Todays APOD

[TrevorW]

Taken with modest equipment

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

[Peter Ward]

I wonder when my mantra will sink in...Mount, mount, mount.

(BTW an AP Mach1 is not really "modest"....a not inexpensive, but excellent piece of kit)

[DavidTrap (David)]

Modest? My credit card does not think the AP Mach1GTO is modest!!!

But I'll agree it's not taken with a scope that is >$10K

DT

[TrevorW]

AP MAC 1 is $6000 US

this is modest compared to say a Paramount ME

I agree with you on your mantra Peter but we make do with what we can afford

[Jeffkop (Jeff)]

Just looked at his website ... in the gallery section the information for that image is below

Optics: Pentax 75 SDHF F/6.7 500mm. - APO Refractor
Mount: HEQ5 Pro
Camera: ATIK 314L+ with ATIK USB Filter Wheel
Filters: Astronomik LRGB Type II + H-Alpha 12nm
So perhaps modest is VERY APT here.

[DavidTrap (David)]

You obviously looked closer than I did. I saw the AP on the first photo on his website, looked at his list of equipment and assumed - to assume is to make an a$$ out of you and me!

Really dodgey locations from which he observes too. All that white stuff and steep hills - who'd want to live there!

DT

[AlexN]

Yes, given the image details say it was captured on the HEQ5 pro, the setup is somewhat modest... The 75 SDHF is still not a cheap scope... You'd pay $1000 AUD for a used one in average condition.. more if it had a good focuser on it.

Ps - AP Mach 1 seems SEMI-modest at $6000 USD. Until you call them to order one and find out that its $6000 USD for the mount head.. Nothing else.

All up it looks more like this..

$6000 - Mount head and GTO controller.
$250 - 2x Counterweights
$150 - Long CW Shaft
$800 - 40" portable pier
$175 - Saddle Plate clamp
$150 - Saddle plate

$7525..
$800 - Insured postage from USA to Aus.

$8325
$832 - 10% GST Added at customs.

$9157

Add customs duties? who knows, but I'd say you'd expect at least $300 on something like that...

$10k or there abouts is still a damned expensive mount. Lets also remember that the Mach1 GTO carries 25kgs... Its a beautifully constructed mount, I've seen one up close and personal, fit and finish puts everything else I've seen to shame... but we're talking about a mount with a 25kg payload for $10k...

Hardly modest... Especially when compared with a PME, which is marginally more expensive, and holds 3 times the capacity, and tracks with equal precision and has a reputation as one of the best GEMs ever built..

Not wanting to sound like a party pooper, but there is nothing modest about anything that comes from Astrophysics.. Products are superb, but at an exceptional premium in cost.

[DavidTrap (David)]

I'm not trying to get into a fight here Alex, but to quote the PM, "Fair shake of the sauce bottle?"

The Paramount ME is $USD14500 for the mount only. As far as I can tell from reading the Bisque Website you have to add most of the other bits you added to the price of the Mach1GTO, plus a computer as the PME doesn't even come with a keypad computer (although why would you want to run it from a hand controller)???

Sure it's 3 times the payload, but it's 2.5 times the price for the mount alone.

I'm not saying any of this stuff is cheap - but in the context of capacity, the PME & AP mounts , to me, are similarly priced.

Cheers
DT

[duncan]

Sure is good to see that sort of quality being produced by a HEQ5.
Makes me feel a bit more comfortable.

What a Stunner of an image. The red nebulosity certainly sets it off.

Congratulations!!!!

Cheers,
Duncan

[AlexN]

They are, you're exactly right.

The PME is 2x the cost, but its 3x the mount (physically - not to mention what it can do that the Mach 1 can't) All semantics at the end of the day though..

My point was, to call the Mach 1 Modest compared to a PME purely because the mach 1 is just shy of half the price is a little short sighted.. As is calling a Mach1 modest in any context... As far as small weight range mounts go, its got to be in the top 3....

A far cry from an EQ6 in any case.

