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23-10-2010, 04:23 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Perth West Australia
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MEADE 12 inch LX200 OTA.........Bintel reckons.....
That a Meade 12 inch LX200ACF OTA is too big for an EQ6PRO mount????
As the OTA weighs in at 16kg, is short and compact, can this be true??.............the EQ6 is a beefy mount and can handle a 12 inch newtonian without breaking a sweat
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23-10-2010, 04:45 PM
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Quietly watching
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Yarra Junction
Posts: 3,044
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robz
That a Meade 12 inch LX200ACF OTA is too big for an EQ6PRO mount????
As the OTA weighs in at 16kg, is short and compact, can this be true??.............the EQ6 is a beefy mount and can handle a 12 inch newtonian without breaking a sweat 
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It will carry a 12 inch newt, but not for deep sky imaging,
As for the 12 inch SCT, there's more to it than weight, the longer the focal length, the better the mount needs to be, you put a heavyish scope on a mount THEN add a long FL ...... Not practical, for deep sky,
could you planetary image.... If it's weight is to that of a 12 inch newt , it's feasible.
The problem would seem to be that of can the mount do everything with this scope....... The answer is no.
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23-10-2010, 07:23 PM
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Cheers fot that Clive.
So, in simple terms, it would be too heavy for general use.
That's a pity, ............when I eventually will buy a scope to match, it will need to be smaller and lighter no doubt?
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23-10-2010, 08:01 PM
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Location: Bowral NSW
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I tend to agree that the 12" is way too big for an EQ6. I have just come back into astronomy after a five year break, and am amazed and what people think this mount can carry! I reckon an 8" newt is stretching things a bit far on the EQ6. I recently bought the EQ6 to carry my 5" refractor - previously it was undermounted on a Vixen SP-DX. OK for visual and light winds. The scope is now ideally mounted with the EQ6, and if I ever upgrade to a 6" refractor, I will get a bigger mount.
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23-10-2010, 09:44 PM
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Its too heavy for a G11 too. Next up is a Titan.
Barry
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23-10-2010, 10:08 PM
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Quietly watching
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Yarra Junction
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Rob, from a practical point of view, it's always desirable to have the mount underworked, visual work is the most forgiving but with a large scope wind can play havoc, planetary work is somewhat less forgiving, but with programs like registax alignment is done on incremental exposures, once you get to deep sky imaging that requires 5-30 minutes of no movement whatsoever... A big task.
There are always people producing what should not be possible to do, but it is too hit and miss, I used a 12 inch newt on a g11 for deep sky but found it limited to 5 - 7 minutes and flexure was such a problem. I now image with a 5 inch refractor, this combined with the right time exposure, correct pixel size , and lots of patience will produce good results.
There's always the temptation to get up close with a big scope, but the longer FL you go the harder ..... That's HARDER in capitals  that it gets. Given that the tak fsq106 is so popular at only 500 or so mm clearly a large scope isn't the only way to get a good image. Find the right scope is difficult as no one scope will do everything, but I think somewhere around 700 - 1000 mm gives superb results with enough magnification to make it interesting. Everyone has their fave but thats mine.
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24-10-2010, 02:40 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Perth West Australia
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Thanks for all the replies.
I can only say that I am totally gob struck and extremely dissapointed with this news as I was lead to believe otherwise before I purchased the mount.
As far as I'm concerned, information was that a 12 inch newtonian was easily within it's capacity and that a 12 inch SCT would be fine.
I was also informed that Skywatcher included the heavy duty dovetail head as well as the standard size in the latest version of the mount (as I have) due to the fact that they had become aware that the mount could in fact hold large scopes................which is apparently B.S. ????
Deeply upset at this guys.
I was hoping that when funds eventually permit, I would treat myself to something special and of reasonably large aperture to place on my dream mount...................it seems that yet again, I have made an expensive mistake and ended up with something that still has not left my lounge room.
I have powered it up and watch it go through it's motions with the hand controller and was so excited to eventually get it in use and working for real.
That will not happen........I do not want a small refractor(or anything along those lines) regardless of quality, if that's all that this thing can handle in a moderate breeze outside
The mount is for sale everyone.
There is no original packing, but it is brand new and has not been used.
P.M. me if you are interested. I would prefer local pick up here in Perth W.A. and will throw in my 8 inch newtonian (that requires a new focusser and extension tube).
Regards,
Rob.
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24-10-2010, 02:47 PM
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Location: moonee beach
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robz
Thanks for all the replies.
I can only say that I am totally gob struck and extremely dissapointed with this news as I was lead to believe otherwise before I purchased the mount.
As far as I'm concerned, information was that a 12 inch newtonian was easily within it's capacity and that a 12 inch SCT would be fine.
I was also informed that Skywatcher included the heavy duty dovetail head as well as the standard size in the latest version of the mount (as I have) due to the fact that they had become aware that mount could in fact hold large scopes................which is apparently B.S. ????
Deeply upset at this guys.
I was hoping that when funds eventually permit, I would treat myself to something special and of reasonably large aperture to place on my dream mount...................it seems that yet again, I have made an expensive mistake and ended up with something that still has not left my lounge room.
I have powered it up and watch it go through it's motions with the hand controller and was so excited to eventually get it in use and working for real.
