New Mount needed

hotspur (Chris) · #1 30-11-2022, 04:40 PM

Well its a sad day,my old vixen mount and skysensor was working reasonably well a few weeks ago after not been used much in recent years.I thought I'd send it to a reputable service centre for a good service and clean up -at $100 per hour fee I was happy to get it done,not sure how it all went so bad,but may as well have sent it to Mr Bean,really disappointing customer service on so many aspects,I am not looking forward to paying the bill.

So need another mount and goto system for a 4 inch refractor-prefer made in Japan,I have been out of astronomy circles for may years and do not know the market anymore,I have recently sold my boat so can offered a new one -had hoped to keep the Vixen skysensor - which has never had an issue until it left observatory.

So any pointers as to what to buy would be appreciated- I have an observatory with mount so want to get it back up and running again.

AdamJL · #2 30-11-2022, 04:46 PM

If you didn't have an obsy, I would have said any of the new strainwave mounts. They are so light and portable and balancing is no longer needed.

but since you have an obsy, well, focus on obsy-class mounts! Any reason for the made-in-Japan request? Many mounts from around the world are exceptional these days.

What's your budget? If I had the chance, I'd look at a 10micron mount, maybe the 2000 because it leaves room for a scope upgrade.
https://www.testar.com.au/collection...0-hps-ii-combi

But it's not cheap. So maybe the 1000 instead (still not cheap, but observatory class mounts really aren't)

https://www.testar.com.au/collection...ron-gm1000-hps

hotspur (Chris) · #3 30-11-2022, 05:14 PM

Thanks Adam

I really do not know the market so any suggestions from any country will be fine.I might have to go to a few star parties and see what is on the field these days.Unfortunately most astromomers I use to know are now gone to the stars,so getting advice is difficult.

DarkArts · #4 30-11-2022, 06:02 PM

I may be a bit biased since I have one, but Losmandy mounts are very well made - CNC machined from aircraft-grade aluminium alloy, apparently, and they do look it up close. They're also still in development, upgradeable and have excellent support and replacement parts.

A G11 ought to do you fine (payload is 27kg for AP) which gives you a healthy margin should you upgrade your OTA. (I think the GM8 is too small for an Obs).

You can buy the mount with or without tripod either directly from Losmandy or via an Aussie retailer. Losmandy sell a pier adapter. There's a couple of tripod options.

DavidTrap (David) · #5 30-11-2022, 08:25 PM

Hey Chris,

Sorry to hear your old Vixen has died. Is it just the electronics or has something gone wrong mechanically?

Not sure what you're planning on doing with your scope (visual or imaging), but there's a HEQ5 with the belt modification already done currently advertised in the classifieds that would probably suit your needs.

Regards,

DT

AdamJL · #6 30-11-2022, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotspur

Thanks Adam

I really do not know the market so any suggestions from any country will be fine.I might have to go to a few star parties and see what is on the field these days.Unfortunately most astromomers I use to know are now gone to the stars,so getting advice is difficult.

Forums are great places for knowledge! If you have a budget to share, the advice can be tailored more to your needs.

hotspur (Chris) · #7 01-12-2022, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidTrap

Hey Chris,

Sorry to hear your old Vixen has died. Is it just the electronics or has something gone wrong mechanically?

Not sure what you're planning on doing with your scope (visual or imaging), but there's a HEQ5 with the belt modification already done currently advertised in the classifieds that would probably suit your needs.

Regards,

DT

Thanks David I will have a look at the gear you mention,electronics of Skysensor was fine when it left the observatory only was sent to pwer motors while this service centre serviced the mount,they recieved package and just rang and said SSK2 was 'stuffed' their words are were completely unprofesional,they could not figuure why Dec bolts were so long and replaced them I explained over the phone they were the correct bolts to accont for illuminator it took a while to explain this untill eventually they realised I was correct, so from what needed a a basic service and clean,now I up for thousands for a new mount and goto system. Geoff Johnston will check over what they have done along with another advanced astronomy technician,to see what this place has done.

Crater101 (Warren) · #8 01-12-2022, 08:12 AM

If you were looking for something to put into an observatory and leave it there, I'd suggest something along the lines of the Skywatcher EQ8. Solid mount.

For something a bit lighter, I've had a HEQ5 Dual for years and can't fault it, although the payload is probably a bit light for what you're looking for. Don't neglect something like the iOptron CEM40 or similar either.

For pure portability, some of the lighter mounts, such as a CEM26 or the new ZWO AM5 (I haven't experienced one of these but they are getting good reviews) might be a thought as well.

These are just some of the mounts I've had some level of experience with, but there's plenty of other good equipment on the market as well. Good Luck!