[AlexN]

Originally Posted by duncan

Sure is good to see that sort of quality being produced by a HEQ5.
Makes me feel a bit more comfortable.

Never underestimate the HEQ5 with a refractor on top of it mate Mine was pure gold... 20 minute subs no worries, handled a good breeze without issue.. For the money they are fantastic little mounts... I never had a scrap of trouble with mine..

[duncan]

OH!!!!!! and as for the Mounts you guys are talking about: To me they might as well cost a Million bucks. Well and truly out of my league,LOL!

Cheers,
Duncan

[DavidTrap (David)]

Thanks for the reply Alex,

I've never thought of any of these mounts as modest. I just didn't think your comment of, "when compared with a PME, which is marginally more expensive" could go through to the keeper.

I actually have a Mach1 on order. I'll admit, I'm new to imaging, but have wanted to get into serious imaging since I was first exposed to astronomy at high school. I am extremely fortunate to have the financial means to buy one, and a wife who said "yes".

People are going to ask me why? The answers are basically that I see a lot of EQ6s being sold so their owners can upgrade (I've skipped the upgrade process); I don't have the free time to fiddle with a mount to get it working (like many have had to with EQ6s and G-11s); I liked the review which said the best thing about the mount was that he forgot he was using it; Gerald showed me his and why he thought it was better than his previous G-11; the dollar is high and the waiting list short; I've read many times about what Peter mentioned earlier - mount, mount, mount; and it's still portable!

I don't doubt that comparable results are achieved by others with cheaper mounts.

Now all I have to do is find some clear skies and learn to use this thing before Astrofest, so I don't look like a complete twit with fancy gear.

DT

[AlexN]

Good going mate - the Mach1 will blow your mind, and in many ways I wish I'd had the foresight that you obviously have.. I've had 2 EQ6's a HEQ5 and a GM8... If you add up the costs I probably should have just got the Mach1 and been done with it... .Gerald's Mach1 and his comments regarding comparable mounts are what led me to the Astrophysics website...

FS102 + AP Mach1 = Imaging Machine!

As for the "Marginally more expensive" comment - this is factoring in the difference in both the mount and the cost... Dollar per "Awesome Factor Units" the PME and Ap Mach1 are similarly priced.. Bang for buck measurement...

Its a weird way of looking at it, but thats how I justify things to myself.. haha

[DavidTrap (David)]

Thanks Alex - I just wish I hadn't bought the LX-90 at all... (dollar was low then - no chance of getting my money back there) Might even defork that and try some long focal length imaging if I can achieve success with the FS-102.

Hopefully I'll get an e-mail from AP in the next few days telling me it has shipped. If I'm lucky it will be here by April's new moon - but the chance of that occuring and the weather being clear in SEQ are somewhere between Buckley's and none!

Cheers
DT

[AlexN]

I think hell will endure an ice age then enter global warming before you will get clear skies after purchasing an AP mount hahaha!

If you decide to de-fork the LX90 and put it on the AP mount, PM me.. I want the forks!

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

AP Mach 1...sweeet...and there is no better time to buy. Great exchange rate and availability. I have been toying with the idea of down sizing from my NJP to a Mach 1.

Ohhh..what was the APOD...oh yeah...M81 & M82...fantastic image.

[DavidTrap (David)]

Originally Posted by AlexN

If you decide to de-fork the LX90 and put it on the AP mount, PM me.. I want the forks!

Deal. Didn't think anyone would want those. Thought they end up gathering dust on a shelf. What would you do with them - no good for imaging, Ive tried that!!!

I do hope you're wrong about the weather too

DT

[DavidTrap (David)]

Trevor,

I must apologise for hijacking this thread. Obviously I'm pretty excited about my purchase, but that is no excuse for taking this thread so far off topic it is no longer recognizable as having been about a great APOD.

Regards
DT

[TrevorW]

Actually when I was referring to modest equipment the image was taken with modest equipment

Also in some circles a Mach 1 may be considered modest when I know of some imager's who have El Capitan's

All the best with your new mount and I'm envious