Hello all,
I'm new to this forum. I post this question on SB forum but I want to post here too,as I know here are the owners of SB PMX mount.
I'm in process of deciding on the new mount for astrophotography. On top of my list is new PMX+ mount.The mount will be permanently mounted in observatory and remotely controlled from far away. My setup is 12" Newton, 3ft long and total weight including CCD is around 70lb so quite heavy and long setup. Will PMX+ be big enough for my setup? My image scale is just under 1 arcsec, so quite challenging considering size and weight of my telescope. Also my main concern is problem with loose connections in PMX (so many posts in SB forum regarding that problem). Like I said before my setup will be remotely controlled from far away and I can't afford travel every time if something will be loose inside the mount (the place where the observatory is located I visit twice a year and there is nobody there who could fix the problem). So basically the mount once setup must work and be reliable. Also I plan route 2-3 cables through the mount but I read that new MX+ have less space due to thicker cables used inside the mount compare to previous MX so I'm not sure if I will have enough space for my cables? I still have few weeks to decide about MX+.
Regards,
Tom
Last edited by pixair; 28-09-2014 at 07:52 PM.
Reason: forgot my name
HI you cant go wrong with mx I have a two week old mx+ mount and it is sooo sweat. like you I will be using it as a remote telescope why im working away.will be testing it next week if the weather clears up. it should handle the 12inch with no problems.
I'm not sure about weight capacity. My telescope is not 12" compact SCT but 3ft (1m) long Newton astrograph which means long arm and pixel scale under 1 arcsec also not help. Also my concern is space for additional through the mount cables. Have anyone experience in this matter with the new MX+? Is there enough space for 2-3 additional cables. Can someone provide pictures how much space is left for additional cabling? As far as I know the mounts shipping now are from the second batch so hopefully loosening connectors problem is sorted out by the longer cables.
I was lucky enough to get one of the first MX's, not the MX+, just the MX.
I have an ASA 12" astrograph and Sbig CCD camera mounted on it.
On Saturday I added an ED80 and Nikon DSLR, the mount handled that without a problem. I have three counterweights, you may be able to get away with two, but I'd get three to be on the safe side, they don't cost that much if you get them with the mount.
WRT the cabling, I use the mounts existing TTM cabling, the versa plate has 12V and 5V, USB and the camera power, you say you need to run another three sets through, what are they powering, is there an alternative? TTM cabling is nice, but not an absolute necessity.
I have had some problems with the mount, but they have been fixed now and all is good again.
I have an early model PMX and also a PME mount. The PME is way more reliable and fussfree. The PMX once sorted seems fine but there have been numerous threads on this site of bugs with the original PMX. Noone has posted about the PMX+ but I would say it would be a definite risk especially seeing as there is a known posted problem with loose connections.
Are AP mounts able to be remotely controlled or is this really only a SB feature?
As far as payload goes I thought the PMX+ had a higher payload capacity than the original PMX which had a max of about 45kgs (72lbs).
It would not be good practice to max out a mount for imaging weightwise.
A 2nd hand proven trouble free PME would be a cheaper and more reliable alternative. Their older PME are known superb and reliable mounts. They are also very strong.
The 3 way switch system of the PMX is the weak point of their system and fails or needs to be readjusted. I see they replicated that on their newer PME 11 so either they redesigned or put the same lousy system in their new mount.
The new PME II and PMX+ use 2 way switch. Another option for me is AP1100. It can be remotely controlled using additional software. The software is what I like with SB mounts. They are designed for remote control.
TTM is something what I really want in mount working at remote location. I don't want hanging cables to be wrap and pulled out. The extra space for TTM I need for Mount Hub Pro (2 cables) and maybe separate cable for CCD as I don't know how will my camera work connected to Versa Plate panel or MHP (FLI ML8300). Currently I use Losmandy Titan but not remotely. And to be honest I don't see that mount in remote work due to lack of futures which has PMX.
I'd check out the AP1100 over a SB mount. As long as it is remotely controlled. AP mounts have the through the body cabling. Also AP mounts have the ability to be upgraded to high end encoders. I get the idea AP mounts are more robust and reliable and better engineered.
I have yet to see a bum product from Roland Christen. I have from SB.
Speaking of their software Sky X is a bit fussy as well. I find it will crash first time there is any issue. You just have to reboot but if you are doing something remote and not watching... Worth asking those who image remote. Is Sky X the best or is Maxim better?
TTM is something what I really want in mount working at remote location. I don't want hanging cables to be wrap and pulled out. The extra space for TTM I need for Mount Hub Pro (2 cables) and maybe separate cable for CCD as I don't know how will my camera work connected to Versa Plate panel or MHP (FLI ML8300). Currently I use Losmandy Titan but not remotely. And to be honest I don't see that mount in remote work due to lack of futures which has PMX.
Tom,
You can get the custom cable set from SB for your camera, that way you are using one of the cables which the SB guys put in there for you, which means you're now down to the mount hub pro, which looks like it needs 12V and a USB, both of which are available from the Versaplate. If you're planning on running dew heaters, which for my ASA scope are not necessary, then you'll have to check the current draw of the MHP to make sure the 12V on the Versaplate can supply enough current. If not you'll have to run a power cable through the mount.
