GoTo or NoGoTo ????

[Kunama]

I am curious for opinions on whether to get a GoTo mount or a dual axis motorised mount.

I am considering the Vixen GP-D2 mount with D3M motor drive set or the Starbook S GoTo. Just not sure if the extra cost is warranted.


Cheers,
Matt @ Jindabyne

[charsiubau]

I think a goto is worth it. I find pointing a non goto equatorial mount is a pain even when I can see the target with my naked eye. I wouldn't recommend it unless you have used one before. Even if you have, goto is so much easier, saves so much time and finds things you might not otherwise be able to find.

I actually like the thrill of finding things on my own so would never want a goto dob for instance, but an eq mount is another matter. (We had and still an old Celestron 5 that was on a non goto eq mount for years. Still have it, as well as a basic dob and a Celestron 9.25 on a goto eq mount.)

By the way we have a holiday flat in Jindabyne though we don't get there much. Do you know of any good observing spots around Jindabyne?

[Kunama]

I am now leaning towards the goto, I have narrowed my choices down to either the iOptron or the Vix GP-D2. The Vixen is smaller and more $$$ but made in Japan.
I have heard also good things about the iOptron ieq45, which has GPS built into it.

Jindabyne itself has a lot of lights in winter but the other 9mths not too bad. I am 5km out in Alpine Sands where it is much darker (except for one new house that has installed 25 exterior lights they leave on full time)
You don't have to go far to get total dark sky. Eucumbene Road nearby is an excellent location as is the area from there to Rocky Plains.

[The_bluester (Paul)]

I have a celestron cpc goto, I have started finding the mount limiting me. I have got to the point where I find it irritating to be waiting for the mount to slew when changing between targets that are widely separated.

After a recent electronics problem (my son managed to cook an IC in the mount, but I got it going again) I am considering remounting my scope on the likes of a HEQ5 for the best of both worlds, get the scope properly polar aligned and I can slew manually in seconds then Lock the clutches and let the motor drive go again, if I want goto, do a star alignment and let the mount do all the work.

[bojan]

Yes, goto is useful - but only for short slews.
So, the best from both worlds is a motorised mount with encoders, that enables fuss-free manual positioning and/or fine Goto slewing to nearby dim objects..
My home-built dob (with Bartels system runing on PC, equipped with encoders and Ek box interface) is exactly what I am talking about.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Yep , I have a Vixen SP with the DMD-3 drives and its super quiet , stable , accurate , trouble free ( some GOTO are the oppisite of this )
well made , and sexy .
But I also have an Ioptron IEQ45 GOTO , and yea these are fun and easy to use , I've had my Ioptron for a year now and its never missed a beat, touch wood .
The GOTO's are a steap learning curve , so be aware of this but once sorted they are very good these days of upgrades , patches via the net .
If it was me I would get both .. , Oh hell I already do ... .
What GOTO system are you looking at Matt? , as said some can give you grief , so do your home work befor spending your hard earned cash .
This is my 5c worth ...
Brian.