Hi all, I'm in the market to get a shiny new mount for a shiny new observatory (that Isn't there yet!). The mount will be on a pier.
I'm tossing up between a 10Micron GM2000HPS versus an ASA DDM100 (The DDM85 is out of production now
). They both have absolute encoders. The former has a worm gear; the latter direct drive. A distant third might be the paramount but with no encoders I'm really leaning away from this. I'd love to stop guiding if at all possible, for 1/2 hour shots.
I'm really not planning on imaging with anything more than 45kg so the 100kg capacity of the ASA is really nice but not required. I'm planning on using a Planewave CDK 12.5 or 14, depending on budget, with a 100mm SW Esprit piggybacking on top. The ASA would cost quite a bit more than the 10Micron.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the matter? Money certainly is a factor to consider, particularly as I don't yet have a big reflector or for that matter a really big chip (planned for 16803).
Any advice, recommendations, pitfalls to consider, good or bad reports would be greatly appreciated!
Clear skies everyone!