Peter Ward · #9 01-12-2022, 10:17 AM

Ditto the Losmandy recommendation. The build quality for the price is unmatched. Search for my IIS post on the 30 year old g11 I recently restored for a customer...it looked new and ran like a Swiss watch after some TLC. The beauty of a fully machined mount being all parts can be replaced and upgraded if required.

hotspur (Chris) · #10 01-12-2022, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

Ditto the Losmandy recommendation. The build quality for the price is unmatched. Search for my IIS post on the 30 year old g11 I recently restored for a customer...it looked new and ran like a Swiss watch after some TLC. The beauty of a fully machined mount being all parts can be replaced and upgraded if required.

Thanks Peter- I notice a Celestron G11 by Losmandy in classifieds recently,it might suit.

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #11 03-12-2022, 02:07 PM

Ahh crap Chris...that's just extremely poor and keystone cops running the show.

Look, I don't know Skysensor etc but would be happy to look at the HC for free...guessing its a HC issue (hopefully its just that) that'll make it "contained"...though i guess I can follow the cct and simulate it with motors (but I don't know feedback cct (motors, encoders or what ever?)? If its a mount issue...then of course ummm??? There are many types but some info is avail, it have the H bridge drivers in the HC.

I cannot promise anything...as you know I'm an ex RAAF avionics tech that repairs G1/2's...reversed engineered the ccts and started repairs for friends...that grew. The G1 ccts I finally got (all under NDA) are ok but their G2 ccts were "poor and inaccurate to unusable". So i have experience and can reverse engineer systems. Depends they look to have sandwiched layer the PCBs and hopefully they can be easily dissembled (but makes probing ccts harder)

They appear to use 2 EEPROMs....maybe one Ra the other DEC.

So atm i can be here as your last resort if the "repairers" are finished doing their "thing". PM me or discuss here.

No promises....but i'd be happy to try...time frame...i cannot give i've been in out hospitals but i'm ok atm. I really get peeved from incompetent support ...jerks my chain my blood pressure rises! I have all the tech equipment, but of course no parts or type experience but hey who knows. If I do get it fixed, then just parts cost.

Remember no guarantees...and unfortunately i'm in Melbourne. So long distance to send.

Apart from that...i'd suggest a G11 mount cause i'm biased and repair the electronics. (also you can buy every part, nut and bolt). I prefer the older G11s not the tucked motor types as IMHO this was a poor engineering fix and their spring-loaded worm similar. Well that's my "limited" opinion but i do talk to others on this who do more mechanicals than i and this appears to be a theme. But I think Losmandy has finally fixed some of these little niggles.

Trying to say, buying a non tucked motor G11 is IMHO a good idea. If you can try get a G2 as LAN is excellent but a G1 isn't useless in fact they are excellent. Also try try to get some HiTorque motors. Yes not cheap I know I upgraded to a G2 and Hi Torque motors. Losmandy was giving a trade in for a G1 to G2...and I think still is...ask Tanya nicely. I don't fiddle mechanically much due to time constraints but an a qualified instrument maker...so can do such, its just electronics fill my day.

Anyway really sorry to hear the issues...may i also ask why it was sent? Was battery dead? Not working right?????

cheers...some food for thought

Bren

edit: oh ummm i guess you have looked at the vixen skysensor IO group...is this the right one?

https://groups.io/g/vixen-ss2k

Christopher Erickson in Hawaii appears to have parts knowledge etc to repair these, EEPROMs, Displays, parts and knowledge that i just don/t have it may be more judicial to send to him. Hate to say it,...this is what i'd do...or at least ask

hotspur (Chris) · #12 03-12-2022, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasyoungonce

Ahh crap Chris...that's just extremely poor and keystone cops running the show.

Look, I don't know Skysensor etc but would be happy to look at the HC for free...guessing its a HC issue (hopefully its just that) that'll make it "contained"...though i guess I can follow the cct and simulate it with motors (but I don't know feedback cct (motors, encoders or what ever?)? If its a mount issue...then of course ummm??? There are many types but some info is avail, it have the H bridge drivers in the HC.

I cannot promise anything...as you know I'm an ex RAAF avionics tech that repairs G1/2's...reversed engineered the ccts and started repairs for friends...that grew. The G1 ccts I finally got (all under NDA) are ok but their G2 ccts were "poor and inaccurate to unusable". So i have experience and can reverse engineer systems. Depends they look to have sandwiched layer the PCBs and hopefully they can be easily dissembled (but makes probing ccts harder)

They appear to use 2 EEPROMs....maybe one Ra the other DEC.

So atm i can be here as your last resort if the "repairers" are finished doing their "thing". PM me or discuss here.

