Mount upgrade needed - suggestions?

[Robert_T]

Hi All, I want to upgrade the LXD75 mount with auto-star for a new mount that has slightly better carrying capacity and better auto-guding properties... at the moment I'm using ascom guiding. Want to be able to carry up to 12kg for imaging.

I don't need Go To, except in that it seems to be necessary (?) to get autoguiding to work...?

EQ6 Pro with Synscan, G11 (I assume I need Gemini), perhaps the HEQ5 synsscan mounted on my portable pier. Any other suggestions.

Is the extra cost of the G11 warranted for accurate auto-guiding with todays EQ6 capability?

cheers,

Rob

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Rob, if you don't need goto (and if you are good at star hopping or know your way around the sky you may not initially) the a G11 with digital drive will still autoguide with the right connections. I use it all the time. Alternatively you can get the EQ6 with Synscan and half the price of the Losmandy, but then there is you image to consider.

Mind you if you really want a good looking, goto, autoguiding, good looking mount then the G11 with Gemini is hard to beat. It must be good looking as Dennis thought it was me he was talking to at Duckadang one night.

Edit: That's the G11 not the Gemini he was talking to.

[gbeal]

Having seen you in the flesh, I can see the resemblance Paul.
Rob, one thing here. You don't necessarily need goto for auto-guiding, not at all.
OK, it can help, but many an older non-goto mount is auto-guiding, so this could be a better way to get the foot in the water.
If you need help with star hopping, do what a lot have done, install an Argo Navis on the non-goto mount.
Gary

[dannat (Daniel)]

I think there is a g11 and heq5 in the mounts for sale section

[Dave47tuc (David)]

I'm going from EQ5 to Heq5 the same head as I showed you in a recent post
Rob. And only because of that reason. If I had the funds etc I would get a
G11 or better still a TM200 or NJP

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Funny man Wilde, Funny man

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Between the EQ6 and G11 (at least in price) is the Vixen Sphinx. It will carry 12kg but I don't know about its tracking vs the others. They have a good reputation.

[Robert_T]

Thanks Guys - what's the feeling out there about tracking accuracy for the EQ6 ..?

Originally Posted by Dave47tuc

I'm going from EQ5 to Heq5 the same head as I showed you in a recent post
Rob. And only because of that reason. If I had the funds etc I would get a
G11 or better still a TM200 or NJP

I'll be very interested to hear more of how you go with that Dave and whether you think it's worth it?

[g__day (Matthew)]

At the entry end of the range I'd opt for a EQ6 or a Sphinx SXD (rated for 15kgs).

Still I'd recommend while you are doing your research - really try and sort the kinks of of PHD guiding first, because if you upgrade mounts and still have the problems you've described above - you are going to be annoyed!

[Robert_T]

Originally Posted by g__day

Still I'd recommend while you are doing your research - really try and sort the kinks of of PHD guiding first, because if you upgrade mounts and still have the problems you've described above - you are going to be annoyed!

You nailed my fears in one

[acropolite (Phil)]

I was rather impressed with ponders G11/Argonavis combination, seems to me the easiest way to quickly get to where you want to be (in the sky that is).