I've attached a photo of my rig. It doesn't show the cabling, but I have a similar setup to what you are describing. I have a USB hub (unpowered) at the Versaplate USB (one of the VP USB ports is buggered), I use the TTM cabling for the camera power. The camera power cable set comes with a spare 12V line, which I use to power the focuser and fan control box (ASA, comes with the scope, mounted on the ED80, but usually on the top Losmandy style plate). As you can see there are still loose cables around. The camera requires some slack in the cabling so you can rotate it, by the sounds of it you won't be doing that, so you can tie them up, the focuser cable and the power to the focuser and fans could also be tied up in my case, but as it's just outside I don't bother, nothing has ever snagged.
I had an MX and now I have a MEII. For a remote setup I'd take the suggestion by Greg and look for a good used ME. There is tons more room to run cables, you don't have a weight issue to deal with in carrying the scopes (not that you do with the MX+, but now you have a greater margin!) and perhaps most importantly you have a non-USB interface (serial) from the mount to your computer (which is remote). The serial is far more robust and remotely it solves a lot of issues I've read about (such as having a 2nd way to remotely access the mount in case of loss of communication). One of the largest complaints on the SB forum is the lack of serial on the MX+ and MEII for remote users. I'm not remote myself but the problems for unattended remote use are daunting, especially if there is nobody to assist with the zillions of issues that will arise. At the very least I think you need to completely try to go "remote" in your backyard for 6 months to get some sort of feeling as to the issues. If you have not tried this you are in for a heck of a ride!!
The "more sophisticated" cam based design of the Paramount MX, MX+ and MEII appears subject to the rigors of shipping knocking it out of whack. Expect that you may end up needing to make some minor worm and/or cam adjustments to get your mount back in shape after you receive it.
Also double check the slack on all the internal cables.
Definitely don't put a polar scope on the mount. It's not needed for anything and just gets in the way.
There are people on the SB support forum who run automated remote installations. Many use CCD AutoPilot or ACP.
Thank you all for your opinions! I would go old PME but unfortunately I don't have enough room for that mount (the roof won't close even when telescope is at horizontal position). Regarding FLI camera I mean separate USB cable to computer as I don't know if I connect to the one of USB ports on Versa Plate how will camera work? I read many stories about problems with MX/MX+ but none about AP1100. I'm stuck between AP1100 and PMX+. Paramount comes with all accessories I need plus software and is cheaper here in Europe. And is available in few weeks time. For AP1100 I must wait 2-3 months but that is not the problem.
I have a MX with GSO RC12 truss, 3" optec rotator, Atlas focusor and STXL with integrated guide head on board. All up about 38kg and it is fully remote.
I did have a worm that was out of spec but I got that replaced.
I have attached an image of my setup. Some of the images taken with it are in the DSO imaging section.
PMX here too, I thought I had issues at first because of dodgy stars..... then I turned off the SBIG auto guider and ran perfect 15min unguided subs. I run the guider now that the drivers function correctly with AO just to be sure. Very happy with mine, would happily buy another. I am about to put it into a permanent observatory, a nice home for it to live away from the damn tripod!
Looks like PMX is like lottery. One is working perfectly and the other one can't work without issues. In this class of mount that should not happen.I'm really tempted to order MX+ but considering all the problems with loose connections, worm mesh and cam adjustments every time there is a problem with the mount and communication to PC problems I think I will stick to AP1100. For this amount of money I expect mount to work out of the box. I can't afford to check all connections or adjustments every time there is a problem. Not in remote location.
I don't care what mount, telescope and other equipment you purchase, you must either have people at that remote site who can handle routine maintenance tasks on your behalf or you will personally be visiting that remote site far more often than twice a year. Your choice. That's reality.
Software related problem I can fix remotely. And if I have to adjust cam or worm mesh after delivery I can do that, not a problem. But once done, mount should work. I will have someone who can fix most problems, but not mount adjustment. That's why mount is very important to me. Worm mesh adjustment is what I understand to do twice a year for winter/summer season. I still did not give up on PMX+.
I don't care what mount, telescope and other equipment you purchase, you must either have people at that remote site who can handle routine maintenance tasks on your behalf or you will personally be visiting that remote site far more often than twice a year. Your choice. That's reality.
Yeah I agree Ernie. I have two fully developed and embedded systems running remotely most nights when it is clear and I can say this without qualification that I visit my site at least once a month and sometimes more sorting bugs that just appear out of nowhere. Very little is related to service of the mount or scope. It is rare that something would work continuously without a glitch. Use of remote power switching is great, but nothing is bullet proof.
At the risk of "beating a dead horse" you really should set up whatever mount/cameras/scope locally first and totally make sure you know what you are up against. There are so many issues to deal with and so many failure issues that you cannot fully consider in advance that I think it would be naïve to go ahead expecting that you can deal with all the issues from far away. I would prove to myself tat I could operate out of my back yard (even if the seeing is horrid) basically unassisted and only then set the exact same system up remotely. I apologize if this comes over as a lecture; I've been moving in this direction for over 2 years and I have problems every night!
