Explore Scientific Losmandy G-11 vs Celestron CGX

[glend]

Apparently the Explore Scientific Losmandy G11 partnership is shipping now. . Reading rhe specs on the ES website, it seems aimed at the CGX market segment.

Capacity is near identical, slight edge (2kg) to the G11 over the CGX, ( but the CGX/L would have it). Price is the same. Both offer their own branded software control systems, but the tacked on multiprocessor (PMC-8) box on the G11 is very different to the CGX control approach. Not sure about all the cables on the G11, CGX cables are internal. What is nice, if it works without vibration transmission, is the direct drive worms on the G11, certainly gets away from belt drive alignment issues.

I wonder if local Losmandy retailers will be offering this variant? Competition is good.

[Wavytone]

Order from Losmandy direct - no point using the locals or Explore Scientific. Delivery via FedEx is likely to be 3-5 days from leaving Losmandy to your door. FedEx will also handle the GST payment electronically.

[toc]

Losmandy don't appear to sell the ES variant...

[Logieberra]

That's the first I've heard of the PMC-8.

If I was to buy another G11, I'd go that route! Looks great.

I'm not a fan of Gemini. To each their own...

http://www.explorescientific.com/pmc-eight/index.html

[Wavytone]

First I've heard of the PMC-8 too. Some compatible mounts/motors are listed on p.8 of the programmers reference manual, but what about others ?. It suggests the skywatcher mounts would be a no-brainer but what about iOptron and DIY efforts ?

Secondly the detailed instructions indicate its for stepper-motor mounts and functions by counting steps to determine position, i.e. no inputs for encoders, so it will be a case of sticking to the usual coffee-grinder approach of once calibrated to reference stars, the mount has to stay locked.

Could be used to:
- drive an altaz mount if you've added your own motors, e.g. an AZ8;
- add RA drive and autoguiding to a mount which doesn't have it, e.g. an EQ3.
- integrate with sky safari to make a goto scope...

And RS232 ? DB9 connectors have gone the way of the dinosaur...

[netwolf]

PMC8 does currently seem to be limited to Windows PC/Tablet, if so then the AstroEQ with Eqmod on PC/tablet would seem to be a much cheaper alternative. For the g11 there are any number of stepper motor kits you can get from various other commercial stepper systems or you could diy your own Nema17 direct drive. If the PMC8 can offer Alt/Az mode then that would be nice as the AstroEq /Eqmod does not offer that, as then it would be viable to use with the the AZ8 mount. Further the Gemini1 and Sitech servo systems support encoders which is nice if you want to declutch for refugees rebalance or manual movement. G2 is yet to implement encoder support.

AstroEq stepper direct drive for G11
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=1186990