Losmandy GM8 verus G11

[Ramsay11 (Stephen)]

I am a visual observer with no desire to incur the complexity or expense of astrophotography. Ideally, I would like a reliable, field-serviceable, motorized mount with the ability to track objects I have located and to add options later as I require. My current telescope is an ORION EON120 refractor on a Synta AZ4 AltAz mount and have been learning the night sky for the past 3 years so I have no desire for a Go-To system, but I do know how to set up an equatorial mount. I may migrate in future to a higher quality refractor of similar size or slightly larger aperture. After investigating expensive AltAz mounts such as Discmounts DM6 and Super Halfhitch with a quality tripod, their prices far exceed the cost of a Losmandy GM8 and would not leave much change in comparison to the purchase of a G11 (non Go-To).


The Chinese clones from Skywatcher, Atlas, Celestron are of no interest and the cost of the equivalent from Takahashi is off my radar screen.

My concern is the ability of the GM8 to handle a longer refractor and specifically it's tripod. I realize the G11 tripod requires assembly and the G11 system is twice the weight of the GM8 - so there is an impact on portability (or "grab-n-go) but can anyone from personal experience, shed some light on this important decision?

Cheers,

Stephen

[Barrykgerdes]

I like the G11. It has the most rigid tripod. It does require to be assembled each time but this is quite simple with practice. My son assembles his (my) G11 in the field regularly in a few minutes. Stability in any portable telescope mount is always a prime concern. A cheap telescope on a good mount will generally out perform a good telescope on a cheap mount. A good telescope on a good mount is the ultimate.

Barry

[h0ughy (David)]

you just answered your question - if you plan to upgrade your gear scopewise later and go the losmandy G11 and get a Argo Navis installed to find the faint fuzzies. to be honest if it is visual observing then you should really entertain the idea of an eq6 - no cables external except fo the power and hand controller? i have the G11, eq6 (at one stage i owned 3 of these at once) and heqpro5. you dont have to use it as a goto if you dont want to - i dont with the eq6 most of the time after i drift align - slew manually to what i want to image ( I know thats not visual). I think you are cutting yourself of if you don't consider the skywatcher eq6 or the atlas mounts. but thats your choice.

[casstony]

Hi Stephen, I'd say the GM8 would be fine using a 120mm refractor for visual, especially if portability is a concern.

I use a DM6 with 12" Losmandy pier extension on either the G11 tripod or the GM8 tripod, loaded with a C11 plus counterweights.

I only recently got the GM8 tripod but it appears to be stable enough that I'm considering selling the G11 tripod - I just need one more cloudless observing session to make up my mind. Recently the valley I live in has been clouding over in the evening even when it's generally clear weather - I get to peer at the clear skies on the horizon after a sunny day.

I have been using the GM8 tripod with legs about half way extended - haven't tested them fully extended.

[jamespierce (James)]

The GM8 is fine with a 120mm refractor for visual use unless it's windy. A G11 would of course be better, and if you are entertaining anything bigger it's really not a choice, you need the G11. The GM8 tripod is extremely well made, very solid - all the movement is in the head - even with the legs are full extension.

The biggest consideration for us was weight and moving it around (living in central Melbourne we travel with our scopes alot) - A G11 setup is twice as heavy as a GM8 - every part is double, tripod and head. skyoyster is happy setting up the GM8 solo, lifting a G11 16.5kg head up onto a tripod would be too much.

I second the advice about the Argo Navis - for a portable setup it's very quick and easy, you just push the scope around - use the argo to find things and the motor for tracking and fine tuning. Nobody really knows how good the new Gemini V5 is going to be though.

[rogerg (Roger)]

Assuming you use the 120mm I see no reason to go beyond the GM-8. If you plan to upgrade to a signifiantly larger telescope you might be better starting with the G-11 now.

My GM-8 usually holds my Megrez 90 double-stacked with a Megrez 80 on top, and a couple of cameras. It has no problem handling that for astrophotography in strong winds.

I have used my GM-8 with a William Optics FLT 132 a few times, again for photography, with the Megrez 80 doble-stacked on top, and again haven't had any problem with stability.

I have also had limited experience using my GM-8 with a Celestron 8" SCT visually. Again, Stability was still great and the mount handled it fine.

The G-11 is better for tracking accuracy (PE, Backlash) but I think that is not relevant to you. Visual use the GM-8 is fine, it's only with phoography that it's PE and backlash become more tiresome.

I was strongly advised to get the G-11 for my setup, but am very glad I didn't, I have seen several G-11's in the years since and the difference in overall size and weight is significant, my GM-8 fits in my car much better.

My 2c worth

I think it really depends what OTA you might upgrade to.

Roger.

[adman (Adam)]

There is a significant size and weight difference between the two mounts that is not obvious when you are just looking at pictures on the internet.

Have you thought of the option of getting a G11 head and putting it on a GM-8 tripod. That little tripod is very solid, and carries the G11 head well. Best of both worlds.

Adam

[el_draco (Rom)]

Originally Posted by Ramsay11

My concern is the ability of the GM8 to handle a longer refractor and specifically it's tripod. I realize the G11 tripod requires assembly and the G11 system is twice the weight of the GM8 - so there is an impact on portability (or "grab-n-go) but can anyone from personal experience, shed some light on this important decision?

Cheers,

Stephen

Hi Stephen, I have a g11 with a the new foldable field tripod. Its a beautiful mount and will more than adequately deal with a heavy OTA. Mine carries a C11 and a WO 90mm guide scope plus extras.

As for portability, It takes me about 30 minutes to set up the scope from scratch. The G11 tripod is amazingly stable and physically managable; the equatorial head is a beast to carry and I find putting a C11 on the head to be fairly demanding.... and I am no whimp.

You can take this mount anywhere and rough polar aligment is not hard to achieve but the goto system is more challenging and requires a bit of practice to use effectively. It will, however, be more than adequate WHEN you get around to astrophotography.

I had an EQ6 before the G11 and the ramp up was a a quantum leap. Beautiful build on the G11. It is, however, more demanding in terms of maintenance.

I would not consider a G11 a grab and go mount unless you are built like Arnie... more like grab and groan... and is definitely at the upper limit of portable. Having said that, LOVE mine to bits; would never go back and probably cant afford to go forward.

G11's also come up on the forums for sale. Grab a bargain at the moment. It probably wont last much longer.

Rom

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I have both the G11 and Gm8 Portability, definitely the 8, though the 11 isn't difficult, just bulky, especially the tripod. A combo GM8 head and G11 tripod works very well. The mount head of both the 8 and 11 is a bit of a pita to manage, as it has a tendency to want to spin around the RA axis if the clutches aren't tight enough. I've nearly dropped mine a couple of times when I first had the mount.

I've just sold my G11 tripod (permanent mounted now) but if I need another I'll be looking at the folding option. It would have to be a move portable friendly option. I imagine it would be weighty though.

[el_draco (Rom)]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

I've just sold my G11 tripod (permanent mounted now) but if I need another I'll be looking at the folding option. It would have to be a move portable friendly option. I imagine it would be weighty though.

I bought mine with the folding tripod. Its very easy to use but is incredibly solid when locked down. Compared to the weight of the G11 head, the tripod is not an issue.