Mount options under $20G

[Bart]

Apart from Paramount MyT and Ap Mach II and 1100, are there any other mount options under $20G?

What is the "cross talk" issue people talk about with the MyT?

Are the Ioptron series of mounts worth considering, like the CEM120?

Thoughts appreciated, particularly from parties using these pieces.:thanx:

[AdamJL]

What are you hoping to drive?

The 10micro mounts are very well received. One of them is sub-20k
https://www.testar.com.au/collections/10-micron/products/10micron-gm1000-hps

and in alt-az config

https://www.testar.com.au/collections/10-micron/products/10-micron-az1000-hps

I'm going to save for the first one.

[Bart]

My gear is a 5-inch refractor, no guide scope and other bits and pieces, likely to weigh 15 kg at the most.

Does the MyT have spring loaded worms for constant mesh? And the others?

[AdamJL]

No idea about the MyT.

But the 10u doesn't have springs that I know of.

No backlash though, apparently. Have a look at the specifications here.

https://www.10micron.com/en/product/gm1000-hps/

[Bart]

Mmmmmm.....only the reduction drive is zero backlash. If it has a worm wheel and worm drive, it will have backlash unless spring loaded worms are used. :question:

[Bart]

Any MyT users or AP users able to provide technical feedback on mount operation, backlash, among other things. :shrug:


Any other thoughts on other equipment?

[toc]

I guess it depends on the payload capacity you are after...In the higher weight classes I would through out (other than the two companies you have mentioned)

iOptron CEM120 - I've been very happy with the CEM70, and we have at least two fantastic iOptron dealers in Australia that will provide support. Fair amount of iOptron haters around but I am a happy camper.

JWT: There is the new P75 by JWT which is starting to get more buzz (its well under 10K) but it is a bit new on the market, so I would wait a bit until more people own them. Initial reports seem great, and the company is very open it seems. Sidereal Trading are going to be re-selling them next year.

[Peter Ward]

I have the AP Mach2.

It has no backlash, perfect tracking, no meaningful PE, can easily carry my 27Kg Honders astrograph and can be driven with a PC, Mac or iPad, via USB, Bluetooth or WiFi....but I also use the AP hand paddle.

It is the most precise mount I have used to date.

The only downside is you do have to wait a bit to get one.

[muletopia]

Bart. you might consider a Mesu Mount 200. Several IIS people have one.
Mine currently carries a Mewlon 250 with a large guide scope and a permanently mounted 200 mm focal length scope for SharpCap polar alignment.
The mount is controlled by Sidereal technology servo 2 which is very powerful and ASCOM compliant, it is found by Aastroart NINIA and Nebulosity with no problem.
Load capacity for imaging ~50 kilos.
PHD2 guides it nicely.


Chris

[mura_gadi]

I thought the Hobym mounts we're pretty flash, very light weight for the carrying capacity. I have no experience with them and they did start with a few teething problems which seem to have been resolved.

The traveller version weighs in at 3 kilos and can carry 7-13 kilos, the upper end of the carrying spec's need a counter weight.

The CRUX T-4000 does not require counter weights up to 40 to 60 kg...

https://www.hobym.net

[Bart]

Yes, the CEM70 was mentioned and I have had a bit of a look. I'll also look at the JWT. Thanks.:thumbsup:





Thank you Mr Ward. That is exactly the kind of replay I needed. I am already leaning towards AP and your gentle nudge may certainly help.:thanx:





Hi Chris. Yes, looked at the Mesu. Seems a bit Steam Punk looking for me although I acknowledge it is a serious contender. :)





Thanks muri_gadi, I'll take a look! :D


Just need someone with a MyT to chime in and I can then ponder and procrastinate till my heart is content. :lol:

[Paul Haese]

Hi Gray. I have two second hand PME’s and bought new an MX. All three mounts do great work. My recommendation is to buy a good quality second hand mount. PME’s now go for less than 9k and will give you plenty of head room for future investments. Plus they and the SkyX software fully integrate into any remote capable command programmes. The only other option I would buy is a 10 micron mount but it would need to be new. Ring me if you want to discuss more.

[Peter Ward]

I appreciate the fact I have affiliations with AP, but in this case put my money where my mouth is.

I'm also taking the Mach 2 to Exmouth next year. With just 60 seconds of totality, equipment failure is not an option so I'm leaving nothing to chance. ;)

[toc]

I wouldn't recommend the Mesu based on personal experience - not going to say too much more, but the lack of any kind of local support is a serious problem in my opinion. YMMV. :thumbsup:

[Joshua Bunn]

Hi Bart,

The Paramount MYT has spring loaded worm gears, just like their other mounts. It's on this page, a Few points down.
https://www.bisque.com/product/paramount-myt-portable-robotic-telescope-mount/


Regards

Josh

[Steffen]

Gee, I hope you mean $20k. I can’t imagine any mount costing $20G, not even including delivery to an L2 point :D;)

[dikman]

It's an American term, 20G = 20 grand = 20,000.

