Astro-Physics

[Hans Tucker]

Astro-Physics have redesigned their website.

https://astro-physics.com/?fbclid=IwAR0HK9OuxZxtnRMPD-MmogWz94ahx7DH5lurkkweoL06mkiPuAN9s vmAg88

Looks like they are no longer manufacturing the RH-305 but have added the 254mm F14.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain.

[Wavytone]

Except that once on the wait list for the mak delivery is roughly i20 years...

[gregbradley]

Thanks for letting me know. How about that eh? AP seem to cycle with different products over the years. You can't assume they will always make a particular product.

That Mak Cass would be nice. TEC used to make a 250mm Mak Cass. I think they are collector items now.

Greg.

[Wavytone]

Greg the big premium maks are like unicorns ...and virtually impossible to export one from the US now.

[Peter Ward]

So...anyone want to buy an AP Riccardi Honders? Excellent condition $US35k :D

[glend]

Perhaps you can put your place on the waiting list into your Will, leave it to your children. There must be a black market operating, where people get on the list so they can eventually get one to resell in an auction type sale.

[Slawomir]

What's Astro-Physics?

[RobF]

I think its something people study on the side while practising to be a world-famous rock star isn't it?? :D

[Marke]

They have just announced the Mach2 mount as well

[Hans Tucker]

https://astro-physics.com/mach2gto?fbclid=IwAR3wAHfhiDCHOYzDT FN38hrpTZCBkzflYFwMQm0nt0ue0QnSLfGD KTg2vRI

[Peter Ward]

Sweeeet. I suspect Roland and Scott Losmandy have been chatting (actually they get on very well) , as the geometry of the mount is very similar to the G-11. Price point will be interesting...and no doubt the quality will be as good as it gets. :thumbsup:

[Slawomir]

Mach2 just looks gorgeous. Price point? My guess is that the latest Roland's baby will cost around GTO1100 without the encoders, maybe a smidgen more.

[gregbradley]

Looks like a mini AP1600.

Those encoders sound great. 1/4 arc sec errors - wow, how mounts have evolved.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

Nice looking mount :)

Mike

[strongmanmike]

Meaaah...with guiding, my 1994 NJP can do that! :P...aaand looks like the AP1600 can too :D...ok, ok, so not having to guide makes it pretty cool :confuse3: :thumbsup:

Mike

[codemonkey]

Marj posted on the AP user group "We are aiming for a price of $7,500." (USD obviously). Also of note is that it's only available with encoders and will replace the Mach 1.

[Slawomir]

I believe the goal was to create a portable mount that requires only a simple setup/alignment and off you go with as good tracking as it gets without PE correction, possibly with no guiding (with mechanically sound telescopes) nor any fiddling and with a substantial capacity.

Your NJP has been/is a wonderful mount and I feel you should never part with her :love2:

[strongmanmike]

:lol: aaah I just josh, there are plenty of excellent mounts out there:thumbsup: the NJP is unreal in the tracking/guiding dept but for those who desire it, it lacks the refinement and technological compatibility, not to mention the carrying capacity (although it's pretty strong non the less) of some of the modern high end mounts (..?..like the AP1600 :D). ..but yer right, I am unlikely to part with her :love2:

Certainly this new offering from AP looks really good :thumbsup:

Mike

[Slawomir]

Although I really like the looks and capabilities of Mach2, I am glad I went with Mach1 due to price differential. US$7.5k for the mount head only - that makes GTO1100 without the encoders an interesting alternative, unless one really needs a light and a very portable mount.

[Peter Ward]

Just got the word from AP. Absolute encoders will be standard issue with the Mach2 ...Landed price in OZ will be around $A13,150 inc GST, assuming
the $A sits around the 70 US cent mark

[codemonkey]

Yeah, whilst the Mach 2 sounds amazing, at this stage in my life that would have cost too much for me to get it past the wife. Not sure what I would have done had the Mach 1 not been available... maybe a Mesu? Obviously very different mounts, but my Mach 1 is permanently housed in an observatory anyway.

I'm actually surprised they're not keeping the Mach 1 in the line-up. Maybe they figure most who can afford 5k USD can afford 7.5k USD?

[Marke]

The issue for us is the weak dollar just adds so much to the price , I got my Mach1 when the aussie was $1.09 damn wish I had gone bigger if I had known

[Peter Ward]

Add FedEx shipping to Oz, about $US500 and then throw another $A200 for formal customs entry, plus GST. Soon adds up.

That said, when you use great gear, the price is long forgotten. Yet when I use something that is not quite right, it reminds me on every use....