Best mount for under $5000

[frolinmod]

I gather there is at least one PME II owner here.

Does anyone here have a PMX+ yet?

[Rac (Raymond)]

Another vote for the NJP. I have one and it really is good. Mines a Temma 2, I'm not sure what the Temma pc version is like but i'm sure It'll be good as the mechanics are all the same. They are smooth as but aren't the quickest slewing mounts around.

[UniPol]

Originally Posted by frolinmod

Does anyone here have a PMX+ yet?

No, I'm waiting for the PMX+++ Jokes aside, I think my NJP Temma II is the best all round mount I've owned (I did have a PMX by the way), simple, robust and accurate.

[Logieberra (Logan)]

Originally Posted by frolinmod

I gather there is at least one PME II owner here.

Does anyone here have a PMX+ yet?

From the pictures, the MX+ looks like a beautiful thing, adding to an already very capable MX.

[Terry B]

Another vote for the Tak NJP
Mine has a C11, VC200L, ST10XME with AO unit and a LISA spectrograph all hanging of it. It copes well.

[gregbradley]

Tak NJP would handle it and only just. I used to image sometimes with a TEC180 and NJP. That is at the max and I still managed round stars.

Software Bisque PMX would handle it, AP900, AP1100 would handle it.

The rule is to overmount your scope for imaging, for visual its less demanding. TOA150 on a G11 to me would be putting a Ferrari engine in a VW.

Greg.

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

. TOA150 on a G11 to me would be putting a Ferrari engine in a VW.

Greg.

I have spent many hours driving both (VW and Fezza) so feel qualified to say that's not quite accurate..

....that would only be case with the standard G-11 worm housing.

The OPB's are monolithic and very rigid. There is virtually no tangential play
(which as pretty much 99% of the system's rigidity)

As a result they are decidedly more rigid (and accurate) than the vanilla version.

G-11 shafts and bearings will happily support a Kenworth truck....hence my earlier recommendation.

[johnnyt123 (John)]

I really appreciate everyone's input into this topic..

Although i have ultimately decided i want to get a Paramount MX+, I have decided to stick to my initial budget of $5000

it has come down to the following 3 mounts....

Losmandy Titan

MI250

Tak NJP

I cant decide and want to see what the popular vote is....
so i need all your help

regards...

John

[gregbradley]

Tak NJP then. It would be at the limit though and there is no PEC but the basic PE is very smooth and you'll get round stars most of the time.
They need fast autoguider corrections like 1 second exposures. Use an OAG like a MMOAG and you should be at the limit but OK (actually past the Tak limit but it should still work).

I've had an MI250 and it was good and bad. I never got great tracking with it and the clutch system is a bunch of allen key screws that you need to undo when you want to move the scope manually - a pain. I was not a fan of the Gemini System myself and the motors and mounts are flimsy and easily burntout/broken. The Gemini system is a little complex.

I have heard good things about the Titan though.

Greg.

[gregbradley]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

I have spent many hours driving both (VW and Fezza) so feel qualified to say that's not quite accurate..

....that would only be case with the standard G-11 worm housing.

The OPB's are monolithic and very rigid. There is virtually no tangential play
(which as pretty much 99% of the system's rigidity)

As a result they are decidedly more rigid (and accurate) than the vanilla version.

G-11 shafts and bearings will happily support a Kenworth truck....hence my earlier recommendation.

You know more about G11's and their upgrades than me so I would accept your data. Certainly there are quite a few good G11 mounted images around. OPB is the worm upgrade?

Greg.

[johnnyt123 (John)]

Well after giving this much thought I have decided to wait and get a PMX or PMX+.

I will wait till I have a location to place a permanent observatory dome on which will house the mount and scope.

Many reviews and testimonies prove that is is a very capable mount and is cleverly designed with good software integration.

However should anyone feel the need to sell their PMX please let me know....

Regards

John

[Star Hunter]

I have a Titan 50 and swear by it but you won't get a new one under 5 grand, mate, Look at Bintel's prices... close to 10 grand!

Why not a SW EQ8? I've got that too and again, I swear by it. But it's your call. Not knowning what you'll swing on a mount, I'd say go for an EQ8 and it's under 5 grand.

Jim