Best mount for under $5000

[johnnyt123]

Hi everyone.

I haven't been very successful in my search for a mount That will meet my needs well and my budget of under $5000..

I hope to purchase a Tak TOA150 some time in the future and am looking for a mount that can drive and hold that scope well for the time being.

I am close to purchasing a Losmandy G11 from a member on this website, but several reviews say it struggles due to the long moment arm of the toa150 and that wind of just 10mph can generate a wobble with that scope mounted which is not what you want for astro imaging.

Appart from the G11 and skywatcher EQ8 I can't think of any mounts that might be suitable.
The ultimate desired step could weight as much as 40kg.

If anyone can suggest a mount new or used that they feel wouldbe good for such a long heavy scope please let me know.

Much appreciated.

John.

[jenchris]

Putting it in a shed might help keep the wind down.
A portable screen for away days perhaps.

[el_draco]

Hi John,
Under the 5k mark, the G11 is excellent value and the build is amazing. It has a stated carrying capacity of 27 Kg but I have had much more than that on mine. I have heard of one that successfully carrier almost 100kg but it would require exceptional care.

The TOA is a heavy beast, without extras. If you are planning imaging, you will also need to add 5-10ks for that gear. Unless you have a very sheltered site, wind is going to be a problem.

G11 has a long and successful history but its fiddly to use. I have not used an EQ8 but there are mixed opinions of its build quality.

My 2cW

[blink138]

you just MAY get a titan for that money, i have seen them on iis for about that money i think
pat

[DJT]

Hi John

Theres a TAK NJP in classifieds at the moment thats supposed to be rated to be able to cover your load. Its in your budget

[beren]

A Tak NJP all the way, as mentioned one is in the classifieds at a good price (no connection with the seller). I have the mount that replaced it and have nothing but praise .

[Peter Ward]

Dealer hat off for a bit....

I lug my G-11 to dark sites when required.. it has performed admirably with many OTA's...from a C14's to my AP155.

A G-11 with OPB's on both RA and Dec would be my pick (might not quite make your budget :question: )

Very rigid.
Very accurate.

To get a better (new) mount you'd have to pay $$ double.

[LewisM]

Tak NJP from me too. I wish I could afford it right now! (recent expenditure rules that out, damn it!)

G11 is a decent choice IMHO, with the performance upgrades.

[Shiraz]

EQ8 should be suitable, with excellent PE and capable of throwing a lot of weight around with precision. If considering an EQ8 for portable use, try lifting one first. The head is very heavy and the tripod, while extremely stable, is only slightly portable. The much lighter G11 would probably be more suitable for portable applications.

EQ8 External finish is very ordinary, so if appearances/bragging rights matter to you, look elsewhere.

The EQ8 does not have spring loaded worms, so there is backlash and you have to set up weight biases to deal with it when imaging - but I guess you also have to do that with the G11 and NJP (someone please correct if this is wrong).

[johnnyt123]

Thanks to every one for your replies...

A fellow member suggested that I forgo the stepping stone and jump to a Paramount MX from the get go...

I understand this this is a brilliant mount but does any one know of one that might be for sale second hand??
Also on the list now it the Losmandy Titan second hand ofcourse.....

Any thoughts on these?

Thanks in advance..

John

[rat156]

There's an AP1200 in the classifieds for $8750 which I think is a really great price for a really great mount.

I considered buying it and selling my PMX, but I'm pretty happy with the PMX at the moment and didn't get a big enough tax cheque.

No affiliations etc.

Cheers
Stuart

[Logieberra]

+1 for Nick's used AP1200GTO. A mount for life.

[beren]

Oh well you said under 5 grand and now jumping up to MX/ titan class prices good luck in your search :)

[h0ughy]

for the money the eq8 will be worth it. the G11 would be great as well but at its limit, as for the titan being 5 grand - id snap it up in a heartbeat, but that's unheard of. the eq8 will be good, though weighty. but then the titan is weighty too so what are you after? portability, reliability, flexibility (options). peter is right about the upspecced g11, but if you take out the class issue there is considerable bang for buck with the EQ8.

i own an EQ8, Heqpro5 and a titan50 as well as a G11

[strongmanmike]

Yep, unless you are keen on serious robotic/automated use and assuming it has no unseen issues then THIS (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=125132) is your best option IMHO

I attach a few guide star plots using my NJP loaded up like THIS (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/134719005/original) and that's with no PEC, no ProTrack and just polar aligned using the inbuilt Tak polar scope :thumbsup:

While there are no guarantees in this game and there will always be a horror story or two with any model of mount, I have never had to "tune" or buy upgraded worms or re-grease or otherwise adjust my NJP mount even once in the 10 years I have had it, using it both portable and in an observatory :thumbsup:

My 2C :)

Mike

[h0ughy]

oh yes this would be worth it:thumbsup:

[johnnyt123]

Thats how it is in this field of interest....
you never stay on budget....Beren...

