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Old 25-12-2009, 06:14 PM
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AlexN
Widefield wuss

AlexN is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Caboolture, Australia
Posts: 6,994
I'll agree with Gary here... If the price is no concern, go the AP1200GTO... It will allow you to move further in the future. Other things consider..

The AP900GTO - about 1k USD cheaper than the AP1200, lighter, easier to move around if you plan to go to star parties etc....

Also remember that the list price of an astro-physics mount is not the final cost. The list price is just for the equatorial head, GTO handset and the counter weight shaft.. From there you still need to buy a telescope saddle plate, a portable or permanent pier or suitable tripod and counter weights..

They are not cheap.. but they are brilliantly engineered..

What do you plan on doing with your C14? If you're planning on imaging, I seriously agree getting the biggest baddest mother of a mount you can afford.. A C14 is a big telescope with a serious focal length.. Accuracy is key.. You may also want to invest in adaptive optics, you'll have a hard time getting great results without it I think.

Also, If imaging is the agenda, You may want to consider something other than an SCT? Whilst they can be used to take nice images, they are not exactly an optical system designed for imaging..

Lots to think about, but on topic, the best mount you can afford is the way to go. Astro-Physics is always a good choice.. The 900GTO or 1200GTO would easily do what you're hoping to do..

Other options.
Mountain Instruments MI-250
Losmandy Titan
ASA DDM80 (There was a rather lengthy discussion about these in another thread over the past few days... After I did a bit of looking around at results and features of these mounts I must say they look very very interesting.)
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