EOIs - Once in a life time opportunity! (Images Added)

[GC - South Aus]

Hi Everyone

Well I never thought I would do this, but oh well here goes!

EOIs being considered for the following:

This is a project scope (i.e. it is fully setup - just requires correct collimation and mirror adjustment) which I have had no time to complete or look at, mirrors alone would be great for your new OTA:

12.5" Planetary DK Cassegrain OTA
Original mirror-set from Astro Optical.... 15/ optics
Mirror cell re-designed/machined
Secondary Spider with laser-cut curved vanes
60mm achro guide scope (no-brand)
50mm (Russian) finder
Losmandy dovetail +radius blocks
OTA weight approx 27kgs! (soid steel tube) :eyepop:
(You could always lighten the load by putting the mirrors in your own tube and take it out of the solid steel one)

So you need a mount for it you say!

Well I am also considering selling my Monster EQ Mount - Schaefer AT10.

ED Byer 10/11" 359 worm drive gear - Stepper controlled RA Axis
Stepper controlled tangent arm
3" CW shaft + heaps of CWs
Computerised stepper controller system, with 2 x control units (1 spare) and handcontroller.
Argo Navis and 2 x encoders (doesn't need Argo Navis and can work off steppers and laptop alone, but really tops it off having this as a part of the system!)
Spare Meade encoders (x3) and control unit
Laptop and software to control steppers (Mel Bartels Scope Exe Program)

This mount is one of a kind in Aus, it is super heavy duty and walks all over an EQ8, C11. Can't afford a Paramount or a AP1200? This is your solution!

Can carry an amazing amount of weight and size. , 18 or 20" Newt - no problems :thumbsup:.

This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a setup of your dreams! Would be amazing as a permanent setup in an Obs. :question::question:

(Un)fortunately I am moving to a new job interstate, this really is a reluctant and heartbreaking consideration. :sad:

Basically ball park figure would be $4000 the lot, at this price I will also throw in a new ED Byers worm drive 359 tooth gear, just in case you want to put it on the DEC axis instead of tangent arm. Placing the worm drive on the DEC axis was a project I was considering for the future.

Please no silly offers, worse case scenario this goes into storage. Also no time wasters thanks.

I have attached one image of the mount that I have now - further images to follow later.

Thanks

Gavin

[GC - South Aus]

Here are some images of the Schaefer Mount.

Regards

Gavin

[GC - South Aus]

Here are some images of the OTA, I have used the images from the person I bought it from (hope that is ok Mick). Couldn't be bothered taking anymore.

As can be seen the previous owner had it mounted on an SW AZ EQ6 Pro and also a Celestron CGE Pro (SW AZ EQ6 Pro Mount not included!).

So one of those style mounts could potentially accept this OTA load (if you were to consider just purchasing the OTA).

It's just been sat here waiting to be looked at and mounted on the Schaefer mount. But my permanent Obs dream is a long way off, especially now I am moving to my new job.

Cheers

Gavin

[GC - South Aus]

Here are some examples of people using Schaefer AT mounts in the US. Just to give you an idea of the mount capability.

These are smaller models (i.e. AT8) and mine can hold even more weight and larger size scopes.

Yes the Cas in the photo at the bottom is a C14 on a smaller AT8. Imagine what you could place on this mount!

This mount is super smooth and steady, no matter what the load! Imagine the images you could acquire with this mount and a huge Newtonian (18" + ) or a Cassegrain (16" +). This mount will allow you to fill all your 'aperture fever' needs!

In a permanent Ob's setup, this would be the ultimate!

Thanks

Gavin

[GC - South Aus]

If I was to consider selling items separately, I would need the OTA to sell first before selling mount.

Separate prices as follows:

1. - 12.5" OTA - $1200 OBO

2. - Schaefer Mount (with laptop, controllers, CWs, Tripod, Meade encoder setup) - $2500

3. - Argo Navis and encoders - $500

4. - New (Spare) Ed Byer 359 tooth worm drive & gear (Images to follow - I think it's either 7" or 9" need to check) - $500

If the OTA sells separately I will then sell the mount with everything else listed (2 to 4) above for $3000. Otherwise the mount would need to sell first, before I would sell the spare ED Byer 359 tooth worm drive and gear and Argo Navis separately.

Or the lot (1 to 4) for $4000! :eyepop:

Thanks

Gavin

[Jon_hm]

PM'd re: mount.

Cheers

Jon

[GC - South Aus]

PM Replied

Cheers

Gavin

[GC - South Aus]

Willing to accept offers on the OTA.

I have a potential buyer for the mount.

Cheers

Gavin

[GC - South Aus]

Hi All

I woke up this morning and thought I can't believe I am doing this, I must be mad. :screwy:

So it is moving interstate with me and I have started making a crate for it.

So I have withdrawn the sale/EOI.

I know it would have been the biggest mistake ever if I had gone ahead.

Thanks to those who showed an interest in the mount.

Thanks

Gavin