades at the moment ...... 2nd page at top
pat
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15-08-2018, 08:14 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 388
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blink138
hi mick a ripper g11 2 is on the iis trades at the moment ...... 2nd page at top
pat
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Thanks Pat,
Saw that... it's in WA, the shipping to SA is expensive I guess.
Mick
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15-08-2018, 08:43 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: perth w.a.
Posts: 2,275
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i would ask ............ you never know what arrangement may be made, but that sounds like a cracking unit
pat
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15-08-2018, 10:46 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,943
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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.
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16-08-2018, 06:23 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: North Queensland
Posts: 3,240
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What about G11 GT ? Specs indicate it has a higher loading capacity than G11.
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16-08-2018, 07:06 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 388
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Slawomir
What about G11 GT ? Specs indicate it has a higher loading capacity than G11.
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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
Mick
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16-08-2018, 08:28 AM
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PI cult member
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Flaxton, Qld
Posts: 2,064
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16-08-2018, 09:50 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 388
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lazjen
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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
Mick
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16-08-2018, 09:58 AM
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ze frogginator
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 22,062
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The G11 might struggle a bit with a C14. AP mount sounds good. Or an EQ8 maybe?
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16-08-2018, 10:11 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 388
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Quote:
Originally Posted by multiweb
The G11 might struggle a bit with a C14. AP mount sounds good. Or an EQ8 maybe?
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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
Last edited by miki63au; 16-08-2018 at 10:24 AM.
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16-08-2018, 10:12 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 388
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Re EQ8 ... the design with alu shats and lack of quality control keep me away from that.
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16-08-2018, 10:13 AM
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ze frogginator
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 22,062
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miki63au
Re EQ8 ... the design with alu shats and lack of quality control keep me away from that.
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The few I've seen on the field are awesome.
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17-08-2018, 04:34 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,943
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how about the Mesu best weight capacity in its price range.
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17-08-2018, 05:59 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 388
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Quote:
Originally Posted by netwolf
how about the Mesu best weight capacity in its price range.
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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
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17-08-2018, 09:13 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 606
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miki63au
Yes, read a lot about the limit of the G11.... not for the C14.
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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.
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17-08-2018, 09:36 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 388
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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"but the handset might drive you crazy"
I do worry about that... too old for change...
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
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17-08-2018, 10:29 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 606
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miki63au
ps. is the extra bearings improve the max load and the new RA/DEC extension for pass Meridian tracking reduce the load capacity?
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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/3...-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
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