No promises....but i'd be happy to try...time frame...i cannot give i've been in out hospitals but i'm ok atm. I really get peeved from incompetent support ...jerks my chain my blood pressure rises! I have all the tech equipment, but of course no parts or type experience but hey who knows. If I do get it fixed, then just parts cost.

Remember no guarantees...and unfortunately i'm in Melbourne. So long distance to send.

Apart from that...i'd suggest a G11 mount cause i'm biased and repair the electronics. (also you can buy every part, nut and bolt). I prefer the older G11s not the tucked motor types as IMHO this was a poor engineering fix and their spring-loaded worm similar. Well that's my "limited" opinion but i do talk to others on this who do more mechanicals than i and this appears to be a theme. But I think Losmandy has finally fixed some of these little niggles.

Trying to say, buying a non tucked motor G11 is IMHO a good idea. If you can try get a G2 as LAN is excellent but a G1 isn't useless in fact they are excellent. Also try try to get some HiTorque motors. Yes not cheap I know I upgraded to a G2 and Hi Torque motors. Losmandy was giving a trade in for a G1 to G2...and I think still is...ask Tanya nicely. I don't fiddle mechanically much due to time constraints but an a qualified instrument maker...so can do such, its just electronics fill my day.

Anyway really sorry to hear the issues...may i also ask why it was sent? Was battery dead? Not working right?????

cheers...some food for thought

Bren

edit: oh ummm i guess you have looked at the vixen skysensor IO group...is this the right one?

https://groups.io/g/vixen-ss2k

Christopher Erickson in Hawaii appears to have parts knowledge etc to repair these, EEPROMs, Displays, parts and knowledge that i just don/t have it may be more judicial to send to him. Hate to say it,...this is what i'd do...or at least ask

Thank you kindly Bren for your helpful thoughts and offer of assistance.
Much appreciated.I'll send a PM re details-cheers

AnakChan (Sean) · #13 03-12-2022, 10:02 PM

Do you still have the DD controller just to test the mount itself. Used SS2K seem to go for approx ~$250 - $350 on Yahoo Auction.

hotspur (Chris) · #14 03-12-2022, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnakChan

Do you still have the DD controller just to test the mount itself. Used SS2K seem to go for approx ~$250 - $350 on Yahoo Auction.

SS2K on way to another Vixen user so cables can be swaped around and problem shooting to hopefully see where issue is-it was all working fine when left observatory-only sent as I was told it was needed in servicing the mount.

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #15 04-12-2022, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnakChan

Do you still have the DD controller just to test the mount itself. Used SS2K seem to go for approx ~$250 - $350 on Yahoo Auction.

Good idea. I mean the motors appear h bridge driven servo so just DC is required to check they are functional and check encoder feedback is easy enough

hotspur (Chris) · #16 12-12-2022, 05:10 PM

Thanks all members woho offered helpful advice during this time,its unbelievable the outcome- finally got the SS2K to a qualified technician that was able to make a very small adjustment to power cable and no issues after a few moments of looking at it.After being sent to a supposedly large telescope outlet and repair center that could not take the few moments to do this minor fix it-I have really lost faith in this outlet,the thing I found even more annoying was the attitude and lack of professional conduct.

DarkArts · #17 12-12-2022, 06:37 PM

Glad it worked out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotspur

I found even more annoying was the attitude and lack of professional conduct.

There's a lot of that about - not just astro service but car mechanics, electronics repair, etc. More and more I am taking on responsibility to repair and tune my own gear and I increasingly look at maintainability as a prerequisite for any new purchases.

Thank God I have skills, as I seriously wouldn't want to be reliant on the lazy incompetent b*stards that seem to be everywhere these days.

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #18 12-12-2022, 08:33 PM

Excellent Chris….do you want to name your saviour for future reference ? And a bit of “attaboy” to them!

To maintain systems, they have become complex and Australia are not big users of such mounts. Like the ones I repair. Sure there are a few users and the costs of sending your gear OS for repair is horrendous. It’s difficult for local users needing repair. I have thousands of dollars of stock parts, drawings, cad drawings I did myself, test gear …diy test gear to test sidereal and motor rates, torque and more…..it’s not cheap yet it’s a lot cheaper than sending OS. Most local techs ….do it for the love They can never cover full costs.

Of course finding the right tech like this…..is itself a real issue. So I congratulate the repairer, I know the trials and tribulations and I can sympathise with the predicament

Companies are just not not helping local users needing local repair venues. That said if they did set up full repair chain instead of dedicated local techs ……the repair price will quadruple or more. It’s the nature of the beast.

Once again great to hear a Christmas miracle. !