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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.
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