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Hi Peter,
I was speculating as to the suitability of the Promak 150 on the Ioptron cube mount. The tube weight of the Promak150 is listed on Skywatcher's website at 5.1kg (11.22 lbs) and the Ioptron cube at the moment has a payload capacity of 11lbs so this is probably pushing it to mount one of these.
Add a camera for DSO imaging etc and I dont think it would drive it in its current form. I think there is a newer robust version coming out with metal gears which may have a greater payload. You might have to wait a bit tho.
Also, you will need to consider field rotation on a non EQ mount on long exposures as it is an ALT AZ mount which will track ok but will not auto rotate the FOV and therefore may not be suitable for the imaging you want to do. My advice then is to stick with the rock solid Skywatcher EQ5 mount which can be motorised later on (in RA axis - cheapest, or GOTO later) and then mount
either the Andrews MC150 MAK OTA on it (package $699) or the ED80 OTA ($399+$299)
JJJNETTIE has a Ioptron cube and a ED80 mounted on it, drop her a private message to see if she can fill you in on its performance.
Cheers
Chris
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