An IIS member has kindly offered his titan for 5k. and its definately something to think about.....

but reading reviews and opinions, it seems that the 2 mounts that people swear by are the AP1200GTO and the Paramount MX, with the edge slightly in favour of the PMX....

Now the decision is do i stick to my initial 5K budget or do i just get something i know i wont be in any rush to upgrade for the next 10 years...??

Cheers..


John

[johnnyt123]

Stuart if you want to sell your PMX and get the AP1200GTO, you have a potential buyer awaiting.....

cheers

John

[beren]

Agreed been there, done that :P......been a member of this forum for a little while and I have never seen so much high end gear on sale in the last six months. There's a TOA-150 listed as well plus the AP1200 in the classifieds great opportunity, big saving's over new especially with the dollar starting to slide south.

[johnnyt123]

the TOA150 sale is pending.....
I am keeping close watch in case it falls through...

What are peoples thoughts on the Losmandy Titan?
i hear many people have had to do several upgrades and updates and tweeks to get them to perform.....

John

[frolinmod]

I gather there is at least one PME II owner here.

Does anyone here have a PMX+ yet?

[Rac]

Another vote for the NJP. I have one and it really is good. Mines a Temma 2, I'm not sure what the Temma pc version is like but i'm sure It'll be good as the mechanics are all the same. They are smooth as but aren't the quickest slewing mounts around.

[UniPol]

No, I'm waiting for the PMX+++;) Jokes aside, I think my NJP Temma II is the best all round mount I've owned (I did have a PMX by the way), simple, robust and accurate.

[Logieberra]

From the pictures, the MX+ looks like a beautiful thing, adding to an already very capable MX.

[Terry B]

Another vote for the Tak NJP
Mine has a C11, VC200L, ST10XME with AO unit and a LISA spectrograph all hanging of it. It copes well.

[gregbradley]

Tak NJP would handle it and only just. I used to image sometimes with a TEC180 and NJP. That is at the max and I still managed round stars.

Software Bisque PMX would handle it, AP900, AP1100 would handle it.

The rule is to overmount your scope for imaging, for visual its less demanding. TOA150 on a G11 to me would be putting a Ferrari engine in a VW.

Greg.

[Peter Ward]

I have spent many hours driving both (VW and Fezza) so feel qualified to say that's not quite accurate.. :)

....that would only be case with the standard G-11 worm housing.

The OPB's are monolithic and very rigid. There is virtually no tangential play
(which as pretty much 99% of the system's rigidity)

As a result they are decidedly more rigid (and accurate) than the vanilla version.

G-11 shafts and bearings will happily support a Kenworth truck....hence my earlier recommendation.

[johnnyt123]

I really appreciate everyone's input into this topic..

Although i have ultimately decided i want to get a Paramount MX+, I have decided to stick to my initial budget of $5000

it has come down to the following 3 mounts....

Losmandy Titan

MI250

Tak NJP

I cant decide and want to see what the popular vote is....
so i need all your help

regards...

John

[gregbradley]

Tak NJP then. It would be at the limit though and there is no PEC but the basic PE is very smooth and you'll get round stars most of the time.
They need fast autoguider corrections like 1 second exposures. Use an OAG like a MMOAG and you should be at the limit but OK (actually past the Tak limit but it should still work).

I've had an MI250 and it was good and bad. I never got great tracking with it and the clutch system is a bunch of allen key screws that you need to undo when you want to move the scope manually - a pain. I was not a fan of the Gemini System myself and the motors and mounts are flimsy and easily burntout/broken. The Gemini system is a little complex.

I have heard good things about the Titan though.

Greg.

[gregbradley]

You know more about G11's and their upgrades than me so I would accept your data. Certainly there are quite a few good G11 mounted images around. OPB is the worm upgrade?

Greg.

[johnnyt123]

Well after giving this much thought I have decided to wait and get a PMX or PMX+.

I will wait till I have a location to place a permanent observatory dome on which will house the mount and scope.

Many reviews and testimonies prove that is is a very capable mount and is cleverly designed with good software integration.

However should anyone feel the need to sell their PMX please let me know....

Regards

John

[Star Hunter]

I have a Titan 50 and swear by it but you won't get a new one under 5 grand, mate, Look at Bintel's prices... close to 10 grand!

Why not a SW EQ8? I've got that too and again, I swear by it. But it's your call. Not knowning what you'll swing on a mount, I'd say go for an EQ8 and it's under 5 grand.

Jim