But I suspect you already know that.:D

[Jamb649]

Hello! I'd like to add my $0.02. I would highly recommend the 10 Microns. I have a GM2000 which has been exceptionally reliable and bulletproof. All models have spring loaded gears and their own proprietary absolute encoders, which lets me take 10-15 minute subs at 2.4m focal length unguided (in this case with a Meade 12" f/8 and QHY268C).

Testar has the GM1000 in stock which will be more than enough for your needs - https://www.testar.com.au/products/10micron-gm1000-hps.

I've seen people run CDK 12.5's on these with no trouble!

Edit: It's worth noting that these mounts also have zero backlash.

[AnakChan]

Can you please expand? I've read various issues with Mesu however I'm not certain if the issues are primarily the SiTech-side tuning for the Mesu, or if it's the Mesu mount itself? Last year I was doing a little digging on friction-based mounts and was comparing the GTD e.Fric & Mesu (& JTW which to me was rather Mesu-like).

Meanwhile for the OP's question, noticed no one has mentioned Avalon mounts. Their M-Due with encoders do look interesting, haven't searched for reviews on them yet.

I picked up an ASA DDM60 and the only 2 cents worth I'd like to add as a cautionary for the OP is to not only focus on h/w but also the supporting s/w. Coming from N.I.N.A, I'm personally not a big fan of ASA's Sequence nor AutoSlew despite loving the actual DDM60 h/w itself. The two (h/w & s/w) are married a little too closely that it leaves little room for me to use N.I.N.A. I still can, but I lose the DDM60 h/w benefits by doing so.

[gregbradley]

A Mach 2 AP would be wonderful. Hard to beat by anyone, probably in a class of its own.

I have an AP1600 and it's a very reliable mount.

Paramount is another reliable mount. I've had a new Paramount PMX. It needed a replacement worm and new belts. It was good after that. No charge from Software Bisque so excellent after sales support. It would handle a 130mm APO easily. I tried to run my AP RHA scope which weighed about 35kgs with all the gear. Round stars often but not all the time as it was asking too much to handle that much weight. A 150mm APO was within its capabilities (TOA 150).

I personally would not be a beta tester for newest and latest. Reliability and performance is what you want. Round stars night after night. Your attention then goes onto object selection, framing, processing not how do you get round stars.

I have always used the acid test of first requirement of a mount is round stars in 10 and 15 minute exposures.

There are lots of offerings these days but how many are reliable night after night and easy to use and integrate well into software?

I did some research on this several months ago to run a 2nd mount at my dark site. I chose an iOptron CEM 70P. Unfortunately I have yet to use it as it's an upcoming project and I need to expand my observatory to use it.
But seeing reviews from real users on Cloudy Nights they seemed overwhelmingly positive so I am hopeful. It also only cost about $4500.

Greg.

[muletopia]

Bart
My recent post in beginners photography of the Heilx has many faults in the image. but the stars are round from a stack of 20 10 minute subs with the aid of PHD2.
I get all the messages from the Sitech groupsio, the Mesu discussions are ovewhelmingly resolved as user problems.A very few have been mount problems which were mainly fixed by the user with guidance by Mr Mesu by phone.
An aside, when I checked this afternoon or cows were in their place
Chris

[Peter Ward]

Ditto to that. :thumbsup:

Wasting time during nights with all too rare clear and steady skies, taming the mount, rather than mining excellent data, is an exercise in frustration.

[loc46south]

I have recently installed a L350 PlaneWave - I can not fault it. I use it with a AGiDK 12.5 Telescope and a STXL6303 camera for Differential Photometery on the TESS Project. It will give sub pixel tracking without a guide camera over transit periods of 4 to 5 hours.

[Camissa]

I have two AP Mach2 mounts and could not be more pleased with their performance. They just work and are totally carefree.

When you get to choose between Software Bisque, 10Micron and Astro-Physics, it is more a question of personal taste, availability and the brand your favourite dealer is carrying. They all do a great job.

Clear Skies,
Ecki

[PRejto]

You asked about cross talk in Paramounts.... I have two mounts and both at times have exhibited this to a minor degree. It is not difficult to address at all. The Paramounts have near zero backlash in declination. However, if you use the backlash tool in PHD2 you will notice something odd. As you tighten up the plungers (which adjust the firmness of the worm on the ring gear) the tool will tell you that backlash is increasing, and that is patently absurd. In fact what the tool is measuring is stiction, and stiction is the root of the problem that generates cross talk. Cross talk is a reaction in RA when dec moves. The solution is counterintuitive; you reduce pressure on the dec worm to the point where the crosstalk disappears.

Paramounts are great mounts and the integration with TheSkyX is great. Crosstalk is not a problem worth worrying about!

Peter

[Bart]

Thank you everyone, some great advice here. Wait time for the AP might be my undoing, especially if I can get a MyT or second hand MX or something when I'm ready to go.