That will not happen........I do not want a small refractor(or anything along those lines) regardless of quality, if that's all that this thing can handle in a moderate breeze outside
The mount is for sale everyone.
There is no original packing, but it is brand new and has not been used.
P.M. me if you are interested. I would prefer local pick up here in Perth W.A. and will throw in my 8 inch newtonian (that requires a new focusser and extension tube).
Regards,
Rob.
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having some bad luck and advise rob its ashame postage was so expensive otherwise as we discussed youd have a bloody good scope at the moment
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24-10-2010, 11:14 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Perth West Australia
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I know Peter, I'm pretty well gutted at the moment and am loosing enthusiasm very fast.
I trusted others to help me get started back in to this hobby and feel like I've ended up with a Volkswagon chassis disguised as a Ferrari.
Rob.
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24-10-2010, 11:30 PM
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Tasmania
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Australia - Hobart
Posts: 727
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Hi Rob,
Although you have been given some very good and "safe" advise here, I have had a different experience.
I currently image using a GSO 8" RC with a focal length of 1800mm (yes its the old f9 version). I do this with round stars in almost every frame with 10min exposures on a HEQ5 mount, and thats the little brother of your EQ6.
Some people are doing amazing things with the EQ6 but it may require a lot of tuning on you part and a lot of work to get it running well with a 12in SCT for imaging... Personally I think its worth a try if you have the mount already. But that depends if you feel up to the task of tweaking...
Basically I'm saying don't lose hope and enthusiasm. You'll find a good solution.
Besides... if you bought an EQ6 because thats as far as your budget goes, then thats the best you can hope for at this time. Its a good mount and I'm sure you can have loads of fun with it! The next best mount cost a LOT more... (G11)
What sort of astronomy are you interested in?
Dave
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25-10-2010, 12:24 AM
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Love My Pets
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Perth, WA
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Hey Rob,
All my images are taken with a EQ6pro and a 12" newt, so for people to say its not possible is just simply lack of either trying and or knowledge.
Simple fact is the mount's gears are rated to 25Kg's and i push it beyond that. In fact my mount has tracked efficiently taking decent photos for two years now without a single service.
equinox guidescope, Parallax rings (weigh a tonne), 35mm Large format CCD camera, Titan guidecam and 12" Newtonian.
Proof is in the "DOING" not in the talking.
There is no reason i can think the NEQ6pro will not be able to carry a 12" Meade EASILY although i do agree focal length will start to play an important role, however Deep sky imaging would not be what you'd be intending to do with it anyways i would assume as it is not its' strong suit.
http://www.theastroguy.com.au/photoalbum.html
Iv'e taken images of galaxies nebulae and even faintest stellar objects with that rig.
Regards
Shane
Last edited by TheAstroGuy; 25-10-2010 at 12:36 AM.
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25-10-2010, 01:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by h0ughy
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Definately good advice by loads of people on this site indeed.
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25-10-2010, 06:28 PM
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Yes, thanks to all for the information
So, in summary, the 12 inch SCT on an EQ6, will, at high power planetary ''VIEWING'', wobble like an aerobics instructor's boobies?
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25-10-2010, 06:44 PM
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Moderator
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Location: NEWCASTLE NSW Australia
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err umm yes
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25-10-2010, 06:48 PM
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Narrowfield rules!
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Torquay
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mmm, I had a 12" Meade SCT on a G11, and it worked, just, with fiddling, to good effect (dont forget the guide scope load) with a f0.67 reducer and up to 20min exposures (got an APOD!). At 3m FL though, it got ugly past 10mins. I dont like yr chances with an EQ6 at all. For planetary though, it could work, with video type exposure rates. For viewing only, well, cant see the wobble would be that bad at all for that, depending on what "high power" means.
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25-10-2010, 06:56 PM
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Rob,
Definately if there is any kinda breeze, Planetary high power imaging will be difficult but still do-able.
As fred says even a G11 at about 4-5K will only just cut the mustard at high power, your next port of call is a Titan, or new Celestron CGEpro.
You have a great mount just get out there and put a good 10" reflector on it and start imaging!!!
For viewing it'll be fine Rob, seriously that 12" of mine weighs a tonne and i do Planetary viewing at high mag now worries at all. You just need a Autofocuser so your not touching the mount or scope and it will sit still just fine.
JUST DO IT
Shane
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25-10-2010, 07:19 PM
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Narrowfield rules!
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Torquay
Posts: 5,065
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAstroGuy
You just need a Autofocuser so your not touching the mount or scope and it will sit still just fine.
Shane
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Yes, thats the key, no touching, no wind, everything tweaked just so..........Magic can be done with care, but you have to be very very patient and pedantic. There is a direct relationship bettween time/effort or money spent for a given result, take your pick  .
Ive tried both ways, your temprement or wealth are the only impedements  .
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25-10-2010, 07:25 PM
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Love My Pets
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 166
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Fred, Finer words have never been said
Your money or time or frustration instead
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25-10-2010, 08:30 PM
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As you all know its the tripod thats the problem ? what do ya recon?
I have my 6 inch refractor on the EQ6's little brother the HEQ5. and after fitting some heavy duty wooden and tall legs what a difference. solid !
Woaw! Any of you guys thaught of that instead of bagging the EQ6 ?
Its a lot cheeper than a G11 or Titan ? aye
Brian
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