G11 - do I make the change?

[pvelez]

I have an EQ6 - it plods along well enough. At times guiding can be a wrestle.

I've been driving it by Starry Night Pro via EQMOD. I like the Logitech wireless controller. At this stage I think I know what I am doing.

Now I have some cash free as a result of sale of a CCD, I am tempted to upgrade but I've been put off by the posts about the G11.

Do I risk it and make the change?

At its heaviest - I have an RC8 sitting on the mount with an Orion ST80 guidescope which I will remove when I manage to work out how to use the OAG component in my QSI. The other scope is a Tak FSQ106 - not that much lighter!

No permanent set up for me - I lug it out onto the back deck when I want to image. I would use it in the field - if I could find the time to get away from Sydney.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

Pete

[gbeal]

Hmmm, I can see a can of worms, so why not be first.
I have had a profusion of mounts, from el-cheapo to primo, and now have an NEQ6, so essentially the same as you. I have had a G11 or two as well, so know the mount, and like them.
My gear is similar, the biggest I use on it is my home-brew 10" f5 newt, albeit in a C/F tube, but still a big sail/weight for the mount.
My feeling, after reading your post a few times is the G11 isn't going to be sufficiently bigger or better, only more expensive.
You (like me) will have become accustomed to, heck even reliant on, the goto section of the EQ6/EQMod, and the only way to replicate this with the G11 is via Gemini (well the only way I can see right now), and possibly the means G2, which is not exactly plug and play if I read things correctly.
So, where does this leave you? Well, if you desire another mount, and you want it to be "better" than your current, the only way I can see is UP, in size, in weight carrying capacity, and of course UP in price. I am thinking NJP, AP900, AP Mach One perhaps, that sort of thing.
In respect of your location, can you "wheel" the mount about, on a rolling pier like I have? Or can you position it on a permanent pier, leaving the mount out all the time, covered of course, and remove the scope at the end of the imaging session?
Gary

[toc]

From what I can see, the only problem with the G11 is the current state of the Gemini software. Seems a bit under cooked :)

[multiweb]

I'm pretty sure the G11 will carry what you have, worst case scenario. I've run mine with a similar payload.

[allan gould]

Have an EQ6 and a losmandy Gemini. Love both but the new Gemini II appears to be 1/2 baked in my opinion. You are going to be buying trouble until this is fixed. Love the old VERSION 1

[mithrandir]

There was a new release of the G-2 firmware on the weekend. While still not perfect, the initial feedback has been encouraging. If you have recent code, you can update it over ethernet. Early versions probably need a micro-SD reader.

You should also remember your G-1 firmware has gone through many years of revisions. You need an EPROM programmer to update it however further upgrades are unlikely. If it breaks it is quite possible it will not be repairable because some parts are unobtainable.

However, I'm in no hurry to replace my G-1 with a G-2.

[Logieberra]

"There was a new release of the G-2 firmware on the weekend. While still not perfect, the initial feedback has been encouraging. If you have recent code, you can update it over ethernet. Early versions probably need a micro-SD reader".

Downloaded the latest software for the hand controller and G2 unit this weekend. Playing havoc with Alignmaster - kind of an essential program for my routine... :( I regret updating... I should left the Feb 2011 software on there, worked well.

It's a steep learning curve with G2, but I enjoy the system. Fast forward 6-12 months and we'll be sweet.

Best advice I can give - if you have a G11 G2 and get strange errors then change out the 3V battery! These errors did my head in for a while. A simple fix in the scheme of things, and no reflection on the capability or stability of the G2 platform.